Whittlesea Cultural Heritage Program

The City of Whittlesea Cultural Heritage Program celebrates the history and cultural heritage of the City of Whittlesea.  Yarra Plenty Regional Library is a proud partner in this annual program. The 2020 Autumn Program of Events has been released. Hard copies are available from City of Whittlesea Libraries and Community Activity Centres.  This season is packed full of exciting activities, exhibitions, presentations and tours as we celebrate ANZAC day, Cultural Diversity Week and The National Trust Australian Heritage Festival. Highlights for this season include The Rhythm of Africa, a free Congolese dance class and The Beat of Bollywood, a free Bollywood dance class, both part of celebrating Cultural Diversity Week in March. March is also Women's History Month, visit the photography exhibition at the Council Offices from 11 March. 

Westgarthtown Settler Stories

Discover the stories of early Lutheran settlers buried in heritage listed Westgarthtown Cemetery on an exclusive tour this Sunday 28th April as part of the City of Whittlesea Cultural Heritage Program.  Retrace the lives of the City of Whittlesea's earliest pioneers at the original homestead Ziebell's Farmhouse Museum and enjoy afternoon tea in the heritage gardens. Learn more 

Miss Show Girl

Curator, Dr Annette Shiel from the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria was a special guest at Whittlesea Library this month as part of Yarra Plenty Regional Library’s Local History Month Program (in partnership with the City of Whittlesea Cultural Heritage Program).

Dr. Sheil shared her project to re-unite former Miss Show Girls from 1957 to 1996 and to gather and preserve their stories. The program evolved over the years. Winners from country Agricultural Shows would move on to the Miss Melbourne Show Girl. There were no set criteria for “winning”; each Agricultural Society would decide their own. One common factor, though, was appearance and entrants usually had to present themselves in “afternoon wear”. For many, this may have been a borrowed dress or hand-made for the occasion. One lady was cautioned for her glittery beads when she was advised that they were for night wear only. The event may also have included a short interview, including goals in life.

For many country winners, this was a first visit to Melbourne. Many girls often had the one outfit and would have to scramble for an array of good clothes to take with them to the City for the week of festivities which included being pampered with hair and makeup treatments and staying in Melbourne’s Premier Hotel at the time; The Southern Cross Hotel. They were expected to participate in the Show’s daily parade and present prizes to the various successful exhibitors including animals, crafts, preserves and more. For many, they were country girls who helped their families on the farm and were not used to stockings and heals during the day.

Within our audience on the day, four local women had entered the Whittlesea Miss Show Girl (two had won) and one lady entered and won Miss Eltham Show Girl. A number of photographs and original sashes were brought along. Recipients were encouraged to wear their sash and tell their story. Three friends attended together and had all entered in the late 1950s. We also heard from Miss Whittlesea Show Girl 1987 who unfortunately did not achieve her dream at the time to enter the army.

This was a wonderful afternoon, connecting our community with the lesser known stories in our local history and was a wonderful connection also of personal histories and reminiscences of times gone by.  Learn more at Royal Agricultural Association of Victoria website

The 159th Whittlesea Show 2018 is on this weekend 3rd and 4th November. 

Whittlesea Cultural Heritage Program

The 2017 City of Whittlesea Cultural Heritage Program is in full swing with the Winter program out now.  This annual events program celebrates the history and cultural heritage of the City of Whittlesea.  Local organisations and community groups including Yarra Plenty Regional Library, Whittlesea Reconciliation Group, St Damian's Church, Bundoora, St Luke's Church, Lalor, RMIT University, Ausdance and the 5000 Poppies project are some of the organisations presenting events this year.

Upcoming events include:

Thursday 20 July Multicultural Night at Lalor Library

Tuesday 1 August Starting your family History at Whittlesea Library

Sunday 6 August La Festa di San Donato

Monday 21 August Mont Park Military Asylum: searching for the Cemetery at Mill Park Library

City of Whittlesea Cultural Heritage Program

The City of Whittlesea's award winning Cultural Heritage Program has returned in 2016 with a variety of activities and events to enjoy throughout the year.  Choose from a wide selection of workshops, presentations and performances; guided walks and tours; community and cultural celebrations; screenings and open days.  City of Whittlesea libraries located at Whittlesea, Lalor, Mill Park and Thomastown are associated with over 19 events in the program. Pick up a free copy of the program at any of these libraries or view the events on the City of Whittlesea website.

Donnybrook Cemetery Tour

Enjoy an informative walk and talk on a tour of this ten acre rural cemetery led by cemetery historian David Weatherill on Saturday October 25 as part of the Royal Historical Society of Victoria's History Week and the City of Whittlesea Cultural Heritage Program.

This pioneer cemetery was established in 1857 and is still open to burials.  Learn the stories of pioneers past while enjoying the Spring colour of wildflowers common in the cemetery at this time of year.  People with family history related connections welcome to come along and share their stories. Meet at the Malcolm Street, Donnybrook Cemetery at 2.00 pm