Chifley Home & Education Centre

07/05/2026

We were absolutely stoked to welcome Museums of History NSW for their SOLD OUT presentation at Chifley Home and Education Centre today!

The talk was fascinating, and the objects on display were even better. It was such a wonderful opportunity to see items from their collection, some of which related directly to Bathurst and even right within the Chifley Home.

Visit Bathurst NSW Bathurst Regional Council

24/04/2026

Lest we forget.

Text in video reads:
On 15 August 1945, Prime Minister Ben Chifley announced the end of the war against Japan. “Let us remember those whose lives were given that we may enjoy this glorious moment and may look forward to a peace which they have won for us.
Let us remember those whose thoughts, with proud sorrow, turn towards gallant, loved ones who will not come back.

On behalf of the people and the Government of Australia I offer humble thanks to the fighting men of the United Nations whose gallantry, sacrifice and devotion to duty have brought us to victory. Nothing can fully repay the debt we owe them nor can history record in adequate terms their deeds from the black days that followed September 1939 and December 1941, until this moment.”

Lest we forget.

22/04/2026

Very cool to see Bathurst right at the beginning of this clip from NFSA - National Film and Sound Archive of Australia!

20/04/2026

We will be open every day over the ANZAC Day long weekend, 11am-3pm


Visit Bathurst NSW Bathurst Regional Council Central NSW Tourism

14/04/2026

We are really looking forward to welcoming Museums of History NSW to Chifley Home & Education Centre in a few weeks for a fascinating presentation from their experts, with an opportunity to view original collection material such as wallpaper, trade catalogues and architectural pattern books.

Book now! https://events.humanitix.com/making-home-a-short-history-of-houses-interiors-and-gardens-in-nsw

10.30am, Thursday 7 May

Bathurst Regional Council Central NSW Tourism Bathurst Heritage Matters Bathurst District Historical Society Arts Outwest

14/04/2026

We are really looking forward to welcoming Museums of History NSW to Chifley Home & Education Centre in a few weeks for a fascinating presentation from their experts, with an opportunity to view original collection material such as wallpaper, trade catalogues and architectural pattern books.

Book now!

https://events.humanitix.com/making-home-a-short-history-of-houses-interiors-and-gardens-in-nsw

10.30am, Thursday 7 May

Drawing on Museums of History NSW’s rich collections, our experts will deliver illustrated presentations followed by a Q&A.

03/04/2026

Celebrating 150 Years of Rail in Bathurst

At Bathurst railway station on Tuesday 4 April 1876, “the gathering … was immense. Fully six thousand people were congregated here. At fifteen minutes past one a powerful engine, gaily decorated with evergreens, and drawing seven carriages, glided up to the Bathurst station amidst tremendous cheers.”

The completion of the railway between Sydney and Bathurst in 1876 was instrumental to the development of the colony of New South Wales. The Main Western Line was celebrated as a marvel of engineering that opened up trade, transport and communication opportunities for people living inland.

The railway also marked a new social and cultural era for communities in inland NSW. Besides giving working class people access to stable jobs and vocational education, the Railway Institute in Bathurst offered support and leisure activities for railway workers and their families. Ben Chifley, besides working on the railway prior to entering politics, taught at the Railway Institute, helping other workers in the industry learn their trades.

📸 Ben Chifley; Bathurst Railway Station, 1884, NSW State Archives


Visit Bathurst NSW Bathurst Regional Council

02/04/2026

Bathurst locals!

Save petrol, save money but still keep everyone entertained these Autumn school holidays and tick museums off your .

Buy a ticket to ALL FOUR museums and save A THIRD of the admission cost!

Adult: $40 (save $20) // Concession: $29 (save $15) // Family: $104 (save $52). Purchase at any museum, valid for two weeks.

30/03/2026

We will be OPEN EVERY DAY over Easter weekend, 11am-3pm


Bathurst Regional Council Visit Bathurst NSW Central NSW Tourism

20/03/2026

Collection Focus // Chifley Home Laundry

The laundry is thought to have been constructed in 1945 and is built out of fibro which was a cheap and readily available building material during the 1940s when building materials were short due to the war.

Although the laundry and its equipment appear Spartan, it would have been extremely modern for the 1940s. The gas-fuelled copper with its own water tap would have been ‘heaven sent’ compared to the earlier wood-fuelled models. The twin cement tubs and the manual ‘Acme’ wringer would have made Mrs Clark’s work a great deal easier than her predecessors.