Nominations are now open for the National Trust of Australia Heritage Awards.
Supported by the City of Ballarat, the awards celebrate the outstanding practice of individuals and groups in the conservation, protection, advocacy and interpretation of heritage from all segments of our community including built, natural and cultural heritage places.
Heritage places may include buildings, infrastructure, monuments and memorials, cultural landscapes, gardens, waterways, trees, archaeological sites and objects. A place may be public or privately owned.
Individuals or groups may also be nominated for their role in community heritage advocacy.
Property owners, tradespeople, heritage and design practitioners, volunteers, community groups and individuals are encouraged to share heritage projects, big or small, for recognition and consideration for an award in one of the six categories below.
The award categories include:
- Creative reuse of a heritage place
- New work/development within a heritage area
- Conservation of a heritage place
- Sustainability and/or greening of a heritage place
- Community heritage advocacy
- Interpretation
Award winners will be announced at a ceremony on Friday 16 May, to which all nominees will be invited.
City of Ballarat Councillor Ted Lapkin encouraged people to nominate a person or group for one of the categories in the National Trust Heritage Awards.
"The National Trust Heritage Awards represent an opportunity for our community to celebrate both our iconic heritage and the work done to promote, preserve and protect it," he said.
"These awards are about acknowledging the individuals and groups that work tirelessly to ensure our rich heritage is here for future generations."
National Trust of Australia Executive Manager Conservation and Advocacy Samantha Westbrooke said the National Trust's Heritage Awards Program partners with councils across Victoria in a joint commitment to celebrate and promote the state's heritage.
"The National Trust Heritage Awards, delivered in partnership with the City of Ballarat, are about shining a spotlight on and communicating the positive stories around heritage projects and advocacy - demonstrating how great results can be achieved within the heritage context," she said.
"These awards celebrate the enormous benefits that heritage provides to local communities and recognises groups and individuals who have played a significant role in its safekeeping."
You can nominate yourself, or someone else for a Heritage Award by visiting the webpage on the City of Ballarat website at www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/heritage-awards.
The Heritage Awards are delivered by National Trust in partnership with the City of Ballarat.
