Outstanding heritage projects awarded

• 22 individuals and heritage projects honoured at 2014 Western Australian Heritage Awards

• Regional projects dominate with 12 projects and individuals honoured

Regional projects have dominated the 2014 Western Australian Heritage Awards, with 12 projects and individuals honoured across 11 categories.

Heritage Minister Albert Jacob said the dominance of regional projects illustrated the importance communities placed on revitalising and celebrating their heritage.

"From Albany to Roebourne and many places in between, the breadth and scope of the regional projects show how heritage is being embraced.  Conserving and promoting a community's heritage is now seen as integral to the ongoing viability of our towns and cities," Mr Jacob said.

Regional winners include Northampton's Loretta Wright, the City of Greater Geraldton, Kulin's 'Open Doors' and 'By Night', and Roebourne's Weerianna Street Media.  A further eight projects received High Commendations including three in the historic town of York.

Metropolitan winners include walking tour group Two Feet & a Heartbeat which won the prestigious Judges' Award.  This is the fourth consecutive win by the walking tour group in as many years.

"Two Feet & a Heartbeat epitomises the can-do attitude of many in the heritage field.  Founded by two individuals with a passion to show the links between Perth's past, present and future, they have now expanded to providing walking tours in Fremantle and Sydney," the Minister said.

"Other metropolitan winners include the Rottnest Island WWll Defence Establishment and the one40william development that has helped transform the landmark William and Wellington Street Precinct into a vibrant commercial, retail and hospitality hub."

Fremantle Arts Centre and Heritage Perth's Richard Offen also received top honours.

"The outstanding quality and standard of the projects honoured illustrates why the Heritage Council's Heritage Awards has become a highly sought-after and valued accolade," Mr Jacob said.

"In the past two years, two WA Heritage Award recipients, with the endorsement of the Heritage Council, have been recognised on the international stage and received honours at the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation."

      Fact File

• List of winners below

• For more information, visit http://www.stateheritage.wa.gov.au  

Minister's office - 6552 5800

2014 Western Australian Heritage Awards

Winners and High Commendations

Outstanding contribution to heritage by an individual

Winner:  Loretta Wright, Oakabella Homestead, Northampton

Outstanding contribution to heritage by a professional in the heritage industry

Winner:  Richard Offen, Heritage Perth

Outstanding contribution to heritage by a community-based organisation

High commendation:  Art Deco Society of Western Australia

High commendation:  York Residency Museum, York

Outstanding contribution to heritage by a public or private organisation

High commendation:  Rottnest Island Authority, Rottnest Island

Outstanding heritage practices by a local government

Winner:  City of Greater Geraldton

High commendation:  City of Perth

High commendation:  Shire of Leonora

Outstanding conservation of a residential place

High commendation:  Earlsferry, Bassendean

Outstanding conservation of a non-residential place

Winner:  Rottnest Island WWII Defence Establishment, Rottnest Island

High commendation:  Cape Inscription Lighthouse Keepers' Quarters, Shark Bay

High commendation:  York Post Office, York

Outstanding interpretation project that enhances a place

Winner:  Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle

High commendation:  Lynton Convict Hiring Depot, Northampton

High commendation:  Five Exhibition, Fremantle Prison, Fremantle

Outstanding heritage tourism product

Winner:  'Kulin Open Doors' and 'Kulin By Night', Kulin

High commendation:  Discovery Bay Historic Whaling Station, Albany

Excellence in adaptive reuse: The Gerry Gauntlett Award

Winner: one40william development, Perth

High commendation:  Old York Primary School, York

The Professor David Dolan Award

Winner:  Weerianna Street Media, Roebourne

High commendation:  Sun City Guest House, Geraldton

Judges' Award

Winner:  Two Feet & a Heartbeat