The Australian Heritage Festival is currently underway. It started on 18th April 2025 and will continue to 18th May 2025. This is the largest community-driven heritage celebration in Australia.
Working in partnership with event organisers across New South Wales, the festival offers a diverse program of special events that uniquely showcase and celebrate our natural, built and cultural heritage.
From the city to the regions, the 2025 festival program offers unmatched access to a wide range of both free and ticketed exhibitions, tours, workshops, performances, talks, demonstrations and more. You can search for an event here.
Lane Cove Heritage Festival Events
The theme for the 2025 festival is “Unearthed”, focusing on revealing lesser-known histories, stories, and knowledge to empower younger generations as custodians of culture and tradition. So why not unearth some history in your own backyard – Lane Cove?
Who’s been living in my house?
Thursday 1 May, 2:30 pm at The Lane Cove Library
Have you ever wondered who has lived in your house before your family? The Lane Cove Library staff will show you how to trace your home’s history.
This seminar will show you how to use rate books, council records and photographs to find out who previously lived in your home. Places are limited – book here.
Drawn in Lane Cove: Heritage Buildings
Tuesday 15 May 2025 6:15 pm – 8:00 pm at The Lane Cove Library
Local artist’s installation
An exhibition of local artist Elizabeth Anderson’s sketches of Lane Cove’s present and past heritage buildings is currently displayed in Lane Cove Library including, Greenwich House, Chatswood South Uniting Church, Amalfi, Kermadec, and Carisbrook House.
Local Studies Librarians will discuss these well-known homes and buildings and the stories of the people who have called them home over the last 100 years.
Bookings are essential – book here
Carisbrook Historic House
The Heritage Festival is the ideal time to see living history by visiting Carisbrook Historic House on Burns Bay Road. You can tour the house, which shows you and your family what life was like in the 1880s. It’s history recreated before your eyes. There is a self-guided audio-visual experience. Once you have visited the house, sit back, relax and have Devonshire Tea in the courtyard.
Carisbrook is located overlooking the Lane Cove River and the gardens are magnificent.
In the early 1880s, Charles and Marian Brooks and their children moved into their remote north side home. The easiest way to get to Carisbrook was by ferryboat from Circular Quay along the pristine Lane Cove River to the ferry stop at Hunters Hill. A quick row across the river to their own private wharf, and they were home.
Today’s Visitors are welcome to come by road instead of car to get to know the Brooks family.
House tours are from $10, Devonshire Tea is $15, and there is free parking.
Carisbrook Historic House is open on Saturday, 17th May and Sunday, 18th May 2025, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and every third weekend of the month (except December).
More Events to Unearth Lane Cove’s History
After the Heritage Festival, you may also want to attend the following events.
Tuesday 27 May 2025 – 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Lane Cove Library
Karen Smith will speak on the story of her ancestor, Maria Lock, an Aboriginal woman (c.1805-1878).
Maria lived a remarkable life, and is still remembered by her descendants with affection, esteem, and great pride. Learn about her enduring story.
Write Your Own Lane Cove History
Are you a bit of a history buff? Why not enter the Lane Cove Historical Society (LCHS) Lane Cove History Prize? The winner will receive a cash prize of $1500. The award encourages Lane Cove residents to research the colourful history of the Lane Cove Municipality. There is also the chance for a student to enter the 2025 LCHS Student History Prize.
A successful entry must document aspects of the lives of people in Lane Cove and its environs, including beyond modern Lane Cove, which previously covered a broader area.
As one of the earliest settlement sites on the northern side of the harbour, Lane Cove has had a very interesting history, and much of the details have yet to be fully documented. Moreover, into the 20th and 21st centuries, the community of Lane Cove has witnessed many social changes, all worthy of broader reflection and documentation.
A vibrant community like Lane Cove deserves to have its strengths and achievements recognized and celebrated.
Submissions will be accepted on any aspect of Lane Cove’s history; however, this would be a great opportunity to tell your family’s Lane Cove story.
Other possible research topics include:
- interesting Lane Cove individuals or families;
- the history behind your street;
- early settlers or ethnic groups who came to live in Lane Cove;
- bushcare groups;
- your local sporting team’s history;
- your local school’s history;
- your local church’s history;
- your local community group’s history; or
- local roads and transport systems.
This is an opportunity for Lane Cove Seniors to write up their own histories. It is also an ideal time for you or your kids to sit down with grandparents or older family members/neighbours and document their lives in Lane Cove.
Sponsored by the Lane Cove Historical Society, the competition is once again open to anyone interested in Lane Cove and its past. More information here.
Need Some Help Writing Your Own Lane Cove History
History Writing Workshop – FREE Tuesday 10 June 2025 4:30 pm 6:30 pm at Lane Cove Library
Aspiring history writers are invited to participate in a History Writing Workshop presented by Professor Paula Hamilton. This workshop is free and open to all – but you must register.
It is also specially timed for anyone planning to submit an entry for the LCHS Lane Cove History Prize.
Register for the History Writing Workshop here
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