Cultural Heritage

Sites of Significance Tours:  Epping Walking Tour

Presented by City of Whittlesea

The City of Whittlesea is home to countless culturally significant and historic sites.

Join our Sites of Significance tour to learn about the history of Epping from local experts in a guided walking tour.

Tour itinerary: Epping Cemetery, Bills Horse Trough, Epping Primary School, St John’s Church, Dry stone Walls, Epping Police Station, Epping Presbyterian Church, St Peter's Catholic Church and Homestead. Tickets include lunch.

Date:                   Saturday 27 May

Time:                  9am – 3:15pm

Cost:                   $25

Where:               Meet at Epping Cemetery, 875 High St, Epping

Info:                   0419 520 501

Bookings:          https://www.trybooking.com/CHOGA

Whittlesea Cultural Heritage Network – May Workshop

Presented by City of Whittlesea

Are you curious about our culture?

The Whittlesea Cultural Heritage Network meets quarterly to enjoy a meal while we network, brainstorm ideas and participate in some fascinating presentations on topics to do with our culture and our history.

At our May 2023 meeting, we will uncover the secrets of dry stone walls, with a fascinating presentation by local historian Bruce Batten.

Date:                   Wednesday 17 May

Time:                  6.30pm – 9pm

Cost:                   FREE

Where:               Fountainview Room, Civic Centre, 25 Ferres Boulevard, South Morang

Info:                   0419 520 501

Bookings:          https://www.trybooking.com/CHQYB

Thomastown Trek

Presented by Yarra Plenty Regional Library in partnership with Friends of Westgarthtown

Grab your walking shoes and join local history experts on a discovery tour of historic Thomastown. Explore the neighbourhood by foot along Edgars Creek to the historic precinct of Westgarthtown and return. Limited places so book early.

Date:                   Tuesday 9 May

Time:                   9.30am – 12pm

Cost:                   FREE

Where:               Thomastown Library, 52 Main Street, Thomastown

Info:                   Call 9464 1864 or email localhistorygene@yprl.vic.gov.au

Bookings:           Register online

Bear’s Castle Tours

Presented by Whittlesea Courthouse Association

Bear’s Castle lies locked away in the closed catchment of Yan Yean Reservoir. Access to this unique historical building is only granted on special occasions and this is one of them. Take this rare opportunity to visit the only known building of cob construction in Victoria. Discover the rich history of this building and decide for yourself on the mystery surrounding the Castle’s purpose. Tours include a delightful morning/afternoon tea at the charming original Caretaker’s Cottage.

Date:                   Sunday 7 May

Time:                   10am and 2pm

Cost:                   $40

Where:               Whittlesea Courthouse Information Centre, Cnr Church & Beech Streets, Whittlesea

Info:                   Call 0412 907 937 for information

Bookings:           Email pte40164@bigpond.net.au for registration

Presented by The Palestinian Seniors Club of Victoria

Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world. The Palestinian Seniors Club present an evening dedicated to recognising progress in the fight for women’s equality in Palestine. With fun activities, dancing, a fashion parade, traditional dress and Palestinian cuisine, and an insightful presentation into women’s equality in Palestine over time.

Date:                   Friday 31 March

Time:                   6.30pm to 9pm

Cost:                    Free

Where:               Mill Park Community Centre, 11 Mill Park Dr, Mill Park

Info:                   Email dawsammour@hotmail.com for information

Presented by Elia Language School

Nowruz is the colourful celebration of Iranian New Year commemorated also by Iraqi, Kurdish, Bahktiari, Afghani and Syrian peoples. Celebrate Nowruz Together is a wonderful opportunity for people from all cultures to come together and share their Nowruz celebratory customs. Discover the detailed and varied traditional costumes, observe unique traditional performances, eat the celebratory traditional foods and dance your feet off to the DJ.

Date:                  Saturday 26 March 2023        

Time:                   11am – 6pm

Cost:                    FREE

Where:               V R Michael Reserve, High St, Lalor

Info:                   Call 0469 652 567 or email seham_ameen567@yahoo.com

In celebration of Cultural Diversity Week (19 – 27 March) and Harmony Week (21 – 27 March) 2022, the City of Whittlesea invited our community to explore tea ceremonies and tea traditions from across the world.

We experienced a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, participated in a beautiful Chinese wedding tea ceremony, discovered traditional Turkish tea and coffee, drank from the Yerba Mate of Argentina, uncovered the exquisite Persian tea culture and learned how to make delicious Indian Chai.

This wonderful showcase was held in the fabulous setting of our exotic Salon tent at the City of Whittlesea Community Festival – Arts on the Northern Edge. Watch our videos of some of the tea ceremonies here.

Harmony Week

Presented by Melbourne Polytechnic

Melbourne Polytechnic invite you to join in the celebrations for Harmony Week, a festival to recognise the amazing cultural diversity within the student population. Over three big hours, watch enthralling performances, join the fascinating activities and participate in thought-provoking workshops.

Date:                   Tuesday 21 March

Time:                   10am – 1pm

Cost:                    FREE

Where:               Melbourne Polytechnic, Cnr Cooper St and Dalton Rd, Epping 

Info:                   Call 0432 655 965 or email anhpham@melbournepolytechnic.edu.au

Presented by The Rojava Kurdish Community

Rojava Kurdish Community are delighted to invite you to join them in celebrating their 2023 Kurdish New Year Festival - Newroz. Experience captivating Kurdish dance performances, brightly coloured and layered traditional dress, relish delicious cuisine, enjoy fabulous music, and dance the night away. Bring your positive party energy and join the festivities, this is one event you do not want to miss!

Date:                   Tuesday 21 March 2023

Time:                   6pm – 11pm

Cost:                   FREE

Where:               Epping Memorial Hall, 827 High St, Epping

Info:                   Call 0413 091 141or email jdijwer@Rojavacommunity.onmicrosoft.com

The City of Whittlesea is set to deliver their annual Community Festival: come one, come all! On Saturday night the festival opens with a fantastic performance in PRACC by Otto and Astrid. On Sunday, the gardens explode with activity. Over multiple stages, gardens and the theatres of PRACC. Make sure you check the program to see the likes of Kylie Auldist, Dave Arden, Children are Stinky and Trash Puppets. As well as theatre shows and workshops for all ages, there will be a sustainability expo, dance, art and cultural activities, market stalls, roving performers, community group performances, and food, glorious food. It certainly is shaping up to be a spectacular event!

To get involved in creating some amazing site decorations and to book for performances, visit the Whittlesea Arts website.

When:                 Saturday 18 March 2023 7pm – 9pm

                            Sunday 19 March 2023 11am – 5pm

Cost:                    FREE

Where:               25 – 35 Ferres Boulevard, South Morang

Info:                   Visit Arts Whittlesea website for information

Presented by City of Whittlesea

This year explore cultural diversity in a festive environment at the City of Whittlesea Community Festival. In the exotic Salon we will be celebrating Cultural Diversity Week with a host of free activities such as drumming workshops, fortune telling, Aboriginal games, African hair-braiding, henna and traditional costumes to try on. Visitors to The Salon can watch incredible performances by our community as they showcase the myths and legends of their cultures, through various artistic mediums.  

Image: Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony as part of the 2022 Cultural Diversity Week

Date:                  Sunday 19 March 2023           

Time:                   11am – 5pm

Cost:                    FREE

Where:               25 Ferres Boulevard, South Morang

Info:                   Call 0419 520 501 for information

Bookings:           Not required

 celebrations

Presented by the Whittlesea Agricultural Society

The Whittlesea Show began as a fair in 1859 and has grown to become one of the largest Agricultural Shows in Victoria. The purpose of the Show is to educate, inform and entertain – bringing agriculture, farming and rural knowledge to the wider public. The Show is a presentation opportunity for food, farmers and a trading place for rural skills and crafts, ranging from vintage to modern, showcasing changing farming practices through machinery, animals and ways of life. Don’t miss this!

Date:                   21 & 22 January 2023

Time:                   9am – 5pm

Cost:                   Adult $20, concession $15, child $5

Where:               Whittlesea Showgrounds, Whittlesea Yea Road, Whittlesea

Info:                  whittleseashow.org.au

Bookings:           Not required

Presented by The Cultural Centre of Florinians

The Cultural Centre of Florinians invites you to join them in a fabulous launch to their 2023 program: the Florinian Vasilopita Festival. Wear your dancing shoes and experience the thrill of live Halkina music, an exciting musical fusion of Greek, Bulgarian, Anatolian, Romani and Klezmer influences. Let your moves be inspired by the many talented folk dancing groups performing at the festival. Fill your belly with delicious Greek food and, of course, don't forget your slice of Vasilopita, the traditional sweet bread of St Basil: will you find the one coin within and be blessed with good luck for 2023?

Date:                  Saturday 5 February

Time:                  12pm – 5pm

Cost:                   Free

Where:               119 Dalton Rd, Thomastown

Info:                   0413 381 915

Bookings:           Not required

Presented by the City of Whittlesea

Spaces transform at twilight, shadows dissolve as the sun sets and landmarks disappear so a familiar landscape may become unrecognisable under moonlight. For some artists, changed circumstances may shed new light internally, for others, it may illuminate their external world, showing them aspects they’ve not yet seen, or a future yet to be imagined. New Light is the 2022 City of Whittlesea annual art exhibition, where community members shine.

Date: Thursday 10 November –  Thursday 15 December 2022

One of the most popular festivals of Hinduism is the festival of lights, Diwali.

Celebrated over five days, the festival celebrates the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.

People during Diwali decorate their homes with earthen oil-filled lamps and design beautiful rangoli, or patterns on the ground using coloured rice flour, quartz powder, coloured sand and flower petals.

Click here to learn more about Diwali and the activities you can take part in. 

The City of Whittlesea is home to scores of fascinating historical sites, from its very own castle, a reservoir once the envy of Melbourne, and even troughs where thirsty horses stopped to water in the 1900s.

Many people may not know they exist – but a new interactive map is set get you out exploring your own backyard.

Council has launched the Sites of Significance map, available online and in print at libraries and community centres.

50 historically important sites have been selected, with their location mapped, photos and the enthralling stories behind them.

Grab your copy of Sites of Significance at your local library or community centre, or check out a virtual version of the Sites of Significance Map. It will automatically adjust to best suit your viewing device - desktop computer, tablet or phone.

Image: Bills Horse Trough, Epping, photo by Julie Scott 2019

Presented by Merri Creek Management Committee

Experience a tour of the spectacular Galada Tamboore, discover magical wildflowers and learn about pollinators and other insects that call the grasslands home.

Date:                  Saturday 5 November 2022

Time:                  10am - 12pm

Cost:                   FREE

Where:               Galada Tamboore Grasslands, call for exact location

Info:                   9380 8199, admin@mcmc.org.au

Bookings:           Not required

Presented by Yarra Plenty Regional Library in partnership with Plenty Valley Arts Inc.

Join us for a tour of the historical Le Page Homestead at Hawkestowe Park. Discover the history behind this homestead built in South Morang in the 1850’s. With views of the Plenty River and the backdrop of the wooded Plenty Gorge, the Le Page historic homestead and art gallery are a feature of Hawkstowe Picnic Area. Afternoon tea will be provided. Bookings are required.

**Consider making a day of it and joining us for the Whittlesea township local history walk in the morning.

Date:                 Wednesday 26 October

Time:                 1pm – 3pm

Cost:                  Free

Where:               Meet at Le Page Homestead Carpark

Info:                   9088 3465 localhistorygene@yprl.vic.gov.au

Bookings:           Local History Month: Historical Tour of Le Page Homestead | Yarra Plenty Regional Library (spydus.com) 

Presented by Yarra Plenty Regional Library

Many historical and culturally significant sites are within easy reach in Whittlesea township. Join us for a heritage walk while we share some stories as we loop parts of the Whittlesea township starting at the Whittlesea Library and Activity Centre. We will meet in the library.

Please note: there will be uneven surfaces, so appropriate footwear is required. No dogs are allowed. Bookings are essential, as places are limited.

Date:                Wednesday 26 October

Time:                10.00am – 12.30pm

Cost:                 Free

Where:              Meet at Whittlesea Library, at the fireplace

Info:                  9088 3465 localhistorygene@yprl.vic.gov.au

Bookings:          Local History Month: Whittlesea Township Local History Walk | Yarra Plenty Regional Library (spydus.com)

Image:  Main Street, Whittlesea, (Postcard), Fay Thomas Collection, City of Whittlesea 

Presented by Whittlesea Courthouse Association

Bear’s Castle lies locked away in the closed catchment of Yan Yean Reservoir. Access to this unique historical building is only granted on special occasions and this is one of them. Take this rare opportunity to visit the only known building of cob construction in Victoria. Discover the rich history of this building and decide for yourself on the mystery surrounding the Castle’s purpose. Tours include a delightful morning/afternoon tea at the charming original Caretaker’s Cottage.

Date:                   Saturday 22 October 2022

Time:                   10am and 2pm

Cost:                    Adult $40; child $25

Where:                Whittlesea Courthouse Information Centre, Cnr Church & Beech Street, Whittlesea

Info:                    0412 907 937

Bookings:            pte40164@bigpond.net.au

Presented by Northern Suburbs Artist Collective

Visit local artists working in their studios in a broad array of mediums during this year’s City of Whittlesea Open Studio Arts Trail (October 29 and 30), and explore an exhibition and workshop program starting from September 21.

Exhibition and workshop program: 21 September – 21 October 2022

Live event: Friday 28 October

Arts Trail: October 29 – 30, 10am – 4pm                                     

Cost: FREE

Where: Exhibition: Great Hall, Civic Centre, 25 Ferres Boulevard, South Morang.

See website for Arts Trail studio locations around the municipality

Info: northernsuburbsartistcollective.com.au

Bookings: facebook.com/northernsuburbsartistcollective

Image Midnight Beauty, Irina Zahra, 2021

Presented by Yarra Plenty Regional Library

Whittlesea Library is hosting three Remember and Reminisce sessions for seniors to explore memories of bygone days. This is a lovely opportunity to share stories from yesteryear, make new friends, and discover books and images in our collection of Old Melbourne, the Whittlesea district in the 1940s, fashions of the 1930s and so much more.

Date:                   Tuesday 13 September, 11 October, 8 November 2022

Time:                   2pm – 3pm

Cost:                    FREE

Where:               Whittlesea Library, 57-61 Laurel Street, Whittlesea

Info:                   9716 3028, whtyprl@yprl.vic.gov.au

Bookings:           Bit.ly/WhtEvents

Film Screening: Servant or Slave

The National Reconciliation Week 2022 theme “Be Brave. Make Change” is a challenge to all Australians — individuals, families, communities, organisations and government — to be brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation so we can make change for the benefit of all Australians.

Come watch this powerful film and contribute to a stronger understanding of the importance of historical acceptance to reconciliation in Australia. A special guest will be present for question time after the screening.

Synopsis:

Many thousands of girls were stolen as young children from their parents and placed in institutions, to be trained as servants who could be assimilated into mainstream Australian society. In bringing to light the heart-breaking experiences of Rita, Violet, Adelaide, Valerie and Rita, Servant or Slave celebrates their fortitude in pursuing justice for the crimes committed against them. Theirs is a David and Goliath battle, waged not only for personal healing, but to shed light on a barely acknowledged part of modern Australia’s history whose consequences are still felt today.

Date:               2 June 2022

Time:               6.30pm refreshments, screening begins at 7pm

Where:            Plenty Ranges Arts Convention Centre, 35 Ferres Rd, South Morang

Bookings:        PRACC and Aboriginal Communities Department

Info:                info@pracc.com.au or Donna.Wright@whittlesea.vic.gov.au

It is estimated that between ten and thirty per-cent of Indigenous children were taken from their families between 1910 and the 1970s—affecting most Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia.  These children were forcibly removed from their families and communities through race-based policies set up by both State and Federal Governments. They were either put in group homes, adopted or fostered out to non-Indigenous families. They suffered grief and trauma, losing their connections to family, identity, land, language and culture. These Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children have become known as the Stolen Generations. The impact of this trauma is still very present today.

This year’s event will include:

• Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country with a Wurundjeri Elder
• Keynote speaker Lisa Zammit CEO of Connecting Home - Stolen Generations Redress Scheme
• Annual Sorry Walk led by Uncle Herb Patten
• Council flags to fly at half-mast
• Catering

Date: Thursday 26 May

Time: 11am – 12.30pm

Venue: Great Hall, Civic Centre, 25 Ferres Boulevard, South Morang

Registration: Please book your attendance here

Join the Palestinian Seniors Club as they celebrate the annual olive picking season in the traditional fashion. Celebrate in style with traditional olive based foods, music, folk dancing, and an exhibition of exquisite art composed of olive tree branches.

To reserve your place contact Dawood on 0416 493 117 by Friday May 17.

Date: Friday 20 May 2022
Time: 6pm – 9pm
Venue: Mill Park Community House, 11 Mill Park Drive, Mill Park.