Released 23/04/2019
There is something for everyone at the Canberra and Region Heritage Festival. This week paint your own indigenous bush art, learn about the Apollo mission and celebrate Anzac Day by learning about our war history through film, guided trench tours and twilight peace vigils.
This year’s Heritage Festival is exploring ‘S P A C E’, offering visitors the opportunity to learn about our space history and discover the vast spaces of our very own bush capital.
Over the next week you can:
- Paint your own bush painting with Githabul woman Kristi Lee. On Tuesday 23 April, kids can go for a short walk collecting paintbrushes before using them to create their very own masterpiece.
- Find out how Lake Burley Griffin was formed. Join a family friendly stroll on Tuesday to discover the history and science behind Lake Burley Griffin along with what the area was like before it was created.
- Ponder why humans have not returned to the moon. Join Astrophysicist Dr Brad Tucker on Wednesday 24 April for a talk on how we are turning science fiction into reality. The talk will be followed by a film about the Apollo mission.
- Step back into ancient times and learn about how the ACT was formed.Take a guided walk through the Arboretum on Wednesday, including a stroll through trees that grew at the time of the dinosaurs.
- Discover hidden heritage gems and secrets in and around the Parliamentary Triangle. On Wednesday 24 April, join author and social historian Marg Wade for a tour around this iconic area.
- Commemorate Anzac Day by join an Anzac Peace vigil on Mt Ainslie. On Wednesday evening, be inspired by twilight community singing and ceremony atop Mt Ainslie before joining a lantern-lit procession down the mountain towards the War Memorial.
- Learn about wartime culture at Canberra Museum and Gallery with a classic film screening of the Overlanders. This 1946 Australian filmtells the tale of an epic World War II cattle drive from the Top End to the Queensland coast—a scorched earth strategy to deny food to Japanese invaders.
- Relive the experience of WWI soldiers at the Duntroon Trench Warfare and Bombing school. Take a tour of the site on Friday 26 April with local history writer and interpreter, Mark Butz. Can’t make this event? There will be another tour on Sunday 28 April.
Celebrate your journey and experiences during this year’s Festival by sharing your favourite moments in a photo competition. You’ll even go in the draw to win great prizes.
Bookings are essential for many events. To find out more visit www.act.gov.au/heritagefestival.
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Mick Gentleman, MLA | Media Releases
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