Barwon Park Mansion – Community Open Day

Taking place from 2pm to 5pm, visitors will be able to enjoy guided tours of the Mansion. Its majestic rooms and servants’ quarters will be open to explore. The community is also invited to share and document their stories about Barwon Park.

All ages will be able to enjoy lawn games on the circular lawn in front of the Mansion. The local Lion’s Club and Country Women’s Association (CWA) will have delicious food and refreshments available for purchase.

In a day of celebration, the community is invited to reengage with this place and forge new relationships. A significant book, Barwon Park: People and Place edited by Ursula de Jong and Jacqueline Healy, will be launched on 7 October, while a new work of indigenous art by Deanne Gilson will be unveiled.

National Trust of Australia (Victoria) CEO Simon Ambrose said,

“We’re immensely proud of the work that has gone into Barwon Park: People and Place. It’s been a labour of love, but also an amazing example of collaboration and rigorous scholarly research.”

Drawing on contemporary research, Barwon Park: People and Place tells the history of Barwon Park through diverse perspectives, acknowledging Traditional Owners of the land, the Batson and Austin families, and the local community; and documenting for the first time its enduring architectural and philanthropic legacy.

A highlight of the day will be the opportunity to view Deanne Gilson’s artwork Barre Warre, Parrwang Karrung (The Barwon – Magpie Camp) which was especially commissioned for this publication and Barwon Park. This work will be exhibited at Barwon Park Mansion. It is a generous statement of the cultural significance of this site to the traditional owners, the Wadawurrung people, and a major addition to the NTAV Art & Heritage Collection.

Mr Ambrose said, “Sharing our stories with local communities is a core part of what we do at the National Trust. What’s even more important is the privilege of listening to the local connections and memories generously shared with us on days like this. We look forward to meeting many of you at Barwon Park on Saturday 7 October 2023.”

For more information on the Community Event, please visit the event page here. Copies of the book Barwon Park: People and Place are available to order here.