The region’s second Heritage Open Days event will include tours of some of Greater Shepparton’s most historic private homesteads, hotels, halls and churches, as well as various places of cultural interest that showcase the Goulburn Valley’s diverse and unique heritage.
The event provides an opportunity to visit places that are rarely open to members of the public, with free bus trips, walks, talks, tours and visits available on both days.
This year’s program includes two free tours of Dhurringile mansion, a site that is often closed to the public and one that proved extremely popular in the 2017 Heritage Open Days event.
Other items on this year’s program include visits to the Goulburn Weir and the impressive Big Cut on the Cattanach Canal, as well as an irrigation tour of the old pump site on the Goulburn.
Bookings are required for these tours.
Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor, Cr Kim O’Keeffe, said the Heritage Open Days are about celebrating our history and showcasing the unique heritage that the Goulburn Valley has to offer.
“Greater Shepparton has an interesting history of welcoming people from all over the world and, consequently, we have a wealth of heritage places and a diverse range of buildings and sites, many of which will be exclusively open for the upcoming Heritage Open Days,” Cr O’Keefe said.
“I urge people to take part in the event and immerse themselves in our rich history.”
Greater Shepparton City Council Councillor, Seema Abdullah, said the region has a wonderful opportunity in being able to host such an event.
“This is just the second time a Heritage Open Day has been held in a regional area,” Cr Abdullah said.
“The idea was inspired by the Open House Melbourne series and, following an exceptionally successful event in 2017, our Greater Shepparton Heritage Advisory Committee has worked hard to develop an interesting and varied range of properties for people to visit across a two-day program.
“The program even includes an opportunity to take part in a declining heritage tradition - a hymn singing session – accompanied by the historic Wesley church pipe organ.”
Cr Abdullah said those in attendance must be prepared to make some tough choices due to the range of experiences on offer.
“Getting from one place to another in a large municipality such as ours takes a bit of time,” she said.
“I commend the very generous venue owners and proprietors who are offering access to their properties.”
Cr Abdullah thanked the Dyson Group and Prominent Group for generously sponsoring the buses and booklets respectively.
“We would also like to recognise the Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District Inc. for organising the bus tour to the temple and mosques, which is being held earlier on Thursday, 21 March,” she said.
A booklet is available online on the Council website, as well as in hard copy in the Council foyer, local libraries and Visitor Centre. All bus tours, some walks and some visits will require bookings. Early bookings are essential to avoid disappointment.
More information is available on the Greater Shepparton City Council website or by calling the Building and Planning Department on 03 5832 9730.
