- 15 individuals and groups celebrated for world-class excellence in the heritage industry
- Posthumous award for volunteer who had a key role in restoring Busselton Pioneer Cemetery
Fifteen Western Australian heritage champions have been recognised tonight at the 2023 Western Australian Heritage Awards at Montgomery Hall in Mount Claremont.
More than 120 guests celebrated volunteer groups, individuals and professionals whose tireless efforts and successes exemplify the best in heritage preservation, conservation, interpretation, adaptive reuse and tourism.
Thirty-five nominations were received for this year’s awards program, which showcases the work in revitalisingState Registered heritage places and setting standards of excellence in the heritage industry.
Anne Faithfull was honoured posthumously in the Voluntary Individual Contribution category for her efforts in helping to restore Busselton Pioneer Cemetery. Working with the City of Busselton and the Heritage Council of Western Australia, Anne coordinated conservation and restoration works at the cemetery. She also spent considerable time building a comprehensive map of grave locations that continue to tell the area’s pioneer story.
The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, which won the Contribution by a Public or Private Organisation award, highlighted the work of its three-person heritage services team responsible for the City’s archives, art and memorabilia collection and Goldfields War Museum. Through the team, the City also provides local and specialist services including the curating of exhibitions, heritage tours and events such as Boulder’s 125thanniversary celebrations in 2022.
The coveted Judges’ Award: The Professor David Dolan Award was presented to Jason and Emma Harding, private owners of Birchmont Homestead in the Shire of Murray. The couple realised their vision of restoring their 1860s home, which was in significant disrepair, into a stylish and comfortable family home. The three-year restoration project retained as much of the homestead’s aesthetics as possible.
Other winners included Alex Jones who has spent 10 years promoting the importance of training apprentices in heritage skills industries; THEATRE 180, which tours the State sharing stories of key figures and events in WA’s history in a range of theatre styles; and the City of Gosnells Ghost Walks that lets participants learn about the history and heritage of ‘The Canning’ through an inclusive and immersive performance-based experience.
More information on the winners can be found at https://www.dplh.wa.gov.au/heritage-awards.
As stated by Heritage Minister David Templeman:
“Volunteers are the lifeblood of communities and we are grateful to people such as the late Anne Faithfull, whose passion and selfless commitment helped to restore an important piece of Busselton’s history. Today, through her efforts, locals and visitors can trace specific gravesites at Busselton Pioneer Cemetery that help tell the story of the area’s pioneer past.
“The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder’s investment in a strong heritage services team underpins its commitment to preserving and promoting the region’s rich cultural and historical heritage. It is an excellent example of the work being done by local governments throughout the State to preserve our past while employing adaptive reuse strategies so that tangible heritage assets can be enjoyed now and in the future.
“I take enormous pride in seeing how volunteers, professionals and organisations collaborate to protect, revitalise and promote WA’s historical and cultural treasures.
“Congratulations to the Heritage Council of WA on yet another successful awards event and congratulations to all our winners on their remarkable achievements.”
