Interpretation & Promotion

Council undertakes a number of heritage interpretation projects to promote the region’s heritage. Key projects include:

Council also provides funding through its Conservation and Interpretation fund to assist community groups and individuals on interpretation projects. Recent projects include:

  • Town square interpretive signage & thematic history.
  • Long Swamp and Mt Carmel rural cemetery interpretive signs and monument restoration.
  • Rockley Mill banners and interpretive signage.
  • Interpretation signs at Sunny Corner and Bathurst Migrant Camp.
  • Theo Barker Lectures

Theo Barker Lectures

The Theo Barker lecture is in memory of Theo Barker, a much loved and respected member of the Bathurst community. Theo was Bathurst's historian, the author of many publications and a popular speaker on Bathurst’s history.

The Theo Barker Lecture aims to present a memorial lecture every two years on the anniversary of Theo’s passing.

In 2019, Bathurst Regional Council permanently joined the Bathurst District Historical Society as co-host for the lecture series, with the continuing support of the Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre.

The ninth lecturer (delayed due to COVID and held in 2022) was Dr Stephen Gapps, with the lecture titled “Tumble Down White Fella”, providing insights into his research for his book titled: Gudyarra, The first Wiradyuri War of Resistance, The Bathurst Wars, 1822 – 1824. A video link to that lecture is provide below.

The 2023 Lecture is the tenth in the series. The tenth lecturer is Christine Yeats, former Royal Australian Historical Society President. The 2023 lecture will be held on 21 September 2023 with tickets available through BMEC later in the year.

More information at the Bathurst District Historical Society official website.

For more Information regarding these projects please visit the Bathurst Visitor Information Centre or the website.