Craig Werner speaks on the History of Penrith - 150 Years Speaker Series

Craig Werner speaks on the topic of "The History of Penrith". He is the President of the Nepean District Historical Society.

He speaks about: Tench discovered river for Penriths beginning - 1803 land grants to marines and free settlers - Prison farm in Emu Plains is now Womens Prison - Windsor and Penrith were main food producers in early days of white settlement - St Pauls is oldest church built in 1813 - South Creek land was given to Blaxland Lawson and Wentworth - 1st courthouse was 1817 in High street opposite current St Nicholas of Myra church - Penrith Nepean Bridge Company charged for crossing river from Punt rd - St Josephs convent was 1st hospital situated where Officeworks is today- The towers built 1880 - 1951 Penrith Powerstation (substation) built - 1908 Rail bridge was built separate from road - Road and rail combination in 1860s - Wallacia was Sydney siders weekend retreat - Ambulance station built in 1929 High St then moved to GWH near Tennis court - 1925 Penrith Motor Speedway carnival created where Army Land was, which also had an airstrip which later became suburb Thornton - Industries eg Coombs cordial factory was very successful 60 years, it was where Senior Citizens is now - Westfield in 1970s was one storey.