On Saturday 17th May, Parramatta North came alive with the vibrant celebration of Heritage Day 2025, a highlight of the Australian Heritage Festival. This event offered a unique opportunity to delve into the rich tapestry of the area's history while embracing its dynamic future and this year, visitors of the festival were able to access the Heritage Precinct easier than ever with the addition of the Parramatta Light Rail, via the stop Ngara.
Parramatta North boasts a profound historical legacy, from its Indigenous roots with the Burramattagal people of the Dharug Nation to its colonial-era landmarks. Visitors explored beautifully restored heritage-listed buildings, participated in guided tours led by the Parramatta Female Factory and Friends, and engaged with stories that have shaped the community.
Nestled within this historic precinct is the Western Sydney Startup Hub, powered by Spacecubed, which also has the wonderful Havenstone cafe onsite. This thriving innovation space offers coworking, private offices, event spaces and meeting rooms, fostering a unique, collaborative environment for startups and entrepreneurs.
The Western Sydney Startup Hub features an interactive timeline displaying the stories of the past, which attendees of the festival got to explore throughout the day, bringing the precinct’s layered history to life.
Heritage Day also featured live music, food trucks, and local markets that showcase the diversity and talent of Western Sydney, as well as family-friendly activities that blended culture, creativity, and learning.
It was wonderful to see members of the Western Sydney Startup Hub join the community event with their families and friends. The day was especially enjoyable for children, with highlights including a petting farm, bubble artist, and various stations to explore their creativity.
Another highlight for festival goers was admiring the beautiful mural that Spacecubed member Christina Huynh painted. Christina is a talented, local illustrator and muralist, with a creative space at the Western Sydney Startup Hub. She draws inspiration from storytelling, human emotion, wayfinding and the heritage of people and place, which is reflected in her vibrant artwork on display in the Heritage Precinct.
This year’s Heritage Day beautifully captured the spirit of a place where history and innovation coexist, and where the future is being built with respect for the stories that came before.
Ready to find your place in Western Sydney’s growing innovation community? Learn more about the Western Sydney Startup Hub here, and book a free tour to meet our team, or grab a coworking day pass to experience the space for yourself.
