Greater Shepparton City Council
Organised by the Greater Shepparton Heritage Advisory Committee in conjunction with Council, you can visit FREE, over 40 places of heritage and historical significance in Greater Shepparton. There are three ways to visit our heritage places: independently, bus tour or walking tour. Remember: suitable footwear, water, sun protection, and watch your step. Children must be in the care of an adult at all times.
Bus Tour - Irrigation Tour
Friday 29 November 2024
Visit Goulburn Weir, 189 Flume, 'Old pump site' Murchison and the 'Big Cut'.
Bookings required – max. 24
Time is allowed for lunch in Murchison, or bring your own.
The Murchison Heritage Centre and Christ Church will be open.
Tour includes rough terrain: wear closed, suitable footwear.
Some areas are not wheelchair accessible.
Irrigation Bus Tour - departure location
Greater Shepparton Heritage Open Days 29 & 30 November 2024 (CANCELLED)
Friday 29 November 2024
These free days have been organised by the Greater Shepparton Heritage Advisory Committee in conjunction with Council.
During these Open Days, you can visit FREE, around 50 places of heritage and historical significance in Greater Shepparton. Some have never been opened to the public before, and many are rarely on view. Other familiar places will come alive as you visit and hear their stories.
Included are all the Museums and collections run by the historical societies: normally an entrance fee is charged.
There are three ways to visit our heritage places:
* Bus Tours
* Walking Tours
* Independent Tours
You may have to make hard decisions!
Remember: suitable footwear, water, sun protection, and watch your step at all times. Children must be in the care of an adult at all times.
Please treat these properties with respect, mindful of how generous-spirited the owners and proprietors have been in opening on these days.
Various locations
Walking Tour - Tatura: A town with a reason
Friday 29 November 2024
Stroll the main streets of Tatura with long-time local resident George Ferguson of the Tatura Museum hearing about the town’s history and development.
Depart from the Tatura Museum
49 Hogan St, Tatura
Friday 29th November, 10am
Bookings required
1and a 1/2 hours Wheelchair access (with your assistant)
Tatura: A town with a reason - departure location
Independent Visit Victory Hall &Mechanics Institute Tatura
Friday 29 November 2024
Explore the twin halls, reinvigorated and restored by concerted local effort, which now enrich the Tatura streetscape and again provide a social and cultural focal point. Hear about their history from those who saved them.
77 Hogan St, Tatura
Open: Friday 29th November, 10am – 12 noon
Victory Hall (1925) and Mechanics’ Institute (1880, 1893), Tatura
Bus Tour - Dhurringile Mansion
Friday 29 November 2024
Tour the immense 68 room mansion, built by squatter William Winter as a private residence in the mid 1870’s. Currently being decommissioned as a minimum security prison.
Bookings required.
Dhurringile Mansion Tour - departure location
Independent Visit Murchison Cemetery & Ossario
Friday 29 November 2024
The Ossario was built 1961. It is an open sanctuary built of stone, roofed with roman tiles and is the final resting place of 131 Italian POW’s and Internees who died in Australia during WW 2.
21 Old Weir Rd, Murchison
Guided Tour with John Gribben -
Friday 29 November, 10am, 11am and 1pm
Murchison Cemetery and Ossario
Independent Visit Brick Water Tower Shepparton
Friday 29 November 2024
The 1889 brick tower, no longer needed and minus its tall wrought iron tank, is an iconic local landmark being preserved by GV Water for its regionally significant heritage value.
172 Welsford St, Shepparton
Open: Friday 29th November, 10am – 12pm and 1pm - 3pm
Brick Water Tower Shepparton
Walking Tour - Shepparton: Early history
Between Friday 29 November 2024 and Saturday 30 November 2024
From Queen’s Gardens, wander down Welsford Street towards the historical Monash Park before continuing to the Shepparton Heritage Centre. Hear stories and engage in experiences of a bygone era.
Departs Eastbank bus stop Nixon Street, Shepparton.
Not all areas are wheelchair accessible.
Shepparton Early history - departure location
Independent Visit Shepparton Family History Group
Between Friday 29 November 2024 and Saturday 30 November 2024
Wondered about your family’s history? Curious about that family rumour? Come and see how the SFHG and its wide range of resources can help you with genealogical research, and how some of the unknowns in your family’s past might become clear. You may even have information to contribute on your ancestors!
Corner of High and Welsford Streets, Shepparton
Open: Friday 29th & Saturday 30th November, 10am - 4pm
Shepparton Family History Group
Independent Visit Shepparton Heritage Centre Foresters Hall
Between Friday 29 November 2024 and Saturday 30 November 2024
Shepparton’s oldest building, constructed as the first public hall by William Fraser in 1873. Used for many different purposes, e.g. Foresters’ Lodge (1933). Many absorbing exhibits: see the Post Office clock! Various publications for sale.
154 Welsford St, Shepparton
Open: Friday 29th & Saturday 30th 10:30am – 4pm
Shepparton Heritage Centre (Foresters' Hall)
Independent Visit Sacred Heart Catholic Church St Marys Hall
Friday 29 November 2024
The imposing group of church, convent, and the former St Mary’s school, on a prominent site in the town, reflects Tatura’s strong Catholic allegiances. The detailed Romanesque (round-arched) exterior is complemented by the beautiful interior.
67 Hogan St, Tatura
Open: Friday 29th November, 11am – 12pm
Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and St Mary’s Hall, Tatura
Independent Visit Tatura German War Cemetery
Friday 29 November 2024
Situated at 155 Winter Road Tatura, on the northern section of Tatura General Cemetery. Created in 1958, it contains the remains of 250 Germans who died in Australia during WW1 and WW2, 11 of whom were POW. Their remains were brought from other cemeteries throughout Australia and reinterred here.
At 11am Judy Forster will walk and talk through the cemetery.
Tatura German War Cemetery
Independent Visit St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Tatura
Friday 29 November 2024
Prolific ecclesiastical architect Alec Eggleston designed this substantial church for Tatura’s Presbyterians in 1912, Rodney Shire engineer A Knee (snr) locally supervising some of the construction details. The earlier 1883 church adjoins the Mance
241 Hogan St, Tatura
Open: Friday 29th November, 11am – 1pm
St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Tatura
Bus Tour - Caniambo Country Tour
Friday 29 November 2024
Visit Geoff Wall’s rustic farm-museum. See the progress from the horse teams to the evolution of grain stripping to the modern header. Visit Gowangardie cemetery and observe 7 Pine Lodge School sites, also the Pine Lodge rail station and shops site.
Light lunch provided by CWA at Caniambo Hall.
Bookings required.
Caniambo Country Tour - departure location
Independent Visit Bangerang Cultural Centre Shepparton
Friday 29 November 2024
Designed by prominent Australian architect Frederick Romberg and opened in 1982 as part of the International Village, the Centre houses an important collection of Indigenous cultural items from the local area and beyond.
Listed on the Victorian Heritage Register
Parkside Drive, Shepparton.
Open: Friday 29th November – 11am – 12pm
Bangerang Cultural Centre Shepparton
Independent Visit Merrigum Museum, Judd’s General Store
Friday 29 November 2024
One of the most extensive collections in the municipality; includes agricultural machinery and household items. The Judd family conducted their general store here for 66 years. A rare original early 20th century shop front.
111-113 Waverley Avenue, Merrigum
Open: Friday 29th November, 12 noon – 3pm
Merrigum Museum, formerly Judd’s General Store
Independent Visit Mooroopna Historical Society Museum
Friday 29 November 2024
A huge and varied collection relating to Mooroopna’s history is attractively displayed throughout the former Grutzner House. The sometimes gruesome medical collection, the largest in country Victoria, relates particularly to the Mooroopna Hospital.
30 Park St, Mooroopna
Open: Friday 29th November, 12 noon – 3pm
Mooroopna Historical Society Museum and Gallery
Bus Tour - Lesser known Shepparton Heritage places
Friday 29 November 2024
A bus tour that takes in the less well known heritage places in Shepparton. These places show case industry, technology and residential development. All of which demonstrate a particular character that resonates with the history and the development of Shepparton and region with commentary by our heritage professional, Deborah.
Bookings required.
Lesser known Shepparton Heritage places - departure location
Independent Visit Tatura Wartime Camps and Irrigation Museum
Between Friday 29 November 2024 and Saturday 30 November 2024
The fascinating WW2 internment and POW camps collection is of State heritage significance. Irrigation is the other focus: from the original four-roomed building (c.1888) the irrigation scheme for the western Goulburn Valley was developed.
The Camps Collection is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
49 Hogan St, Tatura
Open: Friday 29th & Saturday 30th November 1pm – 3pm.
Tatura Wartime Camps and Irrigation Museum
Independent Visit Shepparton Art Museum (SAM)
Friday 29 November 2024
Visit the People’s Gallery on level 2 and hear from the Gallery Curator, the history of early gallery acquisitions. Of these, two magnificent portraits by Sir John Longstaff are featured. When the collection was commenced in 1936 Sir John, a former resident of Shepparton was invited to advise on proposed gallery purchases.
SAM - 530 Wyndham Street Shepparton
People’s Gallery Level 2
Curator’s talk Friday 29th November 2:30pm
Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) - Stories from the SAM Collection
Independent Visit Mooroopna Cenotaph
Saturday 30 November 2024
The original cenotaph was dedicated on April 25th 1928 and has now been refurbished to include the Digi Glass pictorials which recognizes the various conflicts since WW 1, These were constructed in 2021.
15 McLennan St. Mooroopna
Meet Historian Les Young Saturday, 30th November 10am – 11am
Mooroopna Cenotaph
Walking Tour - Murchison: Stepping back in time
Saturday 30 November 2024
Learn how Murchison developed while walking around the central part of town, passing many historic sites and buildings. Hear the story of notable events in Murchison’s history from local historian Kay Ball. Complete the walk at the Heritage Centre and enjoy morning tea.
Saturday 30th November, 10am.
Bookings required
Meet at Heritage Centre, Stevenson Street Murchison
1 hour Wheelchair accessible (with your assistant)
Murchison: stepping back in time - departure location
Walking Tour - Mooroopna: History and Heritage
Saturday 30 November 2024
See a wide range of heritage sites and buildings important in Mooroopna’s development with history enthusiast Andrew Morcom. The walk focuses on the eastern end of the town, including historic aspects of the Goulburn River in the town’s life.
Wheelchair access with your assistant.
Departs from Mooroopna War Memorial Cenotaph car park
15 McLennan St Mooroopna
Saturday 30th November, 10am
Bookings required
1 and a 1/2 hours Wheelchair accessible (with your assistant)
Mooroopna History and Heritage - departure location
Independent Visit St Augustine’s Anglican Church Shepparton
Saturday 30 November 2024
Louis Williams, a renowned church architect, designed this 1926 church with his particular twentieth century adaptation of Gothic and his usual emphasis on quality and craftsmanship. Note the beautiful features of the interior.
95 Maude St, Shepparton.
Open: Saturday 30th November, 10am – 12pm
St Augustine’s Anglican Church, Shepparton
Independent Visit Mooroopna Cemetery
Saturday 30 November 2024
This fine cemetery, with its stately avenue of cotton palms, includes 19th century graves of ethnic Chinese and the unmarked graves of 937 persons of many nationalities who died between 1881 and 1944 in the Mooroopna Base Hospital.
440 Echuca Rd, Mooroopna
Guide available Saturday 30th November 10am – 12noon (few made paths)
Mooroopna Cemetery
Independent Visit Murchison Anglican Church
Saturday 30 November 2024
This charming red brick Gothic country church of 1884 contains high quality memorial windows by two well-known Melbourne firms of glass manufacturers, Brooks Robinson and W Montgomery.
15 Impey St, Murchison
Open: Saturday 30th November, 10am – 12pm
Murchison Anglican Church
Independent Visit Philippine House, Museum & Library
Saturday 30 November 2024
The Philippine House, portraying a typical (if idealised) Philippine
home, was constructed in 1988 as part of the International Village.
Restored in 2015, it houses Philippine history and artefacts, and hosts community activities.
Parkside Drive, Shepparton.
Open: Saturday 30th November, 10am – 12pm
Philippine House, Museum & Library
Independent Visit Shepparton Uniting Church
Saturday 30 November 2024
The centre of Presbyterianism in Shepparton until denominational union in 1977, Scots’ Church was built in stages from 1888, with the signature bell tower by prominent Melbourne architects John and Phyllis Murphy added in 1964-65.
134/140 Fryers St, Shepparton
Open: Saturday 30th November Tour/talk: 10am – 1pm
Shepparton Uniting Church
Bus Tour - Dookie and Nearby Tour
Saturday 30 November 2024
Visit Gowangardie Homestead, St Mary's Catholic Church, Dookie Public Cemetery, Chateau Dookie and Cashel Bank.
Bookings required.
Time is allowed for lunch in Dookie, or enjoy your own in the CWA Gardens.
Some areas are not wheelchair accessible.
Dookie and Nearby Tour - departure
Bus Tour - St Germains Discovery Tour
Saturday 30 November 2024
Visit St Germains pastoral 'run', Starritt's Log Cabin and Mooroopna North Schoolhouse. No wheelchair access is some areas.
Saturday 30th November
Lunch at Undera Pub, please book on 5826 0286
Bookings required
St Germains Discovery Tour - departure location
Independent Visit Murchison Heritage Centre
Saturday 30 November 2024
The award-winning Heritage Centre collects and preserves Murchison’s history. Informative displays cover the Aboriginal Protectorate, Day’s Mill, Camp 13 and much more. See sporting memorabilia, and part of the famous Murchison meteorite!
4 Stevenson St, Murchison
Open: Saturday 30th November, 10am – 4pm
Murchison Heritage Centre
Independent Visits (CANCELLED)
Saturday 30 November 2024
Please refer to the Heritage Open Days Booklet for opening and tour times (insert link).
Sites include:
Shepparton Churches, buildings and venues.
Tallygaroopna Soldiers Memorial Hall.
Shepparton East Windmills.
Mooroopna buildings and venues.
Murchison buildings and venues.
Dookie buildings and venues.
Merrigum Museum.
Tatura buildings and venues.
No bookings are required.
Some sites may not be wheelchair accessible.
Multiple venues
Independent Visit St Mel's Catholic Church
Saturday 30 November 2024
Shepparton’s second Catholic parish erected this distinctive futuristic church, by Trieste-born architect Ermin Smrekar, in 1970. It catered to the influx of Italian migrants as Shepparton expanded. The spaciousness of the interior is striking.
18 Hamilton St, Shepparton.
Open: Saturday 30th November, 10.30am – 12.30pm
Tour: 10:30am
St Mel's (Christ the King Catholic Church)
Independent Visit Cooks Windmills Shepparton East
Saturday 30 November 2024
A collection of 14 windmills from the surrounding district as far as Jerilderie, Conargo and Nathalia. Set up by the late Mr. Theo Cook to retain a valuable record of the innovativeness of early settlers who relied on wind-power to meet their water needs.
Cnr Benalla & Hosie Rds. Shepparton East
Guide Ray Cook Saturday 30th November, 11am – 12pm
Cook's Windmills Shepparton East
Independent Visit Shepparton General Cemetery
Saturday 30 November 2024
Learn about this fascinating and picturesque cemetery, dating from 1874, with expert Jeanette Doherty, author of the recent history of the cemetery. The range of burial options reflects our multicultural society.
5 Rudd Road, Shepparton
Tour: Saturday 29th November, 11am
Some rough terrain (with your assistant)
Shepparton General Cemetery
Independent Visit St Mary's Catholic Church Dookie
Saturday 30 November 2024
Very popular for weddings due to its picturesque rural setting outsideDookie, on land donated by vineyard owner John Curtain, this impressive cruciform (cross-shaped) 1898 church is a prominent local landmark. The presbytery is the municipality’s only Catholic monastery.
93 Saddleback Road, Dookie
Open: Saturday 30th November, 11am – 12pm.
St Mary’s Catholic Church, Dookie
Independent Visit Dookie Public Cemetery
Saturday 30 November 2024
Situated on the western slopes of Mt. Major, with panoramic views providing a striking backdrop to the graves. It is one of two cemeteries in the Dookie area, with burials dating from the 1870’s
305 Dookie-Gowangardie Rd, Mount Major.
Saturday 30th November
Guide available 11am – 1pm (no made paths)
Dookie Public Cemetery
Independent Visit Tatura Convent
Saturday 30 November 2024
The current building was constructed in 1941, the home of the Sisters of Mercy who operated the St Mary’s College. The adjoining St Mary’s Hall was built in 1901 and housed boarders until 1952. The Sisters of Mercy Nuns vacated the Convent in the mid 1980’s and in 2019 this building was transformed into the Sandhurst Catholic Education offices. Join Alex who will lead you through the convent’s 83 years of history and change.
74 Hogan St. Tatura
Open Saturday 30th November 11am – 1pm
Tatura Convent
Independent Visit St Brendan's Catholic Church Shepparton
Saturday 30 November 2024
Designed by renowned local architect JAK Clarke in 1900,
St Brendan’s was renovated and enlarged to the design of high profile
and prolific Catholic architect AA Fritsch in 1923-24, with later alterations and additions.
121 Knight Street, Shepparton
Open: Saturday 30th November, 12pm – 1pm
St Brendan’s Catholic Church, Shepparton
Bus Tour - Internment Camp 1
Saturday 30 November 2024
Visit site of World War 2 internment Camp. This camp was set up in 1940 when war was declared and German nationals currently in Australia were arrested as suspected security risks. Camp 1 was part of the Tatura group of seven camps.
Bookings required.
Internment Camp 1 Tour
Independent Visit Tallygaroopna Soldiers Memorial Hall
Saturday 30 November 2024
This proud little Memorial Hall, topped by its trophy WW1 Geman trench mortar, was opened by Acting Prime Minister Dr Earle Page on 9th June 1924. At £2500, it cost the small community £1000 more than Shepparton’s famous statue.
Cnr Victoria & Fowler St, Tallygaroopna
Open: Saturday 30th November, 12pm – 4pm
Tallygaroopna Soldiers Memorial Hall
Bus Tour - Tallygaroopna
Saturday 30 November 2024
Visit Fairley Downs and Tallygaroopna Soldiers Memorial Hall. Afternoon tea provided at Tallygaroopna Soldiers Memorial Hall
Bookings required.
Tallygaroopna Bus Tour
Independent Visit The Big Hymn Sing St Mel’s Church
Saturday 30 November 2024
Join with other choristers and enjoy singing you beloved Hymns. Please pre-book your personal favourite Hymns by texting the name or first line to 0400 947 547. Organist extraordinaire Graeme Brewer will be playing the St Mel’s instrument and singing led by Shirley Ferguson.
18 Hamilton St, Shepparton.
Saturday 30th November, Start 1:30pm
The Big Hymn Sing St Mel’s (Christ The King Catholic Church)
Walking Tour - Shepparton Leafy Streets
Saturday 30 November 2024
Enjoy a walk along the leafy streets of Shepparton noting the various architectural styles including the fine Federation and interwar houses, accompanied by Deb Kemp.
Wheelchair access with your assistant.
Shepparton Leafy Streets - departure location
Independent Visit Former Mechanics Institute
Saturday 30 November 2024
Originally the Shepparton Free Library and Workingmen’s Club (1884); the Public Library replaced the billiard room in the 1950’s. The cream brick Moderne façade dates to the 1940’s, with extensive later remodeling completed by 2005. Cath Gale to conduct tour.
235 Wyndham Street, Shepparton
Open for Tour: Saturday 30th November, 2pm – 3pm
Former Mechanics Institute Shepparton
Walking Tour - Dookie Plaque Trail
Saturday 30 November 2024
Meet at the car park opposite the Bakery at 3pm and follow the trail of the 12 recently installed Heritage Plaques. Your guide will have some interesting tales of early history and folk lore. Retire to heritage listed The Gladstone Hotel for refreshments or dinner which you have pre-booked – phone 5828 6237.
Saturday 30th November 3pm
Car park opposite the Bakery.
Wheelchair accessible (with your assistant)
Bookings required
Dookie Plaque Trail - departure location
Walking Tour - Toolamba Twilight Tramp
Saturday 30 November 2024
Have a coffee with the Lions Club members and discuss the area’s history, then stroll towards the heritage listed Junction Hotel to hear a furphy and have a furphy. Enjoy a too-lamb-a dinner.
Dinner at The Junction 6pm, requires private booking – phone 5826 5225
Bookings required
Wheelchair access (with your assistant)
Toolamba Twilight Tramp - departure location