Museum of the Riverina

22/06/2026

📣 Spoon carving comes to the Museum SOON!

Even though the workshop is sold out, there's plenty of spoon carving to experience!

Watch artisan Ash Credlin demonstrate traditional axe-focused carving techniques as he transforms recycled timber into beautiful handmade spoons.

Browse the AC Woodworks pop-up shop on Sunday and discover thoughtfully crafted wooden pieces designed to be used, cherished and passed on.

Live demonstration
📅 Sunday 5 July | 10am
🛍 Pop-up wood carving shop onsite
📍 Museum of the Riverina | Botanic Gardens Site
👉https://museumriverina.com.au/whats-on/rare-trades-weekends/winter-session-spoon-carving

19/06/2026

🗓️ ONE SLEEP until chess at the Museum of the Riverina Botanic Gardens Site!

A quick reminder that the Wagga Community Chess Club meets TOMORROW morning. It's always a great time, relaxed, friendly, and completely free.

Whether it's your first session or your fourth, you're warmly welcome.

📅 Saturday 20 June
🕥 10:30am – 12:30pm
📍 Botanic Gardens Site, 127 Lord Baden Powell Drive, Wagga Wagga
🎟️ FREE

Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

We'll see you on the board! ♟️

16/06/2026

♟️ WINTER CHESS IS THE BEST CHESS.

There's no better way to spend a cool Saturday morning than over a chess board with great people. The Wagga Community Chess Club is back this weekend and it's FREE!

Whether you're looking to sharpen your skills or simply enjoy a friendly game, come along to the Museum of the Riverina Botanic Gardens Site and join our growing community of players.

📅 Saturday 20 June
🕥 10:30am – 12:30pm
📍 Botanic Gardens Site, 127 Lord Baden Powell Drive, Wagga Wagga
🎟️ FREE

All ages and skill levels welcome. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Know someone who'd love this? Bring them along! ♟️

15/06/2026

Help protect an important piece of Wagga Wagga’s history.

The Kangaroo March Banner has survived for more than a century and remains a powerful symbol of the people and stories connected to Wagga Wagga during World War I.

To ensure this nationally significant object can be cared for into the future, Museum of the Riverina has launched a public appeal to support essential conservation works.

By donating, you’re helping preserve a unique part of our region’s history and ensuring future generations can continue to connect with the stories it represents.

The banner is currently on display at Museum of the Riverina Botanic Gardens site until 26 July.

We’d love your support.

Donate here: museumriverina.com.au/kangaroo

11/06/2026

Great news for anyone who's been eyeing off the upcoming Hands-On-History Experiences: The Tichborne Claimant in Wagga Wagga! 🎉

Family History Holidays is offering free tickets to both events, the Workshop (Friday 12 June) and the Discovery Day (Saturday 13 June, day package only, accommodation not included) when you use the code KatesMatesRates at checkout.

That's the half-day workshop at Museum of the Riverina, or the complete Discovery Day experience, curated activities, local experts and great food.

🔗 Book now: https://www.familyhistoryholidays.com.au/hands-on-history-experiences-events

Spaces are limited, don't sit on it!

09/06/2026

You can get your history fix this Saturday with Family History Holidays' Discovery Day.

Dive into the fascinating story of the Tichborne Claimant with family historian Brad Argent and discover the truth behind one of Britain's longest and most expensive legal trials.

Tickets are limited, find out more below.

Do you know the story of the Tichbourne trial? In 1865, a man turned up in Wagga Wagga claiming to be a missing English baronet who'd been presumed dead for years. He could barely remember basic facts about his supposed noble family. And for a while, some of them believed him anyway.

The Tichborne Claimant case became one of the longest, most expensive legal trials in British history. And it started right here in the Riverina.

This Saturday (13 June), family historian Brad Argent will walk a small group of guests through the full story with records and evidence and what Wagga's archives actually reveal. It's a private event for people who want to go deeper into the Riverina's history and limited to 20 spots.

If you're not a Wagga local, you can also include two nights’ accommodation at The Houston in your ticket.

If you've got roots in the region, or you're just the kind of person who finds this stuff fascinating, join us.

Find out more and book your spot: https://www.familyhistoryholidays.com.au/hands-on-history-experiences-events

Image via Museum of the Riverina

08/06/2026

Meet the artisan: Ash Credlin of AC Woodworks

For Ash Credlin, every piece of timber tells a story.

Through AC Woodworks, Ash transforms recycled Australian timber into beautifully handcrafted spoons and timber pieces, shaped using traditional hand tools and a thoughtful approach to slow making. From fallen log to finished piece, each creation reflects Ash’s respect for honest materials, sustainability, and the unique character found in every grain of wood.

Specialising in handcrafted spoons, art pieces and timber goods, Ash’s work celebrates the beauty of simple forms and objects designed to be used, treasured and passed on.

Join us at Rare Trades Weekends this July to see Ash demonstrate the craft of greenwood spoon carving and browse a range of handcrafted wooden spoons available to purchase.

📅 Saturday 4 & Sunday 5 July
📍 Museum of the Riverina | Botanic Gardens Site
👉️ https://museumriverina.com.au/whats-on/rare-trades-weekends/winter-session-spoon-carving

05/06/2026

♟️ Tomorrow's forecast: chess, good company, and zero entry fee.

The Wagga Community Chess Club is on again this Saturday morning and we'd love you to be part of it!

Pop down to the Museum of the Riverina Botanic Gardens Site for a relaxed session with fellow players from all walks of life. No membership required. No experience necessary.

📅 Saturday 6 June
🕥 10:30am– 12:30pm
📍 Botanic Gardens Site, 127 Lord Baden Powell Drive, Turvey Park
🎟️ FREE

Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

We hope to see you there! 🏛️

02/06/2026

🏛️ CHESS + A BEAUTIFUL SETTING = this Saturday!

If you haven't visited the Museum of the Riverina Botanic Gardens Site yet, you're in for a treat, and what better reason to head out than a FREE morning of chess with the Wagga Community Chess Club?

You can join us every second Saturday until July 18. Every week brings new faces, new games, and new stories. Come test your tactics in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

📅 Saturday 6 June
🕥 10:30am– 12:30pm
📍 Botanic Gardens Site, 127 Lord Baden Powell Drive, Turvey Park
🎟️ FREE

All levels welcome. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

♟️ Your next move starts here.

31/05/2026

A remarkable piece of Wagga Wagga’s history needs our help.

The Kangaroo March Banner is one of only three known World War I recruitment banners held in museum collections across Australia. Carried during the 1915 Kangaroo March, it stands as a powerful reminder of our region’s ANZAC history and the people who came together in a defining moment for Wagga Wagga.

More than 100 years on, this nationally significant object now requires specialist conservation.

Museum of the Riverina is calling for donations to the Kangaroo March Banner Appeal, and we’re inviting our community to help preserve this important piece of local history for future generations.

You can see the banner on display at Museum of the Riverina Botanic Gardens site until 26 July.

Every donation makes a difference.

Donate here: museumriverina.com.au/kangaroo