RESIDENTS will ride on a vintage bus for a journey down memory lane when the Sutherland Shire Citizens Heritage Festival kicks off for a week with an open day this Saturday.
It is a free "hop on-hop off" service and will connect major heritage venues, like the Tramway Museum, Sutherland Shire Historical Society Museum, Woronora Cemetery, Brinsley's Joinery at Sutherland, Hazelhurst Regional Gallery and Arts Centre and "Tradies" club at Gymea.
The service will run hourly from the Tramway Museum at Loftus, starting at 10am.
Organising committee members representing 10 shire groups got into the spirit by dressing up in 1950s clothing to promote the festival while inspecting the heritage bus at the Sydney Bus Museum.
The Citizens Heritage Festival is sponsored by Sutherland Shire Council and the National Trust.
It is one of many local versions of the National Trust Heritage Festival, with the shared theme "Community Milestones".
Open day events include a free history walk and tour from Sutherland Library, the display of an early joinery shop, and free horse-and-cart rides and walking tours from the Forget Me Not Cottage at the entrance to Woronora Cemetery.
Near the cottage, the Sutherland Shire Spinners and Weavers will demonstrate the craft of spinning yarn, while the Sutherland Medieval Regiment will re-enact ancient combat.
Festivalgoers will also be able to catch a tram to the Royal National Park for a self-guided walking tour, or discover the history of Hazelhurst and the heritage cottage built in 1946.
Festival spokeswoman Angela Thomas said a "vibrant" week of activities had been organised, starting with the open day.
"Last year, National Trust organisers said the shire's festival was the best in Sydney," she said.
Events are detailed in a brochure, which has been put in letterboxes in parts of the shire and is also available in council libraries.
Revamp for museum
Sutherland Shire Historical Society Museum will reopen with a ‘‘new look’’ on Thursday after a major makeover. Visitors will be able to trace the shire’s development through a display which has the theme, ‘‘A Journey Through Time’’. It will begin in early geological times and continue through the Dharawal tribe, Captain Cook, Thomas Holt, wars and post-war development eras. The museum is in the former School of Arts, in East Parade, Sutherland, opposite the railway station.
Details: Vintage bus service, Peter Kahn 0403 472 34; events, Angela Thomas, 9528 6251.
