The Foundations Portland
These are stories worth telling, and histories worth preserving.
The Portland Cement Works opened in 1902, and with it came the demand for a workforce.
Great effort was taken to create a town that would appeal to families, and in return the willing workers provided their labour. A tightknit community was forged among the dust.
A town of laconic Australians, built on hope, resilience and a quiet pride.
Through the ups and downs of two wars and a depression, and dwindling output at the cement works in later years, it was finally closed in 1991.
Today – imposing structures stand as a reminder of all that was achieved, stirring feelings of nostalgia for a different era, a simpler time. They also offer a chance to reimagine the site’s future while respecting its roots.
Beyond the physical history of the iconic site lies the compelling cultural narrative of a resilient community.
Artist Guido van Helten’s stunning artwork on the cement work’s silos poignantly capture some of these stories and the characters that populate them.
The next chapter in its proud history is being written, never forgetting its past, as it transforms into the cultural capital of the central west.
The What’s On calendar covers arts and heritage events happening across the NSW Central West in the local government areas of Bathurst Region, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Forbes, Lachlan, Lithgow, Mid-Western Region, Oberon, Orange, Parkes and Weddin.
Event listings are sourced or supplied from local venues and arts organisations. Many events listed here have been originally shared by the organisers on social media. Whilst all care is taken – and accuracy is our priority – we can take no responsibility for date changes or the content of contributed information. Contact the event organisers listed for more details or to book tickets.
The best way to include your event is to use our SUBMIT HERE form (under the What’s On menu at the top of each page). These listings will be manually approved by the Arts OutWest team before publication. Please allow a couple of days for listings to be published. If you have submitted an event and want to make changes just email us at artsoutwest@csu.edu.au
‘Featured events‘ are those submitted directly online by presenters.
Event promotors are asked to only include their own original images / images that they have permission to use / copyright free stock images. For more information see our fact sheet on Using Images For Promoting Events (if you can’t see this link look under ‘Opportunities’ then ‘Resources’).