HISTORY will come alive in Port Macquarie in April and May.
Four historic landmarks and/or events are being staged as part of the National Trust Heritage Festival.
For the past 68 years, the National Trust of Australia has been at the forefront of protecting Australia’s rich natural and man-made heritage. Through a range of advocacy work and custodianship of heritage places and objects, they continue to ensure that our history will stay with us for years to come.
Collectively the organisation owns or manages more than 300 heritage places and manages a volunteer workforce of 7000 while also employing about 350 people nationwide.
The National Trust Heritage Festival is celebrated annually Australia-wide, giving people the opportunity to see some of greatest cultural and historical offerings throughout April and May. This year’s theme is ‘Journeys’, paying tribute to individual stories of migration or walkabout, exploration, travel or community celebration of heritage and culture.
Port Macquarie is celebrating the Journeys theme by showcasing an out-of-this-world astronomical experience of the night sky with spectacular images of astronomical objects. You will also be able to hear some ’grave tales’, tour the historic Douglas Vale homestead, and uncover the past in an exhibition at the Glasshouse.
“This is about our future, as much as our past, and what has been saved for the next generations is truly remarkable,” National Trust NSW CEO Brian Scarsbrick said.
“We owe a debt of gratitude to all our award winners. What they have managed to give us – sometimes against tremendous odds and with painstaking attention to detail – is a wonderful gift for the future.”
****SUB/LAYOUT – PLEASE LAYOUT THE BELOW FOUR ITEMS AS BLOCKS IN SEMI DISPLAY STYLE ****
Astronomical Discovery Journey
Date: Wednesday and Sundays in April and May
Time: 7.15pm-8.45pm
Cost: $8 adults/$5 children/$22 family/$7 concession and NTrust members
Contact: 0403 683 394 or email pmobs50@gmail.com
Address: Port Macquarie Astronomical Observatory, Rotary Park, Stewart Street, Port Macquarie
Douglas Vale Open Day
Date: Saturday 26 April
Time: 10am-3pm
Cost: Gold coin donation
Contact: 6584 3792 or douglasvale1@bigpond.com
Address: Douglas Vale Historic Vineyard, 235 Oxley Highway, Port Macquarie
Grave Tales
Date: 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 April and 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 24 May
Time: 2pm (1.5hr duration)
Cost: $19 adults/$11 children – bookings required
Contact: 0447 429 016 or mitch@pmheritage.com.au
Address: Port Macquarie Historic Cemetery, Gorden Street, Port Macquarie
Uncovering our Past
Date: 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 April and 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24 May
Time: 9.30am (2.5hr duration)
Cost: $29 adults/$15 children – bookings required
Contact: 0447 429 016 mitch@pmheritage.com.au
Address: The Glasshouse, Clarence Street, Port Macquarie
