The Museum of the Riverina is gearing up for a vibrant summer holidays program, with a mixture of hands-on activities and standout exhibitions running across both its Botanic Gardens and Historic Council Chambers sites.
A centrepiece of the season is the 2026 Rare Trades Weekends program, celebrating the traditional skills local artisans and craftspeople are keeping alive.
The quarterly-run series will open on 17–18 January with a leatherworking weekend led by leather artisan Cassie Goding, of CG Creations.
Visitors can register for a series of practical workshops, crafting items such as keyrings, earrings, dog collars and hand-stitched card wallets while also learning practical leatherworking techniques.
Free live demonstrations, a drop-in leather stamping activity and a curated display of handcrafted goods for purchase will round out the experience.
Museum Education and Public Programs Officer Angus Cawdell-Smith said the Rare Trades program is an opportunity to connect community with a variety of skills and crafts used throughout our region, across cultures and generations.
"Launching the 2026 Rare Trades Weekends program is something that we are very much looking forward to," Mr Cawdell-Smith said. "It's such a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the local artisans who are keeping these skills alive, while also providing spaces where the community can also experience them firsthand."
Upcoming 2026 sessions will spotlight loom weaving with Ashculme Textiles, spoon carving with AC Woodwork, and calligraphy with Quill Fine Art Creations.
Families visiting the Botanic Gardens site can enjoy returning favourites including the LEGO Minifigure Hunt, Aussie Animal Origami and the Donkey Kong Arcade Game. At the Historic Council Chambers, two summer exhibitions will be on display: the 2025 Bald Archy Prize and the 2024 Southern Sky Astrophotography exhibition, both on show until 15 February 2026.
Mr Cawdell-Smith said the program offers something for all ages.
"We've designed this summer's program to offer something for everyone – hands-on workshops, family activities and two outstanding exhibitions not to be missed," he said.
"It's a great chance to explore, learn and be inspired."
