A
trip to Lockhart promises visitors more than The Blue Bird. Known as
The Verandah Town, an active Progress Association, Shire Council and
many community groups have contributed countless initiatives over the
years dedicated to the beautification and well-being of the township.
Lockhart town and Lockhart Shire remain proudly independent from larger
municipalities and although Wagga Wagga is only 60kms, the town of
Lockhart has everything it needs to be strong and vibrant. Here are
some of the things you could discover on your trip to Lockhart.
The Doris Golder Gallery
- Without spoiling the surprise, the intricately detailed and unique
art of our lovely local octagenarian Doris, is something to behold. Not
many towns can claim to have someone as talented in creating woolen
portraiture so Lockhart is fortunate. Doris still lives just around the
corner and is one of the regular customers brightening The Blue Bird's
day. After admiring her work at the museum, and if you are lucky, you
might find her here having an ice cream with us. Doris will happily
tell you about her life and work and it makes quite a story.
The Spirit of the Land Festival and Sculptures
- During the recent ten year drought some creative locals were
inspired to offer depressed farmers something to take their mind off the
devastation. The National Farm Art Sculpture competition began and
subsequently launched new careers for a few farmers who turned their
versatile hands to sculpting. A generous annual sponsorship from the
Lockhart Shire Council has ensured that most of the winning sculptures
have stayed in town to become part of a farm art sculpture trail. The
Spirit of the Land Festival held on the second weekend of October each
year, has become a major attraction.
The Pastoral Shadows of Brookong
- On the outskirts of town, this gentle walk tells the story of the
settlement of Lockhart. It features silhouettes of swagmen, wagons,
coaches, shepherds and other tableaux displaying rural life in old
Australia. Local artists and members of the Men's Shed have cut the silhouette sculptures out of iron and other scrap metals.
The Heritage Pavers
- The Progress Association initiated this project as an indelible and
charming way to record the names and dates of local families. The names
are etched on the paving stones forming a walk under the verandahs of
the main street. Ambling passed the shops on Green Street you can read
the story of the people who built Lockhart a century ago, their
descendants and many new families who now live in town. A book
expanding on these brick sketches can be purchased at the Greens Gunyah Museum.
Green Street
- A number of interesting shops stand as neighbours to The Blue Bird on
Green Street. Heaven in Rags is a store that captures a distant era of
clothing, haberdashery, millinery and shoes. Ginge and Fluffs
Second-hand Shop offers everything collectible from your childhood to
good china. The Lockhart Men's Shed sells handcrafted wooden furniture
and toys made by the blokes in the shed. The Brookong Nook Craft Shop
is an outlet for local producers of jams, pickles and chutneys,
free-range eggs and hand crafts. The Red Cross Op-Shop is located in
the building that started out as The Lockhart Hotel. If you look
closely at the stained glass window above its door you can see the
remnants of one of its past lives as The Monterey Cafe. And then of
course The Blue Bird is more than just a cafe these days. We operate a
quality second-hand book shop within our business as well as a line of
retro craft. We have plans to expand our Blue Bird museum into one
preserving the heritage of the Greek-Australian Cafes.
There is plenty more of Lockhart beyond the cafe.
