Nominations are now open for the prestigious Western Australian Heritage Awards, Heritage Minister Albert Jacob announced today.

The Heritage Council’s awards recognise the outstanding contribution of owners, volunteers, professionals and organisations who work hard to promote and conserve our cultural heritage.

Mr Jacob said the awards, now in their 23rd year, showcased the excellent work being done to revitalise State Registered heritage places, setting standards in interpretation, heritage tourism, conservation and adaptive reuse.

In 2014, a number of regional nominations were recognised including Northampton’s Loretta Wright, York Residency Museum and the City of Greater Geraldton.

Metropolitan winners included walking tour group Two Feet & a Heartbeat, which won the prestigious Judges’ Award, Rottnest Island Authority, City of Perth and the one40william development.

“The high quality and standard of the individuals and projects honoured this year illustrates why a heritage award is a highly sought-after and valued accolade,” the Minister said.

Winners and high commendation recipients in the conservation and adaptive reuse category are shortlisted for nomination to UNESCO’s Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation, with Heritage Council endorsement and agreement of the project owners.

This year, the Rottnest Island WW II Coastal Defences and Shark Bay’s Cape Inscription Lighthouse Keepers’ Quarters received honourable mentions in the important international awards.

“In the three years of this co-operation between the Heritage Council and UNESCO, four Western Australian projects have been honoured by UNESCO, clearly showing the world-class standard of conservation work being undertaken in this State,” Mr Jacob said.

“There are many volunteers, professionals and organisations whose passionate and committed work has helped ensure the vibrant and healthy heritage scene in WA today.

“These awards allow us to recognise the best of them and I encourage you to nominate a worthy candidate or project as a heritage champion.”

Nominations close on Friday, February 20, 2015 and the winners will be announced in April 2015.