Welcome to our list of arts and cultural events happening in the NSW Central West gathered from artists, event producers, great local venues and groups across the region.
It’s free to submit your local events. (Use the ‘Submit’ option under the ‘Whats On’ menu at the top of the page).
For maps and details of museums, galleries, artist studios, historic sites, Aboriginal experiences and sites, craft shops, handmade retail outlets or public art go to the Culture Maps Central NSW menu..

Enemy Aliens: The Dunera boys in Orange, 1941

Orange Regional Museum 151 Byng Street, Orange, NSW

Exhibition: 19 November 2022 – 23 April 2023
This exhibition tells the little-known story of the time the Dunera boys spent at the Orange Showground in 1941 and features artworks created during their internment. Many are drawn from the archives of relatives and private lenders, as well as never-before-seen works from a recently acquired collections held by the State Library of NSW. This project was developed and curated by Dr Seumas Spark, Adjunct Fellow in History at Monash University, Emeritus Professor Andrew Mcnamara from the Queensland University of Technology and translator Kate Garrett, in conjunction with Orange Regional Museum.

Free

GUIDED TOUR OF PERTHVILLE CONVENT HERITAGE CENTRE

Perthville Convent Heritage Centre Tenison Woods Avenue, Perthville, NSW

St Joseph’s Convent Perthville is celebrating 150 years of service to the community. Enjoy
a visit to this historic Heritage Centre. Begin with a cuppa in the Sisters’ dining room and
take the historic tour of the Centre. View the historic buildings and learn of the sisters’ 150-
year story, see their exquisite handiwork, and share stories of the Boarding College. Beautiful
surrounds, peaceful chapel, and the sisters’ cemetery are all open for a visit. Children can take
a treasure search to find various items of interest at the Centre. An app of Perthville Convent
Heritage Centre is available to download to enhance the enjoyment of your visit.

GUIDED TOUR OF PERTHVILLE CONVENT HERITAGE CENTRE

Perthville Convent Heritage Centre Tenison Woods Avenue, Perthville, NSW

St Joseph’s Convent Perthville is celebrating 150 years of service to the community. Enjoy a visit to this historic Heritage Centre.

MY BLOCK

Bathurst Bathurst, NSW

Ever wondered who lived and worked in your block? This year step back in time to the very first Block, the one that started it all, Bentinck, Brilliant, William and Rocket streets.

CHARLES DARWIN IN BATHURST TOUR, EXHIBITION & CURATORIAL TALK

Bathurst District Historical Museum East Wing Courthouse, 162 Russell Street, Bathurst, NSW

Many know Charles Darwin as one of the world’s most famous biologists, but few know he
visited Bathurst. Hear about Darwin’s visit as a young man in 1836, his adventures in Australia,
his opinions, and how Darwin’s visit influenced his work and science. This talk, conducted by
Kim Bagot-Hiller, will include a short walk from the Bathurst Historical Museum to Machattie
Park and return to view a letter written by Darwin. A temporary exhibition will run in the
month of March. Light refreshments available at the conclusion of the presentation.

LOWER DURHAM & HAVANNAH STREETS WALKING TOUR

Bathurst Bathurst, NSW

The area around Lower Havannah Street, the Macquarie River and lower Durham Street was
vital to the early development of Bathurst as a village and town. The Chinese grew vegetables
along the riverbank; people grazed their cows, sheep, horses and bullock teams in the area;
visitors camped around the area after crossing the river on their journey out west and south
to the Abercrombie River, then further south to the Riverina area; industries were carried out
and people called the area home

LOWER DURHAM & HAVANNAH STREETS WALKING TOUR

Bathurst Visitor Information Centre 1 Kendell Ave, BATHURST, NSW

The area around lower Havannah Street, the Macquarie River and lower Durham Street was vital to the early development of Bathurst as a village and town.

AUTUMN SUNDAY ROAST @ ABERCROMBIE HOUSE

Abercrombie House, Bathurst 311 Ophir Rd, Bathurst, NSW

Experience the beauty of the autumn equinox with a special three course roast lunch in the
grand ballroom. Indulge in a delicious meal while taking in the stunning autumnal surroundings

CATHEDRAL TOUR

St Michael & St John Cathedral, Bathurst Corner of Keppel and Williams Streets, Bathurst, NSW

This is a rare opportunity to see some of the hidden treasures of St Michael & St John’s
Cathedral. This guided tour will explain some of the significant architectural features,
including the recently completed renovations, and explore the rich history of the faith that
built this place of worship over the past 150+ years. Afternoon tea will be available at the end
of the tour.

CATHEDRAL TOUR

St Michael & St John Cathedral, Bathurst Corner of Keppel and Williams Streets, Bathurst, NSW

This is a rare opportunity to see some of the hidden treasures of St Michael & St John’s
Cathedral.

Waste 2 Art Information Session

Orange City Library 147 Byng Street, Orange, NSW

Information session for teachers and community groups

Cowra Library: Meet author Judy Campbell – The Silver Tea Service

Cowra Library 77 Darling Street, Cowra, NSW

Eight years after the death of her mother, Judy reviews her family relics, including the antique tea service that belonged to her mother’s grandfather. Should she just sell the damn thing and buy new lounge furniture? It’s tempting.

ARTIST TALK: Danelle Bergstrom

Bathurst Regional Art Gallery 70-78 Keppel Street, Bathurst, NSW

Bathurst Regional Art Gallery presents Afterglow by acclaimed Australian-Swedish painter Danelle Bergstrom. Afterglow is Bergstrom’s first career survey and presents key works from the last 25 years of the artist’s practice.

Awareness, Acceptance + Support: Autism in 2023

Orange City Library 147 Byng Street, Orange, NSW

Join us at Orange City Library for a conversation about autism with one of the co-authors of The Australian Autism Handbook and Clinical Psychologist Chloe Weekes.

Recurring

ABERCROMBIE HOUSE BEHIND-THE-SCENES NIGHT TOUR

Abercrombie House, Bathurst 311 Ophir Rd, Bathurst, NSW

This is a special limited-edition behind-the-scenes night tour of Abercrombie House. Explore newly restored, rarely seen and private areas of the house on this guided tour. Hot chocolate will be served at the conclusion of the tour.

Recurring

Curatorial Talk – Peering Beneath the Shell

Bathurst District Historical Museum East Wing Courthouse, 162 Russell Street, Bathurst, NSW

Join Kim Bagot-Hiller and
peer beneath the shell of the unique bird egg collection and hear the fascinating stories they
tell. A temporary exhibition will run in the month of April.

History Talk: A Digger’s Story

Bathurst Library 70-78 Keppel Street, Bathurst, NSW

Author Anne Hutchison is back with a new book and fresh insights into researching and writing about historical lives. In her latest book, Private CRL Smith, Anne tells the wartime story of a young Aussie on the Western Front during World War 1. 

History Talk: A Digger’s Story

Bathurst Library 70-78 Keppel Street, Bathurst, NSW

Author Anne Hutchison is back with a new book and fresh insights into researching and writing about historical lives.

DEBATE AND SOLIDARITY ON KEPPEL STREET

KeyStone 1889 99 Keppel Street, Bathurst, NSW

Before the Federation Convention of 1896, held in Bathurst, political debate was taking place, influenced by the discussions of the day. What do the flour mill workers of Keppel Street and shearers have in common?

STONE AND MEASURE – THE BUILDING OF THE MASONIC HALL

KeyStone 1889 99 Keppel Street, Bathurst, NSW

Few companies in Bathurst have left a lasting gift to the community, The Bathurst Masonic Hall Company is one that has. Come and learn more about this iconic building of Bathurst with Kim Bagot-Hiller.

Recurring

WALKING TOUR AROUND THE HISTORIC VILLAGE OF ROCKLEY

Rockley Rockley, NSW

Officially gazetted in 1851, Rockley is listed by the National Trust as an Historic Village. This
guided walking tour commences with a short talk in Stevens Park followed by a gentle stroll
around the village.

TRACKS AND STEAM

KeyStone 1889 99 Keppel Street, Bathurst, NSW

Hear the whistle of the steam, smell the coal in the air, feel the rhythm of the click and clack as the train leaves the platform heading down the tracks. Anticipation is in the air as Keppel Street awakens and the Railway comes to life with the hustle and bustle of people.

BATHURST MOTORING HERITAGE

The Greens on William, Bathurst 29 William St, Bathurst, NSW

This is an audio-visual presentation by car and bike enthusiast Geoff Fry. This presentation embraces the history of motoring in general and motor sport around the Bathurst region and will be held at the historic The Greens on William.

 

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’).