• 1966

    The two Davy Press boilers are removed and four stationary boilers in the Boiler House are converted to run on oil (and later on natural gas).

    The Roaring Giant
  • 1967

    Eveleigh survives dieselisation – diesel repairs relocate from Chullora to Eveleigh, and bogie repairs commence in the Large Erecting Shop.

    Evolution of Eveleigh - The Railway workshops
  • 1967

    In the National Referendum, Australians vote to include Aboriginal people in the census and allow the Commonwealth to make laws for Aboriginal peoples.

    Indigenous Connections
  • 1968

    South Sydney Council and the NSW Government are keen to relocate the large Aboriginal population away from inner city areas. NSW Department of Housing begins resettling the Aboriginal population to the west of city to suburbs such as Mt Druitt and Campbelltown.

  • 1970

    The Spring Shop relocates to Bay 3, where machinery remains on display today.

    Spring into life
  • 1970

    The Aboriginal population of Redfern grows to over 35,000. The decade is a turning point for the rise of Aboriginal morale in Redfern with the development of community-controlled services. They include the Aboriginal Legal Service, Aboriginal Medical Service, Aboriginal Children's Service and the Aboriginal Black Theatre House.

  • 1970

    Eveleigh Railway Workshops are modernised to meet demands for servicing and repairing modern diesels and rolling stock.

    Evolution of Eveleigh - The Railway workshops
  • 1973

    The Block is granted to the Redfern Aboriginal community and the Aboriginal Housing Company forms to manage the grant. It is the first housing collective in Australia. Their first major feat despite several obstacles from South Sydney Council and non-Aboriginal residents was the purchasing of and restoration of six terraces on The Block.

    Indigenous Connections
  • Washing facilities were primitive and each worker had a bucket similar to these ones to wash up before meals and after the day's work

    1976

    Workers are still washing in buckets three times a day.

    We all washed in buckets
  • 1979

    Eastern Suburbs platforms open.

    Evolution of Eveleigh - The Railway workshops
  • 1986

    On 27 June Eveleigh Locomotive Depot officially closes, signalling the gradual closure of the workshops.

    Evolution of Eveleigh - The Railway workshops
  • Engine in loco (3801)

    1986

    Restored Steam Locomotive 3801 commences tourist operations from Eveleigh Railway Workshops’ Large Erecting Shop under the management of 3801 Limited.

    Evolution of Eveleigh - The Railway workshops
  • 1986

    Works Manager's Office is the main timekeeper’s and administration office for the workshop from 1887 to 1986.

    Time
  • 1987

    The bell on the Works Manager's & Timekeeper's Office is restored at Eveleigh by Bay 1 tradesmen and reinstated above the office.

    Time
  • 1989

    Most of the Eveleigh Railway Workshops close and the great machines are silent. Demolition of numerous Eveleigh Railway Workshops buildings including Pattern Shop, Foundry and Smith's Shops.

    Evolution of Eveleigh - The Railway workshops
  • 1989

    In February the Eveleigh Railway Workshops close.

    Evolution of Eveleigh - The Railway workshops
  • Eveleigh workers swarm towards the gates at knock off time, undated

    1989

    Paddy's Markets relocates from Haymarket to Bays 5 to 15. Remaining machinery is relocated to Bays 1 to 4.

    Evolution of Eveleigh - The Railway workshops
  • 1991

    Australian Technology Park works commence.

    Evolution of Eveleigh - The Railway workshops
  • 1991

    Wrought Artworks recommission blacksmiths' forges and electrically-powered equipment in Bays 1 and 2.

    Alchemy
  • 1992

    The Governor-General's carriage is donated to the Powerhouse Museum.

    An all Australian triumph: The Governor general's carriage
  • 1992

    On 10 December the Prime Minister of Australia, Paul Keating, makes his iconic speech to Aboriginal Australians in Redfern Park.

    Indigenous Connections
  • 1992

    Australian Technology Park is formally established.

    Evolution of Eveleigh - The Railway workshops
  • 1994

    Paddy's Market returns to Haymarket.

    Evolution of Eveleigh - The Railway workshops
  • 1996

    Australian Technology Park officially opens in November.

    Evolution of Eveleigh - The Railway workshops
  • 1997

    Demolition of housing at The Block is approved by Aboriginal Housing Company.

    Indigenous Connections
  • 1997

    A site near the Garden Street entrance is earmarked for new facilities to house the Sydney Ambulance Centre (SAC) and the RTA Transport Management Centre.

    Evolution of Eveleigh - The Railway workshops
  • 1997

    Construction begins on the Biotechnology Building (later to be known as the Biomedical Building).

    Evolution of Eveleigh - The Railway workshops
  • 1998

    Australian Technology Park’s Conference and Exhibition Centre opens.

    Evolution of Eveleigh - The Railway workshops
  • 1999

    Biomedical Building construction commences.

    Evolution of Eveleigh - The Railway workshops
  • 2000

    A major management re-structure in August sees Australian Technology Park now governed by the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA). Australian Technology Park Innovations Pty Limited (ATPi) is formed. Extensive site remediation and landscaping creates substantial new public open space throughout the park.

    Evolution of Eveleigh - The Railway workshops
  • 2001

    Significant restoration and remediation works of The Blacksmith’s Workshop in Bays 1 and 2 completed; two new CRCs are also established – Smart Internet Technology (SIT) and Securities Industry Research Centre of Asia Pacific (SIRCA), while cleaning technology is applied to heritage machinery in preparation for permanent display.

    Evolution of Eveleigh - The Railway workshops
  • 2002

    A $4.5m refurbishment of Bay 15 creates an additional 2500sqm of contemporary office space.

    Evolution of Eveleigh - The Railway workshops
  • 2003

    Bay 15 is leased by National Information & Communications Technology Australia (NICTA) in February, while plans are drafted for a new 12,000sqm building on Site D (which will eventually be NICTA’s new headquarters).

    Evolution of Eveleigh - The Railway workshops
  • 2004

    $7.6m refurbishment works commence on the Locomotive Workshops.

    Evolution of Eveleigh - The Railway workshops
  • 2005

    Ownership of Australian Technology Park transfers to the NSW Government’s newly-formed Redfern-Waterloo Authority (RWA). Construction of the new multi-million dollar research facility for National ICT Australia is given the go ahead in September.

    Evolution of Eveleigh - The Railway workshops

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