Campbelltown City Library Celebrates History Week 2012

Campbelltown City Library will be celebrating the History Council of New South Wales' History Week from September 8-16. The theme this year is Threads: they wore what?  which is designed to explore the history of clothing and the impact that fashion makes on society.

Throughout the week a display of historical photographs of uniforms worn by people from Campbelltown will be presented along with an exhibition of historical garments from the Campbelltown and Airds Historical Society collection from the 19th and 20th centuries.

The photograph above is of a group of nurses from a Campbelltown Hospital immediately following the First World War. The hospital is probably that which was located in Lithgow Street that preceeded Milby Hospital where the old Fisher's Ghost Restaurant is located.

In addition to these displays, Dr Vicki Karaminas, an Associate Professor at the University of Technology in the School of Design, will be presenting a talk about "Men's Fashion in Australia from Colonial Times" at HJ Daley Library. The talk is free and will commence at 1:00pm on Tuesday 11 September. Bookings are essential on 4645 4436.

Chamberlain Street Then and Now

These photographs of Chamberlain Street, Campbelltown were taken from approximately the same position. The black and white image was taken in 1941 and the colour in August 2012. The only landmark I had to line up the comparison with was the cottage on the right hand side in the 1941 photograph today partially hidden by trees (click on the colour image for a larger and clearer view). Another clue to the location was that the photograph was donated by the Bentley family who lived in a now demolished house at number 19 just out of the picture on the right. The people in the 1941 photograph are unidentified.

Written by Andrew Allen

Saturn's Rings

One of the more unusual constructions built in Campbelltown is the Universal Power House or Saturn's Rings perched high on a hill in the suburb of Eschol Park. Saturn's Rings was built by a Polish immigrant from Ingleburn named Stefan Dzwonnik. Construction began around 1979 and continued for some years after that. At the time the building was regarded as one of the most spectacular in New South Wales with a limitless, panoramic view of the surrounding countryside.

So what was the purpose of this unique building? Stefan Dzwonnik had plans for it to be the mecca for a world-wide movement directed toward a better life on Earth. It was intended to become the home of him and his family; and the "power house" of his proposed Universal Power World Society.

The unique design of the house was based on the rings of the planet Saturn and comprised three concentric units. The largest on the top level was to provide living quarters for the family. The two lower levels were for the society.

Dzwonnik wrote a book around the time of construction called "The Universal Life Challenge". It discussed the Universal Power philosophy and outlined the aims and objectives of the society such as engaging in cultural and sporting activities and promotion of truth, love and peace.

Saturn's Rings was never completed.  When its frame used to be visible on the skyline, people would contemplate what is was, often mistaking it for a casino! It still sits on the hill at Eschol Park now virtually obliterated from public view by trees.  My research leads me to believe that Stefan Dzwonnik moved from the area and is now living on the Far South Coast of New South Wales.

The Universal Power House or Saturn's Rings still under construction in November 1985. (Richard Lawrance Collection. Campbelltown City Library)

Update

Stefan Dzwonnik died in 2018
 

Written by Andrew Allen