Perth Voice Interactive

MAYLANDS’ storied past is being unearthed for the new week-long Maylands History and Heritage Festival starting November 4. 

The festival comes off the back of the popular heritage month the Maylands Historical and Peninsula Association ran in 2022 to celebrate their 30th year of preserving local history, and is running as part of the bigger Flourish Community Arts Festival.

Across November 4 and 5 there’s guided walks around the Maylands peninsula, telling tales and tromping the old grounds of the Maylands Aerodrome, the old brickworks, and Peninsula Farm.

On November 5 and 11 they’re holding the Maylands Street Art Walk. MHPA president Keith Cundale tells us this walk mixes in the old historical architecture with the modern history marked by the suburb’s plentiful street art.

On November 11 there’s a walking tour around (and inside) some of Maylands heritage buildings including iconic sites like the old WA Industrial School for the Blind (now home to WA Ballet).

The festival is part of an ongoing renaissance in the MHPA, which recently won an award at the Royal West Australian Historical Association.

Mr Cundale said he was, “delighted… that from among the 70-plus historical societies in WA we were assessed as having had the most impact on our members and the local community over the last year.

“We were chosen for the award of merit, and I feel that this reflects well on all of our helpers, committee members and sponsors who made this year so successful.”

All the events are free, but book via Eventbrite (plug in “Maylands Historical and Peninsula Association” to get the events to pop up). 

by DAVID BELL