Hunter Living Histories

The eagerly anticipated National Trust Heritage Festival kicks off this week with the Interpretations Exhibition at the Lockup.

For the latest information check out the Hunter Regional Trust Committee blog: http://nationaltrust-hunternewcastleregion.blogspot.com/

Facebook Event page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/event.php?eid=67551780431&ref=mf

The listing of events are as follows:

Friday 3 – 19 April
INTERPRETATIONS: Art Exhibition Local artists were invited to interpret ‘Our Place in Space-Under the Southern Cross’. Exhibition opening will be on Friday 3 April at 7pm. John Paynter Gallery, the lockup, 90 Hunter Street Newcastle.

 

Saturday 4 April 5- 8pm
Cocktail party at Monet’s Cottage in the grounds of the historic James Fletcher Hospital. Dr Troy Duncan will be speaking about the history of this mental health institution that first opened in 1871. $30 (members NT) $35 (non-members) Bookings on 0438509139.

Jon K Chesterson recites ‘Key to Thrive’

John K Chesterson recites ‘Churning of the Foam’

Dr Troy Duncan – On the history of the James Fletcher Hospital site (Part 1)

Dr Troy Duncan – On the history of the James Fletcher Hospital site (Part 2) (The REAL St Trinians of Newcastle)

Dr Troy Duncan – On the history of the James Fletcher Hospital site (Part 3)

Saturday 4 April 9am-4pm
Newcastle Family History Open Day.  Newcastle Family History Society Mechanics Institute, 68 Elder St, Lambton. Enquiries: 49578296.

Saturday 4 to 19 April 10am – 4pm
Navigation by the Stars.  The Maritime Centre. Special display of heritage navigational equipment. Workshops on Saturdays 2pm: on 4, 11, 18 April. Navigation workshop 7.30pm, Wed 15 April. $10 Adult / $7 Concession / $5 Children / $25 Family. Enquiries 4929 2588.

Sunday 5 April 9am-4pm
‘Pits and Pubs’ tour.  Friends of Grossmann House.  Join historian Ed Tonks for a tour of the coalfields. Morning tea & pub lunch included. $40 (members NT) $45 (non-members).  Bookings 4933 6452.

Sunday 5 April 2 – 4 pm
Convicts Under the Southern Cross Heritage Walk.  Accompany Newcastle University’s Coal River Working Party & National Trust members for a walk from the Obelisk through the James Fletcher Hospital grounds & Watt Street to explore this early area of the settlement of Newcastle. Meet at the Obelisk, Newcastle. Donation welcome. Bookings 0438509139.

Sunday 19 April 11am – 12 The Newcastle Mall, Rail & Heritage Walk
Join former Newcastle councillor & National Trust executive member, Keith Parsons, for a walk around the CBD with a particular focus on Newcastle Mall and railway heritage. Meet at Newcastle Railway Station.

Friday 17 April 7.30pm
Friends of the Regal- Film.  ‘The Overlanders’: this classic 1946 film is a factual of fictional twists about a cattle drive across northern Australia. Cost $12. Newcastle Theatre Company. 90 De Vitre Street, Lambton. Bookings 4967 42 73.

Friday 17 April 6 30pm
Friends of Tomago House The Southern Cross: Our Place in Space Candle-lit talk and demonstration by Col Maybury, President of Astronomical Society of the Hunter. Drinks & finger food provided. 21 Tomago Rd, Tomago $20/$15 concession. Bookings 4929 2117.

11 – 12 April 10am – 4pm
Friends of Miss Porter’s House. Special Centenary Open House Exhibition. The house has stood under the Southern Cross for 100 years. Walk through the house and experience it as Miss Porter left it. 434 King St Newcastle, Enquiries 49 270202.

27 March- 12 April Fri- Sun 10am-3pm
Friends of Grossmann House. Art Exhibition-drawings by Holly McNamee recreating streetscapes of Maitland, to be opened by historian Cynthia Hunter. Enquiries 4934 4314.

FORUM: Wednesday 8 April 7- 9 pm
‘My Country, My Place’ Newcastle City Hall, Hunter Room. Speakers: Professor John Maynard and Ray Kelly from the Wollotuka School of Aboriginal Studies, University of Newcastle and Aboriginal people, who have come to live in the Hunter Valley, and who will tell their stories about their country and their experiences living in this place. Donations Welcome.

ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY EVENTS

Sunday 5 & 18 April 5.30pm
Telescope viewing of the night sky Newcastle Astronomical Society Public viewing. Members will answer your questions. Cook Park Macarthur St, Shortland. Enquiries 4951 2506.

Sunday 12 April 7pm
Yuri’s Night. Newcastle Space Frontier Society. Silver Dolphin Family Restaurant, Panthers Cardiff, cnr Munibing & Pendleburry Rds. An international commemoration of the launch of Russian Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space. Guests will receive information about Yuri, and related items. $30 for an all you can eat smorgasbord. Bookings Essential 4963 5037.

March to 28 April
Astrophotography Display, Newcastle Astronomical Society. Newcastle Regional Library (second floor), Laman St Newcastle.

Wednesday 15 April 7pm – 8pm
Celestial Navigation and Exploring the Hunter. Newcastle Astronomical Society George Barnes will talk on celestial navigation, with a focus on the early exploration of the Hunter region using the stars. Newcastle University Lecture Theatre GP1. Enquiries 4951 2506 See http://www.nas.org.au for map of venue.

21 April 7.30pm
Space Law Lecture. Newcastle Space Frontier Society. Law in Space Lecture, by National Space Society of Australia, director and lawyer, Anthony Wicht. Joy Cummings Community Centre. Cnr Pacific & Scott Streets. Donation welcome. Bookings Essential 4963 5037.