Celebrating culture and heritage in Maribyrnong

Published on 18 April 2023

As part of the Australian Heritage Festival from 18 April to 18 May 2023, Council will be supporting a series of events to celebrate Maribyrnong’s rich culture and heritage, while paying homage to this year’s theme of ‘shared stories’.

This includes an opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich stories of Footscray Park during a heritage walk on 23 April; learn the history and stories of the Seddon shopping precinct from business owners and staff on 5 May; and take a deep dive into the memories of past Seddon residents and stories of their homes, and of the many colourful characters of the period on 11 May.

Council is also hosting an author talk with Professor Bain Attwood on his book about William Cooper, a respected Aboriginal leader and social justice campaigner from the 1930s – facilitated by Yorta Yorta writer and broadcaster, Daniel James, on 3 May.

City of Maribyrnong Mayor, Cr Sarah Carter said our City has been shaped by generations of diverse communities whose influence on the way we live, the environment, and our cultures and traditions has informed our unique heritage.

“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 continued.

Council plays an important role in the identification, conservation and promotion of Maribyrnong’s heritage assets – both tangible and intangible – to ensure they are managed and maintained now and for future generations. And further to the celebrations for Australian Heritage Festival, it is inviting locals to have their say on the next phase of development of a new Heritage Strategy.

“Just like demographic changes – the way in which our community values heritage shifts over time,” Mayor Carter 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.”

In 2022, Council started having meaningful conversations with the broader community, Traditional Owners and key stakeholders, along with an internal review of the current Heritage Plan. Through this process a number of challenges with heritage management were highlighted, which have shaped 11 key opportunities.

This includes things like protecting natural and Indigenous heritage, working with the community to grow awareness of heritage in the City, supporting and empowering local heritage organisations and the work they do, balancing the impacts of climate change on heritage places, and celebrating our City’s unique heritage.

These opportunities, along with challenges they seek to address, are outlined in a challenges and opportunities paper now available for comment at yourcityyourvoice.com.au/heritage where residents can also register to attend one of the Council supported Heritage Festival events.

Feedback closes midnight Sunday 14 May 2023.

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