HILL END CELEBRATES ITS GOLDEN HEY-DAY
The historic and iconic Australian gold rush town of Hill End NSW was once home to a thriving community of over 8,000 people. Today it is a charming heritage village with a population of around 100.
On October 22 Hill End 150 celebrates the 150th anniversary of the town’s golden hey-day.
The community inspired event will take us back to 1872 when the world’s largest gold specimen, the ‘Holtermann Nugget’, was found and celebrated along with the opening of many local buildings that still stand today.
Today’s creative and eclectic Hill End community warmly invite visitors to join them for a day of celebration, connecting and reconnecting with an exciting part of Australia’s goldrush history.
To truly gain a sense of what it was like to live in a thriving village 150 years ago, festival goers will enjoy a raft of entertainment and activities themed around the town’s gold rush era.
Convener of the Hill End & Tambaroora Gathering Group, Lorraine Purcell, who came up with the idea and inspired the community to get involved says, “Our village has always celebrated its gold mining heritage, family history and incredible art connection – with an anniversary milestone coming up, there is no better way to celebrate than with locals and visitors coming together to experience our town through the eyes of those who established and shaped our region during the gold rush.
From local eatery festival inspired menus, festival stalls, ‘Treasures of the Hill End Collection’ exhibition at the National Parks & Wildlife Heritage Centre, self- guided heritage town tours, Bald Hill mine tours, gold mining displays, open historic homes, art exhibitions featuring world-renowned local artists, colourised Holtermann Collection photo gallery and light installations projected on buildings using the Holtermann photographic collection – you’ll be spoilt for choice and transported back in time.
The famous Holtermann Nugget was unearthed on 19 October 1872. It was a 630lb mass of quartz, slate and containing more than 75% gold - take a selfie next to a life-size replica made by famed Hill End historian Harry Hodge in 1972, and dream of what your future would look like with a golden find like that!
The evening will conclude with a bush dance in the Royal Hall featuring the thigh slapping gang from the Southern Cross Bush Band. Hill End community volunteers will be on the ground throughout the day to guide and celebrate alongside you.
Entry is FREE! Visitors are asked to RSVP with an online ticket, so organisers can plan ahead.