Great Cobar Museum among the 16 winners announced for 2022 National Trust Heritage Awards

The 28th annual National Trust (NSW) Heritage Awards ceremony, held yesterday at Sydney’s Doltone House spotlighted 16 winners across eight categories, with the Judges' Choice Award secured by the Great Cobar Museum and Visitor Information Centre entered by Dunn & Hillam Architects - an incredible regional project that has completely revived the significant heritage building.

The President’s Prize was awarded to Dawn Fraser Baths, entered by TKD Architects while an Aboriginal heritage study, the launch of a restored 1940s steam locomotive, and an adaptation of a state-of-the-art regional art gallery were also among the winners recognised at the 2022 National Trust Heritage Awards.

The National Trust Heritage Awards is an annual celebration of outstanding practice in the field of heritage, awarding excellence in conservation, protection, and interpretation of Aboriginal, built, natural and cultural heritage during the past year. The Awards is the signature event of the Australian Heritage Festival in New South Wales, co-ordinated by the National Trust and proudly supported by the NSW Government through Heritage NSW.

Chief Executive of the National Trust (NSW) Debbie Mills advised “I would like to congratulate this year’s winners – and all entrants – for their perseverance and dedication to heritage. We received an exceptional number and quality of entries, all of which showcase how much there is to appreciate, acknowledge and celebrate.”

NSW Minister for Environment and Heritage, James Griffin added “the winning projects remind us not only of the importance of protecting our shared past, but also the ways in which we can bring heritage to life for all the people of New South Wales to enjoy and explore.”

Heritage NSW's Executive Director, Sam Kidman congratulated all the winners and noted “these Awards provide much-needed acknowledgement of the work that goes into heritage conservation and protection. We look forward to seeing the benefits of these projects in communities across New South Wales for years to come.”

Matthew Devine presided as Chair of the jury for the National Trust Heritage Awards in 2022. Judges on the panel included: Barrina South, David Burdon, Dr Siobhán Lavelle OAM, Kathryn Pitkin AM, Lynn Collins and Peter Salhani.

The National Trust Heritage Awards 2022 winners are:

Aboriginal Heritage
•Woollahra Aboriginal Heritage Study – entered by Woollahra Council

Adaptive Re-Use
•Ngununggula, Southern Highlands Regional Art Gallery at Retford Park – Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects
•Stephenson’s Mill – entered by Susan Hutton
•Walsh Bay Arts Precinct – entered by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects

Conservation - Built Heritage
The Great Cobar Museum and Visitor Information Centre – entered by Dunn & Hillam Architects

Conservation - Interiors and Objects
•The Discovery of an Old Master Panel Painting Masquerading as a 19th Century Copy – entered by International Conservation Services
•Tulkiyan Interiors Conservation – entered by Ku-ring-gai Council

Continuing Tradition
Boer War Memorial Conservation Works – entered by Parramatta Park Trust

Education and Interpretation
Old Dubbo Gaol Upgrade - Stage 1 – entered by Dubbo Regional Council

Events, Exhibitions and Tours
•In Search of...My First Nations of Australia Ancestors – entered by Society of Australian Genealogists
•Locomotive 3801 Relaunch Events Program – entered by Transport Heritage NSW

Resources and Publications
Andrew Andersons: Architecture and the Public Realm – entered by NewSouth

SPECIAL CATEGORIES

Judges’ Choice
The Great Cobar Museum and Visitor Information Centre – entered by Dunn & Hillam Architects

President’s Prize
Dawn Fraser Baths – entered by TKD Architects

Lifetime Achievement
Bruce Pettman

Heritage Skills
Rick Allan

For more information about the National Trust Heritage Awards, visit nationaltrust.org.au/heritage-awards-nsw/

Image top: the Great Cobar Museum and Visitor Information Centre. Credit Visit NSW; image above: Prof Anthony Burke UTS Keynote Speaker at the 2022 National Trust Heritage Awards. Credit Cassandra Hannagan