2016 Maitland Gaol Activities Program
Contents SELF GUIDED AUDIO TOURS
GUIDED TOURS
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ANNUAL SCHOOL HOLIDAYS PROGRAM
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GAOL EXHIBITION PROGRAM
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UNIQUE SPACES
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EVENT PROGRAM JANUARY Exhibition: Food and Food Production
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My Bloody Valentine
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FEBRUARY MARCH Make your own chocolate Easter egg
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Exhibition: Discovery and Rediscoveries
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Autumn school holidays program
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APRIL
The program, times, dates and prices are correct at the time of publishing. Maitland Gaol reserves the right to delete, alter or change the price of any items in the program without notice. Tour prices are valid until 30 June 2016. Bookings are essential for all events.
Bookings essential. Book online at maitlandgaol.com.au
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MAY A Spooky Friday the 13th
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Dig up National Archaeology Week
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JULY Winter school holidays program
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Christmas in July 11
AUGUST Exhibition: Not your usual Neighbours
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SEPTEMBER Lock up Dad for Father’s Day
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Spring school holidays program
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Maitland Gaol Open Day
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OCTOBER Spring school holidays program
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NOVEMBER Bitter & Twisted Boutique Beer Festival
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Christmas at the Gaol
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Bookings essential. Book online at maitlandgaol.com.au
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SELF GUIDED AUDIO TOURS DAILY Unlock the gates to Maitland Gaol by taking one of three daily self guided audio tours of the facility and get a different perspective of the Gaol by exploring the site at your own pace. Wander the Gaol’s grounds walking in the steps of prisoners of the past, weaving in and out of the cells that some of the country’s most notorious criminals called home. Maitland Gaol Revealed gives you an insight into the history of the Gaol and what it was like to work and live inside, Escaping Maitland Gaol explores the numerous successful and unsuccessful escapes from the Gaol’s walls and Snitch’s Gaol Exploration is specifically designed for children aged 4 - 12 years. Each tour takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. Auslan and captioned tours also available. 9.00am - 4.00pm Monday to Friday 10.00am - 4.00pm Saturday & Sunday $22.00 per adult $16.00 per child or concession 1
GUIDED TOURS
At SCHEDULED TIMES If a guided tour sounds more like your cup of tea, then you’re in luck. Run regularly throughout the year, Maitland Gaol offers a variety of themed guided tours where you can hear firsthand about the captivating stories of life behind bars inside the once maximum security prison. Some of the guided tours may contain material not suitable for children aged 14 years and under (or for adults who may be a bit squeamish). The guided tours run for approximately 90 minutes. Please check availability and pricing online or by contacting Maitland Gaol on 4936 6482.
ANNUAL SCHOOL HOLIDAYS PROGRAM Each and every school holidays in 2016 Maitland Gaol is offering adults at children’s prices for the self guided audio tours and guided day tours. Take advantage of the discounted tours, which make a Maitland Gaol tour an affordable excuse to temporarily lock up your kids during the school holidays. The self guided audio tours are available daily throughout the holidays, with extra activities included as part of the children’s tour Snitch’s Gaol Exploration. Guided tours will also run daily during the school holidays where expert guides will show you through the Gaol, telling you about its vibrant history and some untold stories only reserved for guided tours. Each school holiday period has a range of fun activities scheduled for children. Please see the individual school holiday periods in this program for further information on the activities available. Autumn school holidays: 9 - 25 April, see page 8 for full program. Winter school holidays: 2 - 17 July, see page 11 for full program. Spring school holidays: 24 September - 9 October, see page 14 for full program.
Bookings essential. Book online at maitlandgaol.com.au
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GAOL EXHIBITION PROGRAM Throughout the year the Maitland Gaol Auditorium will host three temporary exhibitions. From January the Food and Food Production Exhibition will be featured in the kitchen garden and Auditorium, highlighting the importance of food at Maitland Gaol. In April the Discovery and Rediscoveries Exhibition will be launched in celebration of the National Trust Heritage Festival, then in August the Auditorium will be home to the Not your usual Neighbours Exhibition to mark History Week. All exhibitions will be on show over four months and provide a strong link to the many fascinating stories and years of history at Maitland Gaol.
FOOD AND FOOD PRODUCTION January - April 2016 With the poorest quality of food being distributed to NSW prisons in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, Maitland Gaol became self sufficient by growing its own fresh produce between 1870 and 1975. Maitland Gaol successfully ran a number of gardens which not only fed the prisoners at Maitland but also a large quantity of fresh produce sent to other NSW prisons. Extensive research has been undertaken on the Gaol’s garden and food production to create an exhibition celebrating this important part of the Gaol’s history. The exhibition is an opportunity to learn more about food and food production at Maitland Gaol. An example of the Gaol garden has been installed around the kitchen building and images of the former gardens are available to view in the Auditorium.
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Discovery and Rediscoveries April - August 2016 To celebrate the National Trust Heritage Festival, Maitland Gaol will launch the Discovery and Rediscoveries Exhibition. This unique exhibition will take you on a journey to rediscover lost artefacts and discover new stories about the Gaol’s vibrant history. Visitors will get a chance to discover some of the artefacts found in the previous archaeological dig that took place within the grounds of Maitland Gaol. These rediscoveries helped the staff at the Gaol interpret information that was unclear, such as where buildings had been on the site and who lived and worked inside these buildings.
Not your usual Neighbours August - December 2016 Have you ever imagined what it would be like to live next door to a maximum security prison? To mark History Week, Maitland Gaol will launch its Not your usual Neighbours Exhibition, which will be an opportunity to uncover the wealth of knowledge that the Maitland community possess’ about one of the most iconic heritage buildings in NSW. This exhibition will look at how the local community groups, St Vincent de Paul and the Salvation Army, played a vital role in supporting prisoners at Maitland Gaol through art projects, sports and sport supplies, donating to the Gaol library or by simply offering moral support. The exhibition, located in the Auditorium, will showcase pieces donated by these community groups and made by prisoners in the support programs. We’d love to hear your stories about Maitland Gaol. If you have memories of the Gaol you’d like to share please contact Maitland Gaol on 4936 6482 or info@maitlandgaol.com.au
Bookings essential. Book online at maitlandgaol.com.au
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MY BLOODY VALENTINE Why not get a little quirky this Valentine’s Day and unlock your special someone’s heart with a unique dinner and tour at Maitland Gaol. Treat your special someone to a delicious valentine’s inspired three course dinner at Blackbird Artisan Bakery, followed by a fascinating tour of the Gaol focusing on crimes of passion that lead to incarceration in the facility. Cupid has come to Maitland Gaol! Sunday 14 February 6.00pm $65.00 per person
MAKE YOUR OWN CHOCOLATE EASTER EGG Can you ever have too much chocolate? Well Easter is the perfect time to answer this question, and to help, you’re invited to Maitland Gaol to make your very own chocolate Easter egg. During a special class in the Gaol’s kitchen you will be shown the art of chocolate egg making, and the best bit is that once you’ve put your egg together you can take it home to enjoy or give to someone as an ‘eggstra’ special Easter gift. Hop to it to secure your place before the chocolate is all gone. Monday 28 March 11.00am Suitable for ages 10+ $20.00 per person
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AUTUMN SCHOOL HOLIDAYS PROGRAM
9 - 25 April
There’s always something new to discover at Maitland Gaol during the school holidays. The autumn school holidays program is packed with treasure hunts, prisoner experiences and a chance to learn more about what it was like to be a prisoner at Maitland Gaol. Visit our website for the dates and times of each school holiday activity closer to the holiday period.
Dig for gaol treasure Digging for treasure at a gaol seems odd, doesn’t it? But during this mini tour, children will get to see and hear about some of the interesting and very peculiar things that have been found on the site. They will even get the opportunity to become archaeologists themselves, where they can dig in specially designed tubs to see what they can discover. The only question is what will you find? Suitable for ages 5 - 12 $10.00 per person
Unlock your prisoner experience Ever wondered what life was like for the earliest prisoners at Maitland Gaol? This kid’s themed tour focuses on the routines of prison life. When the tour begins kids are given a prison number, crime and sentence. The tour guide will then lead them through a walk of the Gaol, explaining what life in maximum security prison is like and showing them where prisoners slept, ate and how they spent their day. Spoiler alert, at the end of the tour they will even get to meet a prisoner* (no real prisoners are used in the making of this tour). Suitable for ages 5 - 14 $22.00 per person *Please note the ‘prisoner’ at the end of this tour is an actor and has not served any prison time. Bookings essential. Book online at maitlandgaol.com.au
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Discover your inner prisoner Prisoner descriptions were an important way for staff at the Gaol to identify and recognise prisoners and have also become an important tool by which historians learn about prisoners of the past. When describing prisoner’s features their height, hair and eye colour, skin tone and any scars or tattoos could have been used to identify a person. As part of this activity kids will take part in a mini tour of the site before getting the chance to pair up with one another to create their own prisoner description. It will be a whole bunch of fun discovering your inner prisoner. Suitable for ages 5 - 14 $10.00 per person (includes tour)
Sneak a peek into the Goal’s history One of the benefits of being as old as Maitland Gaol is that the facility has an incredible amount of records and historic items from the past. These records include a number of archives that help us piece together the stories of those that passed through the Gaol’s gates and called Maitland Gaol home. Gaol staff have already uncovered some of these stories, but we still need help. Perfect for kids, this activity will include a tour of the site before getting the opportunity to take a look at some of the original gaol records, discovering the tales of prisoners and their crimes while transcribing from hand written documents. Who knows what you may discover. Suitable for ages 5 - 12 Private group bookings only. Charges and minimum numbers apply to group booking activities.
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A SPOOKY FRIDAY THE 13TH
Dig up National Archaeology Week
People have long been intrigued by the mysteries and the tales of spirits lurking within the darkened cells of Maitland Gaol, and Friday the 13th is a perfect time to test your nerve with our spooky dinner, tour and sleepover package.
To celebrate National Archaeology Week, Maitland Gaol will incorporate archaeology into its Discovery and Rediscoveries Exhibition featured in the Auditorium.
Come along to enjoy a Friday 13th themed three course dinner at Blackbird Artisan Bakery, followed by a guided tour of the site before joining the search for ghosts and ghouls with Newcastle Ghost Tours. Once the spirits are awake and ready to play, it’s then time for you to bunk down in your cell for the night. This tour is not for the feint hearted or those scared by the dark.
We have a team of archaeologists and their assistants coming along to search for the hidden secrets below the Gaol’s surface. With 150 years of operation and a number of rumours about what lies below the Gaol, there are bound to be treasures uncovered or myths debunked. Friday 20 May Further details on this event will be available on the website closer to the event date.
Friday 13 May 6.00pm $95.00 per person Strictly limited numbers apply. The event finishes at 8.00am the following morning.
Bookings essential. Book online at maitlandgaol.com.au
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WINTER SCHOOL HOLIDAYS PROGRAM 2 – 17 July Continue to discover Maitland Gaol throughout the winter school holidays with a number of activities on offer. Why not experience a movie at the beanbag cinema or participate in Snitch’s treasure hunt. With plenty to see and do over the two weeks, you’re sure to learn something new about the Gaol. Visit our website for the dates, prices and times of each school holiday activity closer to the holiday period.
Discover your inner prisoner Prisoner descriptions were an important way for staff at the Gaol to identify and recognise prisoners and have also become an important tool by which historians learn about prisoners of the past. When describing prisoner’s features their height, hair and eye colour, skin tone and any scars or tattoos could have been used to identify a person. As part of this activity kids will take part in a mini tour of the site before getting the chance to pair up with one another to create their own prisoner description. It will be a whole bunch of fun discovering your inner prisoner. Suitable for ages 5 - 14
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Beanbag Cinema Did you know many prisoners enjoyed performances and movies on a Saturday afternoon? In the spirit of fun, a beanbag cinema will be set up in the Gaol’s Auditorium. With heating available and a children’s movie to watch, why not enjoy a movie behind bars these school holidays. Make sure you BYO your PJs and popcorn. Suitable for ages 5 – 12
Unlock your prisoner experience Ever wondered what life was like for the earliest prisoners at Maitland Gaol? This kid’s themed tour focuses on the routines of prison life. When the tour begins kids are given a prison number, crime and sentence. The tour guide will then lead them through a walk of the Gaol, explaining what life in maximum security prison is like and showing them where prisoners slept, ate and how they spent their day. Spoiler alert, at the end of the tour they will even get to meet a prisoner* (no real prisoners are used in the making of this tour). Suitable for ages 5 – 14 *Please note the ‘prisoner’ at the end of this tour is an actor and has not served any prison time.
Bookings essential. Book online at maitlandgaol.com.au
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CHRISTMAS IN JULY Christmas in July is the perfect opportunity to pull out those daggy Christmas jumpers and beanies to celebrate the festive cheer. So why not spend this time with friends as part of Maitland Gaol’s winter themed Christmas in July event? The night will begin with a guided tour of the site before you kick back and relax, and although in the middle of the year, nothing will feel unusual about a delicious Christmas feast that will warm you from the inside out. The night doesn’t end there, with after dinner entertainment you won’t want this chilling Christmas dinner to come to an end. Saturday 23 July 6.30pm
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LOCK UP DAD for FATHER’S DAY Looking for that special gift for dad this Father’s Day? Then don’t miss this opportunity to lock Dad behind bars with a Father’s Day breakfast and tour package at Maitland Gaol. Lure Dad in with a special breakfast treat at Blackbird Artisan Bakery before taking a guided tour with one of the expert guides. This will be your chance to lock Dad up as the guide shows you around the facility, explaining what life living and working at Maitland Gaol was really like during the Gaol’s operation. Don’t forget to let Dad out of the cell before you leave. Sunday 4 September 9.00am Breakfast starts at 9.00am at Blackbird Artisan Bakery, followed by a guided tour of Maitland Gaol starting at 11.00am.
SPRING SCHOOL HOLIDAYS PROGRAM 24 September – 9 October Games, arts and crafts were a useful way for prisoners to pass the time in Maitland Gaol. On many occasions community groups would come to the Gaol to break up the monotony of a prisoner’s life with games and craft proving to be an inclusive way to do that. Take part in our arts and craft activities these spring school holidays. Visit our website for the dates, prices and times of each school holiday activity closer to the holiday period.
Snitch’s Passport Program and stamp stations For all the collectors out there this one is for you. While on Snitch’s Gaol Exploration self guided audio tour, you’ll be looking for special stamp stations located at different spots around the site to collect a unique stamp. At the end of the tour you should have your passport complete which means you’ve unlocked the entire Gaol. You’ll need to keep your eyes peeled to ensure you find each of the hidden stamps. Suitable for ages 5 – 10
Bookings essential. Book online at maitlandgaol.com.au
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Piece the puzzle together Throughout the history of Maitland Gaol there were many occasions when staff needed to solve prisoner crimes that took place within the walls of the Gaol. After a mini tour of the Gaol, kids will get the opportunity to apply their knack for solving puzzles, just as Gaol staff did all those years ago, by creating and decorating their very own jigsaw puzzle. The best bit is that kids can then take their puzzle home to challenge their family and friends in placing it back together. This activity is perfect for the budding detectives and puzzle champs. Suitable for ages 5 – 12
Popstick and Matchstick Art Prisoners used whatever they could get their hands on to create interesting and useful pieces of art while doing time in Maitland Gaol. After a mini tour, kids will put their creativity to the test as they are shown how to make a photo frame out of popsticks and decorate it with flare. Older children can have a go at recreating the Gaol’s logo using matchsticks. Just make sure you save room on the mantle piece as kids can take home their creation to frame their favourite photo. Suitable for ages 5 - 10
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MAITLAND GAOL OPEN DAY Join us this year as Maitland Gaol unlocks its gates to the public as part of the annual Open Day. The event will be jam packed with free fun activities for the kids, as well as guided tours that can be purchased on the day. Last year’s event attracted a bumper crowd, so don’t miss your chance to get a glimpse behind the walls of this historic facility, it promises to be a great day out for the whole family. Have you lived near Maitland Gaol or around the Maitland area for a long time? This year’s Open Day has a special focus on the community and their memories of the iconic Gaol. Why not take this opportunity to share your memories by visiting one of the designated area’s set up around the site on the day and chat to the Gaol staff who will record the details you can recall.
BITTER & TWISTED Boutique Beer Festival Music. Food. Beer. The Bitter and Twisted Boutique Beer Festival brings together over fifty craft beers, the best indie music from around Australia and an array of international cuisine, all within the confines of this former maximum security prison. A unique festival, in its theme and location, Bitter and Twisted is a celebration of high quality food, beer, music and all things unexpected. Saturday 5 November 10.00am – 6.00pm Sunday 6 November 10.00am – 4.00pm
bitterandtwisted.com.au
Thursday 29 September 9.00am - 3.00pm Free
Bookings essential. Book online at maitlandgaol.com.au
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CHRISTMAS AT THE GAOL Unlock your festive spirit this Christmas at Maitland Gaol. The facility offers a great way to share a unique get together with a group of friends or work colleagues. Hear a little history about the Gaol whilst enjoying canapé’s, before sitting down to a two course meal and fun entertainment. Blow the cobwebs out of your Christmas get together and kick up your heels behind bars this Christmas at Maitland Gaol. Saturday 26 November 6.30pm If you have a large group we can organise a private ‘Christmas at the Gaol’ function on your preferred date or you can hire one of our unique spaces. Dinner and Tour packages are also available for private groups. Speak with our friendly staff for further information on holding your function at Maitland Gaol.
UNIQUE SPACES A VENUE WITH A DIFFERENCE You’re welcome at Maitland Gaol, a former maximum security prison with a gruesome history spanning over 150 years. This heritage listed site is home to a variety of unique spaces tucked away within its great walls. The Gaol offers a genuine glimpse into the history of one of the state’s most prominent prisons and an unparalleled experience that your delegates are guaranteed to remember. Maitland Gaol offers flexibility and diversity across a 2.5 hectare site. Whether it be a meeting for a select few, friendly team building session for twenty, corporate dinner or guided tour for a few hundred or conference and trade show utilising the entire site, Maitland Gaol houses the most unique spaces available in the Hunter region. Our helpful team is on hand to offer any level of support required to ensure you and your group have a positive and memorable experience. Please see the following page for further information on each of our unique spaces.
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A AND B WINGS The remarkable former cell blocks are the perfect setting for a gourmet dining experience that no prisoner could have ever dreamed would be served in the steely site. These exceptional spaces are also ideal for cocktail functions, seminars and product launches.
THE MARQUEE A marquee is situated in the heart of the Gaol, looking out toward the exercise yard. The space provides a blank canvas and the possibilities for its use are only limited by your imagination.
THE EXERCISE YARD This open space once held a building for female inmates, prison farm inmates and the hospital. Now this lush grassed area provides an oasis within the Gaol walls, perfect for team building activities, an alfresco lunch or the possibility of a portable marquee suitable for a distinctive gala dinner.
THE AUDITORIUM The auditorium is a modern addition to the Gaol, with the building undergoing renovations in 2009 to create an ideal space for large scale presentations or conventions.
THE CHAPEL The antique style chapel was the first building to welcome prisoners into the daunting site, located opposite the heavy metal entrance gates. On the first floor the chapel is bathed in natural light with majestic arched windows stretching close to the ceiling with the room made richer by the intricate timber work. The chapel makes an ideal venue for a corporate meal or wedding ceremony. Contact the Service Delivery Officer - Function & Events on 4936 6482 for an obligation free quote and to organise a site inspection of the unique spaces available at Maitland Gaol.
Bookings essential. Book online at maitlandgaol.com.au
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6 – 18 John Street East Maitland 2323 02 4936 6482 info@maitlandgaol.com.au
maitlandgaol.com.au Monday to Friday 9.00am - 4.00pm Saturday and Sunday 10.00am - 4.00pm Last entry at 3.00pm
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