The Castle Hill Rebellion of 1804 and the ensuing
Battle of Vinegar Hill which occurred throughout the Hills region
will be celebrated during March with a variety of events.  CASTLE HILL REBELLION - THURSDAY MARCH 4 Castle Hill Heritage Park, Heritage Park Drive (off Old Castle Hill Rd), Castle Hill: Re-live the first European uprising on Australian soil which occurred on March 4, 1804, with a day of festivities at the new Castle Hill Heritage Park: Schools Program - 9.30am to 2.30pm An interactive educational program where primary school students will have the opportunity to hear how the convicts escaped from the Castle Hill Government Farm. Students will see floggings, musket firing, convict stories and will be able to see the ruins of the convict barracks and stone well unearthed by archaeologists at the site. Students are encouraged to dress up as Red Coats or Convicts for their visit. A number of other activities are available for schools including: * Primary Schools Colouring-in competition sponsored by Castle Towers * High Schools Creative Writing competition sponsored by Castle Towers It's a great opportunity for local students to see the very location that the Rebellion took place 200 years ago and learn about the history of their local area. Baulkham Hills Shire Council is producing a full study kit for teachers with resources, activities and information. For further information, call 9843 0421. Public Discovery Walks - 3.30pm to 6.30pm Unearth Castle Hill's most historic landmark - Heritage Park. Discover through hands-on displays the early convict history of the area. Take the discovery walk with a host of activities including: Historic Stone Well - See the 1804 stone well still providing water. A convict located near the heritage well may be conspiring to escape by planning yet another rebellion. Storyteller - Hear tales of the political justice in Ireland, the Irish transportation to Sydney, life on the Government Farm, the planned rebellion and the uprising at Castle Hill. Red Coat soldiers - Red Coat Soldiers will be on the convict settlement all day heckling anyone who refuses to abide by the law of the farm and the soldiers. Floggings - Punishments will be handed out for those who choose to rebel against the Red Coat soldiers. Soldier Recruitment - Watch out! You could be the next soldier working at the Castle Hill Heritage Farm. Irish Convicts - A convict from the period will provide stories and a history of his journey as he dreams of escaping to China...it's just on the other side! Archaeological Dig - See the archaeologists at work as they uncover the remains of the original convict barracks. See the Hawkesbury sandstone over 200 years on and the holes where the timber footings once stood. You can even ask questions about their work and their amazing discoveries in Heritage Park. Please note - no parking will be available on site for this event. A FREE shuttle bus will be available from Castle Hill Public School, Les Shore Place, Castle Hill (behind Castle Towers). Buses will operate to Heritage Park from 3.00pm until 6.00pm and from Heritage Park from 4.00pm until 8.00pm for the return journey. Buses will depart at regular intervals. Opening of Castle Hill Heritage Park - 6.45pm to 7.30pm Special Guest - Her Excellency, Professor Marie Bashir AC. Governor of New South Wales. Commemoration Ceremony at dusk will symbolise the commencement of the Rebellion and the official opening of Castle Hill Heritage Park. Rebellion Dinner and Dance - 8.30pm to 11.30pm At the award winning Mean Fiddler Irish Pub, Windsor Road (cnr Commercial Road), Rouse Hill. Enjoy a delicious 2 course meal and Irish entertainment with special guests the Consul-General of Ireland and nearly 50 visitors from County Wexford in Ireland. Entertainment includes Australian band "Hand Picked" playing Aussie bush music and contemporary Irish songs and dancers along with some fabulous bush dancing. Tickets are $30.00 including a 2 course meal plus tea/coffee. Bookings for this event are essential as this event will sell out. Contact Leigh or Dianne at the Mean Fiddler on 9629 4811 (Mon-Sat 9am-5pm). This event is proudly sponsored by The Mean Fiddler. Shopping Centre Displays Visit Castle Towers Shopping Centre during the week prior to the Rebellion to see interpretive displays, roaming entertainers, children's colouring-in competition display and colourful banners. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY EVENT, CALL THE HOTLINE ON 1300 884 881.  BATTLE OF VINEGAR HILL AND REGIONAL EVENTS These events are supported by the following Councils: * Baulkham Hills Shire Council * Blacktown City Council * Hawkesbury City Council * Holroyd Council * Parramatta City Council Friday 27 February, 2004 to Saturday 13 March 2004: Blacktown Arts Centre, 78 Flushcombe Rd, Blacktown 11.00am - 5.00pm (Mon-Sat) 'Death or Liberty': The Battle of Vinegar Hill Exhibition Sunday 29 February, 2004: Castlebrook Cemetery, Windsor Road, Rouse Hill 3.00pm Commemoration Service at Vinegar Hill Memorial by the 'Friends of Vinegar Hill'. Specially composed music performed by 'Voices of Vinegar Hill' choir, guest speakers author Tom Keneally and Hon AJ Grassby AM. Wednesday 3 March, 2004: Parramatta Church Street Mall 12.00noon 'Voices of Vinegar Hill' choir free concert Thursday 4 March 2004: 9.30am-7.30pm Castle Hill Rebellion Celebrations at Castle Hill Heritage Park. See above for full details.. 8.00pm, Rebellion Dinner and Dance at the Mean Fiddler Irish Pub. See above for full details. Friday 5 March, 2004: 11.00am Civic ceremony, Castlebrook Cemetry, Windsor Rd, Rouse Hill. 1.00pm Concert, Merrylands Plaza, McFarlane St (opposite Stocklands) 7.00pm Battle of Vinegar Hill Bicentennial Dinner, Tebbut's Observatory, Palmer St, Windsor. Guest speaker , Lynette Ramsay Silver, author of 'The Battle of Vinegar Hill; Australia's Irish Rebellion'. Saturday 6 March, 2004: 11.00am Meeting of the Wexford Senate, Baulkham Hills Shire Council Chambers, Carrington Rd, Castle Hill. Special Guest - the Irish Ambassador to Australia. 3.00pm - 7.00pm The Ghosts of Green Hills Concert. Irish bands, dancing and a special performance orchestrated by Song Dynasty, Governor Phillip Park, cnr Palmer & George Sts, Windsor. Sunday 7 March, 2004 11.00am - 4.00pm at Rouse Hill Regional Park, Worcester Rd, Rouse Hill. Celebrations include a re-enactment of the Battle of Vinegar Hill, 1804 arts and crafts demonstrations, children's games, food, Living History camp, Indigenous history, music, decendants and images introduced, Celtic Dreamtime concert, specially composed music performed by Voices of Vinegar Hill choir. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY EVENT, CALL THE HOTLINE ON 1300 884 881. We greatly acknowledge the support of the Regional Sponsors who have made these celebrations possible: * Australand * Integral Energy * Landcom * The Winton Group |
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