Working Heritage

Working Heritage Working Heritage cares for publicly-owned heritage places on behalf of the people of Victoria. All funding for our work is generated by the places we manage.

Working Heritage is responsible for the conservation and management of some of Victoria’s treasured places – from the former Royal Mint in central Melbourne to court houses in country towns. Our role is to revitalise these places to ensure they have a purpose and are cared for into the future. Working Heritage is appointed to manage government-owned heritage places that are no longer needed for th

eir original function. This redundancy is an opportunity to give buildings new purpose. Working with tenants who lease the space we can conserve cultural significance, develop compatible uses and adapt buildings to suit contemporary needs. This way, a derelict farm house becomes a restaurant, a decommissioned mint becomes a museum and a disused court house can be used as a theatre. Finding financially sustainable uses for these places enables their continued care. We see redundant heritage buildings as a resource for rural towns, suburbs and cities. Their adaptation and reuse can facilitate development of businesses, community activities and support services while their cultural significance contributes positively to the community itself. These places have special qualities that draw people to them, and by reusing them they can continue to function as physical touchstones of community identity. Working Heritage is a Committee of Management appointed by the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water under the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 to manage heritage places on Crown Land. Working Heritage was previously named the Mint Inc.

We’re looking for artisan, gift and specialty stallholders to be part of our upcoming event at the historic Jack’s Magaz...
15/06/2026

We’re looking for artisan, gift and specialty stallholders to be part of our upcoming event at the historic Jack’s Magazine.

Set against one of Melbourne’s most fascinating heritage destinations, this family-friendly Christmas event will feature heritage tours, Santa visits, children’s activities, pony rides, wildlife encounters, puppet shows, live music and more.

We’re particularly interested in handmade gifts, Christmas decorations, floristry, homewares, gourmet food, boutique beverages and other festive products that will help create a curated Christmas market experience.

📍 Jack’s Magazine, Maribyrnong
📅 Saturday 28 November
⏰ 11am–3pm

Expressions of Interest close at 12 noon on 3 July.

Apply here:

05/06/2026

We are looking for artisan, gift and specialty stallholders to be part of a unique festive event at the historic Jack’s Magazine!

Set against one of Melbourne’s most fascinating heritage sites, this family-friendly Christmas event will feature heritage tours, Santa visits, children’s activities, pony rides, wildlife encounters, puppet shows, live music and more.

We are particularly interested in handmade gifts, Christmas decorations, floristry, homewares, gourmet food, boutique beverages and other festive products that will help create a curated Christmas market experience.

📅 Saturday 28 November
⏰ 11am–3pm

To express your interest, email [email protected] with your business details, contact details, product information, photos and any power requirements.

29/05/2026

Justin Calverley is coming to Farm Vigano 🌳✂️

A fully qualified horticulturist with more than 35 years of industry experience, Justin has been running pruning workshops across Melbourne for over 15 years and is widely regarded as one of the state’s leading horticultural educators. His workshops are known for being practical, engaging, and accessible, helping participants build confidence in caring for their own fruit trees 🌿

Join us for a hands-on winter pruning workshop focused on the care and maintenance of deciduous fruit trees. Participants will learn practical pruning techniques, seasonal orchard management skills, and how to improve the health and productivity of backyard fruit trees 🌱

The workshop combines theory sessions in the cottage with practical demonstrations and guided activities in the orchard environment, creating a relaxed and immersive outdoor learning experience.

Suitable for beginner to intermediate gardeners, backyard fruit tree owners, and anyone interested in sustainable gardening and food production, this small group workshop allows for individual guidance and support throughout.

Limited spots are available, please buy your ticket(s) here https://zurl.co/OazoO.

22/05/2026

Great day on the road with the Working Heritage Committee of Management ✨

Visited and met with tenants at five of our regional sites across Victoria:
📍 Skipton Courthouse and Police Residence
📍 Ballan Courthouse
📍 Clunes School of Mines
📍 Daylesford Courthouse Precinct
📍 Beaufort Courthouse

14/05/2026

We asked people what their favourite activity on Jack’s Magazine open day in 2026 was. Comment below what activity would you like to participate in on an open day and we might actually add that to our list for the next event! 🌟

Thank you to everyone who came to Jack’s Open Day 2026! It was an explosive 🧨 weekend (no pun intended). We will be back...
14/05/2026

Thank you to everyone who came to Jack’s Open Day 2026! It was an explosive 🧨 weekend (no pun intended). We will be back later this year for a special Christmas event, so keep an eye out for more information coming soon.

Mario and Maria Vigano, a couple that had arrived in Melbourne in 1928 with their three children, having left Italy to e...
08/05/2026

Mario and Maria Vigano, a couple that had arrived in Melbourne in 1928 with their three children, having left Italy to escape persecution under the fascist Mussolini Government. Read more about the family behind the Farm Vigano restaurant’s origin, whose story played a significant role in introducing Melbourne to a European style of dining and entertainment.

Announcing a very special occasion by our incredible tenants at the South Melbourne Temperance Hall happening next Frida...
07/05/2026

Announcing a very special occasion by our incredible tenants at the South Melbourne Temperance Hall happening next Friday 15 May.

Renée Copraij and Phillip Adams in Conversation, facilitated by Rebecca Hilton!

They met in the 90s while working in New York for Dennis O Connor. Over the past three decades they have continued to work at the radical, avant-garde edge of dance and performing arts practices.

Through this conversation, facilitated by Rebecca Hilton, Renée and Phillip reflect on their intersecting and disparate experiences of shaping and influencing experimental performing arts scenes, locally and internationally.

Perhaps, they might even do a dance…

📍 Temperance Hall Main Hall, 199 Napier St, South Melbourne
📅 Friday 15 May
⏰ 7pm–8.30pm

Renée Copraij is an Apartment Studio Resident at Temperance Hall across May as part of the 2025 Apartment Studio Residency program, supporting artists travelling from near and afar to develop and share new artistic research and experiments with local audiences while living onsite.

Image rights belong to the artists and Stan Arte Vizion.

Get to know the heritage sites we manage in our History and Culture series, offering a glimpse into the distinctive stor...
07/05/2026

Get to know the heritage sites we manage in our History and Culture series, offering a glimpse into the distinctive stories behind our treasured places.

Visit workingheritage.com.au, go to Places → Beaufort Courthouse → History and Culture to learn more ✨

Get to know the stories and history behind our treasured heritage properties. Visit our website to read more🌟
05/05/2026

Get to know the stories and history behind our treasured heritage properties. Visit our website to read more🌟

Address

South Guard House, Former Royal Mint, 280 William Street
Melbourne, VIC
3000

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

(03) 9600 1667

Website

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