Wallsend's rich history to be celebrated with 150th event

City of Newcastle will host a large-scale community event to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Wallsend's municipality in 2024.

The event will be planned in partnership with the Wallsend community and include family-friendly activations throughout the town centre, cultural performances, storytelling and a legacy time capsule to be developed with local schools.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said Wallsend's Indigenous and post-colonial history was unique to the region and the suburb's emergence as a strong multicultural community was worth celebrating.

"Wallsend's history stretches back tens of thousands of years and in 1874 was declared a municipality home to many workers and their families of the Wallsend-Newcastle Coal Company," Cr Nelmes said.

"In recognition of the important role Wallsend's community has played in our city's growth and development, City of Newcastle is planning a large-scale celebratory event for the community with a range of free activities for locals and visitors to enjoy.

"The event will be held in August, a time where in recent years thousands of people have descended on the town centre for the popular Winter Fair, activating Wallsend Park and Nelson Street."

Ward Four Councillors welcomed the event, which will be an opportunity to showcase Wallsend's history and culture to a broader audience while demonstrating the town centre's modern vibrancy.

"Wallsend is a unique, dynamic and close-knit community, which has emerged as a multicultural hub attracting many young families to set down their roots in the area," Cr Deahnna Richardson said.

"Our 150th celebration will be the hallmark event of the year for Wallsend, with rides, music, cultural activities and the opportunity for people to immerse themselves in the suburb's history," Cr Callum Pull said.

"City of Newcastle will engage with the community including traditional custodians, schools, businesses, sporting groups, and the heritage association to deliver an event that celebrates Wallsend through time, its present community and leave a legacy through public art and a time capsule for future generations," Cr Elizabth Adamczyk said.

"We know the community loved the Wallsend Winter Fair delivered through the former business association and while that event has stalled post COVID-19, the 150th celebration will be an opportunity to bring thousands of visitors back to the beautiful Wallsend town centre." Cr Nelmes said.

The Wallsend 150th celebration will be held on Saturday 17 August 2024 from 1-6pm, with the full program of events to be delivered in consultation with the local community.