Tidy Towns, Sustainable Communities Awards 2011, Cultural Heritage Award WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Rydal for ‘Our Past, Present and Future’
The Rydal Union Church restoration project has enhanced the heritage theme of the village by ensuring the Church (also used as community hall) was authentically restored.

Delungra for ‘Opera in the Paddock’
Organised by Peter Blythe, OAM each March the People of Delungra gather for an evening of entertainment, and to celebrate the heritage and traditions of the district.

Bowraville for ‘Museums of the Verandah Post Town’
The Folk Museum at Bowraville has an extensive collection that depicts local folklore and history. Likewise the Military Museum is extensive and houses unique historical items.

Boggabri for ‘Boggabri Sesquicentenary’
In July 2010 Boggabri celebrated 150 years with a parade, tours, exhibitions, displays and a formal dinner attended by more than 470 people.

Rylstone for ‘Conserving the Stone Icons of Rylstone’
Rylstone has a long settlement history with many sandstone buildings. This project restored stonework on 4 premises and installed signs across the district.

Portland for ‘Portland School of Arts Building Restoration’
The Portland School of Arts Restoration Project has not only provided the local community with an excellent facility for community functions, but also gave the inmates from Kirkconnell Correctional Facility an opportunity to be re-integrated into the community by enabling them to acquire technical and social skills. Since completion of the project, there has been an increase in public use of the site, including functions and group meetings.

Brewarrina for ‘The Phoenix Project’
This project focused on rehabilitation of the 40,000 year old fish-traps through reed removal and repair of the river bank and Weir Park. Included was the reopening of the Brewarrina Aboriginal Cultural Centre which aims to provide training and job opportunities to local youth, particularly within the indigenous community.

Morpeth for ‘Morpeth Courthouse – Museum Conservation Works Program’
The Morpeth Courthouse Conservation Program aims to revitalise the historic Courthouse and develop the Museum which it houses. The Morpeth Community Management Group has been a central driving force behind the improvements. The program has encouraged tourism to Morpeth, and creates a sense of pride for volunteers and community members.

Wallerawang for ‘Centenary of 10 Tunnels’
The Centenary of 10 Tunnels was a commemoration of the railway project developed 100 years ago at Wallerawang. This centenary celebration was used as an opportunity to officially ‘open’ the tunnels after 100 years of use. The project was initiated by the newly formed Progress Association. The one day event attracted 300 people and was followed by a successful commercial Sunday.

Maitland for ‘Hunter Valley Steamfest’
The Hunter Valley Steamfest is a celebration of Maitland's Steam History. This annual event was initiated in response to the closure of the coal operated steam haulage freight service on the South Maitland Railway Line in 1983. In 2010 Steamfest celebrated its Silver Anniversary. A world first; triple parallel run (three trains running in the same direction on parallel tracks at the same time) with two Tiger Moths Flying overhead was organised for the event.

Leeton for 'Restoration of Henry Lawson Cottage’
The project involved the restoration of a cottage occupied by Henry Lawson 1916-1917.  The cottage was constructed in 1912 as a Demonstration Farm in the new Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (MIA). The project gives the community a positive example of re-use of materials and adaptive re-use that is consistent with today's lifestyle.

Singleton for ‘The Northern Agricultural Association’ Our NAA Showground
This project involved the preservation and regeneration of buildings at the Singleton Showground.  Many of the oldest buildings were constructed in the 1870's, and then moved to their present site in 1909.  Using the original plans, and following advice from the Singleton Shire Council Heritage Office, a program of renovation and maintenance was devised. The Assessor commented, “Due to the detail and intricacy of the restoration work, it is doubtful this project could have achieved its level of success without most of the work being carried out by volunteers”.

East Maitland for ‘Look Who’s Talking Local History’ Maitland Historic Gaol
The 'Look Who's Talking Local History' program showcases and promotes Maitland's History. The oral presentations and tours include the 1955 Floods, great escapes from Maitland Goal, the lives of Maitland's celebrities and a foray into the world of Maitland's prostitution. The historic Maitland Goal serves as a venue for these presentations. The program has initiated dialogue with the community, attracted a new audience to visit these significant sites, and has led to further research of Maitland's historic events.

Tamworth for ‘Munro’s Mill’

Munro’s Mill was established in 1863 to process flour, providing the New England region with its first such mill. Tamworth Community College obtained the building and recently completed the painstaking task of returning it to its former glory, providing a major premises for teaching and other community based activities. The character and architectural features of the building have remained unchanged so the historic integrity of the building is intact.

Wagga Wagga for ‘RAAF Heritage Centre’

The RAAF Wagga Wagga Heritage Centre reopened on October 12, 2010 after 9 years.  It now makes available to the general public, current and former military personnel in the Wagga Wagga area, as well as national and international visitors a display and learning facility which reflects RAAF activities in the Riverina since 1939. The reopening of the Heritage Centre resulted in numerous items being retrieved and conserved.