The Riverina is starting the year off strong. Photo: Visit NSW.
As the Christmas break becomes a distant memory, the Riverina starts to heat up with more events, more excitement and more community fun. Check out our list of all the best workshops, cooking classes, live music, stand-up comedy, markets, art exhibitions and more.
The Museum of the Riverina opens its doors with a series of leathercrafting workshops from CG Creations, providing classes about how to craft your own wallets, dog collars, keyrings, earrings and more.
Stand-up comic Dilruk Jayasinha, known for his appearances on Utopia, MasterChef Australia, I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here and Spicks & Spicks, comes to the Thirsty Crow to split sides with his act, which has sold out shows across the country.
Families looking for something to occupy their kids before the school holidays end have a great chance to develop them, through lifesaving courses and junior cooking classes.
Multiple Days
Vital lessons on water safety at Wagga Leisure. Photo: Visit NSW.
Outback Lifesavers Wagga Wagga
When: 19 to 22 January, 9 to 10 am
Where: Wagga Leisure, 50 Morgan Street, Wagga
Cost: Tickets are $100 | Book online.
Outback Lifesavers is about reminding rural and regional people that just because they live far from the coast, that doesn’t mean they can disregard water safety. Developed for both under 7s and under 12s, this class is a chance for young lifesavers to improve their skills and understanding regarding safety, especially regarding inland waterways.
Students will gain increased aquatic skills, greater community safety knowledge, a better understanding of aquatic environments, including pools, rivers, lakes and dams, all while learning how to safely enjoy outdoor spaces.
Looking to pick up a new skill or craft? Photo: Museum of the Riverina.
Rare Trades Weekends Summer Session – Leathercrafting
When: 17 and 18 January, numerous times
Where: Museum of the Riverina, 127 Lord Baden Powell Drive, Wagga
Cost: Prices vary | Check website for more info.
Leather artisan Cassie Goding from CG Creations is hosting a weekend of creativity and craftsmanship at the Museum of the Riverina, giving members of the public a chance to try their hand at leathercraft.
Across Saturday and Sunday, the weekend’s classes include a keyring and coaster workshop, an earring and keyring workshop, a dog collar workshop and a card wallet workshop.
There will be live demonstrations of stitching and hardware use, as well as a range of handcrafted leather goods for purchase and a drop-in leather stamping experience.
Friday
The Thirsty Crow hosts comedian Dilruk Jayasinha. Photo: Visit Wagga.
Dilruk Jayasinha – Stand Up Comedy at the Thirsty Crow
When: 16 January, 8 pm
Where: The Thirsty Crow, 153 Fitzmaurice Street, Wagga
Cost: Tickets are $30 | Book online.
After moving from Sri Lanka to Melbourne to get a degree in accounting, Dilruk Jayasinha worked for a big bank, thinking that this was his path, until he performed at an open mic night in 2010. That’s where the career of one of Australia’s most in-demand comedians started and now he’s known across the country for his style of upbeat, personal comedy. He has sold out shows across the country and has appeared on some of the country’s favourite shows, including Utopia, MasterChef Australia, I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, Spicks & Spicks, Have You Been Paying Attention, and many more.
Don’t miss out on an Aussie comic talent coming to Wagga.
Saturday
A gateway into agricultural and local history awaits. Photo: Visit NSW.
Tallimba Vintage Harvest Day
When: 17 January, 10 am
Where: Tallimba Sports Ground, Tallimba
Cost: Adult tickets $20 | Pensioner $10 | Under 16 free | Pay at the gate. EFTPOS available, cash preferred.
Tallimba’s annual Harvest Day Festival is back, offering a look through the past to the agricultural history that is such a vital part of the area’s heritage.
There will be plenty of events such as the tractor pull, vintage engines will be fired up, there will be a tractor, truck and machinery display, as well as static header displays.
In addition, the day’s celebrations will feature market stalls with local crafts and produce, a barbecue and a bar serving up refreshments to beat the heat.
Don’t miss out on Riverina’s Summer School of Strings Finale Concert. Photo: Visit Wagga Wagga.
Riverina Summer School of Strings Finale Concert
When: 17 January, 2 pm
Where: Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Burns Way (off Tarcutta Street), Wagga
Cost: Tickets from $5 | Book online.
The Riverina Summer School of Strings is wrapping up for the year but it’s celebrating a week of musical excellence with its Grand Finale Concert, showcasing the talents of the next generation of string players performing in orchestras, ensembles and solos.
The Grand Finale Concert features a variety of different string orchestras of up to 30 players performing in jazz ensembles and chamber music. Don’t miss out on the culmination of a full week of musical excellence.
Sunday
The first Riverside Markets of the year are on. Photo: Visit NSW.
Riverside Markets
When: 18 January, 10 am to 2 pm
Where: CSU Riverina Playhouse, 8 Cross Street, Wagga
Cost: Free.
The first Riverside Markets of the year are here, bringing the great range of activities and stalls that the community has come to expect.
This community-based market has a great range of food, drinks, handmade products, art, crafts, local produce, children’s activities, entertainment and more.
Wednesday
If your teen needs to improve their cooking skills, this is a great way to introduce them to the culinary world. Image: Food I am.
Junior Chef Class with Food I Am
When: 21 January, 1 to 3 pm
Where: Food I Am, 29 Kunzea Place, Springvale
Cost: Tickets $80 | Book online.
If you have a teen who needs a bit of a push in the right direction to pick up some culinary skills, Food I Am is holding a special workshop class aimed at 11- to 16-year-olds who want to experiment and learn new skills in the kitchen.
Young people who sign up to this class will build on their kitchen confidence by learning how to cook crispy beef tortillas with mango and charred corn salsa and coriander-lime cream, as well as a dessert of cinnamon churro muffin bites.
Chefs will then sit down and enjoy a banquet-style meal to put their creations to the test.
Thursday
Check out local art at the Bundawarrah Centre. Photo: Visit NSW.
Brush With Art – Exhibition at Temora Opening Day
When: 22 January, 9:30 am to 5 pm
Where: Bundawarrah Centre, 29 Junee Road
Cost: Free.
The yearly Brush With Art Exhibition at the Temora Museum is a showcase of regional artistic talent, displaying the works of members of the local creative community.
This year’s theme was still life, exploring colour and composition through the famous medium as well as studies from famous artists whose influence continues to impact creatives. Each example of art reflects the efforts and development of the individual artist and their personal interaction with the chosen theme.
Works will be available for purchase.
