In partnership with Ziebell’s Farmhouse Museum and Heritage Garden, Friends of Westgarthtown and City of Whittlesea, Yarra Plenty Regional Library is releasing a new Story Trail during June/July for families and local historians to explore at Thomastown. Story Trails involve taking pages from a library book and installing them along a chosen path. As you walk along the path, you’ll be directed to the next page in the story.
Situated near Ziebell’s Farmhouse (100 Gardenia Road, Thomastown) the story trail is located within the historical and heritage listed Westgarthtown precinct which features the 1856 Thomastown Lutheran Church, Cemetery, Drystones Walls and Edgars Creek.
The chosen book for the trail is My Place by Nadia Wheatley and Donna Rawlins. Winner of the Children’s Books Council of Australia Book of the Year for Younger Readers, 1988, My Place steps you back through time as it explores key moments in history. It touches on themes such as First Nations history, multiculturalism in Australia, first and second World War, industrial revolution, the gold rush era and first fleet settlement.
The trail can be accessed daily from Edgars Creek Trail nearby the Lutheran Church. Thomastown Library is located at 52 Main Street, just a short 10-minute walk from the trail. There are many attractions along the walk from the trail to the library such as Edgars Creek, the football oval and a local children’s playground.
Coinciding with the Yarra Plenty Regional Library’s newest Story Trail, Ziebell’s Farmhouse Museum have launched their new exhibition Turning Back to Edgars Creek which has been printed as a booklet and is being delivered to homes in Thomastown and Lalor. The exhibition looks at the history of the creek in Thomastown and Lalor and the changing relationship people have had with it. The booklet is also available on their website, or you can email enquiries@westgarthtown.org.au for a copy to be mailed to you. Alternatively, please come into Thomastown library to collect a copy of the exhibition and take it with you on your walk along Edgars Creek.
If you would like to visit Ziebell’s Farmhouse Museum and Heritage Garden:
Opening hours: Tuesday 11.30 AM to 2.00 PM and Sunday 11.30 AM to 3.00 PM
Location: 100 Gardenia Road, Thomastown (Melway 8 H5)
For bookings and further information, including group tours please visit their website.