Heritage refers to places and objects from our past, which hold cultural significance for our people. Heritage includes both tangible elements (such as buildings, monuments, landscapes, books, works of art and artefacts) and intangible aspects (such as folklore, traditions, language and knowledge). Cultural significance encompasses aesthetic, historic, scientific/technical, social or spiritual values that may exist for past, present or future generations.

Place has a broad scope and includes natural and cultural features. Places can be large or small: for example, a memorial, a tree, an individual building or group of buildings, the location of an historical event, an urban area or town, a cultural landscape, a garden, an industrial plant, a shipwreck, a site with in situ remains, a stone arrangement, a road or travel route, a community meeting place, or a site with spiritual or religious connections. Places may have significance for more than one value, may have differing significance for separate groups, or may have shared significance between groups. Significance may be embodied in the place itself, its fabric, setting, use, associations, meanings, records, related places and related objects.

Places of cultural heritage significance enrich people’s lives, often providing a deep and inspirational sense of connection to community and landscape, to the past, and to lived experiences. They contribute to our individuality and character. They are important records, expressions of our identity and diversity. They are irreplaceable and precious.

Greater Shepparton is notable for the great diversity and variety of cultural heritage places, and the sometimes-subtle remains of past uses and activities. They are important records, expressions of our identity and diversity.

There is an on-going need for research to identify, interpret, and conserve both tangible and intangible cultural heritage, applying continually evolving information and methods to understand and enhance our shared identity.