Bathurst will celebrate over 200 years of its rich history, paying homage to the trades and traditions that have helped shape the region, at the Bathurst Heritage Trades Trail on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 May 2019.
Rare and lost trades and crafts will be showcased over one weekend at Australia’s oldest inland European settlement. Blacksmithing, saddlery, dry stone walling, whip cracking and making, glass artistry, lace making, tapestry, embroidery, carpentry and joinery, cigar box guitar making and violin making are among many unique talents to be demonstrated by local and guest artisans.
Mayor of Bathurst, Councillor Graeme Hanger OAM, said the Bathurst Heritage Trades Trail offers visitors from near and far a cultural and educational experience.
“Bathurst Heritage Trades Trail showcases the destination’s heritage along with the old trades and crafts which literally built Bathurst and which we are helping keep alive today. Four of Bathurst’s most historic venues will be activated and used to host 100 artisans practising their rare trades, including a focus on restoration and conservation,” said Cr Hanger.
“This is a real celebration of the town’s heritage and is an incredible once-a-year opportunity to discover and learn about historic trades and crafts and their contribution to our modern world.”
The two-day event will allow the community to visit sites that are not always open to the public, including:
• Agricultural Research Station – formerly the ‘Bathurst Experiment Farm’ of the late 1800s, this hidden gem holds 11 National Trust listed buildings and will showcase a diverse line up of activity. Learn about agricultural and farm trades, be entertained by musicians, heavy horses and kelpie dogs. See demonstrations of blacksmithing, stone walling, whip cracking and more.
• Uniting Church Hall – built in 1837, one of the oldest buildings in Bathurst will showcase soft trades and feature demonstrations of gem polishing, basket making workshops, embroidery, bead and wire craft and lace making.
• Country Women’s Association (CWA) Hall – Originally the site of the first technical school in Bathurst, the CWA Hall will feature artisans and demonstrations such as knitting, crocheting, felting workshops and candle wicking.
• Walshaw Hall – Built in classic Arts and Crafts style, Walshaw will showcase artisans demonstrating musical instrument making, hand printing, gold smithing, book binding, glass working and more.
The Bathurst Heritage Trades Trail ticketscost only $15 per person for two days, early bird tickets available online are only $12. Children under 16 years are free.
