Greater Shepparton City Council and the Greater Shepparton Heritage Advisory Committee announced the winners of the biennial Cultural Heritage Awards 2023 on Saturday, April 22.
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The awards recognised contributions to cultural heritage conservation, research, education, promotion, interpretation, training and awareness-raising within the region.
The awards aim to promote the benefits of cultural heritage conservation by highlighting good practice conservation examples and guidance, as well as offering the owners or guardians of our cultural heritage recognition of their invaluable work.
Cultural heritage includes both tangible cultural heritage, such as buildings and landscapes, books, artefacts and artwork, and intangible cultural heritage, such as folklore, traditions, language and knowledge.
Nominations were open from November 14, 2022, until February 20, 2023, with nominations then shortlisted ahead of site visits and inspections by the judging panel.
The number of entries exceeded those from the 2021 awards.
“Council and the Heritage Advisory Committee were extremely pleased with the number and standard of the entries received this year. A big congratulations to the winners of each of the categories,” Mayor Shane Sali said.
“We thank everyone for the time and effort they have dedicated to improving the cultural heritage of our region — it doesn’t go unnoticed. Council hope these awards show our recognition of what you have achieved.”
Here is the list of winners and their achievements.
Restoration of a heritage place
Winner: Restoration of the property at 112 Maude St, Shepparton, Lorraine, Robin and Roslyn Knaggs.
The owners of Lorraine have restored this building with great attention to detail.
Particular care was taken to ensure that all significant features have been brought back to their original condition.
The owners have restored missing features and undertaken research so that the restoration works are accurate.
This same attitude guided the restoration of the interior, and the gracious original design is clearly identifiable.
A landscaped garden has been planted and its design enhances the aesthetic significance of this landmark building.
Maintenance of a heritage place
Winner: Colaura Gardens Signage, Toolamba Community Steering Committee.
Interpretive signage is important as it helps the community to engage with their heritage places.
The Toolamba Community Steering Committee saw that the original interpretive signage was in poor condition and needed maintenance.
The maintenance works that have been completed has meant that visitors and the community can continue to experience this highly informative signage that demonstrates the very rich history of Toolamba.
Best research publication or manuscript
Winner: Worship at Toolamba 1874-2016, by Brian Williams
The book Worship at Toolamba 1874-2016, written by Brian Williams, has been meticulously researched and referenced.
It is packed with detailed information and is written in a very readable style. The images that accompany the text complement the history and support Brian William’s insightful history of places of worship in Toolamba.
The book provides a tableau of community life from 1874 and up to 2016, and is a credit to the author.
Other publication
Winner: Local History with John Gribben Podcast.
John Gribben is a local historian with a broad knowledge of history and of local historical places.
He is also well acquainted with a number of the more unusual histories associated with Shepparton and district, and he explores these themes in his podcast in the most entertaining manner.
His podcasts are informative, well-constructed and entertaining.
John Gribben, through his podcasts, has done a lot to promote the heritage of the area and most importantly, through this medium, he is reaching a broad audience.
Student/youth
Winner: Katandra West Primary School — Daffodil planting at Katandra West War Memorial.
The school children at Katandra West Primary School have planted daffodils at the base of an avenue of roses named Peace and these roses line the path that leads to the War Memorial.
Through the choice of these spring bulbs with their innate symbolism of rebirth and life, the school children have provided a poignant commentary on the sacrifices so many made in order to give us the life that we all so freely enjoy today.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage
Winner: Waranga Dreaming — Stories of the Ngurai-illum Wurrung People and their Country, by Tony Ford
Tony Ford, through consultation with Uncle Vincent Peters, has provided for us all a remarkable history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the Waranga district.
This is a dense history that provides many historical stories of the Ngurai-illum Wurrung People and their Country.
Of note is the attention to the life and history of King Tattambo and Queen Mary, his second wife, who are buried at the Murchison Cemetery.
Community and multicultural events and tourism
Winner: Merrigum and District Historical and Educational Society — Heritage Day 2019.
The Merrigum and District Historical and Educational Society provided an entertaining Heritage Day in 2019 when it demonstrated how the historic implements and machinery in its collection are used.
The active interpretation of the museum’s collection is a rare occurrence in the region. What is also extraordinary is the breadth of activities and the quality of the demonstration.
This is a rare exhibition and one for which the Historical Society should be congratulated on, as it is providing an insight into a life that bears little resemblance to any of the processes as conducted today.
Other contribution
Winner: Shepparton RSL sub-branch memorabilia team.
Shepparton RSL sub-branch memorabilia team has, for many years, been the custodian of many culturally valuable items that are associated with the defence of the nation.
It has approached this task with integrity and with a high attention to detail.
The team has worked hard and consulted with recognised institutions to ensure that the conservation of its memorabilia is of a standard to ensure that the items will be available for future generations.
Its interpretation is informative and the collection demonstrates an extraordinary diversity of artefacts. The team is knowledgeable and keen to provide visitors to the RSL with a clear description of the significance of the collection.
To find out more about the Greater Shepparton Cultural Heritage Awards, visit council’s website at greatershepparton.com.au/community/neighbourhoods/awards/cultural-heritage-awards
Cadet Journalist