MAITLAND HERITAGE FEST 2023

Ms JENNY AITCHISON (Maitland—Minister for Regional Transport and Roads) —Congratulations to the committee of Maitland Heritage Fest. I was honoured to attend the opening dinner recently to thank some of these volunteers personally. The Maitland Heritage Fest began in 2021 to showcase the city's history. This year's event began with the heritage dinner at Monte Pio, followed by a piano recital at Sun Street Studios, heritage walks and Bridge House tours on the Saturday. Sunday's Family Fun Day featured historic games, local history tours, stalls, crafts, artisans, delicious food and live music. The festival spread across Church Street, St Marys, Grossmann and Brough Houses, Maitland Country Women's Association Hall and Maitland Guide Hall. The day featured the ever-popular town crier, a blacksmith, and a silhouette artist. The music on offer included folk singers, Maitland City Choir and City of Maitland Pipes of Drums. This event fosters a love of Maitland's past for future generations, from our Indigenous past, through to when the cedar getters first came and to the beautiful buildings we now see that were built as the region prospered. Congratulations to Dr Janece McDonald, Margaret Richardson and the whole committee for their efforts.