Dedication to city’s heritage rewarded

BUILDING restorations, old gaol tours and the group dedicated to conserving the Ballarat train station’s historical aspects are among the winners in this year’s local National Trust of Australia (Victoria) Heritage Awards.

The awards, supported by the City of Ballarat, recognise individuals and groups that support the conservation, protection, advocacy and interpretation of heritage including built, cultural or natural heritage places.

Winners in several categories were announced last week.

The Award for Excellence in the Creative Reuse of a Heritage Place category went to Hotel Vera and Restaurant Babae at 710 Sturt Street.

The adaptation of a 19th century residence into the hotel-restaurant retained original features of the house, used and highlighted its Victorian architecture inside and out, and retained and restored the stables outbuilding.

A restored boat shed at Lake Wendouree received a commendation.

The restoration of a heritage-listed residence at 511 Doveton Street North, Soldiers Hill, received the Award for Excellence in the New Work/Development within a Heritage Area category.

That project included a pavilion-style addition which left the original residence as a stand-alone building.

Michael Slocum’s work on cast iron heritage post boxes won him the Award for Excellence in the Conservation of a Heritage Place category.

Mr Slocum’s project involved restoration of post boxes dating from 1860 and 1920 in 18 locations around Ballarat. He painted them in their original colours and attracted funding from Australia Post for their continued upkeep.

Dianne Gow received the Community Heritage Advocacy Award for Excellence, along with the Save Our Station Ballarat group.

Ms Gow served as the National Trust of Australia Victoria Branch president for many years and was a key member of the Ballarat Heritage Advisory Committee for almost 20 years.

The railway station group, meanwhile, has dedicated itself to conserving the station’s heritage – working particularly on the re-instalment of the Lydiard Street crossing gates.

The final Award for Excellence, in the Interpretation category, went to Dr David Waldron for the Ballarat Old Gaol Tours and exhibition.

The tours have been a highlight of the Ballarat Heritage Festival since 2016 and attract as many as 3000 participants each weekend.

Ballarat councillor Ted Lapkin said the awards were a celebration of Ballarat’s unique heritage and history.

“Our heritage is both a responsibility and a gift – one we must preserve, share and honour for generations to come,” he said.

“The projects and people recognised at the heritage awards represent the very best of what it means to care deeply about out history, whether through careful restoration, inspired reuse or powerful interpretation.”