Heritage Skills Schools

"Passing on the skills, arts, crafts and attitudes of Australia’s rural pioneers"

Ever wished to learn to cook a damper, or plait a whip, or work a sheep dog, or felt a hat? Well the opportunity has now arrived! The chance to get actual hands-on training in these “heritage” skills is being offered to people in short-term introductory workshops.

The Jondaryan Woolshed has long been known as a place that showcases aspects of our pioneering rural heritage, particularly during its annual Australian Heritage Festival. Visitors have been able to come and see demonstrations of a whole range of skills.

This feature been taken one step further, with the development of Heritage Skills Schools. People can now come to the Jondaryan Woolshed and actually learn some of these skills, directly from people who know about them, not from a book. Tutors are drawn from a network of really enthusiastic people who have unique skills that they are willing to pass on, the volunteers who make the Festival the vibrant and authentic event that it has become.

The subjects are wide ranging, and the list will grow over time as suitable tutors are linked with interested students.

These are the subjects currently offered:

• Introduction to Blacksmithing and Wheelwrighting
• Introduction to Steam and Vintage Boilers
• Knitting for Beginners and Intermediates
• Plaiting for Profit and Pleasure (leather Whips and Belts)
• Rope-making and Knots
• Traditional Camp-oven Cooking
• Weaving on a cardboard loom
• Wool Felting for Fun

Possible future subjects include:

• An introduction to Draught Horse Driving
• An introduction to Shearing
• Training and working bullocks
• Intermediate Steam and Vintage Boilers
• Intermediate Blacksmithing
• An introduction to Cooperage (making barrels)
• Bush Poetry
• An introduction to working dogs

Most courses go for two days, and will be limited in numbers so every participant gets the full benefit of hands on training and one-on-one contact with the tutors. There is a minimum number of students to run courses, but you are encouraged to lodge an expression of interest, as it helps our planning.

The weekends become a great social occasion as well, with the opportunity to mix with other like-minded people, and gain a foothold in the volunteer workforce at Jondaryan. Meals and accommodation are available in and around the old Shearer’s Quarters. Often a Bush Dance or some other entertainment is a feature on the Saturday night. Partners and Friends are welcome to come and stay, at a special meal and accommodation rate, and there will be plenty of activities for them to enjoy over the weekend as well, in the quiet country surroundings that are a feature of the Jondaryan Woolshed.

Heritage Skills Schools are held on the Labour Day Weekend in May and in October each year. Check the Calendar of Events.

For a detailed Course Outline, Prices and an Application Form, click here.

To lodge an expression of interest, or get more information, fill in your details here

Course Expression of Interest Form