Television veteran and builder win heritage awards

• 15 individuals and heritage projects recognised for heritage excellence 

A pioneer in the television industry Mr Ken McKay and a highly skilled builder Mr Martin Colgan are among two of the champions recognised at last night's Western Australian Heritage Awards.

The awards, now in their 24th year, recognise outstanding commitment and contribution to heritage conservation, adaptive reuse, promotion, tourism and interpretation.

"The high standard of the individuals and projects honoured illustrates why a Heritage Council's Heritage Award is such a highly sought-after and valued accolade," Heritage Minister Albert Jacob said.

Ken McKay won the individual award for his dedication to preserving the heritage of television and broadcasting in WA.  A pioneer in the television industry, Mr McKay started as a video tape operator in 1962.

"Ken saw there was a risk that the history of the early television industry in WA might be lost. He set about collecting the stories, photographs and video footage and sharing them with the public through the website he founded," Mr Jacob said.

Martin Colgan, founder of Colgan Industries, took out the prestigious Judges' Award for his exceptional contribution to heritage over the past 40 years.  From humble stone masonry beginnings, he has built a highly respected and multi-disciplinary family building company dedicated to conserving, restoring and adapting heritage buildings.

"Mr Colgan has left a lasting legacy to heritage through his work on many award-winning heritage conservation and adaptation projects across the State.  Although he has recently retired, he remains active on the board of Colgan Industries, providing guidance as his family takes the business forward," the Minister said.

Another big winner on the evening, FJM Property, was commended for transforming three significant heritage buildings into the new State Buildings, an exciting mixed-use development that has rejuvenated the historic precinct.

"I am pleased  to see the State Buildings in Perth recognised with the Gerry Gauntlett Award. This outstanding adaptive reuse and conservation project on a grand scale has returned the Central Government Offices to the community," Mr Jacob said.

The Minister said the winners represented a diverse cross-section of volunteers, professionals, organisations and projects, with winners split evenly between metropolitan and regional areas.

"I congratulate all the winners whose work has resulted in significant achievements in the promotion and conservation of our rich cultural heritage," he said.

Fact File

• The winners were announced at the former Hale House, now successfully adapted into the award-winning Office of the Premier and Cabinet Room

• 2016 Western Australian Heritage Awards winners and commendations below

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

Minister's office - 6552 5800

2016 Western Australian Heritage Awards - Winners and Commendations

Voluntary individual contribution

Winner:  Ken McKay

Commendation:  The late Noreen Hackett

Professional contribution

Winner: Alan Kelsall, Heritage Coordinator at City of Fremantle

Contribution by a community-based organisation

Winner:  Ravensthorpe Historical Society (Kukenarup Memorial and Information Site)

Commendation:  Sisters of St. John of God Heritage Centre, Broome

Contribution by a public or private organisation

Winner:  Donnelly River Village (Wheatley)

Commendation:  FJM Property (The State Buildings)

Commendation:  The National Hotel

Heritage practices by a local government

Winner:  Shire of Murray

Interpretation project

Commendation:  Sailmakers' Shed (fmr), Broome

Heritage tourism product

Winner:  Fremantle Prison YHA

Conservation or adaptive reuse of a State Registered place

Winner:  Brookman and Moir Streets Precinct, Perth

Winner:  The State Buildings (Old Treasury Buildings/Central Government Offices)

Commendation:  Denmark District Hospital (fmr) (1924-1990)

The Gerry Gauntlett Award for Conservation and Adaptive Reuse

Winner:  The State Buildings (Old Treasury Buildings/Central Government Offices)

The Judges' Award

Winner:   Martin Colgan, Colgan Industries