A bustling outdoor market features people exploring various white-tented stalls. Lush green trees and purple flowers create a vibrant, lively atmosphere.

Woronora Heritage Day welcomes hundreds to celebrate local history

Metropolitan Memorial Parks

26 May 2026

Woronora Memorial Park and Crematorium welcomed the community on Saturday, 2 May as part of the Australian Heritage Festival, to gather to celebrate the annual Woronora Heritage Day, enjoying a full day of history, culture and connection. The event attracted an enthusiastic crowd of all ages who delighted in exploring the remarkable grounds and Woronora’s heritage while taking part in a wide range of activities from guided tours to hands-on demonstrations.

Heritage, discovery and community

Visitors spent the day discovering the not-so-well-known stories and areas of Woronora Memorial Park and Crematorium. The program guided chapel and crematorium tours and informative talks, with announcements delivered in true traditional style by the event’s town crier.

A group of people stand in a vibrant rose garden, listening to a speaker. A historic white art deco building and gazebo are visible in the background.

Dead Famous walking tour

A standout highlight was the Dead Famous Walking Tour led by Ned Dickson from Real History Walking Tours. The tour attracted a great number of curious visitors keen to learn about some of Woronora’s notable residents, including Albert Lenertz and Cathy Warnes.

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History on display

The heritage gallery display in the chapel courtyard offered a reflective space for visitors, showcasing the rich history and stories of Woronora Memorial Park and Crematorium, through historical photographs and archival material

Meanwhile, history and car enthusiasts were also drawn to the vintage police and ambulance vehicles on display, showing a glimpse back in time of old-fashioned emergency service transport.

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Craftsmanship in action

Who said stonemasonry was a dying art? Visitors marvelled at the traditional craftsmanship as our Stonemason team demonstrated the hand-carving techniques used for memorials and inscriptions, highlighting the precision, patience and artistry behind the work. The live demonstration offered a rare opportunity to appreciate the skill involved in this craft, which continues to be used across our memorial parks today.

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Community, music and connection

Local community groups provided visitors with the chance to connect with organisations that support history, remembrance and local culture. These included funeral directors, history groups, Australian Plants Society and Sutherland Shire Spinners and Weavers demonstrating their craft in action. Live music from local performer Jordan Kenny added a relaxing ambience, while visitors enjoyed a sausage sizzle run by Sutherland Shire Lions Club.

Beyond the activities, Woronora Heritage Day offered something deeper: a reminder of the important role memorial parks play in the community. While they are places of remembrance, they are also places for reflection, learning and connection. Events like Heritage Day help to re‑introduce these remarkable spaces as living parts of the community, places where stories are shared, history is honoured and people come together.