Regional projects have dominated the 2014 Western Australian Heritage Awards, with 12 projects and individuals honoured across 11 categories.

Heritage Minister Albert Jacob said the dominance of regional projects illustrated the importance communities placed on revitalising and celebrating their heritage.

“From Albany to Roebourne and many places in between, the breadth and scope of the regional projects show how heritage is being embraced. Conserving and promoting a community’s heritage is now seen as integral to the ongoing viability of our towns and cities,” Mr Jacob said.

Regional winners include Northampton’s Loretta Wright, the City of Greater Geraldton, Kulin’s ‘Open Doors’ and ‘By Night’, and Roebourne’s Weerianna Street Media. A further eight projects received High Commendations including three in the historic town of York.

Metropolitan winners include walking tour group Two Feet & a Heartbeat which won the prestigious Judges’ Award. This is the fourth consecutive win by the walking tour group in as many years.

“Two Feet & a Heartbeat epitomises the can-do attitude of many in the heritage field. Founded by two individuals with a passion to show the links between Perth’s past, present and future, they have now expanded to providing walking tours in Fremantle and Sydney,” the Minister said.

“Other metropolitan winners include the Rottnest Island WWll Defence Establishment and the one40william development that has helped transform the landmark William and Wellington Street Precinct into a vibrant commercial, retail and hospitality hub.”

Fremantle Arts Centre and Heritage Perth’s Richard Offen also received top honours.

“The outstanding quality and standard of the projects honoured illustrates why the Heritage Council’s Heritage Awards has become a highly sought-after and valued accolade,” Mr Jacob said.

“In the past two years, two WA Heritage Award recipients, with the endorsement of the Heritage Council, have been recognised on the international stage and received honours at the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation.”

Fact File
List of winners below
For more information, visit http://www.stateheritage.wa.gov.au
Minister’s office – 6552 5800

2014 Western Australian Heritage Awards
Winners and High Commendations

Outstanding contribution to heritage by an individual
Winner: Loretta Wright, Oakabella Homestead, Northampton

Outstanding contribution to heritage by a professional in the heritage industry
Winner: Richard Offen, Heritage Perth

Outstanding contribution to heritage by a community-based organisation
High commendation: Art Deco Society of Western Australia
High commendation: York Residency Museum, York

Outstanding contribution to heritage by a public or private organisation
High commendation: Rottnest Island Authority, Rottnest Island

Outstanding heritage practices by a local government
Winner: City of Greater Geraldton
High commendation: City of Perth
High commendation: Shire of Leonora

Outstanding conservation of a residential place
High commendation: Earlsferry, Bassendean

Outstanding conservation of a non-residential place
Winner: Rottnest Island WWII Defence Establishment, Rottnest Island
High commendation: Cape Inscription Lighthouse Keepers’ Quarters, Shark Bay
High commendation: York Post Office, York

Outstanding interpretation project that enhances a place
Winner: Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle
High commendation: Lynton Convict Hiring Depot, Northampton
High commendation: Five Exhibition, Fremantle Prison, Fremantle

Outstanding heritage tourism product
Winner: ‘Kulin Open Doors’ and ‘Kulin By Night’, Kulin
High commendation: Discovery Bay Historic Whaling Station, Albany

Excellence in adaptive reuse: The Gerry Gauntlett Award
Winner: one40william development, Perth
High commendation: Old York Primary School, York

The Professor David Dolan Award
Winner: Weerianna Street Media, Roebourne
High commendation: Sun City Guest House, Geraldton

  Kulin’s ‘Open Doors’, Loretta Wright, the City of Greater Geraldton