National Trust Heritage Awards 2017 announce winners

From a record breaking number of entries the National Trust NSW has announced the winners of its 2017 Heritage Awards.

This year’s award winning heritage projects include the revitalisation of the Tramsheds at Sydney’s Harold Park – now adapted into an iconic food destination, a virtual short film exploring the diverse heritage of NSW and its people, the creation of The Woodford Academy Aboriginal Cultural Room in the Blue Mountains’ oldest building, an enormous public artwork created by public and schools to acknowledge and commemorate the lives of 8,447 railwaymen who enlisted in the First World War, publications including The House that Jack Built that tracks Jack Mundey’s career highlighting his numerous achievements to the cause of heritage conservation and a colourful publication celebrating the 101 publicly accessible cemeteries in and around Sydney, and the research and investigation project Unlocking the Past to Free the Future at the former Kinchela Boys Home site - this award winning conservational management plan tells survivors stories and explores how this place may play a role in their journey of healing.

The 2017 Heritage Awards were presented by Anthony Lean, Chief Executive of the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage on Friday (28th April) at a luncheon ceremony at Doltone House, Pyrmont.

Lean stated “the National Trust Heritage Awards are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate heritage excellence in NSW and are a highlight of the heritage calendar.

“The awards celebrate the dedicated industry professionals who make it happen – who preserve our heritage for communities across NSW. Now more than ever celebrating our multicultural society and heritage is imperative, bringing people together to share in and celebrate our rich and varied history.”

 Jacqui Goddard, the Chair of the National Trust Heritage Awards Judging panel, added “this year’s entries are of an extremely high calibre.

“While we may argue at times about how individual projects are executed or what is, or is not appropriate no one can deny that quality work is being produced in NSW.

“No project happens in a vacuum and each is the result of the work of many people and influences from zealous advocates, guiding legislation, enthusiastic owners, skilled tradespeople and expert volunteers.”

With a record breaking 102 entries this year, the Heritage Awards encompass a wide variety of projects from education resources and research, to conservation of objects and buildings, architectural re-invigoration, documentaries and publications, regeneration of the environment and hardworking advocacy campaigners.

Now in their 23rd year, the awards for excellence in heritage are the signature event of the Australian Heritage Festival running from 18th April until 21st May 2017.

The Australian Heritage Festival is the largest and longest-running grassroots festival celebrating Australia’s historic, natural, indigenous and multicultural heritage with over 1000 events nationwide.

23rd April 2017 - AUSTRALIAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL PRESENTS OVER 1000 EVENTS NATIONWIDE 

19th April 2016 - NATIONAL TRUST RECEIVES LARGEST GIFT IN ITS 70 YEAR HISTORY

15th September 2011 - VICTORIA’S NATIONAL TRUST TO INSTALL SIRIUSWARE SALESPOINT SOLUTIONS

23rd November 2010 - THE DON LIVES ON AT NEW CRICKET HALL OF FAME