Funding for vital work at All Saints Anglican Church in Donnybook

9/11/97

Vital work at All Saints Anglican Church in Donnybrook will go ahead with funding from the State Government's Heritage Grants Program, Heritage Minister Graham Kierath announced.

The Heritage Council of Western Australia will provide $24,500 to fund the preparation of a conservation plan and urgent work on the large country church which was built in 1906 from locally quarried stone.

Mr Kierath said almost $1 million had been allocated across the State under the scheme for 76 projects, making a crucial contribution to the preservation of WA's culture.

"The response to the Heritage Grants Program, which was announced in May, has been considerable," Mr Kierath said.

"In all there were 239 applications for grants, requesting some $10 million, demonstrating the high level of need in the community for such a program.

"This program is part of the Government's commitment not only to protecting the State's heritage, but doing it in a way which gives places new life and maintains a valuable community asset."

Under the program, priority has been given to urgent works, to projects which already have a conservation plan in place and where a specific program was in place for future use of the site. Consideration was also given to applicants who were making a contribution to the project.

"The average grant is $13,140 and they range from $1,000 to $81,000. The projects which will get support are all across the State," Mr Kierath said.

"The funding recommendations were made by the Heritage Grants Program Assessment Committee, headed by Mr Gerry Gauntlett of the Heritage Council of WA.

"The grants assessment panel included representatives from local government, regional WA, and the National Trust as well as people with relevant professional expertise."

Media Contact: Steve Manchee 9481 2133