Bundaberg council launches Australian Heritage Festival

The Bundaberg council has launched a series of Australian Heritage Festival promotions in celebration of the region’s connection to aviation hero Bert Hinkler.

Bundaberg Regional Council has launched a series of Australian Heritage Festival promotions at Hinkler House in celebration of the home’s historic relocation from England 40 years ago.

Bundaberg Regional Council has launched a series of Australian Heritage Festival promotions at Hinkler House in celebration of the home’s historic relocation from England 40 years ago.

The festival, which will run from April 18 to May 19, will celebrate Australia’s history and share stories from the past allowing the community to connect to their ancestry and heritage.

As part of this year’s events the council will feature a range of heritage videos and stories, with a focus on the region’s hero Bert Hinkler, and his Edwardian-style home built in Southampton, England.

Through determination and ingenuity the classic brick home was transported from England to Bundaberg and now resides at the Bundaberg Botanical Gardens, offering tourists and locals a unique insight into the homes and lives of the early 20th century.

NOT EVERY DAY: Bert Hinkler was a pioneer Australian aviator and inventor. He designed and built early aircraft before being the first person to fly solo from England to Australia, and the first person to fly solo across the Southern Atlantic Ocean. This is an image of Hinkler in 1928 in the main street of Stanthorpe. The wings were folded back and the plane was wheeled down the street to Pierpoint and Sons to be refuelled.

The home was transported to the region under the watchful eye of Bundaberg residents Lex Rowland, Stan Lohs and Merv Purkiss, and was officially opened in its current local on June 16, 1984.

Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn said the Australian Heritage Festival gave the community a new chance to reconnect with Bert Hinkler, and reconsider a legacy that shaped the region.

“This house was originally built in England in 1925 and now sits in perfect condition in the Bundaberg Botanic Gardens for residents and visitors to enjoy,” she said.

“It is a physical reminder of our history and the pioneering and innovative spirit of the great Bert Hinkler.

Hinkler House is now a star attraction at the Bundaberg Botanical Gardens, offering visitors a unique insight into living in the early 20th century.

“Even at the height of his fame and achievement he still retained his strong connection to the Bundaberg region, naming the house Mon Repos in honour of his hometown and the beach that inspired his love of flight.”

As the Bundaberg council honours past servicemen and women through initiatives like the Streets of Remembrance, the month long festival will highlight important local stories that may have faded into the past.

Mayor Helen Blackburn and Lex Rowland celebrate the launch of the Australian Heritage Festival. Image: Morgan Everett.

“Each year council marks the Australian Heritage Festival by highlighting its heritage building and structures,” Ms Blackburn said.

“Over the coming weeks we’ll be sharing many stories and videos to help our community celebrate local heritage and the national theme ‘connection’, particularly around Bert Hinkler and his connection to aviation and military service but also the region’s historic transport and water supply connections.”

Originally published as Bundaberg council launches Australian Heritage Festival