Western Australians are urged to nominate their ‘heritage heroes’ as part of the State’s prestigious Western Australian Heritage Awards.
The Heritage Council’s awards recognise the outstanding contribution of owners, volunteers, professionals and organisations who work tirelessly to promote and conserve WA’s cultural heritage.
Heritage Minister Albert Jacob said the awards, now in their 25th year, showcase the excellent work being done to revitalise State Registered heritage places, setting standards in interpretation, heritage tourism, conservation and adaptive reuse.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to recognise the passion and commitment of the many volunteers, professionals and organisations whose work has helped build WA’s heritage scene into the vibrant, innovative and highly professional sector it is today,” the Minister said.
In 2016, regional projects that were recognised including the widely acclaimed Kukenarup Memorial and Information Site, the Sisters of St John of God Heritage Centre in Broome and the Donnelly River Mill and Townsite Precinct, which now operates as a successful tourist and holiday destination.
Metropolitan winners included Fremantle’s National Hotel, the State Buildings and the Fremantle Prison YHA. The adaptation of the women’s division of Fremantle Prison into a world-class hostel has acted as a drawcard to attract international and domestic visitors to Fremantle.
“When the awards program was established in 1992 it featured just one category. The Heritage Council has grown the Heritage Awards into Western Australia’s premier heritage event, with this year marking 25 years of the WA Heritage Awards.
“Every year, the awards give us the opportunity to applaud the many people who are dedicated to supporting and enhancing our cultural heritage. I encourage all Western Australians to get behind their communities and nominate a worthy candidate or project,” Mr Jacob said.
The awards also showcase WA heritage projects on an international stage with outstanding conservation projects being shortlisted for the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. Since 2012, five WA heritage projects have received an Honourable Mention at the UNESCO awards.