Bridgetown-Greenbushes to hold heritage festival to celebrate and reveal layered history

The Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes will be hosting a heritage event from April 17 to 23, as a part of the Australian Heritage Festival, with dates in WA from April 10 to May 14.

The theme for this year’s Australian Heritage Festival is Shared Stories, with the theme inviting event organisers to help reveal Australia’s layered history by sharing stories of natural, cultural, built and Indigenous heritage, and encouraging the community to build deeper connections by sharing their own rich and diverse narratives along the way.

Some of the events happening during the festival include a tour of the oldest church in Bridgetown, the Festival of Small Halls WA Autumn Tour, Bridgetown History Walks, an open day and urban sketching at Bridgedale House.

Bridgetown-Greenbushes Visitor Services manager Karen Hill said the festival would allow tourists and local residents to embrace the history of Bridgetown and Greenbushes through open days, walking tours and exhibitions.

“I saw an opportunity as part of the Australian Heritage Festival, to help the community put together a program of events,” she said

“Bridgetown is the only heritage listed town in the South West and Greenbushes has a rich history with many stories to be shared.”

She said the shire had chosen the second week of the school holidays to hold events in Bridgetown and Greenbushes, and that she hoped the festival would become an annual celebration of heritage.

“I’m hoping this will be an annual event for the area and that we will be able to grow our understanding of where we live and ignite curiosity amongst all ages to want to learn more.”