Australia's largest cultural precinct, including indigenous and colonial heritage narratives. 39ha of green public parklands along Parramatta River.
25/06/2026
Every building at Port Arthur holds layers of history.
During Site Talks, visitors are invited to slow down and look closer at the people, events and decisions that shaped this settlement. From punishment and reform to industry and daily life, these stories reveal how Port Arthur became one of the most significant convict sites in the world.
Because behind every ruin is a story still waiting to be heard.
22/06/2026
On 19 June 1975, the Whitlam Government passed the Australian Heritage Commission Act 1975, establishing Australia's first national framework for identifying, protecting and preserving places of cultural, historical and environmental significance.
The creation of the Australian Heritage Commission marked a turning point in the conservation of Australia's National Estate. Through the Register of the National Estate, places of cultural and natural significance were identified and recognised, helping to ensure their protection for future generations.
As Gough Whitlam stated in 1969, the purpose was to "keep the beauty we have been given and keep out the ugliness we can only make for ourselves."
The Commission also played an important role in recommending and prioritising conservation projects for government funding. Hundreds of significant heritage sites across Australia benefited from this support, including Camden Park Estate, Elizabeth Farm and the Macquarie Arms Hotel.
Closer to home, in 1975 the historic Female Orphan School building - now home to the Whitlam Institute - underwent essential repairs through funding provided under the National Estate Program, helping preserve one of Australia's most significant historic buildings.
This reform reflected the Whitlam Government's enduring commitment to protecting Australia's heritage and ensuring that places of cultural, historical and environmental significance could be appreciated by future generations.
Learn more: https://www.whitlam.org/studying-whitlam
Great to have the indefatigable Judy Mundey in Parramatta this week, urging our community to keep fighting for the World Heritage Listing of the Parramatta Female Factory and Institutions Precinct.
Judy reminded us that it was the collective action of communities and unions that saved so much of Sydney’s heritage. It was that same spirit that led to her husband the late Jack Mundey to declare a Green Ban over the 26-hectare Fleet Street precinct in 2015, helping protect this extraordinary cultural landscape for future generations.
There was a clear message today: the NSW and Australian Governments must not walk away from the first round of feedback on the preliminary World Heritage nomination. Early advice is not a rejection- it is an opportunity to strengthen the nomination and finish the job.
As Judy reflected, forward-thinking governments don’t fill culturally and environmentally significant landscapes with high-rise development. They protect them, celebrate them, and invest in them for future generations.
Women’s history matters.
Western Sydney heritage matters.
World Heritage matters.
Re-build it and they will come - City of Parramatta Botanic Gardens across 25ha Cumberland East campus.
29/05/2026
Have your say: Parramatta farms heritage values The Australian Heritage Council (AHC) is assessing 3 historic properties in Parramatta, NSW. They are being assessed for inclusion on the National Heritage List.The early colonial farming properties are being assessed together as one 'place'. They are:Elizabeth FarmExperiment FarmHambledon Cottage.T...
24/05/2026
Heritage conservation in Parramatta isn’t just about preserving old buildings—it’s about keeping the stories, identity, and sense of belonging that families and communities have built over generations.
In “Why Heritage Conservation Parramatta Matters,” I would like to highlight why these places matter for local pride, community wellbeing, and thoughtful development that puts people first.
With a civic-minded approach grounded in service and accountability, we make the case for protecting what we value while supporting the Parramatta we’re growing.
It’s a reminder that strong local leadership shows up where it counts—listening, responding, and standing up for the community.
https://sreenipillamarri.com.au/2026/05/24/why-heritage-conservation-parramatta-matters/
