Grant to revive Old Court House and Law Museum

• $50,780 Lotterywest grant for Old Court House and Law Museum

Perth's oldest remaining public building, the Old Court House and Law Museum, will get an upgrade thanks to a $50,780 Lotterywest grant.

Presenting the grant today to the Law Society of Western Australia, Heritage Minister Albert Jacob said the funding would result in two exhibits being developed and enhanced.

"This Lotterywest grant will be used to significantly improve the Old Court House and Law Museum so that visitors can gain a better understanding of the law and how it developed in Western Australia," Mr Jacob said.

"The two exhibits to be upgraded are 'The Courthouse and the Law Over Time' and the 'People and the Law' which focuses on the first 50 years of the Swan River Colony and the evolution of the law in WA."

The Old Court House is within the Supreme Court Precinct and was built in 1837.  It is reputably Perth's oldest remaining public building.  In 1987, the building was refurbished, opened to the public and named the Francis Burt Law Education Programme and Museum, a community education centre for legal history and one of the few law museums worldwide.

"The State Government offers a range of grants through Lotterywest and the Heritage Council to encourage the conservation of our State's cultural heritage," the Minister said.

"Lotterywest provides grants to not-for-profit organisations for projects that deliver a community benefit, whereas Heritage Council grants are available to private owners of heritage places to undertake conservation work, such as structural repairs.

"This consolidated approach means that a wide range of heritage initiatives can be supported, ultimately delivering the best possible outcomes for WA's heritage assets."

Fact File

• Lotterywest distributed $2.2million in cultural heritage grants in 2012-13

• Heritage Grants Program 2014-15 now open; grant applications are invited through the State Heritage Office

• WA is the only State where the money raised from lottery products is distributed directly back to the community to support not-for-profit organisations

Minister's office - 6552 5800