We are very pleased to offer the following tour on the fourth day of our Oral History Australia Biennial Conference 2024, Sunday 24th November.

LIVING MUSEUM OF THE WEST & MARIBYRNONG RIVER LOCAL HISTORY TOUR

Location: Bus pick up at Trinity College to Pipemakers Park, Maribyrnong for an expert talk by Living Museum of the West, followed by cruise along Maribyrnong River with tour finishing at Bunbury Street Floating Jetty, Footscray.

Time: 10:45am - 1:30pm

Cost: $30

Meeting point: Gate B, Trinity College, Royal Parade, Parkville

Meeting time: 10.45am (for 11am sharp bus departure)

BYO: Packed lunch and water bottle

Tour description:

Ever wondered where Naarm/Melbourne’s bluestone comes from? Or the origins of the city’s industrial past? Discover the rich history of Naarm/Melbourne’s inner west with the Living Museum of the West and Blackbird Cruises. Formerly the centre of Melbourne’s industrial wealth - now a vibrant multicultural residential, ecological, creative and commercial precinct - this often-overlooked part of Naarm/Melbourne is burgeoning with local history and diversity.

A mini-bus will take you from Trinity College to Pipemakers Park where you will be met by Living Museum of the West President, Kerrie Poliness who will introduce some of the area’s pre and post-colonisation history. Established in 1984 as Australia’s first eco museum, the Living Museum serves a historically disadvantaged, industrialised region, focusing on local identity and engaging the community in its operations.

Kerrie will discuss the Museum’s inclusive approach to documenting local history and its deep connection to Pipemakers Park including the development of public artworks and monuments such as the History of the Land Garden, Workers Garden, and Women's Shelter - all influenced and inspired by its extensive oral history archives.

We then hop aboard ‘The Blackbird’, a traditional ferry boat for a gentle one-hour journey exploring Melbourne’s ‘River of the West’ - the Maribyrnong River. Hosted by local history legend and boatman Peter Sommerville OAM, the cruise takes in the Heavenly Queen Temple (Australia's largest Taoist temple), Frog’s Hollow Wetlands, Jack’s Magazine (a former explosives store), Edgewater Lake, Footscray Park, Flemington Racecourse, Victoria University, Newell’s Paddock and the Kensington Banks housing estate. The tour finishes at the Bunbury Street Floating Landing near Footscray Arts Centre where you will disembark The Blackbird and make your onward journey. Time up your sleeve? Footscray’s famous Vietnamese eateries are within walking distance (as is Footscray Station if you are city-bound).

Note:

this tour does not include a visit inside the Living Museum of the West due to current renovations. Museum staff will instead guide participants through outdoor areas, highlighting public artworks and historic buildings.

bus transport from Trinity College to Pipemakers Park is one-way only. Participants are expected to make their own return/onward journey. The finishing point for this tour is the Bunbury Street Floating Jetty located 450m from Footscray Station (approx. 7 min walk).

Accessibility:

The Blackbird ferry provides accessibility for wheelchair users on the outdoor boat deck only. Please make sure you complete the accessibility section at the checkout questions when registering for a tour so we are aware of your needs. If you have any specific queries you can contact us on: conference2024@oralhistoryaustralia.org.au

Toilets:

There is a public toilet at Pipemakers Park. The toilet on The Blackbird is recommended for emergencies only.

No member discounts or concession rates:

tour prices are at flat per person rates, with no OHA state association member discounts or concession rates, however we have endeavoured to keep prices as low as possible.

Booking on this platform only:

all bookings for the tours are made here, and no bookings can be made directly with the operators.

Please make sure you complete the accessibility section at the checkout questions when registering for a tour so we are aware of your needs. If you have any specific queries you can contact us on: conference2024@oralhistoryaustralia.org.au

What to wear:

Please wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking and suitable sun/rain protection.

Refreshments:

no refreshments will be supplied on the tour. Please bring your own water bottle and snacks to suit your needs.
we recommend bringing a packed lunch to be enjoyed on the boat or at Pipemakers Park.
non-alcoholic drinks are permitted on the bus charter (no glass please).

ANNOUNCEMENT - CANCELLATION OF TWO TOURS FROM THE ORIGINAL PROGRAM

Unfortunately we have had to cancel two other tours that we had on offer in the original program.

The Victorian Feminist Labour History Tour has been cancelled due to extensive renovations at Trades Hall presenting accessibility issues. We encourage those who are local to check back into the Trades Hall website next year as Trades Hall runs this tour regularly and will no doubt resume once renovations are complete. Participants may also be able to visit the Trades Hall Workers Museum by special arrangement on weekdays around the conference as it is not affected by the renovations.
The Yalinguth First Nations Ngár-go/Fitzroy Story Walk has been cancelled due to insufficient numbers. Participants are encouraged to download the Yalinguth app and enjoy a free self-guided audio experience.

Participants who have booked either one of the cancelled tours will be refunded their ticket. We still have a wonderful tour on offer - the Living Museum of the West & Maribyrnong River Local History Tour. Registration for this tour is $30.00. Cancelled tour ticket holders wishing to attend this tour instead are encouraged to contact Jen directly at jenmaryrose@gmail.com to secure a priority place on this tour.