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

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.

PERTHVILLE LOCAL HISTORY TALKS

Perthville Community Hall 20 Rockley Street, Perthville, NSW

Hear the tales of time pased as three locals talk of the Perthville of their youth. Images of old
Perthville will be displayed in a slide show throuhgout the talks.

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?

CELEBRATING 90 YEARS OF BATHURST WAR MEMORIAL CARILLON

Bathurst Uniting Church Hall 140A William Street, Bathurst, NSW

Saturday 11 November, 2023 marks the 90th anniversary of the opening of the Bathurst
War Memorial Carillon. Constructed through the efforts of the people of Bathurst and the
surrounding district, the Carillon has been at the heart of commemorations, celebrations,
and civic events. However, it wasn’t until November 2020 that the instrument became a true
carillon, and the memorial was completed as originally intended. Come along and hear the
story with Jan Page of this unique and iconic memorial including the many changes that have
taken place over the years. Meet Bathurst’s wonderful carillonists and hear the plans for 2023.
A light supper will be served at the conclusion of the presentation.

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.

Recurring

BLOOMS, BUDS, AND VEGETABLES – GARDENS OF KEPPEL STREET

Pattersons Gate Cnr of Keppel and George St, Bathurst, NSW

Join Kim Bagot-Hiller on this walking tour of Keppel Street. Follow the lamp posts and take a
stroll down the garden path of Keppel Street from a bygone time, learning about the homes
and gardens which once graced the streetscape

ARTIST TALK & TOUR: Leanne Wicks

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

Blending her lifelong passions of birding, ornithology, and knitting, Leanne Wicks
presents knitted portraits of artists associated with the artistic programs of Bathurst
Regional Art Gallery and the Cementa art festival. Each portrait merges the personality
and practice of artists with Australian birds to create a unique and whimsical knitted
installation.

Sculptures in the Garden

Rosby Wines, Gallery & Sculpture Garden, Mudgee 122 Strikes Ln, Eurunderee, NSW

Sculptures in the Garden is an exciting event that combines garden design, large scale Australian sculpture and traditional art mediums in beautiful rural surroundings within a private garden and vineyard in Mudgee.

$5

 

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').