Cultural Heritage

The Yarn

If you would like to receive updates on cultural and historical events, activities and opportunities happening in the
region, consider signing up to receive The Yarn, Council’s Cultural Heritage eNewsletter. Each edition highlights upcoming events, things to get involved in, funding opportunities and contains a unique and beautiful introduction exploring our natural heritage from the perspective of our Kulin Nation seasonal calendar. Editions are released approximately every 6 weeks. To sign up please email culturaheritageofficer@whittlesea.vic.gov.au. 

Cultural Heritage Network

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 fun and fascinating activities on topics to do with our culture and our history. You will leave each event empowered with knowledge on things such as crazy Christmas traditions like beating Tio de Nadal, the pooping Christmas log, new artistic skills such as how to make a Diwali rangoli and gain inside knowledge of opportunities such as funding and how to get it. Our special guest speakers are experts in their field, such as Aboriginal elders, community leaders and professional artists.

We meet quarterly from 7pm – 9pm at Council buildings in our municipality. Upcoming dates for 2023 are Wednesday 15 February, Thursday 18 May, Thursday 17 August and Thursday 16 November. Events are free and fun is guaranteed.
For more information and to register your interest, please email culturalheritageofficer@whittlesea.vic.gov.au.

 

Whittlesea Show

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

 

 

Florinian Vasilopita Festival

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

 

Myths and Legends – Participants Wanted

We are looking for people from all cultures to showcase traditional myths and legends in a fun, creative way. Over a series of creative workshops, we will explore ways of presenting our stories, from theatre to song, storytelling to audience participation, dance to puppetry. Culminating in a performance at the March 2023 Community Festival, we will work with you to bring your mythology to life. Each performance will earn $150.

 

Creative Workshops (these may change due to demand).

Thursday 19 January: Explore our myths and legends, different presentation modes and plan out our individual performances. All required. 
Thursday 2 February: Plays, musicals, songs, dance. Optional.
Thursday 16 February: Storytelling, audience engagement. Optional.
Thursday 2 March: Puppetry. Optional.
Thursday 16 March: Polishing the performance. Adding to the theatre: props, costumes, scenery. All required.
Sunday 19 March: Performance at Community Festival. All required.

All workshops will be held from 7pm – 9pm but doors open at 6.30pm for socialising.
Location: Council Civic Centre, 25 Ferres Boulevard, South Morang.

To get involved please contact Nicola Vaughan, Cultural Heritage Coordinator on 9217 2174 or email nicola.vaughan@whittlesea.vic.gov.au

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. 

Sites of Significance

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

 

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.  

 

 

 

 

 

History Month

October is History Month and staying at home is the perfect opportunity to delve into the past. What are you doing to celebrate? There are some fantastic activities to engage with this October. Visit www.historyvictoria.org.au to find out what’s on, the Royal Historical Society of Victoria is home to the most extensive single information resource on the history of Melbourne and Victoria.

Ways to celebrate at home, online or with friends:

• Host a digital afternoon tea where everyone shares a recipe from their grandparents and tells one story about their grandparents. 
• Next time you meet your friends online, have some history trivia questions up your sleeve for an impromptu quiz
• I Was There When ... Present your memories of the local area anchored around the statement ‘I was there when …’.
• Learn to play an antiquated game such as knucklebones or cat’s cradle
• ‘I Wish I'd Been There’ Describe the moment in the history of your local area you wish you had not missed, some are funny, some quirky and some are inspiring.
• Have a show and tell where half a dozen people talk about one object each from their historical collection
• An online class - the Chinese Museum have some great interactive online sessions for schools where they have a class in making Chinese lanterns or a Kung Fu class. Maybe you can research how to make a rawhide whip, how to skin a rabbit, how to darn socks, make a rag rug etc
• Discover the Golden Age of Hollywood and screen some vintage pictures

       

Cultural Diversity and Harmony Week Celebrations: Tea Time

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.

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.

Past events

+ New light

+ Diwali

+ Sites of Significance Tours

+ Wildflower Tour: Grasslands of Galada Tamboore

+ Historical Tour of Le Page Homestead

+ Whittlesea Township Local History Walk

+ Bear’s Castle Tours

+ Open Studio Arts Trail

+ Remember and Reminisce

+ National Reconciliation Week

+ National Sorry Day

+ Palestinian Olive Harvest