Learn about gold region’s World Heritage bid

THE Golden Plains Shire community is invited to attend an information session to learn about the Victorian Goldfields World Heritage Bid.

The event is being organised by Golden Plains Shire Council and will be held at The Well, Smythesdale, on Monday 10 February from 6.30pm.

The session will be led by the Shire’s coordinator of economic development and speakers will include representatives from the Victorian Goldfields World Heritage Bid team.

“Representatives from the Victorian Goldfields World Heritage Bid will present an update on the bid process to date, the pathways moving forward and why UNESCO World Heritage sites attract strong international tourism to these areas around the world,” said a Golden Plains Shire spokesperson.

“This presentation will assist the local community to understand the potential opportunities lie ahead, including increased tourism, improved local infrastructure and services to support tourism activities.”

City of Ballarat and City of Greater Bendigo officers and councillors are leading the bid, with the support of at least 11 other councils, including Golden Plains Shire.

The bid officially began in 2019, and the aim is to bring recognition to historic goldrush landscapes and in turn, attract tourists.

“Our community is proud of the rich history of goldmining in the northern of our Shire,” said the spokesperson.

“The bid proposes areas of Golden Plains Shire to be included as the district between Smythesdale and Linton, including the sites of the Smythesdale Historic Precinct and Jubilee Mine, and the area of the Brisbane Ranges in the township of Steiglitz.”

President of the Woady Yaloak Historical Society, Kylie Fenton, said the group is supportive of the bid as the Victorian gold rush is overlooked historically.

“It is long overdue, there has been a lot of focus on the American goldfields and there hasn’t been enough focus of how much of an important role Australia played,” she said.

“[Smythesdale] was a wealthy mining area, and I think it is overlooked worldwide.”

Ms Fenton hopes a gold interpretation centre will one day be built in Smythesdale and said it is important for the community to feel connected to the town’s past.

“The community will have a sense of belonging somewhere, and even if you’re new to the community it gives you a sense of pride that you’re in a place that has history, it has diversity and you’re part of it.”

Attendees are asked to register at bit.ly/3Cv0daC.