Creativity and artefacts bring history to life

Above the Bit: Luke Watt and Nigel Wearne will perform and speak with musician Hap Hayward at the Eureka Centre during the Ballarat Heritage Festival.

LOVERS of history, the arts, and culture will be into what’s on offer at the Eureka Centre this Ballarat Heritage Festival.

The centre is hosting four events, including a rousing performance from musical storytellers, a chance to get up close to archival artefacts, and an educational talk and panel.

Songwriters Luke Watt and Nigel Wearne will stage their live show, Above the Bit on Friday, 19 May.

Shining an emotive spotlight on the civil disobedience of the Eureka Stockade through blues, country, and outlaw folk music, they’re inspired by the spirits of poet Tom Waits, and musicians Billy Bragg and Woody Guthrie.

At 6pm, singer-songwriter and member of The Dead Salesmen Hap Hayward will lead a talk with Watt and Wearne about their inspirations, and how they develop their art, before the 60-minute performance at 6.30pm.

On Tuesday, 23, Wednesday, 24, and Thursday 25 May, at 10am and 2pm, curious minds are invited to examine primary resources from the Public Record Office Victoria’s Eureka Collection, with guidance from the centre’s education staff.

On display will be items dating back to the Eureka Rebellion in 1854, including hand-written documents like letters relating to the murder of Janes Scobie, witnesses’ court depositions, police officers’ eye-witness reports, and petitions to the government.

Historian and author, Emeritus Professor Geoffrey Blainey, will bring Ballarat’s past to life when he presents a public talk on Thursday, 25 May from 6pm to 7pm.

Covering topics from mining to footy, he’ll deliver well-researched stories with insight, and a few laughs.

The Eureka Centre’s final Heritage Festival event is a ‘hidden histories’ panel all about representation, set for Friday, 26 May at 6pm.

Panellists featured have been selected for their expertise in amplifying marginalised voices, including First Nations peoples and the LGBTIQA+ community members.

Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāti Whatua woman and State Library of Victoria exhibitions curator Jade Hadfield, proud Wadawurrung visual artist Kait James, National Museum of Australia senior curator Craig Middleton, and Yuin and Japanese woman, the Australian Museum’s Dr Mariko Smith, are all on the panel.

Visit eurekacentreballarat.com.au/events to book.

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