Discover Melbourne’s history across the west
The Australian Heritage Festival program in Victoria aims to inspire the community to appreciate, conserve and celebrate its natural, cultural and Indigenous heritage.
For more information visit the National Trust Heritage Festival website.
Throughout the Heritage Festival Melbourne’s west will host events from 18 April – 19 May, 2019 to celebrate the fantastic heritage, history and culture this side of Melbourne.
Listed below are just some of the great events coming up, with links to more events and booking information.
History Among The Tombstones
Local historian, Judith Bilszta will take you back to the past at the historic Melton Cemetery (1862). Her stories of the sometimes tragic and sometimes amazing lives and deaths of early residents of the district will amaze you.
When:
Friday, 26 April 2019 | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Saturday, 04 May 2019 | 02:00 PM – 03:00 PM
Where: 153A Centenary Avenue, Melton 3337
Melton’s Paranormal World
Bill Tabone, co-founder of the Australian Paranormal Society, has been interested in the paranormal all his life. Be spellbound by stories of paranormal investigations, local and afar.
When: Thursday, 02 May 2019 | 06:30 PM – 07:30 PM
Where: Melton Library & Learning Hub, 31 McKenzie Street, Melton 3337
Read the full list of Heritage Festival events in Melton here.
Step Back in Time – Williamstown Guided Walking Tour
Step back in time and unlock the secrets of the historic waterfront and seaport of Williamstown with free guided heritage walking tours.
When: Tuesdays and Fridays | 11.45 AM to 12.45 PM (excludes Good Friday)
Where: Visitor Information Centre, Commonwealth Reserve, corner Syme Street and Nelson Place, Williamstown
Spotswood Industrial heritage Tour
Join this fascinating tour of Spotswood’s industrial heritage sites. The tour includes a visit to the Pumping Station located within Scienceworks, and uses the Museum Victoria Spotswood Industrial Tour App. The app uses audio, video, and historical photographs to show the evolution of Spotswood.
When: Wednesday, 24 April 2019 | 9.30am to 1pm
Where: Meet at Scienceworks, 2 Booker Street, Spotswood, 3015
Truganina Explosives Reserve Open Day
Join a guided tour or a self-guided walk and discover the remnants of the historic Explosives Reserve and learn about the indigenous plants in the area. Bring a picnic to enjoy in the Keeper’s Gardens. No bookings required.
When: Sunday, 5 May | 11.00 am to 4.00 pm
Where: Truganina Explosives Reserve, Queen Street, Altona
Read the full list of Heritage Hobsons Bay events here.
Celebrating 150 years of St Albans
Think you know St Albans? Join local authors Joe Ribarow and Nick Szwed for a photographic history of
St Albans over the decades.
When: Thursday, 30 May 2019 | 11.30 AM – 12.15 PM
Where: St Albans Library
Read the full list of Heritage events in Brimbank here.
Black Powder Mill Open Day
Discover the heritage-listed restored Black Powder Mill in Cairnlea. Hear the history of Gunpowder and the production of explosives in Deer Park and why the Mill is in Cairnlea. See the Mill machinery in operation and experience the firing of 19th century firearms.
When: Saturday, 04 May 2019 | 10.30 AM – 03.30 PM
Where: Meet at Corner Parklea Ave & Grassy Point Rd, Cairnlea
For more information read here.
life in a victorian kitchen
Parks Victoria are opening up the kitchen at Werribee Mansion! Costumed staff will transform home-grown produce into elaborate meals using nothing but hand tools and a wood fired oven. Visitors to the Mansion can enjoy this special opportunity to see the kitchen brought to life, operating as it once did before electricity was available.
When: Every Fri, Sat, Sun from 26 April to 19 May
Where: Werribee Park Mansion, Gate 2, K Road, Werribee
For more information head here.
Challenges and Joys of Preserving Heritage – B24 Liberator
Visit an authentic WW2 hangar: see not only the restoration of a Liberator bomber A72-176, but also a replica of an Avro Anson currently being built: Look at and touch turrets, engines (P&W 1830s, Cheetahs), enter the bomb bay of the bomber: have a cuppa under the wing of this massive aircraft.
This is your opportunity to have a “hands on” experience with an ongoing restoration.
When: Tuesday, 7 May | 10.00 AM – 11.30 AM
Where: Corner Farm Rd & Princes Highway, Werribee, VIC
For more information head here.
Point Cook Homestead Ghost Tour
Discover the country home of the Chirnside family, Point Cook Homestead. Located at the end of an isolated country track, you will be transported to another world.
When:
Saturday, 20 April 2019 | 8.15 PM – 10:00 PM
Saturday, 18 May 2019 | 8.15 PM – 10:00 PM
Where: Point Cook Homestead Rd, Point Cook VIC 3030
For more information head here.
