Cultural Heritage

Cultural Heritage Program

Our Cultural Heritage Program celebrates the cultural diversity, history and heritage of the City of Whittlesea through a variety of informative events, cultural festivals and tours, and takes place seasonally between March - December each year.

The program is developed in partnership with community and special interest groups to provide opportunities to collectively celebrate our:

Aboriginal heritage
Built heritage and early European history
Environmental heritage
Rich personal and cultural heritage

Events in the Cultural Heritage Program are listed below.

For more information about our Cultural Heritage Program phone 9217 2174.

Turning Back to Edgars Creek

Presented by Ziebells Farmhouse and Museum

Ziebells Farmhouse and Museum are pleased to announce their new exhibition Turning Back to Edgars Creek which looks at peoples' changing cultural relationship with the creek in what its now called Thomastown and Lalor.

It has been printed in booklet form and is currently being delivered to over 16,000 households in Thomastown and Lalor. In suburbs where access to the internet is below the national average, we believe this direct engagement with our communities is important.

Download the booklet for free here

Keelbundoorah Scarred Tree Heritage Trail

This NAIDOC why not explore a sacred Aboriginal site for a unique cultural experience. Visit the magnificent Scarred Tree, the Canoe Tree, Burls and more on this self-guided tour.

RMIT have a great resource to guide you on your trail here,or you can stop at the library and ask for a brochure and map.

Ziebell’s Farmhouse Museum and Heritage Garden Horticulturalist Tours

Presented by Ziebell’s Farmhouse Museum and Heritage Garden

This is a rare opportunity for visitors to meet and talk with an expert who has tended the heritage garden for many years. Our horticulturalist will explain the geology, history and development of Ziebell’s Farmhouse heritage listed cottage garden and its current plantings, including over 70 roses. Please note, tours run with a minimum of six bookings.

Event details:

Wednesday, 4 August at 1pm

Ziebell’s Farmhouse, cnr Ainwick Court and Gardenia Road, Thomastown

Cost: $10

For further information please call 0418 552 557 or email: enquiries@westgarthtown.org.au

Bookings: Please book one week prior at www.westgarthtown.org.au

Book here

Collectively Caring For Climate Exhibition

Presented by the City of Whittlesea

Thinking globally and acting locally, 300 residents made a climate pledge and an artwork about small things they would change in their daily lives to help the environment. This exhibition is an inspirational journey through their artworks showing that residents care about climate change and are taking positive action in their lives to do something about it.

See Whittlesea Arts for details of associated events and activities.

Event details:

5 August - 17 September, Weekdays from 10am - 4pm

The Great Hall, Council Offices, 25 Ferres Boulevard, South Morang

For more information please call 9217 2174 or email events@whittlesea.vic.gov.au

Artwork: Caroline Lewallen

Whittlesea’s Dark Past. Historical Crime and the Paranormal

Presented by Yarra Plenty Regional Library

Come along to the launch of Whittlesea’s Dark Past, a book of historical true crime and paranormal stories from the City of Whittlesea written by Jack Chan and funded by Public Records Office of Victoria.

Find out about the true tales from the book, bring along your paranormal stories to share in discussion.

Event details:

Thursday 26 August, 7pm

Mill Park Library, 394 Plenty Rd. Mill Park

To book, email jchan@yprl.vic.gov.au

For more information please call 9437 8189

Yirram Birrin Biin Festival

Presented by City of Whittlesea in partnership with the Whittlesea Reconciliation Group

Yirram Birrin Biin - the winter, light, fire festival is going to be a spectacular cultural festival and interactive event for the whole family.

Come along and the enjoy warmth of fire, see light shows, dances, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and performers, traditional foods and more. This is not to be missed.

Event details:

Saturday 28 August, 4pm

Terrace Lawn, behind Council Offices, 25 Ferres Boulevard, South Morang

For further information please call 9217 2159 or email aboriginalofficer@whittlesea.vic.gov.au

Parasparam

Presented by Niruththa Indian Fine Arts

Featuring colourful Indian classical performances and beautiful dramatic scenes of Lord Krishna, highlighting the togetherness and unity brought forth by beautiful dancers of Niruththa Indian Fine Arts.

Event details:

Tuesday 31 August, 4pm

Plenty Ranges Arts & Convention Centre, 35 Ferres Blvd, South Morang

Cost: $25

To book, email: nruththa@aol.com

For further information, please call: 0433 686 039

Culture in the Kitchen

Welcome to Culture in the Kitchen, where we learn to cook dishes of cultural significance and meet some incredible community chefs.

Each episode is filmed in real time so you can cook along, so learn to make the delicious beef and prawn dish of Ndole from Cameroon, the delectable eggplant and lamb Ali Nazik from Turkey and the scrumptious Chaldean Kilecha sweet treats.

Episode one screens February 11. Click the link below to watch the trailers and prepare your ingredients.

Click here to learn more about Culture in the Kitchen

Collaborative Cultural Dance

Dance like you’ve never danced before. Be a Bollywood star, shake your booty to Mutuashi the Congolese dance of Freedom and connect with Country in Bik Ngarra.

Join our online classes in Bollywood, Mutuashi and Aboriginal dance, and learn some sensational new moves. Learn the routines and upload a video of yourself and become a star in the collated clip.

Designed for all levels of fitness, these classes give an exciting insight into world dance.

Start dancing now

Our Cultural Heritage Strategy 2019-2025

Our Cultural Heritage Strategy features a series of objectives and actions that guide us as we protect, celebrate and preserve the rich history and heritage that exists within our municipality including:

Aboriginal scarred trees that date back thousands of years
the Wendish German settlement around Ziebell's Farm
the Lutheran Church and Cemetery in Thomastown
post-World War 2 housing associated with the Peter Lalor Home Co-operative
Turner's Bakery in Mernda
and plenty more

Past events

Cultural Diversity program

Every year in March, Victorians gather together to celebrate our diversity. This year Harmony Week is 15 – 21 March and Cultural Diversity Week falls on 21-28 March. We have put together an exciting program of workshops and activities that reflect the Cultural Diversity of our unique City. Please join us and celebrate together.

Click here to view the Cultural Diversity program

National History Month

October is National History Month and staying at home is the perfect opportunity to delve into the past. Visit our National History Month page for some fantastic activities to engage with this October.

National History Month