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The following individuals and organisations from across NSW were presented with a NSW Government Heritage Volunteer Award by Hon. Kristina Keneally MP, Minister for Planning, at a ceremony held at the Museum of Sydney on 20 November 2008.

Michael Rolfe	MICHAEL ROLFE (nominated by the Woollahra History and Heritage Society) has been a passionate advocate for heritage conservation for more than 25 years and has played a major role in the campaign to keep the former Commonwealth Defence sites around Sydney Harbour in public ownership. An architect and town planner by profession, Michael has brought years of expertise in policy, planning and development to his voluntary work. Honorary positions include Treasurer for the Woollahra since 1988; Chair/Secretary on the Sydney Harbour and Foreshores Committee since 1984 and member of the Total Environment Centre since 1986. As well he has served on advisory committees for the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Heritage Council of NSW, the Department of Public Works and Services, the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, the Woollahra Municipal Council and the Olympic Co-ordination Authority's Landscape and Open Space Expert Advisory panel. He is also the co-author of two Vaucluse Progress Association Publications.
Mt Kembla Heritage Centre Volunteers	The MT KEMBLA HERITAGE CENTRE and its VOLUNTEERS (endorsed by Wollongong City Council) arose from Australia's worst mining disaster; the 1902 explosion at the Mt Kembla Colliery that killed 96 men and boys. Following the first Mt Kembla Mining Heritage Festival in 2002 to mark the centenary of the disaster, a group of local volunteers began collecting and preserve memories of this tragic event.They conducted oral histories, visited the descendants of pioneering families, researched archives, scanned photos and collected memorabilia to help interpret their unique story. The collection was stored at first in private houses and even a temporary shed lent by the Dendrobium Mine Company but finally found a permanent home at a new dedicated heritage centre located in the village of Mt Kembla. This exhibition, combining cultural artefacts, information and moving image is now captured in a thought provoking and highly regarded interpretation, "Thunder in a Cloudless Sky".
James Griffith	JAMES GRIFFITH (nominated by Historic Houses Trust of NSW) is a volunteer guide at Rouse Hill House and Farm. The Rouse Hill estate is one of Australia's most culturally important historic properties, as it provides the most complete document of continuous family occupancy of a country house in NSW. When James Griffith was recruited two years ago, he brought with him a background in agriculture and a passion for its history. James' easy going nature, ability to work with people of all ages and backgrounds and his farming know-how have made him a wonderful asset to the staff at the Rouse Hill House and Farm. James helps out in many ways – tending to the cattle, preparing the gardens for Open Days, assisting the specialist tours, looking after the welfare of visitors and contributing to the property's program development. He is especially popular with family groups, helping the children learn the skills of churning butter, grinding grain and feeding poultry.
Hawkesbury Regional Museum Volunteers	The HAWKESBURY REGIONAL MUSEUM VOLUNTEERS (nominated by Hawkesbury City Council) have significantly improved the profile of heritage management in the Hawkesbury region. They have have helped the local community recognise the significance of its shared heritage and history, not only as a record of the past but as a focus for community life and as a high-quality tourist attraction and educational resource. The roots of this volunteer group go back to 1956 with the first meeting of the Hawkesbury Historical Society. Today it includes some highly qualified teachers and academics whose professional approach to conservation, interpretation and promotion has resulted in a collection highlighting 200 years of local history. The group's campaign for a permanent home for the collection was realised earlier this year when the Governor of NSW officially opened the inaugural exhibition at the new purpose built regional museum in Windsor.
Dr. Scott MacArthur	DR SCOTT MACARTHUR (nominated by the Marrickville Heritage Society), is a long time esteemed champion of the built heritage of Marrickville. A member of the Society for the last 10 years, Dr. MacArthur was recently re-elected as its President for his third term. He is recognised as the Society's primary heritage spokesperson and is convenor of the Society's Heritage Watch committee. Dr. MacArthur's key role involves investigating, assessing and making representations on key heritage issues. His ability to articulate these issues in an authoritative and informed manner has been instrumental in ensuring many successful results. As part of his heritage advocacy, Dr. MacArthur regularly contributes to the Society's journal, oversees various projects run by the Society and liaises with media and government authorities. He frequently addresses Society members and other community groups on micro and macro heritage issues as well as attending heritage conferences and serving as an active member for many years of Marrickville's Council's Heritage Promotions Committee.
Anne Pope	For almost 15 years ANNE POPE (nominated by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council) has worked tirelessly to raise the profile of heritage in Port Macquarie. After joining the Port Macquarie and Districts Family History Society in 1990 to delve into own background, Anne began using her research skills to help other people with their family histories. Branching out in 1994 Anne joined the Friends of Port Macquarie Historic Courthouse she found herself taking part in the popular "mock trials" conducted by the Friends at the annual heritage festival as well as supervising school tours. Anne joined the Mid North Coast Maritime Museum in 1998 where her initial stint as "watchkeeper" at the museum soon evolved into the role of crew co-ordinator of the Museum's river cruises and co-ordinating the volunteers at the Museum Pilot Boatshed. Anne also joined the Port Macquarie Historical Society in 2006; she is truly a mentor and inspiration to generations of volunteers.
Dr. Peter Reynolds, OAM	DR PETER REYNOLDS, OAM (nominated by Royal Australian Historical Society) is a leading architectural historian and biographer whose contribution to the built heritage of inner Sydney cannot be underestimated. An architecture lecturer at the University of NSW for most of his career, Peter has pioneered the close study of suburban history through using land title records. Founding Editor of the Journal of the Leichhardt Historical Society, Peter is also the co-author of several substantial and influential histories of the settlements of Balmain and Leichhardt –publications which he has personally funded, published and distributed. Currently President of the Annandale Urban Research Association, Peter has been instrumental in the creation of Urban Research Associations for Leichhardt, Annandale and Balmain. This work has led to the recent successful campaigns towards securing the future of Callan Park. His influence on generations of architecture graduates is considerable and continuing.
South West Rocks Dunecare	For more than 15 years SOUTH WEST ROCKS DUNECARE volunteers (nominated by National Parks & Wildlife Service, DECC) have been striving to restore the high conservation areas at Arakoon, Hat Head National Park and South West Rocks. Often working in difficult terrain in hot exposed areas of the headlands, the Dunecare volunteers are undertaking significant bush regeneration by targeted removal of bitou bush and lantana. There are about 30 volunteers at present ranging in age from six to 76 years old and together they donate about 1500 volunteer hours each year – this is worth at least $100,000 in kind over the past three years. The group rely on their self-initiative in seeking independent funding and have built up networks with other local community organisations, not for profit groups and local, state and federal government partners. One of their successful initiatives is attracting other NSW bushcare groups by offering them free accommodation in the historic Arakoon House.
Elizabeth Laing	ELIZABETH LAING (nominated by the Parramatta & District Historical Society) joined the Society in 1993 and was elected to its Council five years later. For the past decade she has managed the Society's Hambledon Cottage House Museum at Parramatta. Built in 1824 by John Macarthur for the governess of his children, the cottage is one of Parramatta's most significant heritage assets – a credit to Elizabeth's hard work and managerial skills. Elizabeth trains the 45 museum guides, organises the roster, liaises with tour groups and other heritage locations, develops cultural heritage education programs; undertakes historical research; undertaking repairs, security, cleaning and maintenance; looks after stock and merchandise sales and then sits down to write up the monthly report to the Society! She is highly regarded by the community, visiting schools, Parramatta City Council, managers of other heritage sites in Parramatta and above all by her fellow members of the Parramatta and District Historical Society.
Friends of Ku-ring-gai Environment Inc. (FOKE)	FRIENDS OF KU-RING-GAI ENVIRONMENT INC (FOKE) was established in 1994 as a community action residents' group dedicated to preserving and promoting the natural, built and cultural heritage of Ku-ring-gai. Their award winning project is a 400 page photographic survey of sites and streetscapes located within core heritage-significant areas of the Ku-ring-gai Shire. The project took three years and involved over 3,000 hours from the FOKE volunteers in taking, collating, verifying and labelling an initial collection of 4,000 photos, selecting 2,000 to be individually captioned and referenced to current rezoning plans. The photographs were placed in context using expert studies and Council maps thus ensuring a high quality production. On top of an initial $500 centenary grant from Ku-ring-gai Council, the volunteers have drawn on their own resources and funds. The resulting photographic study is a substantial item of research and documentation.
Lillian Price	LILLIAN PRICE (nominated by the Sugarloaf & Districts Action Group) has dedicated her life to recording and preserving the history of her local community of Holmesville, located within the historic mining township of West Wallsend. Lillian has played a pivotal role in recording the history of the area, has written seven books, mostly focussing on the places and stories of the town's pioneers. Two years ago Lillian organised volunteers to help reopen a mining museum in the grounds of West Wallsend High School She has been responsible for cataloguing each photograph and artefact – a monumental task considering the collection of machinery, tools, furniture, photos and other archives has been locked away for decades. Lillian's current project is researching soldiers' names from post World War One for the West Wallsend War Memorial– to date she has located 290 names as well as fundraising and lobbying to help extend the memorial to honour those who served during these later wars.
Friends of Trial Bay Gaol	FRIENDS OF TRIAL BAY GAOL (nominated by South West Rocks Arts Council) were formed in 2003 to maintain the Gaol's museum's collection of more than 500 items and 1000 photographs. A Public Works prison from 1886-1903 and later a German internment camp during the First World War, Trial Bay Gaol is now an iconic tourism site on the mid north coast attracting over 40,000 visitors each year. The group of around 10 dedicated members provides more than 2000 hours a year of voluntary work maintaining the archives - researching, cataloguing and transcribing hours of oral history as well as undertaking promotion, education and exhibition work and even promoting arts and drama events on site. Proving an indispensable asset to the National Parks and Wildlife Service who manage the site, the Friends also carry out daily maintenance and provide security thus ensuring the protection of the gaol's historic cells and respond to visitor enquiries. The Friends recently launched a wildflower guide to Monument Hill and work alongside Arakoon Bush Care and local Aboriginal groups to maintain and promote the site's unique natural and indigenous heritage.
Andy Macqueen and the friends of the Colo, Inc.	ANDY MACQUEEN (nominated by National Parks & Wildlife Service, DECC) is a passionate advocate for conserving the Blue Mountains' unique natural heritage and protected areas. A former water resources engineer, Andy now teaches people about the bush, researches and writes extensively about local history and has taught volunteer management at Blue Mountains TAFE. Andy is a founding member and President of the Friends of the Colo Inc, a founding member of the Friends of Blue Gum Forest, a member of the Springwood Bushwalking Club, the Confederation of Bushwalking Clubs and several local historical societies. Andy is involved as a volunteer in several National Parks and Wildlife committees and has served as a community representative on the National Parks Statewide Working Group. An enthusiast for volunteering in remote areas, Andy is currently undertaking surveys of Aboriginal rock art in the Wollemi for the Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute. THE FRIENDS OF THE COLO (nominated by National Parks & Wildlife Service, DECC) who are also nominated by National Parks and Wildlife Service, DECC. The Friends of the Colo, Inc is an enthusiastic and determined volunteer group of some 50 members who donate their time, energy and combined expertise to the conservation and preservation of one of the remaining wild rivers, the Colo. The Friends were formed almost 10 years ago as part of a joint program with the National Parks and Wildlife Service to remove exotic and invasive willows from along the Colo River in Wollemi National Park. So far they have eradicated nearly 99 per cent of the willows and have also treated infestations of Tree of Heaven, Cape Ivy and other invasive weeds. The Friends have also built a nursery at Glenbrook within Blue Mountains National Park to propagate native plants for the revegetation work.Friends of the Colo work to educate, motivate and inspire land users, land owners and managers outside the National Parks about willow awareness and general weed control issues for improve the environment and community.
Harper's Mansion, Berrima	President of the Berrima Residents' Association DR ERIC SAVAGE (nominated by Wingecarribee Shire Council) has been a driving force in the community campaign to protect Berrima's built and natural heritage. He is a volunteer with the local bushcare group and secretary of the local branch of the National Trust and is also a volunteer committee member of the 1834 property "Friends of Harper's Mansion" at Berrima, where he manages the volunteer rosters, publicity and visitors program. A supporter of sustainable and appropriate development in the area, Eric has successfully lobbied local government to impose moratoriums on unsympathetic development proposals. Eric brings with him a passion for a diverse range of heritage interests. A student of conversational Sanskrit, Eric is part of the worldwide effort to preserve this ancient language. And he is a volunteer in rebuilding the Cambodian National Library collection of materials written in the Khmer language which had been destroyed by the Pol Pot regime.
Peter Khan	PETER KAHN (nominated by the Sydney Tramway Museum) has had a lifelong interest in moveable heritage. Joining the Sydney Tramway Museum in 1959 Peter has served as its Public Relations officer for the last 25 years. He is the public face of the Museum and you will often find him taking tour groups through the museum dressed in traditional conductor's uniform, or undertaking media interviews, producing brochures and press releases, addressing other community groups and setting up displays at festivals and events. Peter served as a member of the Museum's Board of Directors for over 20 years and has a hands-on role in restoring heritage tramcars to their former glory. He has generously opened his own pockets to assist in the move of the Museum to its current site next to Loftus Railway Station. Peter has also been actively involved in promoting Sutherland Shire as a tourist destination and an enthusiastic organiser of the shire's annual heritage festival as well as supporting the activities of a kindred Museum, the Sydney Bus and Truck Museum at Tempe.
Dr. Jeannette Hope	DR JEANNETTE HOPE (nominated by the Royal Australian Historical Society) is a distinguished environmental scientist, historian, archaeologist and anthropologist and is recognised internationally for her outstanding contributions to the research of Aboriginal pre-history in western NSW. A former member of the Marrickville Heritage Society, Jeanette is now a volunteer with the local historical society in Wentworth where has lived since the early 1990s. Among the many projects with which she is associated, Dr. Hope is the author of the history of the paddle steamer Ruby and is widely acknowledged for her role in assisting local Aboriginal people undertake their own family oral histories. She has worked in a voluntary capacity for the past few years on the Mungo Festival, which celebrates the listing of Willandra Lakes on the World Heritage Register. Personally responsible for all the arts events such as the environmentally themed Mungo Palimpsest, Jeannette found herself working with pastoralists and traditional owners on a photographic exhibition and co-ordinating the installation of sculptures along a 70km self drive of the Mungo track.
John Leary, OAM	JOHN LEARY, OAM (nominated by the National Trust of Australia (NSW)) - John's contribution to cultural heritage dates back to the early 1970s when he was appointed as a foundation member of Berrima Court House Trust. A former local government councillor and Shire President, John has been involved with community work most of his life. He is currently president of the Blue Mountains Association of Cultural Heritage Organisations which is an umbrella group for most historical societies and museums in the Blue Mountains and Lithgow regions, including Trust properties, Everglades, Norman Lindsay Gallery, Woodford Academy and Blue Mountains branch of the National Trust. John has worked tirelessly to unite the members of the local Trust Committee and Blue Mountains Branch and actively promotes the work of the Trust and its staff, encouraging all who work with him to do the same. In addition his wise chairmanship of the Friends of Woodford Academy, the oldest collection of buildings in the Blue Mountains, has earned great respect.
Shoalhaven Aboriginal Women Elders Group	SHOALHAVEN ABORIGINAL WOMEN ELDERS GROUP (nominated by National Parks & Wildlife Service, DECC) formed in 1994 to regain contact with their traditional bush culture. The original group of 11 women, ranging in age from 60 - 92 years and representing the Jerrinja, Arwon and Yuin languages. In 2004 the group, now working with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, became involved with the Shoalhaven Youth Volunteer Initiative. Their task was to encourage indigenous students to reconnect with their culture, gain skills for future employment and become involved in a local community project. The 2007 project to interpret the significance of Coolangatta Mountain to the local Aboriginal community received several awards including the Prime Minister's Regional Land Care Award. Working with the students for 20 weeks each year, the Aunties share stories and teach traditional skills such as food gathering and weaving. They undertake this in their own time and at their own expense but it is a labour of love and the positive impact they are having on these students cannot be underestimated. This Award is in the memory and honour of the late Aunty Jean Wellington.
The Lockhart Shire Council Heritage Study Working Group	The LOCKHART SHIRE COUNCIL HERITAGE STUDY WORKING GROUP (nominated by their heritage advisor) is a team of residents with a shared interest in local history who came together in 2005 to undertake a community based heritage study. Many of the volunteers had some experience having already been involved in the heritage re-badging of Lockhart as the Veranda Town. Venturing out to every corner of this large rural shire, the group traced its heritage from the region's indigenous past to the 19th century German farmer settlers. The 10 month study involved photographing historic places, collating histories from the owners and researching information contained in the Lockhart Historical Museum. The volunteers identified and assessed more than 140 items or precincts including archaeological sites, public edifices, parks, cemeteries, bridges, railway structures, moveable artefacts and cultural landscapes. The results are contained in two volumes of more than a 1000 pages of records and images – a marvellous achievement and an invaluable record.
Sea Acres Rainforest Centre Volunteer Guides	SEA ACRES RAINFOREST CENTRE VOLUNTEER GUIDES (nominated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, DECC) are an intrinsic part of a visit to the Sea Acres Nature Reserve near Port Macquarie, one of the largest and least modified remnants of subtropical coastal rainforest in NSW. The Centre itself was established in 1989 as an educational and visitor facility and today attracts more than 25,000 visitors a year including school groups, international tourists and local visitors.A 1.3km elevated boardwalk above the subtropical rainforest with a Centre volunteer guide is the highlight of your visit. The volunteers number up to 40 members, including retirees, semi retirees and students. Sea Acres also offers the only local volunteer Aboriginal guiding service. All regard volunteering as a way of giving back to the community through promoting natural heritage and in particular, rainforest conservation. During the past 20 years the volunteer guides have given more than 40,000 hours of service. They have enriched the community's enjoyment and appreciation of a rare natural heritage asset of state significance and ensured that future generations will continue to appreciate the site's flora and fauna.
Michael Gleeson-White, AO	MICHAEL GLEESON-WHITE, AO (nominated by the National Trust of Australia (NSW) is a respected friend, benefactor and supporter of the visual arts community and of our nation's cultural heritage. Michael joined the National Trust in 1980 and held the position of Chair of the S.H. Ervin Gallery Committee from 2001 to 2007. He has been instrumental in promoting the reputation of the Gallery through his inspired leadership of the committee. His dedication to Australian visual arts is longstanding and exemplary and he rose to the challenge of reinvigorating the Gallery's Committee following its earlier dissolution. Michael is known for his generosity in giving and raising funds and was integral in establishing the S.H. Ervin Gallery Donor Program in 2004. In addition, he has been a most generous personal donor towards the National Trust for the benefit of the Gallery.
Jan Mees and Ankie Dupree	The final award went to JAN MEES and the late ANKIE DUPREE (nominated by the Dutch Australian Cultural Centre, Sydney and the Concordia Society, Newcastle). When Jan received news he was to receive this award he asked if he could share it in memory of a wonderful woman, his late partner of 30 years and an absolute rock of the Dutch-Australian community, Ankie Dupree. Ankie, also known to her friends as Ann, lost a brave battle against cancer in July this year. Ankie would have celebrated 25 years as President of Concordia in 2008 and her leadership throughout this time was without parallel. With Jan, Ankie was also a member of the Dutch Australian Cultural Centre in Sydney and she was a dedicated volunteer serving her local community and a great promoter of our nation's multicultural heritage. Jan is one of earliest members of the Centre, and is a popular hard working volunteer serving the Dutch community in both Sydney and Newcastle. He staffs the Centre, sits on its board, organises film, radio, and DVD afternoons at the Abel Tasman retirement Village, collects books and materials for the Centre's library and archive, sets up exhibitions and is bus conductor and driver for the community's day excursions. Jan even takes on the role of the Dutch Santa Claus (Sinterklaas) which is always a highlight of the community's Christmas festivities.