Warragamba

African Lion Safari 55 Years On

This month marks the 55-year anniversary since the official opening of the African Lion Safari, located in Warragamba. Visitors of the park would drive on a 4-kilometre road, where lions roamed freely. It was common for the lions to approach cars driving on the safari, biting bits off motor vehicles, and climbing onto bonnets. Park workers would frequently have to retrieve parts from cars, such as bumpers and side mirrors.

With a scenic railway and a dolphinarium, the safari park would attract up to 200,000 visitors each year. The 100-acre reserve featured many other exotic animals, including tigers, bears, sea lions, and water buffalo. Activities that were held daily at the park included a parrot circus, a dolphin and sea lion show, kangaroo feeding, and visits to Pets Corner, home to a range of non-native animals. A local community service was also established by the park where unwanted or sick livestock could be disposed of and used as food for the lions and tigers.

The park was opened on a block of land near Warragamba Dam on August 17th, 1968, by Stafford Bullen. An additional park was opened by Stafford called Bullen’s Animal World, located in Wallacia. Here visitors watched a circus and drove through an animal petting zoo. The Bullen family was a renowned circus family in Australia who were responsible for bringing the Great Moscow Circus to the country.

With extensive work required to upgrade the Lion Safari Park following legislative changes, the facility closed in 1991. Despite the parks closure, the Bullen family continued to hold the animals on site and bred the lions and tigers.

On August 7, 1995, three lions escaped from the park gates and roamed the nearby streets and backyards of Silverdale. One of the lions was shot dead by a park handler after smashing down a fence and mauling a family dog in Marsh Road. Following this unfortunate attack, the park was required to upgrade its facilities to prevent any more animals from escaping.

Today, the land where the African Lion Safari Park once sat has been demolished and is being built on for residential development. For many, it is sad seeing such a thrilling place in ruin, however it will remain a wonderful memory for those who grew up with it as their playground.

r Lions have right of way 1970 | Image: Penrith City Library r Students from the Maltese primary class at Llandilo Public School. Image: Annemarie Thind/ Skola Maltija Sydney

Have you ever wanted to learn Maltese? Skola Maltija Sydney have Maltese primary classes (K-6) that are held on Wednesday afternoons at Llandilo Public School. The classes operate during school term.

They also offer an online class on Thursday evenings for adults, which high school students are welcome to join. The class caters for students of all levels, starting from beginners.

Skola Maltija Sydney was established in 2007 and has been servicing the community by providing Maltese language and cultural programs for over 15 years. Skola Maltija Sydney is supported by the NSW Community Languages Schools Program (NSW Department of Education) and is a member of the NSW Federation of Community Language Schools.

Their teachers and committee members are all volunteers, who offer their professional skills and dedicate their time to be able to successfully run the school.

“Our programs are designed so that students not only learn how to speak, read, and write the Maltese language, but learn about the rich history, culture, and traditions of the Maltese, both in Malta and in our community in Australia. There is evidence that civilizations in Malta go back to more than 5000 BC, so there is much to learn” said Annemarie Thind, Enrolment and Communications Officer of Skola Maltija Sydney.

Teaching and learning programs feature Maltese history, geography, and culture. The primary program also includes games, songs, and dance, and is in line with the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Languages K-10 Syllabus. Lessons cater for differentiated instruction to maximise each student’s growth and individual success. All K-12 students receive a half-yearly and yearly report that can be presented to their mainstream school as a record of their Maltese language studies.

Annemarie believes it’s important to have language classes like this in the local community.

“Our students feel a great sense of belonging and identity when supported in their learning by others of a similar cultural and linguistic background. They form special bonds and friendships, through sharing stories, familial traditions, knowledge, and experiences of Malta.

“Learning Maltese strengthens the relationships that students have with their families across generations. It enhances relationships within the Maltese Australian community, and students’ extended families in Malta”.

For more information, contact them via email at skolamaltiijasydney@yahoo.com.au or call Annemarie on 0405 126444. You can also find them on Facebook at https://www. facebook.com/skolamaltijasydney.