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 revitalising State 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 125th anniversary 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 http://www.dplh.wa.gov.au/heritage-awards.
