Lithgow was under the heritage spotlight on Thursday as the Central West Heritage Network held its first meeting for 2006 at the Lithgow State Mine Heritage Park. The venue was chosen to match the theme of this year's National Trust Heritage Festival, Industrial Heritage - Our Working Lives.

Sixty heritage professionals, local people working in heritage and council officers from across the Central West Region, representing local government areas from Oberon to the Warrumbungles, were treated to a tour of the museum and lunch before getting down to the business of the day. During the tour volunteer blacksmiths Phil Spark and Ieuan Batchelor captivated the attendees with an awe-inspiring demonstration of traditional forging methods.

Lunch, in a high tea style including ribbon sandwiches, savouries and dainties, was provided by State Mine volunteers Jenni Christison, Gloria Cooper, Jodie Whittle, Liz Hudson, Phoebe Christison, Penelope Christison and Emily Christison. Blacksmith Phil Spark crafted special high tea stands for the occasion. A wonderful afternoon tea of scones with jam and cream was provided by Kerrie Millard. Darryll Cooper, Peter Hunt and Colin Millard kept things running and showed visitors around the site.

The formal network meeting was held in the State Mine Bath House. Guests were welcomed by Mayor Neville Castle and subsequent presentations were provided on Lithgow's industrial heritage and recent developments, including the stabilisation works recently undertaken at the Blast Furnace site by Council. Local presenters included Lithgow Heritage Adviser Barbara Hickson, Lithgow City Council's Ian Rufus, Ray Christison of the State Mine Heritage Park and Michael Forbes of the Zig Zag Railway. Lithgow's substantial industrial heritage was acknowledged and celebrated throughout the meeting.

Other presenters included Keynote speaker Michael Clarke of the Engineering Australia Engineering Heritage Committee who spoke on the growing recognition of Australia's industrial heritage and Kevin Boole of the Mount Rankin who covered the first road constructed from Sydney to Bathurst. The day clearly reinforced the importance of Lithgow as the cradle of Australian heavy industry and Australia's only inland industrial city.

Network Co-ordinator Pauline Barker of Rockley and Pat Moppet of Lithgow City Council arranged the events of the day on behalf of the network. The next meeting of the network will be held in Dubbo.