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 Giant1967
Eveleigh survives dieselisation – diesel repairs relocate from Chullora to Eveleigh, and bogie repairs commence in the Large Erecting Shop.
Evolution of Eveleigh - The Railway workshops1967
In the National Referendum, Australians vote to include Aboriginal people in the census and allow the Commonwealth to make laws for Aboriginal peoples.
Indigenous Connections1968
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 life1970
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 workshops1973
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 Connections1976
Workers are still washing in buckets three times a day.
We all washed in buckets1979
Eastern Suburbs platforms open.
Evolution of Eveleigh - The Railway workshops1986
On 27 June Eveleigh Locomotive Depot officially closes, signalling the gradual closure of the workshops.
Evolution of Eveleigh - The Railway workshops1986
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 workshops1986
Works Manager's Office is the main timekeeper’s and administration office for the workshop from 1887 to 1986.
Time1987
The bell on the Works Manager's & Timekeeper's Office is restored at Eveleigh by Bay 1 tradesmen and reinstated above the office.
Time1989
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 workshops1989
In February the Eveleigh Railway Workshops close.
Evolution of Eveleigh - The Railway workshops1989
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 workshops1991
Australian Technology Park works commence.
Evolution of Eveleigh - The Railway workshops1991
Wrought Artworks recommission blacksmiths' forges and electrically-powered equipment in Bays 1 and 2.
Alchemy1992
The Governor-General's carriage is donated to the Powerhouse Museum.
An all Australian triumph: The Governor general's carriage1992
On 10 December the Prime Minister of Australia, Paul Keating, makes his iconic speech to Aboriginal Australians in Redfern Park.
Indigenous Connections1992
Australian Technology Park is formally established.
Evolution of Eveleigh - The Railway workshops1994
Paddy's Market returns to Haymarket.
Evolution of Eveleigh - The Railway workshops1996
Australian Technology Park officially opens in November.
Evolution of Eveleigh - The Railway workshops1997
Demolition of housing at The Block is approved by Aboriginal Housing Company.
Indigenous Connections1997
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 workshops1997
Construction begins on the Biotechnology Building (later to be known as the Biomedical Building).
Evolution of Eveleigh - The Railway workshops1998
Australian Technology Park’s Conference and Exhibition Centre opens.
Evolution of Eveleigh - The Railway workshops1999
Biomedical Building construction commences.
Evolution of Eveleigh - The Railway workshops2000
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 workshops2001
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 workshops2002
A $4.5m refurbishment of Bay 15 creates an additional 2500sqm of contemporary office space.
Evolution of Eveleigh - The Railway workshops2003
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 workshops2004
$7.6m refurbishment works commence on the Locomotive Workshops.
Evolution of Eveleigh - The Railway workshops2005
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