Arts and culture play a crucial role in all our lives. They contribute to the unique identity and sense of pride within a rural community. They showcase the local heritage, traditions, and customs, preserving the community’s history and fostering a strong connection to the past. This shared identity strengthens social cohesion and community spirit.
TELLING OUR STORIES
Each of our little communities in the Highlands have their own stories that connect neighbours that entertain, educate, and enhance our feeling of belonging. These stories are told standing around a fire, stopped on the side of the road through car windows and in the next editions on Hawkesbury Highlands! We will bring you stories forest floor in the next edition of the Highlands.
SEEING OUR WORLD OF NATURAL BEAUTY
Arts and culture broaden perspectives, stimulate critical thinking, and encourage lifelong learning. Cultural institutions like the BigCi, located on Hanlon’s Road North is one of the jewels in our cultural crown.
BigCi is an independent, artist run, not for profit artist residency program in Bilpin, Australia (near Sydney), focusing on artists’ professional development and facilitating their projects. It was established and is run by Rae Bolotin, a practicing artist, and Yuri Bolotin, environmentalist, and wilderness explorer. Artists-in- residence can present their work during a BigCi Open Day that takes place at the end of their stay. To get on the mailing list and be notified of their events go to https://bigci.org/
CULTURAL TOURISM – SYDNEY STICKY PEAKS
Cultural tourism happens mostly on weekends during the cooler months in the Highland. Sticky beaks from Sydney come to Kurrajong Heights to look over the sprawl of suburban Sydney and onto the Highland to experience rural Australia by picking their own fruit, looking at farmyard animals, buying local products and stretching out in the open space.
Cultural tourism brings economic benefits to the community by supporting a Creative economy and entrepreneurship. They inspire and nurture creative talent, encouraging local artists, artisans, and entrepreneurs to showcase their work and develop creative enterprises.
We have visual arts at the BigCi, performing arts at the Bowlo with the Bilpin Elvis & Miranda’s monthly cabaret shows, and significant number of local food and drink products from Bilpin Bush Honey to Hillbilly Cider.
This diversification of economic activities help grow our local economies, create employment opportunities, and retain people in the community.
SOCIAL INTEGRATION AND INCLUSIVITY
Arts and cultural events provide opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to come together. They serve as a platform for social interaction, breaking down barriers and fostering a sense of belonging. Cultural activities promote inclusivity by celebrating diversity and encouraging dialogue between different groups within the community. This is why we produce the Hawkesbury Highlands Newsletter.