2018 Heritage Festival
Inner West Council Library and History Heritage Festival in April and May has the theme My Culture, My Story.
The festival, under the auspices of the National Trust, celebrates the diversity of cultures that have shaped Australia’s shared heritage.
This is especially true in the Inner West, according to Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne. “The rich tapestry and cultural wealth of the Inner West has inspired our history team to work with local history and heritage groups to deliver a fascinating and varied program of events,” he said.
“For example, the Federation of Italian Migrant Workers (FILEF) is presenting two events as part of the 2018 Heritage Festival,” Mayor Byrne said.
“As well, one of Australia’s longest running bicycle clubs, Dulwich Hill Cycle Club, is collaborating on an exhibition of vintage photographs, ephemera and rare antique bikes.
“Petersham’s Royal Arch Masonic Temple is providing a unique opportunity to peek at their famous Egyptian Room.
“And Leichhardt School of the Arts is hosting a walking tour that showcases the school’s surprising connections to local culture and state politics,” Mayor Byrne said.
On your bike: Some of the country’s best cyclists, including Lionel Cox who won gold in the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games, were members of Dulwich Hill Cycle Club, formed in 1908.
FREE. StirrUp Gallery, Addison Road Community Centre, Wednesday, 9 May-Tuesday 15 May, 9am-5pm.
The Italian effect: Features hundreds of archival photographs charting the history of FILEF, providing a fascinating look at the history of inner west Italian culture from the past 40 years. The exhibition includes exquisite masks of the traditional Italian characters of Commedia Dell’Arte.
FREE. Leichardt Library exhibition space, Tuesday, 3 April-Friday, 27 April. Open during library hours
Growing up in Sydney's inner west in the 1960s: First Nation activist Ken Canning shares stories of the special bond formed between the Leichhardt Italians and First Nations community in the 1960s where boys would find themselves on the same side in the face of violence and prejudice.
FREE. Leichhardt Library, Thursday, 19 April, 6pm-8pm
Freemasons in the Egyptian Room: The Egyptian Room in Petersham’s Royal Arch Masonic Temple is justifiably called one of Australia's treasured icons, and was listed by the National Trust in 1979. The lavishly decorated walls faithfully replicate the Scroll of Ani, a funerary scroll from 1250BC that charts the journey of a man’s soul into the afterlife. Created in 1927 for the Masonic Order’s Royal Arch Temple in College Street Sydney it was moved to Petersham in 1977.
FREE. Royal Arch Masonic Temple, 23-35 New Canterbury Road, Petersham, Sunday, 29 April, 10.30am-12.30pm.
Secrets, scandals and piggery: stories from Leichhardt School of Arts: The Leichhardt School of Arts started in 1899 to provide education to the working classes. But this seemingly earnest institute has seen more than its share of public scandals. A walking tour illustrating the school’s surprising connections to local culture and state politics.
FREE. Meeting point: corner of Norton and Marion streets outside Leichhardt Town Hall, Saturday, 19 May, 10am-12noon.
The streets of Leichhardt: personal tales of the Great Depression: Eighty-two year old Leichhardt historian Patrick Callaghan retraces his own personal life story-growing up in Leichhardt in 1938 as the child of Irish migrants.
FREE. Meeting point: The rotunda, Pioneers Memorial Park, Leichhardt. Session 1: Wednesday, 9 May 10am-12.30pm. Session 2: Saturday, 12 May 10am-12.30pm.
St David’s sesquicentenary celebration walk: As part of the 150 year celebration of the laying of the foundation stone at St David’s Church, local historian Vince Crow presents a walking tour of famous landmarks surrounding the church. Includes a rare opportunity to see Haberfield founder’s Ramsay family vault.
Cost: $10 pp. Includes afternoon tea. Sunday, 29 April, 1.30pm-4pm. Bookings essential. Call Roger Thompson on 0410 410 203.
Leadlight in the twilight: Guides Gordon Hill and Bob Brush walk the streets of Haberfield to admire and talk about the colourful leadlight windows and doors of the Federation style homes.
Cost: $10 pp. Sunday, 22 April, 5pm-7.30pm. Bookings essential. Call Gordon Hill on 9798 0697 or 0421 821 010.
St David’s Uniting Church commemorative service: Rev. Steve Lee leads a special church service to commemorate the 150 year anniversary.
FREE, Sunday 6 May, 10am-12 noon
Look Up! Mementos from the past: The shop tops in the inner west are the subject of this talk by Ashfield & District Historical Society heritage adviser, David Rollinson.
FREE. Ashfield Service Centre Library Local Studies Room Level 2, Sunday, 20 May 1pm-4pm.
The lost voices of Callan Park: Stories of former patients and workers at the psychiatric institution feature on a walking tour about the changes since the hospital closed, its current uses and the community's vision for the site’s future. The tour includes the foundations (sometimes referred to as tunnels) in Kirkbride. Bring a torch, comfortable walking shoes, sun protection and water.
$20 pp. Includes audio equipment hire. Children under 12 free. Meeting point: NSW Writers’ Centre, Saturday, 5 May, 11.30am-1.30pm. Bookings essential at www.trybooking.com/UCPD
Impressions of Greece – The photographic archives of William Woodhouse: The University of Sydney’s Nicholson Museum holds 1,500 glass-plate negatives of Greece taken by William Woodhouse, Professor of Classics University of Sydney, in the 1890s and early 1900s. The photographs captured the landscapes and archaeological sites, and offer an insight into Greek life at this time. Learn more about the photographs, the photographer and the global Flickr project to identify each image in the archive.
FREE. St Peters Library, St Peters Town Hall, Tuesday, 17 April, 6.30pm-7.30pm. Bookings required.
For more on the program of events, an interview about individual events or the entire program, or print quality images, contact the Communication team.
Elizabeth Heath | Communications and Marketing Coordinator Inner West Council P: +61 2 9392 5334 | E: elizabeth.heath@innerwest.nsw.gov.au | M: 0428 115 292