Past Events

The region’s first STEAM Fair, drawing over 1,000 visitors across the weekend.

The inaugural STEAM Fair at The Foundations ran from 10 to 12 November 2023 and was hailed a great success. Over 150 school children took part in workshops during the Friday preview day, and more than 1,000 visitors attended across the weekend, taking in old steam engines, printing presses, vintage computers, VR experiences and a wide range of workshops, talks and tours.

The Saturday night opening in The Annexe launched “Mutualism”, a new collaborative work by artist Tully Arnot and local blacksmith Phil Spark exploring the endangered Purple Copper Butterfly. Guests also heard from Ian Allan, supervisor of Natural Areas & Arboriculture at Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, on his role protecting the Wollemi Pines during the 2019–20 Black Summer Bushfires. The event was officially opened by the Director of Regional Development Australia, one of the major event sponsors.

“This was the first event of its kind in the region, and with the great feedback we have received over the weekend, hopefully it will be the first of many more to come.” – Rich Evans, STEAMWorks committee member

A Stargazing and knowledge-sharing evening with Wiradjuri knowledge holders.

STEAMworks collaborated with local Wiradjuri knowledge holders and community members for an Astronomy Night at The Foundations in November 2022. Wiradjuri Elder and Dubbo TAFE language teacher Aunty Iris led workshops on astronomy, animal totems and language, with attendees designing their own totem cards and learning her song “Yindyamarra” (Respect).

As the sun set, guests gathered for a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, followed by a performance from dance group Ngumbaay Miyagan and Sky Stories from Wiradjuri man and artist Peter Swain. As the stars appeared, local astronomers Tina and Trevor Leaman from Dark Skies Downunder and astro-photographer Niall MacNeill guided small groups through the night sky, with attendees travelling from as far as Penrith and Newcastle.

Our inaugural free, all-ages community picnic on the shores of The Millpond.

STEAMworks presented the inaugural Ecology Picnic on the scenic shores of The Millpond at The Foundations in October 2022. The free, all-ages community event drew approximately 350 people, who browsed produce stalls from the Portland Rural Fire Brigade, Lithgow Environment Group, Lithgow Valley Mushrooms, Killibinbin Native Nursery and Blue Mountains Honey.

Free drop-in workshops ran throughout the day, including fly fishing lessons with Wallerawang CAS, daisy-chain creations with florist Rhonda Collins, plein-air sketching with artist-educator Linda Hine and clay model making with Ecological Arts Facilitator Julie-Ann Henninger. Dr Ricky Spencer, co-program lead of the 1 Million Turtles Community Conservation Program, also gave a talk raising awareness of local turtles.

A multi-sensory adult evening exploring the world of bees.

STEAMworks presented All about the Bees at The Annexe in September 2022, a multi-sensory evening exploring the world of bees through food, art and science. The event reached capacity and featured a honey-inspired seated dinner crafted by The Lithgow Tin Shed using locally sourced produce.

Sydney University PhD candidate Amelie Vanderstock hosted a drop-in Bee Hotel Workshop and a Bee-themed trivia quiz, while local visual artist Amanda Agustin led a participatory drawing activity exploring bee anatomy. Portland-based honey producers Steve and Genevieve Craig from Blue Mountains Honey brought along live bee hives and showcased their bee products.

Free drop-in science and art activities for kids at our Twilight Markets.

Throughout 2022, STEAMworks presented Kids Craft Corner at three Twilight Markets events at The Foundations. Each session offered free, drop-in science and art activities for 4 to 12 year olds, drawing between 50 and 150 participants each time.

Sydney University PhD candidate Amelie Vanderstock created and facilitated the activities, supported by STEAMworks staff. Kids got creative making creatures from natural and recycled materials, learning about native bees and pollinators, and singing along to ecology-themed songs.

A sold-out afternoon of science demonstrations for local kids.

STEAMworks hosted a School Holiday Science Workshop with Fizzics Education, an award-winning science engagement organisation, at The Annexe in July 2022. Suitable for 7 to 12 year olds, the three-hour program sold out within 48 hours of tickets being released.

Forty children travelled from Lithgow, Bathurst and the Blue Mountains to take part in interactive demonstrations exploring everyday sources of energy, the wonder of liquid nitrogen and the magnetic power of electricity.