Jennifer Pittorino
For more than 40 years, the National Trust of Australia has honored the rich culture and heritage displayed in the country with the running of the annual Australian Heritage Festival.
This year, running from Tuesday, April 18 to Thursday, May 18, Maribyrnong council will be contributing to the festivities to celebrate the local rich heritage.
Maribyrnong mayor Sarah Carter said the city’s heritage has been shaped by the diverse range of multigenerational influences, environments and cultures.
“Heritage is how we embrace these rich histories and includes things like historical buildings, streetscapes, art collections and archaeological sites, as well as unseen heritage such as cultural practices and traditions,” she said.
This year’s theme is ‘Shared Stories’, with a range of activities available for people of all ages and interests, include a heritage walk through Footscray Park on Sunday, April 23, an opportunity to hear stories of the Seddon shopping precinct from business owners and staff on Friday, May 5 and an author talk with Professor Bain Attwood on Wednesday, May 3.
In 2022, Maribyrnong council started having meaningful conversations with the broader community and traditional owners along with an internal review of the current heritage plan.
Several opportunities for change in heritage management were highlighted including the further protection of natural and indigenous heritage and the need for working with the local community to grow awareness of heritage in the city.
Cr Carter said the council is looking at creating a new heritage strategy.
“Just like demographic changes – the way in which our community values heritage shifts over time,” she said.
“That’s why we’re creating a new strategy – to pick up where the 2002 Heritage Plan left off – that reflects the values and aspirations of our community, to guide the next ten years of heritage management in our city.”
Council is inviting locals to have their say on the next phase of development of a new Heritage Strategy to continue the conservation and promotion of Maribyrnong’s heritage assets.
Feedback closes at midnight on Sunday, May 14.
Details: www.yourcityyourvoice.com.au/heritage
