As the Greater Shepparton Heritage Open Days start today, the program’s volunteer organisers have been praised as a remarkable group of passionate people.
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Greater Shepparton City Council’s heritage advisor Deborah Kemp said the dedication shown by the small group of volunteers was unique to Shepparton.
‘‘It’s a huge job and done with incredible good will and commitment,’’ Ms Kemp said.
‘‘I know of nowhere else in Victoria that this occurs — and it’s a real tribute to the community spirit that is here.’’
Thoona-based Ms Kemp said the history of the Shepparton district’s buildings and infrastructure was one of modernity and innovation, sometimes driven by necessity and at other times by visionary ideas.
She believed an American-style bungalow built at Bunbartha in 1912 was the first of its kind in Australia.
She said homes in Shepparton’s Orr St and Rea St also provided examples of cutting edge 20th century architecture.
‘‘Shepparton has been very innovative — from the 1890s right through to the post-war period — and now has some very high quality heritage buildings,’’ Ms Kemp said.
She said the Shepparton district’s progressive attitude was not restricted to buildings, but infrastructure as well.
‘‘Irrigation was adopted at Ardmona well before Mildura. After the Second World War there was a Jewish community at Shepparton East which brought people from Israel to learn about and take back ideas on irrigation,’’ she said.
She said the popularity of the heritage tour showed an increasing awareness of and respect for regional history.
‘‘In our contemporary culture there’s a real yearning to belong to community, and Shepparton has many examples of beautiful homesteads and high quality heritage buildings,’’ she said.
The Heritage Open Days program began yesterday with visits to mosques and temples across the Shepparton district.
It continues today and tomorrow with a packed program of free events, including visits to more than 50 places of significant historic and heritage value across the district.
Some, such as a tour of Dhurringile Mansion are already booked out, but many others are still available to visit.
For more information, phone 58329730 or pick up a Heritage Open Days brochure at the Visitor Information Centre, Shepparton Library, and City of Greater Shepparton Offices.
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