LOCAL heritage places, organisations and museums will be under the spotlight from 20 April to 5 May for the Port Macquarie-Hastings Heritage Festival.
The local government area celebrate its rich and unique heritage with walks, talks, tours, exhibitions and open days across a number of locations to celebrate the people and places special to the region’s local history and heritage.
Now in its 14th year, the local festival forms part of the National Trust Heritage Festival, which is celebrated Australia-wide.
The theme for this year’s Heritage Festival is Community Milestones; a celebration of the individuals, communities and their achievements.
These have become landmarks in the development of the region’s built, natural and cultural environment.
Local historic places, landmarks and collections are historic links that tell the stories of the people, places and events that have shaped the community.
The festival will be officially launched by Mayor Peter Besseling at Historic Roto House on Saturday, 20 April, at 10am, followed by an open day with tours, stalls and entertainment.
“This year’s festival program has been developed to shine the light on our local history, heritage places and collections and our achievements as a community,” Cr Besseling said.
“Our local area has a special place in Australia’s history from white settlement as a British penal colony right through to contemporary history as a tourist, sea-change and tree-change region. Many local heritage places are preserved today to help tell the stories of the past.”
The restoration of Historic Roto House was a significant community milestone for Port Macquarie. Its purchase and subsequent conservation marked the beginning of the local community’s recognition of its built heritage as important community assets.
From this time onwards, the community has worked together to save and preserve what remains of its local built, environmental and moveable heritage and to collect and record the stories associated with them.
There are over 10 voluntary heritage organisations plus private individuals and organisations working together to host local events in support of this year’s theme.
There will also be regular openings and tours at all local museums and heritage organisations including the Historic Courthouse and Timbertown.
Local museums and heritage organisations are looking forward to showcasing the stories, places and collections that make the Port Macquarie-Hastings area such a special place to live.
Event programs are available from all local historical societies and museums, the Visitor Information Centre at the Glasshouse, Council offices and libraries or online at www.heritagefestival.com.au
Heritage Week highlights
Walking tours of Wauchope and Port Macquarie.
Open days at Historic Roto House, Douglas Vale Historic Homestead and Vineyard to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the planting of the vines, St Thomas’ Church with a variety concert featuring historic musical instruments, and the Mid North Coast Maritime Museum to mark the 70th Anniversary of the Sinking of the Wollongbar II.
Special exhibitions and presentations at Herons Creek Heritage Community Chapel, Wauchope Historical Society, Port Macquarie Historical Museum, St Thomas’ Church and Port Macquarie Astronomical Association Observatory.
‘How to’ sessions on researching your family history events and milestones.
A bus tour of the Upper Hastings and Wauchope heritage treasures.
A Poets Breakfast at Kendall.
