Since 2015 is the centenary of Anzac, it is no surprise that this year's Canberra and Region Heritage Festival is linked to that anniversary. Linda Roberts said the festival - the 34th to be held, and her seventh as co-ordinator - had the theme "Conflict and Compassion".
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"It's a way to celebrate our wonderful and unique heritage - our Aboriginal, built and natural heritage - and to highlight its importance and the need for conservation," she said.
Among the 140 events, activities and exhibitions to be held over 15 days will be the Peaceknits pop-up event (Saturday, April 11, 10am, Boab Book Cottage, 36 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan) commemorating the hundreds of thousands of pairs of socks knitted and sent to soldiers on the war front. It also marks 100 years since the International Congress of Women met at The Hague to discuss ways of achieving world peace.
There are exhibitions at Hall School Museum (April 27) and Gundaroo Soldiers' Memorial Hall (April 25 and 26) focusing on the stories of local soldiers, and the event Our Boys' Train at Canberra Railway Museum (April 19) provides an immersive experience recreating the experience of sending soldiers off to war and awaiting their return.
But the festival is not all about the war. Saturday, April 12, is a National Trust Open Day at Mugga-Mugga - with entertainment including a display of classic cars, a petting zoo and a memorabilia preservation workshop, as well as tours of the historic cottage.
This weekend is also the time of the Janet Austen Festival, so you can dress in your best period attire and attend the Battle of Waterloo Ball on Saturday night and the Cotillion Ball on Sunday afternoon, both at Albert Hall, as well as enjoy talks, embroidery classes, and a theatrical prequel to Pride and Prejudice titled Mr Bennet's Bride (at Theatre 3: canberrarep.org.au). More information: janeaustenfestival.com.
The Hume's Heyday Festival at Cooma Cottage in Yass on April 18 features displays of old-time skills such as blacksmithing, side-saddle riding and horse ploughing, as well as coach rides, an egg-tossing contest and a tug-of-war, as well as live music, poetry recitals and an animal petting pen.
On April 26, Ngunnawal custodians Wally and Tyronne Bell will reveal the history of the Tuggeranong Homestead site as it relates to Ngunnawal cultural history, interpreting cultural sites and explaining the way of life that Ngunnawal Anzacs left when they went to war.
Conflict and Compassion: Canberra and Region 2015 Heritage Festival is on from April 11 to 26. Website: environment.act.gov.au/heritage/heritage-and-the-community/heritage_festival.
