A special exhibition of miniature paintings celebrates Bundaberg Region history, as part of this year’s Australian Heritage Festival.
Organised by Bundaberg Regional Heritage Group in collaboration with Childers artist Marilyn Murray, ‘History in Your Hands’ takes visitors on a journey through the region’s heritage through a series of tiny art works.
We asked organiser Bess Martin from Bundaberg Regional Heritage Group to tell us about the event.
What are you doing for Australian Heritage Festival this year?
Bundaberg Regional Heritage Group in collaboration with Childers artist Marilyn Murray, will host the Miniature Art Exhibition, ‘History in Your Hands’.
This intimate collection of miniature paintings gathers the heritage of our beautiful region into the palm of your hand – small works that honour the buildings, details, colours and crafted textures that shape our shared sense of place.
When and where will your event be?
Bundaberg School of Arts Gallery, 184 Bourbong Street Bundaberg.
The Official Opening will be held on Saturday 18 April at 3.30 pm. The exhibition then runs from 19 to 24 April from 10 am to 2 pm daily.
How can the community get involved or attend your event?
All are welcome.
Childers Vintner’s Secret Winery will be supplying wine and cheese for the opening event.
Local musical talents, Alison Vercoe and Michael Goodall will add to the afternoon with their enchanting cello playing.
Why did you decide to get involved in this year’s heritage festival?
Our heritage deserves to be celebrated.
This year’s theme, ‘Change’, invites communities to explore how our heritage continues to evolve.
It invites us to share stories that shaped our town and landscapes.
It highlights how different generations experience heritage and it gives us the opportunity to showcase the ways we can breathe new life into traditions, places and objects that tell our region’s stories.
Why do you think it is important to preserve and appreciate heritage in the Bundaberg Region?
At local level heritage is a key element of understanding how our local area developed historically and how we connect as a society and a region by providing a tangible link to the past.
To quote an ex-councillor of the Bundaberg City Council, and a life time supporter of heritage preservation, Janet Tallon:
“The only way of differentiating one city or place from another is to hold dear its places of heritage or we fast join the league of cities and places around the world with no character or soul.”
“Our heritage is the basis on which we build our differences, character and attractions and give pride to the residents of our ‘place’.”
The venue hire for this exhibition was supported by Council’s Safe Spaces, Thriving Places program that seeks to encourage the community to celebrate the cultural and social identity of the Bundaberg CBD including its heritage buildings.
Australian Heritage Festival runs from Saturday 18 April to Monday 18 May.
For more events and activities, see the full Bundaberg Region Australian Heritage Festival program here.
‘History in Your Hands’ art exhibition
Opening event: Saturday 18 April, 3.30 – 5.30 pm
Exhibition: Sunday 19 to Friday 24 April, 10 am – 2 pm
Where: Bundaberg School of Arts
Free, no booking required
