Holiday Workshops launch Creative Station and residencies.
Published on 06 January 2026
Creative Station to launch at Maryborough Railway Station with youth workshops and call for creative collaborators.
Central Goldfields Shire Council is launching an exciting new chapter for the historic Maryborough Railway Station these holidays, with the Creative Station opening to children and teenagers through a free, vibrant school holiday program.
There’s also an open call for Expressions of Interest for creative collaborators to take part in supported residencies at the Creative Station in early 2026.
The Creative Station – Engage and Inspire pilot program is transforming the northern end of our iconic station into a hub for creativity, collaboration and community connection, celebrating the region’s talent while inviting new ideas to shape the future of the space.
Central Goldfields Shire Deputy Mayor Councillor Anna de Villiers said the Creative Station represents an important investment in the region’s creative future.
“The Maryborough Railway Station is one of our most treasured landmarks, and through the Creative Station Project we’re giving it new life as a place for imagination, learning and connection,” Cr de Villiers said.
“Launching with school holiday workshops shows our commitment to young people, while the residency program invites our local creatives to help shape something truly special for the whole community.”
Our holiday program for young people offers hands-on opportunities to explore art, making and storytelling in a unique heritage setting. Workshops include:
Strange Garden Cardboard Installation Workshops
Young participants will create bold cardboard sculptures that will grow into a full installation. Delivered across four sessions and facilitated by Eliza-Jane Gilchrist, the workshops cater for two age groups: 8–12 and 13–18 years.
Dates: 12, 16, 19 and 27 January.
Teen Zine: It Your Way
A one-day workshop where young people aged 13–18 can design and make their own zine with guidance from TBH Studios.
Date: 20 January, 10am–1pm.
All workshops are free, with limited places available. Bookings are essential via Eventbrite.
At the same time, Council has opened a Call for Expressions of Interest for creative collaborators to take part in supported residencies at the Creative Station in early 2026.
Local creatives are invited to form cross-disciplinary teams and propose new collaborative projects to be developed onsite at the Railway Station. Two one-month residencies are available (12 February–8 March and 9 April–8 May 2026), each offering free access to the Creative Station space and a $500 support payment per group.
Residencies will focus on co-creation, experimentation and community engagement, with outcomes such as installations, open studios, workshops, performances or work-in-progress showings that respond to the place and the people of Central Goldfields.
Expressions of Interest close 18 January 2026.
The Creative Station project is delivered by Central Goldfields Shire Council and supported by the Victorian Government through Regional Development Victoria.
For workshop bookings, visit:
strangegarden.eventbrite.com.au
zineityourway.eventbrite.com.au
For residency information or to apply, contact:
Amanda Western, Manager Tourism, Events and Culture
amanda.western@cgoldshire.vic.gov.au