And today is .......

The 25th Biennale of Sydney, titled "Rememory", runs from March 14 to June 14, 2026, featuring 83 artists from 37 countries across five venues, including the White Bay Power Station and the Art Gallery of NSW. Curated by Hoor Al Qasimi, this free, international contemporary art event explores themes of memory, history, and belonging.

The Biennale of Sydney is one of the leading international contemporary art events. It plays an indispensable role in Australia’s engagement with the world, and a meaningful role in the life of the nation.

Since its inception in 1973, the Biennale of Sydney has provided a platform for art and ideas, showcasing the work of 2,400 artists from more than 130 countries. Today it is considered one of the leading international contemporary art events, recognised for commissioning and presenting innovative, thought-provoking art from Australia and around the globe.

This year’s theme refers to a “revisiting, reconstructing, and reclaiming histories that have been erased or repressed.” Rememory signifies the intersection of memory and history, where recollection becomes an act of reassembling fragments of the past—whether personal, familial, or collective. The 25th edition of the Biennale connects the delicate space between remembering and forgetting. By engaging with Rememory, artists will highlight marginalised narratives, share untold stories, and inspire audiences to rethink how memory shapes identity, belonging, and the creation and celebration of new communities and connections.

White Bay Power Station is firing up once again – not for energy, but for the 25th edition of the Biennale of Sydney, which returns to the historic site (and plenty of other locations) for a mammoth free program of art installations and cultural activities.

White Bay is where you’ll find a massive hand-built clay oven by Argentinian artist Gabriel Chaile, which will be used to cook Peruvian food for one-off events during the three-month festival. It’s also where you’ll find weekly Memory Lane food markets with vendors offering Palestinian, Lebanese, Italian and Chinese eats, among other cuisines.

Then there’s the resonant community performance by Lebanese artist Mounira Al Solh featuring a large vat of tabouli, in which attendees are invited to eat at Granville’s Blouza Hall, one of a long list of new venues hosting some of this year’s 83 artists and their works.

It’s all part of artistic director Hoor Al Qasimi’s plan to extend the the program further into western Sydney. Lewers: Penrith Regional Gallery, Parramatta Artist Studios, Fairfield City Museum & Gallery and Campbelltown Arts Centre will host artworks and performances, as well as central locations such as the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

  • 2026 Theme: “Rememory”, inspired by Toni Morrison, focusing on, migration, exile, and First Nations stories.
  • Dates: 14 March – 14 June 2026.
  • Venues: White Bay Power Station, Art Gallery of NSW, Campbelltown Arts Centre, Chau Chak Wing Museum (University of Sydney), and Penrith Regional Gallery.
  • Opening Night (13 March): A ticketed "Lights On" event at White Bay Power Station featuring DJ Haram, Hand to Earth, and a preview of Joe Namy's Automobile.
  • A special performance by Indigenous artist Nancy McDinny with her family at the exhibition site.
  • Highlights: Features 83 artists and collectives including Abdul Abdullah and Richard Bell, a large-scale native plant garden by Wendy Hubert, and a 80-sq-m floor canvas by Ngurrara artists, plus others including Artists including Natalie Davey, Edgar Calel, and Carmen Glynn-Braun will present talks alongside their works.
  • Events: Opening night "Lights On" at White Bay is 12 March (7pm-11pm).
  • The event highlights marginalized narratives and community, with a focus on activating the White Bay Power Station.
  • Cost: The exhibition is free to attend.
The 2026 edition is spread across five primary hubs and several satellite venues, being White Bay Power Station, Art Gallery of NSW, Chau Chak Wing Museum, Campbelltown Arts Centre, and Penrith Regional Gallery. The event focuses on themes of memory and history, with the opening night held at White Bay Power Station.



“Bringing Colours to Life”

"The delicate space between remembering and forgetting"

"Defiant act of sharing, seeing, and understanding"

"Bold artistic expression and meaningful cultural exchange"



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March 15 - Part 1

OK, cricket fans today it’s time to commemorate The First Test Match (1877) when, on March 15, 1877, the first-ever Test cricket match began at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) between Australia and England. These countries share cricket's oldest Test rivalry, beginning with that humble day in 1877, which intensified with the birth of The Ashes in 1882.

Australia has historically dominated with 35 series wins to England's 32. The rivalry is defined by intense, sometimes controversial moments, including the 1932-33 "Bodyline" series and numerous legendary performances.
  • Australia defeated England in the first-ever test match, where Australia shocked the English professional team by winning by 45 runs.
  • The Ashes (1882): Following Australia's first win on English soil, The Sporting Times published a mock obituary, stating English cricket had died and "the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia.” England captain Ivo Bligh later vowed to "recover those ashes" during the 1882–83 tour, leading to the creation of the famous Ashes Urn.
  • Iconic Rivalry: It established the Ashes as one of the most prestigious, storied, and consistently intense rivalries in international sports.
  • Most Runs: Australian icon Sir Donald Bradman holds the record for the most runs in Ashes history with 5,028.
  • Most Wickets: Shane Warne is the leading wicket-taker with 195.
  • Head-to-Head: Across 72 Ashes series, Australia has won 34, England 32, and 6 have been drawn.
  • Significant Moments: The 1932-33 "Bodyline" series saw England use hostile leg-theory tactics against Don Bradman. Desperate to stop Bradman, England employed a controversial tactic of bowling fast, short-pitched balls at the batsmen's bodies. The strategy worked but caused a diplomatic rift between the two nations and eventually led to changes in cricket's laws.
  • In 1993, Shane Warne bowled the "Ball of the Century" where England’s Mike Gatting remains to this day perplexed as to how the spectacular ball of that moment foiled his defensive guard!
  • 1868 Tour: The first Australian team to tour England was an Aboriginal side, which played in 1868.
  • 1948 Invincibles: The Australian team led by its captain, Don Bradman, where Bradman led an Australian team that remained undefeated through their entire 34-match tour of England, a feat still regarded as one of the greatest in sporting history.
  • The 1981 Ashes, known as "Botham's Ashes," saw Ian Botham turn around a 1-0 deficit to win the series 3-1 for England with legendary performances. After resigning as captain, he scored a pivotal 149* at Headingley, followed by 5/1 at Edgbaston, finishing with 399 runs and 34 wickets.
  • Modern Era: Australia went without losing a series to England between 1989 and 2002/03. Australia held the Ashes for a record eight consecutive series (19 years) during a "golden run" featuring stars like Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, and Steve Waugh.
  • 2005: The "Greatest" Series: England ended their 16-year drought with a 2–1 victory in a series widely considered the most dramatic in history, highlighted by England's narrow two-run win at Edgbaston.
  • Recent History (2020–2026): Australia has remained the dominant force in recent years, successfully retaining the Ashes since the 2017–18 series. In the most recent 2025–26 Ashes series held in Australia, the hosts secured a commanding 4–1 victory, extending England's winless streak in away Tests to over 15 years.
  • The Trophy: While the original urn remains permanently in the MCC Museum at Lord's, it serves as the physical embodiment of the rivalry. Since the 1998–99 series, winners are presented with a Waterford Crystal trophy modelled on the urn.
  • Intensity never waivers: The rivalry between the Australian and English teams is marked by deep-seated passion, intense media scrutiny, and significant pressure on captains and coaches, not to mention the cricket fans in both countries literally living and breathing every ball bowled, every batters’ shots, every catch taken (or dropped), every umpiring decision, and about every fly that might crawl up the scoreboard. It’s not actually life or death – for some, it’s even more!

(please now go to Part 2)
 
March 15 - Part 2


Chronological Ashes Results

19th Century
  • 1877: Australia (1 Test) - Australia won (1-0)
  • 1882: England (1 Test) – Australia won (1–0)
  • 1882–83: Australia – England won (2–1)
  • 1884: England – England won (1–0, 2 drawn)
  • 1884–85: Australia – Drawn (2–2, 1 drawn) – England retained
  • 1886: England – England won (3–0)
  • 1887–88: Australia – England won (2–1)
  • 1890: England – England won (2–0, 1 drawn)
  • 1891–92: Australia – Australia won (2–1)
  • 1893: England – England won (2–1)
  • 1894–95: Australia – England won (3–2)
  • 1896: England – England won (2–1)
  • 1897–98: Australia – Australia won (4–1)
  • 1899: England – Australia won (1–0, 4 drawn)
Early 20th Century
  • 1901–02: Australia – Australia won (4–1)
  • 1902: England – Australia won (2–1, 2 drawn)
  • 1903–04: Australia – England won (3–2)
  • 1905: England – England won (2–0, 3 drawn)
  • 1907–08: Australia – Australia won (4–1)
  • 1909: England – Australia won (2–1, 2 drawn)
  • 1911–12: Australia – England won (4–1)
  • 1912: England (Triangular Tournament) – England retained
  • 1920–21: Australia – Australia won (5–0)
  • 1921: England – Australia won (3–0, 2 drawn)
  • 1924–25: Australia – Australia won (4–1)
  • 1926: England – Drawn (1–1, 3 drawn) – Australia retained
  • 1928–29: Australia – England won (4–1)
  • 1930: England – Australia won (2–1, 2 drawn)
  • 1932–33: Australia – England won (4–1, Bodyline series)
  • 1934: England – Australia won (2–1, 2 drawn)
  • 1936–37: Australia – Australia won (3–2)
  • 1938: England – England won (1–0, 4 drawn)
Post-War Era
  • 1946–47: Australia – Australia won (3–0, 2 drawn)
  • 1948: England – Australia won (4–0, The Invincibles)
  • 1950–51: Australia – Australia won (4–1)
  • 1953: England – England won (1–0, 4 drawn)
  • 1954–55: Australia – England won (3–1, 1 drawn)
  • 1956: England – England won (2–1, 2 drawn)
  • 1958–59: Australia – Australia won (4–0, 1 drawn)
  • 1961: England – Australia won (2–1, 2 drawn)
  • 1962–63: Australia – Drawn (1–1, 3 drawn) – Australia retained
  • 1964: England – Drawn (1–1, 3 drawn) – Australia retained
  • 1965–66: Australia – Drawn (1–1, 3 drawn) – Australia retained
  • 1968: England – England won (2–1, 2 drawn)
  • 1970–71: Australia – England won (2–0, 4 drawn)
  • 1972: England – Drawn (2–2, 1 drawn) – England retained
  • 1974–75: Australia – Australia won (4–1)
  • 1975: England – Australia won (1–0, 3 drawn)
  • 1977: England – England won (3–0, 2 drawn)
  • 1978–79: Australia – England won (5–1)
  • 1981: England – England won (3–1, Botham’s Ashes)
  • 1982–83: Australia – England won (2–1)
  • 1985: England – England won (3–1, 2 drawn)
  • 1986–87: Australia – England won (2–1, 1 drawn)
  • 1989: England – Australia won (4–0, 1 drawn)
1990s–2000s
  • 1990–91: Australia – Australia won (3–0, 2 drawn)
  • 1993: England – Australia won (4–1)
  • 1994–95: Australia – Australia won (3–1, 1 drawn)
  • 1997: England – Australia won (3–2)
  • 1998–99: Australia – Australia won (3–1, 1 drawn)
  • 2001: England – Australia won (4–1)
  • 2002–03: Australia – Australia won (4–1)
  • 2005: England – England won (2–1)
  • 2006–07: Australia – Australia won (5–0)
  • 2009: England – England won (2–1)
  • 2010–11: Australia – England won (3–1)
  • 2013: England – England won (3–0, 2 drawn)
  • 2013–14: Australia – Australia won (5–0)
Recent Series
  • 2015: England – England won (3–2)
  • 2017–18: Australia – Australia won (4–0, 1 drawn)
  • 2019: England – Drawn (2–2, 1 drawn) – Australia retained
  • 2021–22: Australia – Australia won (4–0, 1 drawn)
  • 2023: England – Drawn (2–2, 1 drawn) – Australia retained
  • 2025 – 2026 Australia – Australia won (4-1) – Australia retained
And after all that, and that’s to come from bat on ball between countries who have proven the fiercest rivals some say in any sport.

This is then surely the day to raise our glasses, if not our bats, and “think of England and Australia’ and the wonderful legacy that the humble day in 1877 has fostered.


Fun Facts about the Ashes:

  • The Urn Wasn't an Official Trophy: The tiny 6-inch urn was a personal gift to English captain Ivo Bligh in 1883 and was never intended to be an official trophy. And there’s mystery still - The actual contents of the urn are still debated, though it is widely believed to be the charred remains of a bail, or perhaps a stump or bail.
  • A “whitewash” in cricket means that one team wins all the matches in a series. (England have never inflicted a whitewash over Australia.)
  • Just like the men’s series, there is also a Women’s Ashes. The women’s version is played between England and Australia and includes different types of cricket matches.
  • English grounds that are used have the likes of Old Trafford, The Oval, Lord’s, Trent Bridge, Headingley, and Edgbaston. Whereas, Australia usually uses grounds such as The Gabba, the MCG, the Adelaide Oval, the SCG and Perth’s WACA.



“Test match day = best day”

“Life lessons, one over at a time”

“Bat first. Think later”

“Test Cricket isn’t watched, it’s lived”



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