Finalists revealed for 2025 National Trust Heritage Awards

The shortlist for the eagerly awaited 2025 National Trust (NSW) Heritage Awards has been revealed, showcasing a vibrant array of heritage projects from across New South Wales.

For the very first time, the National Trust (NSW) has introduced a People’s Choice Award and public voting is open until 11.59pm on Sunday 4 May. 

“The response to the 31st annual Heritage Awards has been remarkable. The effort to promote and conserve heritage right across the state is very inspiring to see,” says Debbie Mills, CEO of the National Trust (NSW). “We congratulate all entrants and those who have been shortlisted for their incredible achievements.”

“This year’s entries sparked lively discussions among the judges,” says Matthew Devine, Chair of the National Trust Heritage Awards Jury.

Devine was joined on the panel by Ann Toy, Barrina South, David Burdon, Dr. Caitlin Allen, Dr. Libby Gallagher, Kathryn Pitkin AM, Peter John Cantrill, and 2024’s Young Achiever recipient, Sophie Canaris.

Penny Sharpe, NSW Minister for Heritage, says the impressive geographical spread of this year’s entrants, hailing from NSW’s major cities and out to the borders of the state. Minister Sharpe noted that each project created vital connections between community and heritage.

Sally Barnes, Chair of the NSW Heritage Council, praises the shortlisted finalists for their commitment to safeguarding heritage for future generations to enjoy, noting the “truly impressive range of achievements on display this year.”

Steven Meredith, Chair of the NSW Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee, expressed admiration for the high quality of this year’s projects, saying that “these initiatives are essential for deepening the community’s connections to Aboriginal heritage throughout New South Wales.”

“The National Trust (NSW) Heritage Awards recognise the people behind NSW’s projects,” says Liz Owers, Acting Executive Director of Heritage NSW. “Congratulations to all the shortlisted nominees.”

Winners of the 2025 National Trust (NSW) Heritage Awards will be announced at the National Trust Heritage Awards ceremony on Friday 16 May at Doltone House in Pyrmont. The Awards will once again be presented by Richard Morecroft. Professor the Hon Bob Carr will join as keynote speaker.

In the category of Aboriginal Heritage, proudly sponsored by Extent Heritage, the nominations are: Anaiwan Grinding Grooves: Investing in the past to guide the future at New England Solar, Uralla, submitted by Anaiwan Registered Aboriginal Parties and ACEN Australia; the Blacktown Native Institution Conservation Management Plan, Blacktown, submitted by GML Heritage.

Nominations include also Bullanginya Daborra Dunggalla – Bullanginya Dreaming, Barooga, submitted by Barooga Sports Club; Dhuluny: 200 Years of Wiradyuri Resistance, Bathurst, submitted by Wiradyuri Traditional Owners Central West Aboriginal Corporation (WTOCWAC); and Hill 60 Aboriginal Community Stories, Port Kembla, submitted by Wollongong City Libraries.

In the Advocacy category, Securing the Future of Port Macquarie Museum, Port Macquarie, has been submitted by Port Macquarie Historical Society Inc., and the State Heritage Listing of the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace, Cremorne, has been submitted by the Cremorne Conservation Group.

Under Architecture, the shortlisted projects are: Back to Front House, Potts Point, submitted by Ian Moore Architects; Fig Tree House, Marrickville, submitted by Potter & Wilson Architects.

Also included are Former Workmen’s Dwellings, Lower Fort Street, Dawes Point, submitted by Neeson Murcutt Neille; Gleebooks, Glebe, submitted by AN+A; Pumphouse Maker Space & Artist Workshop, Albury, submitted by AlburyCity; Reimagining Sydney’s First Skyscraper, Sydney, submitted by Urbis Pty Ltd; and Rosebery Engine Yards, Rosebery, submitted by Goodman Group.

For Built Conservation, the nominations include: Frazer Mausoleum Restoration, Rookwood, submitted by Metropolitan Memorial Parks; Heathcote Hall, submitted by Tasman Storey Architects and Pariter Pty Ltd; Hornby Lighthouse Restoration, Sydney, submitted by Port Authority of NSW.

The category also includes Malachi Gilmore Hall, Oberon, submitted by Lucy and Johnny East; Old Bega Hospital, Bega, submitted by Design 5 – Architects, Old Bega Hospital Reserve Land Manager, NSW Public Works, and Leser Build; 

Old Menangle School Site, Menangle, submitted by Wollondilly Shire Council, Civille, G3 Architecture, Sue Rosen Associates, and Growth Civil Landscapes; Pissoir Restoration, Dawes Point, submitted by Marine and Civil Maintenance; S.H. Ervin Gallery Façade Conservation, Sydney, submitted by Property and Development NSW.

Also included are Silchester – Juliet Balcony, Bellevue Hill, submitted by Cracknell & Lonergan Architects Pty Ltd; and Tathra Wharf, Tathra, submitted by Bega Valley Shire Council.

The Education and Interpretation category, proudly sponsored by City Plan, features More Bonegilla Stories, Albury, submitted by Simon Reich; NSW Rail Museum Education Programme, Thirlmere, submitted by Transport Heritage NSW; Pirie Chambers Heritage Trades Training Programme and Conservation, Broken Hill, submitted by HSR (Aust) Group and Elizabeth Vines, OAM, Architect and Heritage Advisor.

The category also includes Schools Reconciliation Challenge, submitted by Reconciliation NSW; and Middle Head Gubbuh Gubbuh to Georges Head Walking Track, Mosman, submitted by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

In the Enduring category, the nominations include: Ongoing Conservation of the Marionette Theatre of Australia Puppets, Neutral Bay, submitted by the Seaborn, Broughton & Walford Foundation; Cockatoo Island Heritage Steam Cranes: From Restoration to Activation, Cockatoo Island, submitted by Sydney Harbour Federation Trust.

It also includes Forty Bends Farm, South Bowenfels, submitted by Sarah and Brendan Childs; Mildura House, Georges Plains, submitted by Linda Appleford and Terry Jones; Minister’s Stonework Programme, submitted by NSW Public Works; Preservation of Cox Cottage, Mulgoa, submitted by Friends of Fernhill and Mulgoa Valley Inc., nominating Dr James Broadbent AM.

The Events, Exhibitions and Tours category features Callan Park’s Veterans: A Century of Connections, Lilyfield, submitted by Friends of Callan Park; Flood Level 1955 – A Historical Exhibition, Maitland, submitted by Maitland City Council.

It includes also Hardy Wilson’s Old Colonial Architecture 1924–2024, Sydney, submitted by University of Sydney and Hector Abrahams Architects; Omnia: All and Everything, Murwillumbah, submitted by Tweed Regional Museum; Royal Flying Doctor Outback Heritage Experience, Broken Hill, submitted by Freeman Ryan Design.

Also included are Royal National Park Shack Open Day Weekend, Era Beach, submitted by Royal National Park Coastal Cabins Protection League; and Transport Heritage Expo 2024, Sydney, submitted by Transport Heritage NSW.

In the Interiors and Objects category, the shortlist includes Conservation of the Barangaroo Boat, Sydney, submitted by Sydney Metro with Silentworld Foundation and York Archaeological Trust; Parliament of NSW Rum Hospital Project, Sydney, submitted by Department of Parliamentary Services.

Nominations in this category also include he Garrison Church Historic Bell Restoration, Dawes Point, submitted by Anglican Parish of Church Hill; and The Great Synagogue – Relocation of Bimah, Sydney, submitted by The Great Synagogue.

For the Landscape category, the nominations are: Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track, Lake Macquarie, submitted by Lake Macquarie City Council; Glowworm Tunnel Pathway Construction, Wollemi National Park, submitted by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

As well included are Nepean River Trail, Camden, submitted by Camden Council; Nielsen Park Seawall, Vaucluse, submitted by OCULUS with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service; and Middle Head Gubbuh Gubbuh to Georges Head Walking Track, Mosman, submitted by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

In the Resources and Publications category, the nominations are Australia’s Earliest Timber Houses, submitted by Christopher and Deborah Hallam; Fame and Blame – A Brief History of the Office of the NSW Civil, Colonial, and Government Architects, submitted by David Churches; Historic Heritage Bushfire Vulnerability Assessment Framework, submitted by GML Heritage.

In this category, also nominated are Maitland In Focus, submitted by Maitland City Council; NSW Courts of Cultural Heritage Significance: Guidelines for Conservation, Repair & Replacement, submitted by PTW Architects in partnership with the NSW Department of Communities and Justice.

Finalists in this category include also Preserving and Promoting the Priceless Collections of the National Herbarium of NSW: Mass Digitisation and Free Public Access via an Online Herbarium Search Portal, submitted by National Herbarium of NSW, Botanic Gardens of Sydney Ryde History Hub, submitted by City of Ryde Libraries. 

The Australian Ark: The Story of Australian Wine, 1788–2023, authored by Andrew Caillard MW and submitted by David Longfield, Longueville Media, and Angus Hughson, The Vintage Journal; The Secrets of Anzac Ridge: In Flanders Fields, submitted by Patricia Skehan Publishing; and Treasures of Old Jewish Sydney: The Story of a Visual Heritage, submitted by Jana Vytrhlik are all also nominated in the category.

Individual and special awards will also be announced at the National Trust Heritage Awards, including the Young Achiever award, proudly sponsored by GML Heritage, the Heritage Skills award, the Lifetime Achievement award, proudly sponsored by Museums of History NSW, the Cathy Donnelly Memorial award, the Judges’ Choice award, the President’s Prize, and the People’s Choice award.

Tickets on sale now. Would-be attendees are encouraged to secure tickets early as this event swiftly sells out each year. 

Image: Parra Town Hall / supplied