The Minister for Planning, Hon. Frank Sartor MP, presented NSW Government Heritage Volunteer Awards for 2005 to 27 heritage volunteers from across NSW in a ceremony at Parliament House on Thursday 10th November.

"Without the efforts of volunteers like those we honour today, many of our important local heritage projects would never be realised," Mr Sartor said. "Their contributions are helping preserve the State's rich cultural history for future generations." The NSW Government Heritage Volunteer Awards recognise local contributions to heritage conservation, management and promotion.

Recipients and guests in the Jubilee Room at Parliament House

L to R: Reece McDougall (Director, Heritage Office), Hon Frank Sartor MP, Michael Collins (Chair, Heritage Council of NSW) and guest speaker Professor John Glastonbury AM, who was also a recipient.

"This year's recipients have undertaken a wide variety of work, from preserving Aboriginal heritage to restoring rail, communications and rural heritage sites or working as guides at some of the State's most unique and historic areas," Mr Sartor said. "On behalf of the NSW Government, I congratulate all our 'heritage heroes' and thank them for their contribution towards protecting our State's heritage. "The Iemma Government is proud to be able to support volunteers who are leading the way in preserving their local history.

"I urge anyone thinking about getting involved in heritage projects to bite the bullet and lend a hand", Mr Sartor said.

Projects range from conserving once neglected public buildings and relics of our railway and industrial heritage; collecting oral histories from the elders in Aboriginal communities or recording the stories behind the headstones in the local cemetery; indexing and arhciving colonial records; community activism; restoring natural landscapes and habitats; to donating their time and shoe leather taking visitors around some of our historic and beautiful gardens. Around 4.4 million Australians volunteer each year in their local community to causes of interest (GoVolunteer, 2002). This totals 701 million hours each year.

2005 Recipients had an enjoyable lunch at The Hero of Waterloo in Millers Point

For this reason, it is important that we recognise these volunteers formally for their contributions to the sustainability of our community.

View the 2005 Award Recipients

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