More than 70 history and heritage professionals, tradespeople and volunteers from around Australia will gather today in Geraldton for the 2018 Regional Heritage Conference.
This year’s ‘Sacred Heritage’ theme explores historic and Aboriginal heritage, and will deliver practical guidance on the care, interpretation, activation and appropriate sustainable use of Western Australia’s sacred heritage.
The theme was nominated to reflect the large number of churches and related places included in State and local heritage listings, resulting in the main church authorities being major institutional owners of heritage places.
It also provides an opportunity to explore some of the less familiar territories of heritage including places connected with ritual or rites; burial grounds and memorials; places for reflection or contemplation; or any other site with which we connect on a spiritual level.
The two-day conference offers a program of complementary activities including a 60 kilometre contemplative walk from Northampton to Geraldton, a stone repair workshop, and a behind the scenes tour of New Norcia.
Image: St Francis Xavier Cathedral. Credit: Heritage Council of WA