What's On

This exhibition, from the private collections of members of Box Hill Historical Society, will feature images and objects showing the latest in 19th and 20th century kitchen and dining ware, from eggcups, crockery, cutlery and a cruet set, to a meat grinder and a crockpot.

In 1924, Thomas Cook Senior, an orphan, arrived in Melbourne pursuing a career in boxing but found his passion in bootmaking. A century later, his legacy endures through craftsmanship and style. Explore historical archives and film props from 'The Man from Snowy River II' collaboration in this display.

Drawn from the collection of Box Hill Historical Society, as well as private and public collections, images and objects display a range of fashion items.

Wedding dresses on display have been adored, worn and then stored through the decades by Whitehorse Historical Society. Despite the trials and hardships on our life journeys, these dresses and their landscape settings hold the power to evoke universal happy moments.

Enjoy a fun filled day exploring heritage trades and crafts, old-fashioned games and races for the kids, live music, giant bubbles, animal farm, Australian animal display, sausage sizzle, Devonshire teas, home-made cake stall and coffee cart.

Discover how DNA testing is transforming family history. Learn how it connects us to ancestors, uncovers surprises, and deepens our understanding of identity. This session explores how science and traditional research come together to make genealogy more personal, accessible, and revealing than ever.

Join Robert Baker, archivist at Kew Historical Society as he explores changing tastes in fashion and design in this talk.

Step into the stylish world of racewear with fashion historian Nicole Jenkins. In this lively illustrated talk, discover how Melbourne’s race day fashion evolved—elegant, bold, and sometimes wild—shaped by weather, trends, and London flair. Come along and be inspired!

Want to know what records the National Archives holds in the East Burwood facility? Join fellow history lovers for an inspiring guided tour of the repository and view some of our important historical documents such as architectural drawings, photographs and War Service Homes records.

In this tour members of the Box Hill and Surrey Hills Historical Societies will explore how some of the fashions around caring for and fare welling the dead are reflected in the Box Hill Cemetery.

The Society’s Annual Book and Ephemera Sale is on again! Come along and find cheap good quality pre-loved books on a wide variety of topics, including Australiana, biography, gardening, history and poetry. A special Collectors’ Corner has some gems, and an expanded ephemera section.

Join Whitehorse Historical Society to celebrate twelve of their special wedding dresses that have been adored, worn and stored through the decades.

Visit Strathdon House and Orchard Precinct in Forest Hill. Enjoy freshly baked scones with jam and cream, plus tea or coffee, in a charming setting. Then take a guided tour and discover the site's rich history and orchardist heritage.

Council’s Heritage Advisor, Ian Coleman, will speak on the changing styles and fashions in residential architecture in Whitehorse over the past 160 years. He will outline the features and characteristics of Victorian, Federation, Interwar, Mid-Century Modern and late-20th century housing found in the municipality.