The Sydney Harbour Bridge Turns 90!

Peter Alderson 

I have walked over the Harbour Bridge so many times, but each time it is awe inspiring and today I walked around the Birchgrove foreshore and spied it from many angles, sitting there majestically and thought too about how much it means to Sydney living. It has just turned 90 and it has been lit up differently for two nights as part of the celebration.

Here is a short video about the bridge where John Bradfield's grandson talks 

The SMH has some photos here that will enable some good class discussion.

There are several picture books which will also provide background information on the bridge for young students. It also features in many books about bridges and Sydney. Use the index to find out which ones do.

Building the Sydney Harbour Bridge by John Nicholson

'The giant coat-hanger' took 1300 men eight years to build. They used six million rivets and 53 000 tonnes of steel. John Nicholson tells the story step by step, in fascinating detail: the vision, the problems, the solutions, the suspense (would the two halves actually meet?), the risks, the celebrations.  

Once you've read this book, you'll never see that soaring arch, that vast maze of steel, the same way again. 

To the Bridge  by Corinne Fenton and Andrew McLean

The story of Lennie Gwyther and Ginger Mick, a boy and his pony who crossed Sydney's Harbour Bridge on 19th of March, 1932 and marched into history. 

 Lennie the Legend by Stephanie Owen Reeder

This is the inspiring true story of nine-year-old Lennie Gwyther who, at the height of the Great Depression in 1932, rode his pony from his home town of Leongatha in rural Victoria to Sydney to witness the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Lennie’s 1,000-kilometre solo journey captured the imagination of the nation, and his determination and courage provided hope to many at a difficult time in Australia’s history.

Lennie's Ride  by Mary Small and Marion Wilcocks

Lennie's Ride is the remarkable story of Lennie Gwyther, a nine-year-old farmer's son from Leongatha in Gippsland, Victoria, so excited about the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge he rode his pony, Ginger Mick, 600 miles to witness the event himself.

The Day We Built the Bridge by Samantha Tidy and Fiona Burrows

There are moments in history that connect us and define a country. In our hearts and minds, some moments rely on us to hold onto a dream, face tough challenges, and put in a great deal of effort. Big dreams can take generations. It can also take six million hand-driven rivets and 53,000 tonnes of steel. The Day We Built the Bridge celebrates our connection with one another, and declares that despite the greatest of challenges, together we can make history.

Hello, Sydney! by Megan McKean

Discover 15 of Sydney's most iconic locations, with the help of six cheeky seagulls, on this look-and-find adventure.

 13 Bridges Children Should Know  by Brad Finger

One of the 13 is the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Australia's Bridges  by Alison Hideki

Engineering Marvels of Australia contains the stories of the design and construction of some of Australia's major feats of engineering.