By Danielle Kutchel
The National Trust’s Australian Heritage Festival is coming to Tooradin and Berwick, with a number of events planned in coming weeks.
The Festival gives visitors the chance to delve into Casey’s heritage and gain a unique insight into the history of local areas.
The first event in the series will be held at Tooradin’s Fisherman’s Cottage. Built around 1875, the cottage is one of the few remaining examples of the fisherman’s houses that could originally be found on both sides of Sawtells Inlet in the 19th and early 20th centuries. From 10am on Saturday 4 May, visitors will be able to view photographic displays at the cottage and even delve into their local family history with the Narre Warren Family History Group.
A boat tour of Western Port will be held from 1pm til 3pm on the same day, hosted by Greg Hunt, Executive Officer of the Western Port Biosphere Foundation. It will focus on the Port’s diverse ecosystems, which make it an area of international conservation significance.
On Saturday 11 May from 2pm til 5pm, a High Tea will be held in the formal dining room of the historic Berwick mansion, ‘Edrington’, which was once the residence of Lord and Lady Casey. Visitors will be able to join a guided tour of the mansion and its gardens.
Casey Mayor Cr Amanda Stapledon, who is part of the Casey Cardinia Historic Society, said she is excited to be part of the festival along with a vast array of local historical societies that are also joining in the festivities.
“The City of Casey is very proud to support this festival of heritage and culture, the biggest of its kind in Australia,” she said.
Coinciding with the Heritage Festival is the Vera Moller: A Thousand Tides exhibition, now on display at the Bunjil Place Gallery. The exhibition features pieces inspired by the flora and fauna of Western Port Bay.
To find out more about the Australian Heritage Festival visit the National Trust website.
