Hands-on-History: Fitzmaurice Street Stories
05/11/2026 - 07/11/2026 (5:00 PM - 7:00 PM AEDT)
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Location
- Organiser:
- Family History Holidays
- Venue:
- Wagga Wagga
- Address:
- Wagga Wagga NSW, Australia
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Event Information
HANDS-ON-HISTORY: FITZMAURICE STREET STORIES
Thursday 5 & Saturday 7 November 2026 | Wagga Wagga
Hands-on-History events are curated for curious people who want to connect more deeply with local heritage, places and stories. Each event brings together expert historians, special access and hands-on experiences designed to uncover the history behind a place.
Fitzmaurice Street Stories is presented as part of Wagga Wagga’s STREET x STREET initiative, bringing new experiences and activity to the Fitzmaurice Street precinct.
For generations, stories have circulated about secret stairways, hidden cellars and underground tunnels beneath the historic buildings of Fitzmaurice Street. Were these spaces connected? What were they used for? And how much is fact, folklore or somewhere in between?
Across the Welcome, Workshop, Private Tours and Wrap-Up, local historians, researchers, archivists and storytellers will help uncover the evidence and reveal another side of Wagga Wagga’s past.
The Welcome
Thursday 5 November | 5.00pm–7.00pm
Begin at The Riverine Club, Sturt Street, with a welcome drink as we introduce the people, places, stories and rumours at the heart of Fitzmaurice Street.
At 6.00pm, join a Street History Stroll through the precinct from The Riverine Club to Mr Lawrence, uncovering intriguing stories connected with one of Wagga Wagga’s earliest streets.
5.00pm Welcome drink
6.00pm Street History Stroll
7.00pm Finish at Mr Lawrence
Cost: $20 per person
Includes one welcome drink and Street History Stroll.
The Workshop
Saturday 7 November | 10.00am–1.00pm
Private Dining Room @ Spare, The Prince of Wales
For regional heritage groups and anyone curious about Wagga’s past, this interactive workshop invites you to dig into the stories, rumours and mysteries surrounding Fitzmaurice Street.
Guest local heritage expert Chris Roe, Senior Producer at SBS/NITV, will help examine tales of hidden cellars, secret stairways and possible underground tunnels, drawing on research and evidence to explore what lies behind them.
At the heart of the session is a simple question: what is fact, what is folklore, and how can we tell the difference?
Cost: $40 per person
Includes a hot drink, morning treat and Street History Stroll.
The Private Tours
Saturday 7 November | 2.00pm–5.00pm
Choose one or two private 60-minute heritage experiences, each offering a different way into Wagga Wagga’s history. There are two departures times for each tour available
Backstage Pass: Unique Access to the Riverina Archives
Step behind the scenes at the CSU Regional Archives with senior manager and archivist Wayne Doubleday. Explore archival spaces not usually open to the public and discover photographs, documents and memorabilia that reveal the people, places and events of the Riverina’s past.
Meet at Charles Sturt University.
Stories from the Cemetery
Join a performer from Free Roam Theatre for a walk through Wagga Wagga’s Old Monumental Cemetery, with stories developed from research by the Wagga Wagga Historical Society. Discover tales of pioneers, scandal, heartbreak and local legends in a tour blending history, storytelling and performance.
Meet at the Old Monumental Cemetery.
Heritage Architecture: A Walk Around Old Wagga Wagga
Join heritage architect Noel Thomson for a guided walk through historic Wagga Wagga. Discover significant buildings, streetscapes and the stories of the people and institutions that helped shape the city.
Meet at the Historic Council Chambers.
The Wiradjuri Perspective (to be confirmed)
Explore Wagga Wagga’s history through a Wiradjuri perspective, connecting stories of place with a much longer history of Country, culture and community.
Meet at the Yarning Circle, Riverside Park Precinct.
2.00pm First tour departs
3.30pm Second tour departs
5.00pm Tours conclude
Cost: $40 per person
Includes one private 60-minute tour.
Numbers are limited. Bookings are essential.
NB: Participants are responsible for arranging their own transport to and between each selected tour.
The Wrap-Up
Saturday 7 November | 5.00pm–6.00pm
The Riverina Hotel
Finish the day over cocktails and canapés, sharing discoveries and connecting the dots with fellow participants.
Entry is free. Drinks are at your own cost.
Visiting Wagga Wagga for the event? Family History Holidays can assist with accommodation options — please contact us for more information.
If you’d like to explore your own family history while you’re in Wagga, we can also help arrange an informal coffee session with local historical society researchers and genealogists to help you uncover more about your family story.
By purchasing a ticket to this event, you agree to the following Terms & Conditions.
1. Ticket Purchases
- All tickets are sold subject to availability.
- Tickets are valid only for the date and session specified on the ticket.
- Entry may be refused if a ticket is damaged, duplicated, altered, or suspected of unauthorised resale.
2. Tours Consent & Acknowledgement
- I understand that final tour allocations are subject to availability.
- I understand that some experiences involve walking and uneven surfaces.
- I understand that I am responsible for making my own way between venues.
3. No Refund Policy
- All ticket sales are final.
- No refunds, exchanges, or cancellations will be provided for change of mind, inability to attend, scheduling conflicts, travel issues, illness, or any other personal circumstances.
- Please ensure you are able to attend prior to purchasing your ticket.
4. Event Changes
- The Organiser reserves the right to alter the workshop program, presenters, schedule, venue arrangements, or session content where necessary.
- Minor changes to the event will not entitle ticket holders to a refund.
5. Cancellation or Postponement
- If the event is cancelled by the Organiser, ticket holders may be offered:
- transfer of tickets to a rescheduled date; or
- a refund at the Organiser’s discretion and subject to applicable Australian consumer laws.
- If the event is postponed, tickets will remain valid for the new date.
6. Attendance & Conduct
- Attendees are expected to behave respectfully toward presenters, staff, volunteers, venue personnel, and other attendees.
- The Organiser reserves the right to refuse entry or remove any attendee whose behaviour is considered disruptive, inappropriate, unsafe, or offensive, without refund.
7. Photography & Recording
- Photography, video, and audio recording may occur during the workshop.
- By attending the event, attendees consent to the use of photographs or recordings for promotional, marketing, archival, and social media purposes by Family History Holidays without compensation.
8. Intellectual Property
- Workshop materials, presentations, handouts, and content remain the intellectual property of the presenters and/or Family History Holidays unless otherwise stated.
- Materials provided during the event are for personal use only and must not be reproduced, distributed, or commercially shared without permission.
9. Liability
- Attendees participate in the event at their own risk.
- To the extent permitted by law, Family History Holidays and associated presenters, staff, volunteers, and venues are not liable for any injury, loss, damage, delay, or expense incurred in connection with the event.
- The Organiser accepts no responsibility for lost, stolen, or damaged personal belongings.
10. Privacy
Personal information collected during ticket purchase and event registration will be used for event administration, communication, and related promotional purposes in accordance with applicable Australian privacy laws.
11. Acceptance of Terms
By purchasing a ticket and attending the Hands On History Workshop, attendees acknowledge they have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms & Conditions.
Refund policy
All ticket sales are final. No refunds or exchanges unless the event is cancelled by the organisers, where required by law.