Cultural Heritage

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.

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.

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 5 May, 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

Listening to Land

Presented by the City of Whittlesea

Listening to Land invites us to reflect on the role of nature in our human experience. Visit the Solace Stream, a running stream created by Vin Anderson, watch Birrarung, a filmic composition by Maudie Palmer and dream into Yan Yean & Mernda by Wurundjeri artist Mandy Nicholson. A series of workshops, events and films will be programmed to immerse you into this unique event including the internationally acclaimed Australian film Small Island Big Song.

Event details:

Weekdays from Wednesday 10 March to Monday 24 May from 10am - 4pm

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

 

Workshops

Weekdays, 30 March - 24 May

Visit Whittlesea Arts for further details and bookings.

 

Walking Thomastown 

Presented by Thomastown Precinct Action Group in partnership with the City of Whittlesea

See Thomastown come alive over three nights, lit up for an exhilarating exploration of this historic precinct. Explore the past, present and future of Thomastown through lights, projections and audio tours. Bring your mobile phone and headphones to have your own experience.

Event details:

23 - 24 April, 6pm to 9:30pm

Visit Whittlesea Arts for further details and bookings. For more information please call 9217 2174 or email events@whittlesea.vic.gov.au

Researching Aboriginal Family History

Presented by Yarra Plenty Regional Library

Tracing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family histories poses a unique set of challenges.

In this half-day webinar, join Jenny Bates (Koorie Heritage Trust), Maxine Briggs (Koorie Heritage Unit at State Library Victoria), and Tsari Anderson (Koorie Records Unit at Public Records Office Victoria and National Archives of Australia) to discover their tips and tricks.

Topics will include how to get started, staying organised, an overview of useful records available, ideas for researching names and places, and how to access conditions of records.

Bookings are essential.

Event details:

Monday 17 May 2021, 9.30am – 12.30pm

For further information please email: localhistorygene@yprl.vic.gov.au

National Sorry Day

Honouring the Stolen Generation

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

National Sorry Day is recognised each year commemorating the release of the Australian Human Rights Commission 1997 Bringing Them Home report. In the spirit of reconciliation join Wurundjeri Elders, members of the Stolen Generations and the City of Whittlesea Administrators on National Sorry Day 2019, promoting truth telling of Australia’s true history, awareness raising and understanding of the injustices and wrongs inflicted upon Aboriginal people and communities by previous Governments. Please join us to learn about the Stolen Generations, participate in the annual Sorry Walk and reflect in our community’s Sorry Space.

Event details:

Wednesday 26 May, 10am - 12pm

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

For further information please call 9217 2174

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.