International win for WA heritage project

• UNESCO award for Wanslea Cancer Wellness Centre
• Fourth consecutive year a WA heritage project has been honoured

A Western Australian project to restore Wanslea, the Cottesloe building used by the Cancer Wellness Centre, has been recognised at this year's UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation.

Heritage Minister Albert Jacob said the restoration of the 1905 building was recognised with an honourable mention in the esteemed international awards.

"Wanslea is an outstanding conservation and refurbishment project that considered the building's history, while sensitively incorporating contemporary elements," Mr Jacob said.

It was shortlisted for nomination for the UNESCO Awards following its win at the 2015 Western Australian Heritage Awards, where it received the prestigious Gerry Gauntlett Award for Conservation or Adaptive Reuse of a State Registered place.

Wanslea was the only Australian project to receive a conservation award at this year's UNESCO Awards.  Port Arthur Penitentiary in Tasmania was recognised with an award in the New Design in Heritage Contexts category.

"Since the agreement between the Heritage Council of Western Australia and UNESCO was forged in 2012, five Western Australian projects have been recognised, clearly showing the world-class standard of conservation work being undertaken in this State," the Minister said.

The UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation program recognises the efforts of private individuals and organisations which have successfully restored and conserved structures and buildings of heritage value.

"The UNESCO judges said the restoration of the heritage-listed Wanslea to house various cancer support and assistance groups is notable for its sensitive approach to embracing and articulating the multi-layered history of the site," Mr Jacob said.

The judges said the project had retained and rejuvenated all the existing buildings in the compound using a thoughtful conservation process.

The other WA Heritage Award winning projects to be submitted for a 2015 UNESCO Award were the Albany Forts (Princess Royal Fortress), and Harwood's Cottage Cafe and Quindalup Post Office.

Fact File

• In co-operation with UNESCO, selected winners of the Heritage Council's WA Heritage Award recipients are shortlisted for nomination for a UNESCO Award
• The National Trust of Australia (WA) completed the restoration of Wanslea with primary funding from Lotterywest. architects, Bernard Seeber Pty Ltd, led the design team
• This year, three WA projects competed against 36 entries from across the Asia-Pacific region
• For more information, visit http://www.stateheritage.wa.gov.au

Minister's office - 6552 5800

 Wanslea  Cancer Wellness Centre