Experience The Foundations
With the irresistible lure of so many different activities to enjoy, all in one easily walkable site, The Foundations is a destination unlike any other. The painted silos stop visitors in their tracks as they gaze up at the men & women whose stories are woven into the fabric of the town. The heritage buildings are now being activated with artists spaces, monthly and seasonal growers markets and workshops.
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Zig Zag Brewery
Established in the 1880s, the Zig Zag Brewery long supplied thirsty customers across the mountains and the Central West.
These days, they brew a variety of awarded and delicious drops. Having outgrown their original Lithgow premises, they’re now proud to host you in their new Portland Taproom servicing, Beer, local wine, cocktails and great food by the Fast Fox. Dog and children friendly.
These days, they brew a variety of awarded and delicious drops. Having outgrown their original Lithgow premises, they’re now proud to host you in their new Portland Taproom servicing, Beer, local wine, cocktails and great food by the Fast Fox. Dog and children friendly.
Silo Murals
The silos were painted in April and May 2018 by artist Guido Van Helten. Using the site of the mural as a natural focus, the artist heard from former employees and Portland natives alike to piece together a view of this former industrial community known as ‘the town that built Sydney.’
To gain an understanding of Portland inhabitants, the project began with a barbecue at the local RSL (Returned and Services League of Australia) in order to speak with them and learn more about their town. This also helped identify characters to speak with in order to learn more about life in the town and how the Cement Works has impacted the lives of those there.
After a few visits around town, it became clear that a view to the past was ubiquitous among locals, as if the remaining structures were a visceral, material representation of all the memories and stories that were in the minds of Portland.
The six individuals represented in the artwork are all former employees who shared their recollections of working at the Portland Cement Works and how their lives have been impacted by the industry in their town. From smoking breaks to municipal pools and company cottages, forbidden swimming holes, tragic losses, and unions, their anecdotes have given a unique insight in to life in a small town, labour and the affects that unencumbered industry can play in the daily lives of people.
To gain an understanding of Portland inhabitants, the project began with a barbecue at the local RSL (Returned and Services League of Australia) in order to speak with them and learn more about their town. This also helped identify characters to speak with in order to learn more about life in the town and how the Cement Works has impacted the lives of those there.
After a few visits around town, it became clear that a view to the past was ubiquitous among locals, as if the remaining structures were a visceral, material representation of all the memories and stories that were in the minds of Portland.
The six individuals represented in the artwork are all former employees who shared their recollections of working at the Portland Cement Works and how their lives have been impacted by the industry in their town. From smoking breaks to municipal pools and company cottages, forbidden swimming holes, tragic losses, and unions, their anecdotes have given a unique insight in to life in a small town, labour and the affects that unencumbered industry can play in the daily lives of people.
Artist in Residence
The Foundations are very excited to announce that we have renowned sculptural artist, Harrie Fasher, on site as our permanent Artist in Residence. Harrie is a highly accomplished metal sculptor who produces contemporary works on a large scale.
Harrie is a previous winner of Sculpture by the Sea in Cottesloe, has held residencies all over the world, and has her work represented through King street Gallery in Sydney. She has a long and distinguished career in the arts with a number of solo and collaborative exhibitions. Her works feature in collections at a number of respected galleries and in private collections.
“Harrie will be instrumental in building the arts programming at the Foundations in the coming years and we are very excited to see her get her studio and practice established in Portland,” said Rich Evans, Chief Reactivation Officer at The Foundations.
Harrie is a previous winner of Sculpture by the Sea in Cottesloe, has held residencies all over the world, and has her work represented through King street Gallery in Sydney. She has a long and distinguished career in the arts with a number of solo and collaborative exhibitions. Her works feature in collections at a number of respected galleries and in private collections.
“Harrie will be instrumental in building the arts programming at the Foundations in the coming years and we are very excited to see her get her studio and practice established in Portland,” said Rich Evans, Chief Reactivation Officer at The Foundations.
Twilight Markets
Markets at The Foundations started as a pop-up market in 2018 when Guido Van Helten was in town painting the Silo Murals. Once that project was finished, the outdoor market moved to an indoor space and has continued to grow into one of the regions most enjoyable markets each month.
We now hold quarterly Twilight Markets at Easter, June Long Weekend, October Long Weekend and Christmas.
The markets brings together a great range of local crafters, artisans and makers as well as local food providers and producers to offer a diverse selection of products. Being an indoor market, it is a warm and inviting space even in the coldest winter weekends.
We now hold quarterly Twilight Markets at Easter, June Long Weekend, October Long Weekend and Christmas.
The markets brings together a great range of local crafters, artisans and makers as well as local food providers and producers to offer a diverse selection of products. Being an indoor market, it is a warm and inviting space even in the coldest winter weekends.
The Annexe
The Annexe, Portland, is now open every Friday, Saturday and Monday from 10am – 4pm.
Local makers and producers products at the Producers Pantry every weekend, Popup Simply Wholefoods Café, Information on The Foundations development, Art and Sculpture on display and many other exciting events.
Located at the intersection of Williwa and Wolgan Streets, Portland NSW Opposite the Coronation Hotel.
Local makers and producers products at the Producers Pantry every weekend, Popup Simply Wholefoods Café, Information on The Foundations development, Art and Sculpture on display and many other exciting events.
Located at the intersection of Williwa and Wolgan Streets, Portland NSW Opposite the Coronation Hotel.
The Glen Museum
The collection is the result of lifelong work by local identity, the late Charlie Pinch, who worked at the cement works and his partner, the late Valerie Risby. Charlie started collecting and preserving items of the past in the early 1960s when he noticed the history of Portland disappearing in the wave of modernism and renovation occurring in Australia at the time.
The collection contains some unique and rare objects that provide a valuable insight into rural life in a town built around one industry and one company. It contains everyday household items, farming, hospital, social life, and business paraphernalia. The Glen is managed and maintained by a volunteer committee with continuing assistance from the relatives of Charlie and Valerie.
The Glen Museum is open every Saturday and Sunday between 11am and 3pm. To book a tour at another time call Fay for more information: 0411 289 607.
The collection contains some unique and rare objects that provide a valuable insight into rural life in a town built around one industry and one company. It contains everyday household items, farming, hospital, social life, and business paraphernalia. The Glen is managed and maintained by a volunteer committee with continuing assistance from the relatives of Charlie and Valerie.
The Glen Museum is open every Saturday and Sunday between 11am and 3pm. To book a tour at another time call Fay for more information: 0411 289 607.
Fishing
The dam adjacent to the Raffans Mill is the remnants of the original quarry that operated on the site. This is the smallest of three dams on the site and over the last 3 years a joint initiative with Western Acclimatisation and NSW Fisheries has seen the dam stocked with over 3000 fingerling trout. The fantastic conditions in the dam have seen these trout grow into healthy fish ready for any sports fisherman.
Current hours for fishing access are 7am – 7pm 7 days a week. Entry is behind St Stephens Church on Williwa Street, follow the ‘FISHING’ signs.
Current hours for fishing access are 7am – 7pm 7 days a week. Entry is behind St Stephens Church on Williwa Street, follow the ‘FISHING’ signs.
Location
A quiet rural town, Portland has a rich heritage of a single industry town. The site of Australia’s first cement works it supplied cement to some of Sydney’s most iconic buildings and became known as “the town that built Sydney”.
The Foundations shares a strong connection to the town centre of Portland situated on the Main Street and sharing the togetherness of a single industry town Portland is also known as a creative “arty town” with a growing community of artists, makers, and like -minded creatives taking up residence. The signs of yesteryear are a major tourist attraction with vintage advertising signs displayed throughout the town on character art deco buildings.
Ask any longtime local and they’ll tell you what they’ve always quietly known – the town that built Sydney has always been the heart of the central west.
The Foundations shares a strong connection to the town centre of Portland situated on the Main Street and sharing the togetherness of a single industry town Portland is also known as a creative “arty town” with a growing community of artists, makers, and like -minded creatives taking up residence. The signs of yesteryear are a major tourist attraction with vintage advertising signs displayed throughout the town on character art deco buildings.
Ask any longtime local and they’ll tell you what they’ve always quietly known – the town that built Sydney has always been the heart of the central west.