State Awards honour heritage champions

• 25 individuals and outstanding heritage projects honoured in the 2013 Western Australian Heritage Awards

The historic town of Toodyay dominated the 2013 Western Australian Heritage Awards last night, winning three out of 11 categories.

Other winners include the revitalisation of the heritage buildings at Brookfield Place, Perth; the transformation of the former Royal WA Institute of the Blind into the West Australian Ballet Centre, Maylands; and the restoration of the fire-damaged Edenvale, Pinjarra.

Heritage Minister Albert Jacob said the Shire of Toodyay, the Shire's Newcastle Gaol Museum, and Toodyay Historical Society volunteer and archivist Jenny Edgecombe all received top honours in their respective categories.

"Toodyay's dominance at this year's awards illustrates the passion and commitment embedded in this community to recognising and celebrating its heritage," Mr Jacob said.

"For a small country town, Toodyay punches well above its weight and showcases how heritage brings a sense of identity to the community, and is also used to drive tourism."

Mr Jacob said the Heritage Council's awards also recognised the outstanding contribution of owners, volunteers, professionals and organisations who work tirelessly to promote and conserve our heritage.

The heritage listed Cottesloe home, Kulahea, took out the residential category, while Dome Coffees Australia was recognised for its commitment to adapting heritage buildings into cafes. Two Feet & a Heartbeat walking tours sealed their third consecutive WA Heritage Award.

Heritage architect, Katrina Chisholm, and Carnamah Historical Society volunteer, Andrew Bowman, won individual awards with the Historical Society of Cockburn and the Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council joint winners of community-based organisation award.

"This year's Heritage Awards also showcased outstanding examples of how State-Registered places can be adapted for new uses, ensuring that these significant landmarks are once again the centrepiece of our communities," Mr Jacob said.

The conservation projects are now eligible to compete on an international stage with Heritage Council endorsement at the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation.

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

Minister's office - 6552 5800

2013 Western Australian Heritage Awards

Winners and High Commendations

Outstanding voluntary contribution to heritage by an individual

Winner: Jenny Edgecombe, Toodyay Historical Society

High Commendation: Professor Geoffrey Bolton AO, WA Museum

Outstanding contribution to heritage by a professional in the heritage industry

Winner: Katrina Chisholm, Claremont

High Commendation: Ian Hocking, Hocking Heritage Studio, Shenton Park

High Commendation: Leigh Barrett, City of Bunbury

Outstanding contribution to heritage by a community-based organisation

Winner: Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators' Council

Winner: Historical Society of Cockburn

High Commendation: Newdegate Historical Society

Outstanding contribution to heritage by a public or private organisation

Winner: Dome Coffees Australia

High Commendation: Lotterywest

Outstanding heritage practices by a local government

Winner: Shire of Toodyay

High Commendation: City of Vincent

Outstanding conservation of a residential place

Winner: Kulahea, Cottesloe

High Commendation: The Rocks, Albany

Outstanding conservation of a non-residential place

Winner: Heritage Buildings at Brookfield Place (Newspaper House Group & Perth Technical College)

Winner: Edenvale, Pinjarra

High Commendation: Sailmaker's Shed, Broome

Outstanding interpretation project that enhances a place

Winner: Newcastle Gaol, Toodyay

High Commendation: Wireless Hill Centenary Exhibition, Ardross

High Commendation: Rottnest Island 'Open House and After Dark'

Outstanding heritage tourism product

Winner: Two Feet & a Heartbeat: Guided Walking Tours

High Commendation: Rottnest Island Heritage Week 2012

Excellence in Adaptive Reuse: The Gerry Gauntlett Award

Winner: West Australian Ballet Centre, Maylands

High Commendation: The Office of the Premier and Cabinet Room, West Perth (the former Hale School)

Outstanding Newcomer: The Professor David Dolan Award

Winner: Andrew Bowman, Carnamah Historical Society