TAKE a step back in time at Tamworth's Regional Heritage Festival.
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Home to an incredibly rich history and diverse culture, the theme of the festival this year is Connecting People, Places and Past.
It's an opportunity to hear unique stories about the events and people that shaped the region, Tamworth Heritage Working Group chair Juanita Wilson said.
"Tamworth is such a thriving region that continues to grow and expand in built environment, culture and technology but in order to know where we are headed it's important to understand the social, physical and economic roots of our past and the impact it's had on our present and future," she said.
"The heritage festival is full of fantastic events that provide a really great chance to help us understand the vision and courage of our forefathers that have led our region to where it is today.
"It's also a time to share our own stories and leave our own marks in the history of Tamworth, that one day future generations will remember and celebrate."
With an exciting program of more than 30 tours, open days, and exhibitions - highlights include the re-opening of Barraba Historical Museum.
In Nundle Wombramurra Homestead Gardens, established in the 1900s, will open its doors to the museum and for tours.
Closer to the CBD, the Victorian-era Fitzroy Street Lands Building will open for one day. The former Crown Land's office was completed in October 1900, cost 5,000 and was designed by architect Warren Vernon.
On Brisbane Street, walk through history with the Tamworth Historical Society, or look behind the scenes at Calala Cottage Museum.
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The heritage festival is on from April 18 to 28. Bookings are essential for some events, for more information visit Tamworth Regional Council's website.
A full list of events is below.
- Stories from the Lookout: An event targeted to local students, the Tamworth Historical Society's Stories at the Lookout will share with them the story of early Tamworth accompanied with the spectacular view of the city.
- Tamworth Powerstation Museum Open Day including the Kable to Edison Cables Exhibition and running of the steam engines: Head to the Tamworth Powerstation Museum on ANZAC Day for a guided tour, and to experience the mighty John Fowler Steam Engines (the only two of their kind still operating in the world) in action from 10am. You can also check out their latest exhibition, with samples of the world's first underground electric power cables on display. Manufactured by Edison in New York in 1881 and installed in Brisbane in 1884, they were recovered from the Queens Wharf Redevelopment site in 2018.
- Bed Pans, Buildings and Benefactors Exhibition Open Day: The Tamworth Hospital Nursing and Medical Museum is hosting an open day in celebration of the opening of their newest exhibition. This fascinating museum provides a final resting place for decades' worth of retired surgical tools, dentistry equipment, medicine bottles, photos and much more.
- Stories Under the Stars with Len Waters: Sit under the starts in Tamworth's Botanic Gardens and explore the stars through the eyes of the Kamilaroi in a family-friendly format, featuring storytellers, music and dance. Learn local star stories and their significance in Kamilaroi culture with an experience the whole family can enjoy.
- Tamworth Local Aboriginal Land Council's Aboriginal Cultural Knowledge Sharing Day: Visit Boundary Rock on a cultural journey, celebrating local Aboriginal culture. Transport will be provided. Bookings are essential.
- Cultural Tour of Tamworth and Surrounds with Len Waters: Immerse yourself in an Aboriginal perspective through an experience rich in storytelling and traditional practices, learning about the Kamilaroi people and how they understood and lived in harmony with our natural environment. Join Len Waters on this tour to Wave Rock and other significant cultural landmarks in the Moore Creek area. Bookings essential
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
