We're fortunate to be home to many unique heritage places. On this page, you can learn about how we celebrate and protect our cultural heritage.
Our Cultural Heritage Strategy features a series of objectives and actions to guide us as we protect, celebrate and preserve the rich history and heritage that exists within our municipality. This includes:
- Aboriginal scarred trees that date back thousands of years
- the Wendish German settlement around Ziebell's Farm
- the Lutheran church and cemetery in Thomastown
- Historic Epping cemetery
- Turner's Bakery in Mernda
- and more.
Download or Cultural Heritage Strategy
Cultural Heritage Strategy - accessible(DOCX, 8MB)
Cultural Heritage Strategy(PDF, 1MB)
Our cultural heritage program celebrates the cultural diversity, history and heritage of the City of Whittlesea through a variety of informative events, cultural festivals and tours. These take place between March and December each year.
The program is developed in partnership with community and special interest groups to provide opportunities to collectively celebrate our:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage
- built heritage and early European history
- environmental heritage
- rich personal and cultural heritage.
Events in the cultural heritage program are listed below. For more information contact us on 03 9217 2174.
Chinese lunar new year celebration
This annual event features lots of entertainment including traditional performances, delicious cuisine and lots more.
Presented by Whittlesea Chinese Association. Contact 0469 756 599.
City of Whittlesea community festival
Set within our Civic Centre grounds in South Morang, this annual family event connects our community with fun activities for all ages. Enjoy fantastic performances, youth area, pet expo, live cooking demonstrations, mini golf, market stalls, roving acts, musical plants and food trucks and exciting theatre shows inside our Plenty Ranges Arts and Activities Centre. Held each year in March.
Greek folk dancing classes
Presented by Florina Aristotelis Dance Group, you can enjoy folk dancing classes featuring styles from all areas of Greece and for all ages. The dance group uses colourful, authentic, traditional costumes and a live five-piece Halkina Balkan Brass band for performances. Classes are free with a $50 annual membership fee.
Classes
Juniors: Thursdays 5:30pm–6:30pm
Intermediate: Thursdays 6:15pm–7:45pm
Seniors: Thursdays 7:30pm–9:30pm
Adults: Mondays 7:30pm–8:30pm
Cost: FREE
Where: Nick Ascenzo Community Centre, 2 Boronia St, Thomastown
For more information call 0413 381 915.
Bookings: Not required.
Whittlesea township local history walk
Explore the historical township of Whittlesea with the new Whittlesea Township Local History Walk resource. Developed by Yarra Plenty Regional Library, the digital map details historical sites and fascinating landmarks linked via a walking route.
Start your journey at the Whittlesea Community Activity Centre and Library and visit all 19 points of interest.
This is an easy flat walk with options to extend or loop around. Available on your phone, computer or tablet.
Image: Main Street, Whittlesea, 1905 Fay Thomas Collection, Yarra Plenty Regional Library
Keelbundoorah scarred tree heritage trail
This NAIDOC Week 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, or you can stop at the library and ask for a brochure and map.
Sites of significance map
The City of Whittlesea is home to scores of fascinating historical sites. From our very own castle, to a reservoir that was once the envy of Melbourne, and even troughs where thirsty horses stopped to water in the 1900s.
A new interactive map is helping get you out exploring your own back yard.
Our Sites of Significance map features 50 historically important sites, with their location mapped, photos and the stories behind them. It is available online and in print at libraries and community centres.
Get your copy of 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 desktop computer, tablet or phone.
Image: Bills Horse Trough, Epping, photo by Julie Scott 2019
History Month
October is History Month and staying at home is the perfect opportunity to delve into the past. Visit History Victoria 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 include:
- hosting a digital afternoon tea where everyone shares a recipe from their grandparents and tells one story about their grandparents
- meet your friends online for some history trivia
- share your memories of the local area with friends, anchored around the statement ‘I was there when …’.
- describe the moment in the history of your local area when you wish you'd been there
- learn to play a old-style game such as knucklebones or cat’s cradle
- have a show and tell where half a dozen people talk about one object each from their historical collection
- take an online class. The Chinese Museum has 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 or make a rag rug.
Culture in the Kitchen
Culture in the Kitchen is a locally-created series 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. 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.
Find out more about Culture in the Kitchen
Collaborative cultural dance
Dance like you’ve never danced before. Be a Bollywood star, shake your booty to Mutuashi the Congolese dance of freedom and connect with Country in Bik Ngarra.
Join our online classes in Bollywood, Mutuashi and Aboriginal dance, and learn some sensational new moves. Learn the routines and upload a video of yourself and become a star in the collated clip.
Designed for all levels of fitness, these classes give an exciting insight into world dance.
Watch the collaborative cultural dance workshops and upload your dancing videos.
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. Our special guest speakers are experts in their field, such as Aboriginal Elders, community leaders and professional artists. You will leave each event inspired and empowered.
The network meets quarterly. To find out more about these free events or to register your interest, contact culturalheritageofficer@whittlesea.vic.gov.au.
Would you like to stay up-to-date with local cultural and historical events, activities and opportunities happening in the region? Sign up to The Yarn, our cultural heritage eNewsletter.
Each edition highlights upcoming events, things to get involved in, funding opportunities and a unique and beautiful introduction exploring our natural heritage from the perspective of our Kulin Nation seasonal calendar.
The newsletter is released approximately everysix weeks.You can sign up by emailingculturalheritageofficer@whittlesea.vic.gov.au.