Michelle Richmond had an inkling the photographs the Northern Beaches Council Library Services had bought from The Sydney Morning Herald archive were something very special when she saw the reaction of the volunteers tasked with placing the 3500 images into preservation sleeves.
"I had a whole group of volunteers from the community come in," she says. "They just fell in love with the photos. We've had a really positive reaction from everyone who has seen them so far."
Northern Beaches Council library historian Michelle Richmond with a photo from the library’s exhibition showing highlights from the Sydney Morning Herald archives. Credit:Dean Sewell
The shots were purchased in 2017, but the thousands of photographs have since been whittled down to 80 which will go on display to the public for the exhibition From the SMH archive (until December 1).
"It really offers a great glimpse into post-World War II development of the northern beaches," says Richmond, the library's historian who is speaking at a Local Studies talk about the stories behind some of the pictures on show.
The photographs from the 1950s through to the 1990s depict historically significant moments such as the opening of Warringah Mall, the 1974 storm that destroyed Manly Harbour Pool and the hydrofoils that once cut across the water – nestled alongside more mundane sights, such as locals queuing for the bus or Richmond's personal favourite: two older women fishing off the wharf.
"Journalists take photos of different things that maybe wouldn't be taken by a photographer just looking for something beautiful," says Richmond. "We're really excited because people will remember these stories. It's not so far in the past that they won't remember."
From the SMH archive Local Studies talk, 11am, Manly Art Gallery and Museum, West Esplanade Reserve, Manly, free, northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au
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