Western Australia Minister for Heritage John Castrilli

Nominate Your Heritage Champion For State Awards

Victor P Taffa

The State Government is seeking nominations for this year’s Western Australian Heritage Awards.

Heritage Minister John Castrilli said the awards presented an opportunity to honour the leading contributors to heritage conservation, promotion, adaptive reuse and interpretation in WA.

“Now in its 19th year, the awards acknowledge the exceptional contribution of many volunteers and professionals, committed to ensuring that our cultural heritage is secured and valued in the future development of this State.” Mr. Castrilli said.

This year’s Awards have been expanded to include three new Categories:

• Outstanding Heritage Tourism Product;
• Outstanding Heritage Practices by a Local Government;
• Outstanding Newcomer:  The Professor David Dolan Award.

The Minister said the Outstanding Newcomer Category was in memory of former Heritage Council board member Professor David Dolan in recognition of his commitment to fostering young talent in the heritage industry.

“The new awards have been especially established to recognise best practice by Local Governments and Heritage Tourism Operators.” Mr. Castrilli said.

Last Year’s Winners Included:

• The Rottnest Island Hotel,
• Bunbury Historian Phyllis Barnes,
• Dryandra Woodland Village,
• The Fremantle Prison.

Mr. Castrilli said the heritage awards showcased excellence in revitalising heritage places and supported owners who lead the way in conserving their own properties.

The Award Winners will be announced on Thursday, April 14 to coincide with the start of Australian Heritage Week.

Nominations close at 5pm on Friday, March 18.  For more information or to download a nomination form visit http://www.heritage.wa.gov.au, call (08) 9221 4177 or Freecall 1800 644 177.

Western Australia Minister for Heritage John Castrilli

Heritage Champions Honoured in Awards

Victor P Taffa

Heritage Minister John Castrilli has announced the major winners of the 2010 Western Australian Heritage Awards.

Mr. Castrilli said 84-year-old Bunbury Heritage Advocate Phyllis Barnes was among an outstanding list of individuals and organisations across the State to be recognised for their promotion and conservation of WA’s heritage.

“The Western Australian Heritage awards showcase the very best in conservation, adaptive reuse and interpretation of State Registered Places.” the Minister said.

Awards were presented in the following categories:

• Contribution to heritage of WA by an individual from the community and from the heritage industry;

• Contribution to heritage in WA by a community-based and a public or private organisation;

• Conservation of a residential and a non- residential property on the State Register of Heritage Places, and an award for the interpretation of a place on the register;

• Excellence in Adaptive Reuse:  The Gerry Gauntlett Award.

“The winner of the contribution to heritage by an individual from the community is Bunbury historian, author and community volunteer Phyllis Barnes, who has tenaciously advocated for heritage for the past 25 years.” the Minister said.

Mr. Castrilli said Mrs. Barnes served on numerous committees and also conducted valuable research, unearthing parts of WA’s heritage.

Museums WA and Lions Dryandra Woodland Village received the award for outstanding contribution by a community-based organisation.

GPO Perth was recognised as the best conservation of a non-residential place on the State Register of Heritage Places.

“The building’s heritage characteristics date back to 1923 and have been preserved and enhanced while incorporating contemporary commercial and retail spaces.” Mr. Castrilli said. 

The Gerry Gauntlett Award for excellence in adaptive reuse was awarded to the WA Police Operations Support Facility (Traffic Operations).

“The project team has turned a redundant industrial building on the site of the former Midland Railway Workshops into a modern facility for WA Police.” Mr. Castrilli said.

Other winners include:

• Albany Department of Indigenous Affairs Officer Robert Reynolds;

• Rottnest Island Authority;

• Archbishop’s Palace;

• Colwyn House;

• Fremantle Prison Interpretative Signage Project.