We welcome you to join us for the 2023 Yirranma Place Open Day, where members of the local community can explore our historic building which has been reimagined for social purpose, and engage with resident organisations to learn more about their impact.
Saturday, 2 December, from 10am to 1pm for a free family-friendly event that will delight all ages.
With a dedicated family-friendly space on level 2, the kids will be kept busy for hours. Get up close and personal to some animal friends at an exciting reptile show from experienced handlers. Turn into your favourite animal, superhero, or princess for the day with awesome face painting by professional artists. Join in on some sensory play and get silly with slime; it’ all happening!
Experience our nearly century-old organ, and hear your favourite carols come to life like you have never experienced before.
Discover Darlinghurst and Yirranma Place’s history through digital exhibitions, engage in conversations with our inspiring tenants and explore our public and private art collections through a guided tour with curators Barbara Flynn and Hannah Donnelly.
Jumpstart your holiday shopping at our social enterprise market, which includes a dedicated table for regional social enterprises, where every dollar spent is a force for good. By supporting these businesses, you help them build greater social impact as they seek to improve communities, provide access to employment and training, or help the environment.
You will need some delicious food to fuel your jam-packed day, so make sure to enjoy some delightful treats courtesy of Two Good Co (including their new collaboration with Gelato Messina!) There will plenty for you to sample and the cafe will be open from 10am.
Ground Floor Agenda
Welcome to Our Community Day! All activities are free of charge.
Time |
Activity |
| 10:00 am | Doors open |
| 10:00 am | Blue Gum Hall activities begin - Explore our Social Enterprise Christmas Markets, featuring unique handcrafted gifts. Get creative at the Christmas bauble station; for each one, we’ll donate $5 to CaringKids. |
| 10:05 am | Doors Open |
| 10:30 am | Moderated conversation session # 1 (15min) - Join an engaging discussion on important topics. |
| 10:45 am | Curated artist tour (40min) - Embark on an art-filled journey led by our knowledgeable guides. |
| 11:15 am | Moderated conversation session # 2 (15min) - Another chance to join a lively discussion with fellow community members. |
| 11:30 am | Organ performance: get into the festive spirit with Christmas carols |
| 12:00 pm | Lunch treats including sausage sizzle |
| 12:00 pm | Moderated conversation session # 3 (15min) - Don't miss this final thought-provoking discussion. |
| 12:30 pm | Organ finale |
| 1:00 pm | Conclusion of Community Day |
Level 2 Agenda
Welcome to the Kids Zone! All activities are free of charge, but children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Time | Activity |
| 10:00 am | Kids Zone open |
| 10:00 am | Activity Zone beings (3hrs) - Get ready for a day of fun with exciting activities:
|
| 10:00 am | Morning tea |
| 10:15 am | Feature Creatures: Reptile show (1hr) - Get up close and personal with fascinating reptiles in this interactive show. |
| 11:45 am | Weaving Circle learn the tradition art of weaving with artist Shellie Smith |
| 12:00 pm | Sausage sizzle available |
| 12: pm | Kids Zone closes |
Activations and Activities
Two Good to Miss
Spreading love and supporting women and children escaping domestic violence and homelessness this holiday season, the Open Day will host a Two Good Co. x Gelato Messina pop-up.
Two Good's bespoke gelato flavour - Two Good To Miss - will be available to sample - while stocks last!
Feature Creatures
Join Jackie and her team from 10:15 am and you might even get up close and personal with some!
Traditional weaving
with Shellie Smith
Learn the traditional skill of weaving with artist and Associate Lecturer Shellie Smith. Shellie is a proud Awabakal woman and an 8th generation Novocastrian. She uses a combination of research and creative practice to reconnect to her Aboriginal heritage. Shellie has a love for living history and uses the recreation of artefacts to rebuild her culture and make the traditional relatable to today.
Join Shellie from 11:45 am to learn about traditional east coast Aboriginal weaving techniques using traditional and contemporary materials. All ages, genders and abilities are welcome to participate in this drop-in session.
Curator art tour
Join Yirranma Place curators Barbara Flynn and Hannah Donnelly as they guide participants through the Yirranma Place Art Collection including pieces in locations not normally accessible to the public.
Hannah Donnelly is a Wiradjuri writer, curator and producer. She is currently Producer, First Nations Programs at Information + Cultural Exchange and member of the curatorium for the 23 Biennale of Sydney.
Barbara Flynn is a curatorial advisor to local and state governments, educational institutions, foundations, development companies and architectural firms - specialising in Australian and international contemporary and emerging art. Flynn works with artists to guide the creation of singular new works of art for the public realm.
Social enterprise market
Learn about social enterprise and jumpstart your holiday shopping at our social enterprise market, which includes a dedicated table for regional social enterprises, where every dollar spent is a force for good. By supporting these businesses, you help them build a stronger social impact as they seek to improve communities, provide access to employment and training, or help the environment.
There will be something for everyone on your list with products including stationary, homewares and decor, hampers, and clothing and accessories.
Learn about our impact
- Burraga Foundation
- Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia
- Community Resources
- Foyer Foundation
- For Purpose Investment Partners
- Global Sisters
- Just Reform Initiative
- Sefa Partnerships
- SMART Recovery Australia
- Youth Action
Bauble decorating for charity
Get into the Christmas spirit while giving back to the community by decorating your very own Christmas bauble to add to your Christmas tree. For every bauble decorated, the Paul Ramsay Foundation will make a donation to Yirranma Place’s Christmas partner, CaringKids, who do amazing work in supporting young carers. They will provide packages of toys, games and stationary just in time for the holiday season.
Heritage J. R. Dodd organ
The 1925 J. E. Dodd orchestral-style organ is highly regarded as one of the most important organs in New South Wales. It will be enchanting visitors with Christmas carols in the auditorium throughout the day.
Venue
Yirranma Place is a community precinct for social purpose with philanthropy at its heart.
“Yirranma” is translated from Gadigal to “many-create”. This indicates the purpose of the precinct - a place where people come together to create and connect in the Darlinghurst neighbourhood. Yirranma Place is a space where for-purpose organisations, social enterprises, and people working for social change can collaborate; and for the local community to enjoy, from picking up a coffee to browsing displays, or attending an event.
Getting here
Bus:- 389: The nearest bus stop is Burton St opposite the National Art School
- 380 + 333: Bus stop is located on Oxford Street Taylor Square; Oxford St, Stand D
- Kings Cross station is an 8-minute walk via Darlinghurst Rd
- Museum station is a 12-minute walk via Liverpool St
- There is metered street parking available, but no onsite parking
- The nearest parking station is Wilsons Parking on Riley Street
House Rules
By entering Yirranma Place, you are consenting to adhere to our House Rules. To view the House Rules in detail, please click here.