2024 Bicentenary
2024 is the bicentenary of the 1824 Hume & Hovell expedition.
Several Community and Government organisations are planning activities to recognise this milestone.
See below for more detail:
In the steps of Hume & Hovell
THE EVENT: A walk along the scenic shore of Lake Burrinjuck on Cooradigbee Property to commemorate Hume and Hovell’s travels through the Wee Jasper Valley 200 years ago. The walk will be followed by a picnic/BBQ. (The walk is optional.)
DATE. Sunday 27th October 2024. Gather at 2pm for the full walk; 3pm for half the walk; 4pm for the picnic/BBQ. Walks start and finish at the picnic site.
DIRECTIONS. To get to Cooradigbee, cross the bridge at Wee Jasper, turn right at the School, and follow Caves Road to the end of the bitumen. Bear right into Cooradigbee and stay on the excellent unpaved road to the lake shore. The picnic site is on a prominent wooded peninsula a short distance before reaching the Dragon Dreaming Music Festival site. You’ll see vehicles there and a sign. Don’t go to the Cooradigbee Homestead. If you reach the Festival site go back.
BRING. Food, drinks, chipped enamel plate and mug, and a chair. BBQ facilities will be provided.
TRANSPORT. Bullock-drawn wagons should be left at the picnic site and not taken on the walk. The road is OK for 2WD cars.
ENTERTAINMENT
- Hear experts speculate about where H&H travelled in the Valley. Which side of the Goodradigbee River did they follow, where did they leave their wagon, what became of it, and where did they exit the Valley?
- Ponder over excerpts from Hovell’s diary.
- Enjoy an action-packed FREE cloud-watching demonstration by courtesy of the Wee Jasper Cloud Watching Society.
- Bring a musical instrument if you can play it. Or even if you can’t.
Exploring Hamilton Hume -
A 200-Year Commemorative Tour
Explore Hamilton Hume’s world on our 200-Year Commemorative Tour celebrating the bicentenary of the Hume and Hovell Expedition. Join us for a Hume family cemetery tour, lunch, Hamilton Hume Going Places exhibition visit, and a private tour of Cooma Cottage in Yass.
Saturday 26th October 2024
Yass and District Historical Society
Hamilton Hume Going Places - Exhibition opening 5th October 2024
Explore the extraordinary life of Hamilton Hume, one of Australia’s pioneering explorers, at our special 200th Anniversary Exhibition. From his early adventures in the Berrima and Bungonia districts to his famous 1824 expedition to Port Phillip with William Hovell, this exhibition brings to life Hume's significant role in Australian history. Through a series of engaging storyboards, you'll follow Hume’s remarkable leadership, bushcraft skills, and the challenges he overcame as he charted vast regions of New South Wales and Victoria.
Featuring rare artefacts and visual storytelling, the exhibition offers a unique insight into Hume’s expeditions and his enduring legacy. Discover how his early explorations shaped the nation, and gain a deeper understanding of the man behind the name.
Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Tours
On Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th October, join us for an exclusive "behind-the-scenes" guided tour of our Archival Collection at 2pm. This is a rare opportunity to explore some of the treasures housed in our archives. No bookings are required, but please note spaces are limited, so be sure to arrive early to secure your spot.
Opening Times
Opening Weekend: Saturday, Sunday, Monday (5th-7th October 2024) 10am-4pm
Ongoing: Sundays 10am-4pm
Yass Valley History Centre, 247A Comur Street Yass
Free Entry – Donations Welcome and Greatly Appreciated
National Trust of Australia - Cooma Cottage
Visit the historic Cooma Cottage, home of Hamilton Hume and learn about pioneering life from the 1900’s.
Plans are underway for an event at Cooma Cottage on the 12th October 2024
10am - 3pm.
Markets, bush band, pipe band, carriage rides, cottage tours and more!
Hume & Hovell Ultra
The Hume & Hovell Ultra event will return this year on the 12th & 13th October. This event uses the Hume & Hovell Track for the 100 mile, 100km, 50km and 22km races.
Tumut Historical Society
An exhibition is planned at the Tumut Museum recognising the regions history.
Plans are also underway for an event later this year.
Albury and District Historical Society
The Albury and District Historical Society have a range of activities planned for the commemoration. Please see below for details.
Timetable for bicentennial commemoration 2024:
November 12 to December 13 – display of memorabilia and images relating to the expedition of 1824. Foyer, AlburyCity Administration Building.
November 13, 7.30 pm – Q&A type panel of three in the Banksia Room at the Commercial Club Albury, Dr Bruce Pennay, Peter Harper and Kat Kitch, moderator Greg Aplin. All welcome.
November 14 – Dr Bruce Pennay previewing work on a digital educational resource looking at the impact of European colonisation. At Albury LibraryMuseum, 4.30pm to 5.30pm.
November 14 – Peter Harper and Keith Wiencke present their stories and experiences of the Explorers’ Bike Ride 2024. At Retro Café, 11am to 12 noon.
November 16 – unveiling of new information panels and upgrade around Hovell Tree surrounds, a community event.
November 17 – North Albury Rotary Club organised charity walk to top of Table Top. Departs 9.00am.
Albury and District Historical Society
Two hundred years on, come and ride in the historic footsteps of the explorers Hume and Hovell. The ride is intended to give adventure cyclists the opportunity to follow the explorers' route through the backcountry of eastern Victoria following the line of the 1924 monuments.
AlburyCity LibraryMuseum
AlburyCity Council are planning to curate an exhibition to recognise the 200 year bicentennary of the Hume & Hovell expedition.