Winners of the 2023 National Trust Heritage Awards

It’s been a spectacular year for heritage, with so many projects making an outstanding contribution to the conservation, protection and interpretation of heritage across NSW.

The 2023 National Trust Heritage Awards celebrated the best of the best, with 17 winners scooping up honours for projects that ranged from a historic Greek cafe to an inspiring restoration of Bondi Pavilion. Here are the winners in each category, plus judges’ comments.

Aboriginal Heritage

bara Monument for the Eora Judy Watson, Hetti Perkins, City of Sydney, City Plan Heritage, UAP

Unmissable as you walk through the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is the six-metre tall, fishhook-shaped sculpture by Aboriginal artist Judy Watson. This major permanent artwork celebrates the First Peoples of Sydney, the traditional custodians of Gadigal Country.

“A nationally significant project that recognises and honours the Gadigal and neighbouring clans of the Eora nation in a truly striking way.”

ADAPTIVE RE-USE

Cobar Sound Chapel

Cobar Sound Chapel Ltd in collaboration with Glenn Murcutt AO

Sitting on the outskirts of Cobar, a disused water tank from 1901 has been adapted into a unique festival venue and permanent sound installation artwork.

“A fascinating reimagining.... brought to life by a magical collaboration inspired by the Outback landscape.”

Advocacy

Don’t Block the Rocks

Millers Point Community Resident Action Group

Community advocacy hit new heights in 2022 with this campaign which played a significant role in the government eventually withdrawing its controversial Central Barangaroo development proposal.

“A very successful campaign that demonstrated great drive and passion.”

Conservation

– BUILT HERITAGE

Millers Point Townhouse

Design 5 – Architects

Extensive conservation works transformed a Sydney landmark in Victorian Regency architecture, designed by prominent colonial architect John Bibb.

“A sympathetic project that involved lots of trades and so many skills that together have resulted in an enormous change.”

‘Ways Terrace’ 12–20 Point Street, Pyrmont Land and Housing Corporation, Department of Planning and Environment

A major conservation project to restore historic 1920s flats, which involved a vast amount of works, from hydraulic services and landscape renewal to repainting more than 300 sash windows.

“A very impressive and important social housing development demonstrating huge commitment and a lot of attention to detail; a real pioneer in public housing.”

CONSERVATION – INTERIORS AND OBJECTS

The Yellow Dress Project

National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA)

A team of design experts and students reconstructed a collection of mysterious silk fabric pieces found at Old Government House, resulting in the re-creation of an original 18th century gown, along with period accurate underwear for display.

“Marvellous. An incredible showcase of skill and clever detective work that has taken heritage conservation to the next level. Absolutely charming!”

CONSERVATION – LANDSCAPE

Northern Rivers Rail Trail – Tweed section

Tweed Shire Council

Running from Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek, the first section of this long-awaited trail opened in March, offering a new way to explore the region while preserving the area’s heritage.

“An amazing project that demonstrates an immense dedication to conserving and celebrating rail heritage, European and Aboriginal cultural history, and flora and fauna.”

Education And Interpretation

Remembered and Revisited – Victoria Theatre Newcastle

Out of the Square Media, Century Venues and Gavin Patton

A unique oral history project in which 14 people share their personal stories and memories of the Victoria Theatre in Newcastle, taking listeners on an emotional journey into the past. “This charming project and its recorded oral histories put the people, meaning and connections back into the building.”

EVENTS, EXHIBITIONS AND TOURS

Building Bridges Emu Projection

Clarence Valley Council

Artworks by Gumbaynggirr, Yaegl and Bundjalung artists were projected onto the Sunshine Sugar building in South Grafton during the 2022 Jacaranda Festival.

“A powerful and impactful event celebrating the endangered Coastal Emu.”

Mulaa Giilang: Wiradjuri stories of the night sky

Orange Regional Museum

A stand-out exhibition at the Orange Regional Museum which combined stunning images and sound to explore Wiradjuri astronomical knowledge alongside comparative mythologies from across the world.

“A fantastic public offering featuring incredible night-sky photography and an immersive soundtrack.”

Resources And Publications

Gunyah Goondie + Wurley

Thames & Hudson Australia

A comprehensively updated edition of the definitive guide to Australian Indigenous architecture, written by Paul Memmott. The only continental survey of First Nations’ architecture, it now showcases the flourishing Indigenous design practices reshaping Australia’s architectural landscape.

“Decades of research and field work richly illustrated with rare photographs that together offer readers a unique insight into the cultural heritage of Australia’s Indigenous peoples.”

Storyplace

Museums & Galleries of NSW

A new website that publishes stories about the history and culture of NSW, providing fresh insights into the vast collections cared for by regional museums and galleries.

“A well-produced website with engaging stories that really bring the objects to life.”

Heritage by the sea

Of the many deserving winners in the National Trust Heritage Awards, it was a stunning project breathing new life into the Bondi Pavilion that took out the coveted Judges' Choice Award. The pavilion has a colourful history dating back to 1928 when it was known as the ‘Playground of the Pacific’. It once had Turkish baths and a ballroom; during the Second World War the top floor even served as an officers’ club run by the American Red Cross. Decades of marine winds and changing community needs meant the building was well overdue for a revamp, however protests saw successive plans scrapped and revised.

In a project that took more than seven years to complete, Sydney-based architecture practice Tonkin Zulaikha Greer (TZG) set out to protect and celebrate the heritage landmark while also creating contemporary spaces that would once again make the pavilion Bondi’s cultural heart. A highlight for the project team was rediscovering original 1930s murals, which have been carefully incorporated into the new space. More than 30,000 Spanish terracotta tiles were also installed on the roof, along with 200 solar panels.

The restored pavilion now offers numerous public facilities such as change rooms, a pottery studio, community theatre, music recording spaces, and a Bondi Story Room that shares stories about the building and local history. Since reopening to the public in 2022, it’s become a thriving place enjoyed by locals and visitors.

JUDGES’ CHOICE

Bondi Pavilion

Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects

Almost 100 years after it first opened, Bondi Pavilion underwent a major makeover that transformed the heritage landmark from a worn-down building to the cultural heart of Bondi.

“An absolutely brilliant project for an Australian heritage landmark that will now continue to serve local residents and visitors in a sustained and multi-purposeful way.”

PRESIDENT’S PRIZE

Niagara Cafe, Gundagai

Luke Walton and Kym Fraser

A thoughtful restoration of one of Australia’s longest-running Greek cafes, that also stayed true to its original 1938 Art Deco/American Streamlined Diner style.

“A fantastic regional project funded by passionate owners who have lovingly restored it back to its former glory.”

HERITAGE SKILLS AWARD

Ken Ellis, stonemason and Director, Artisan Of Stone

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Ian Stapleton, heritage architect and Director, Lucas Stapleton Johnson & Partners

CATHY DONNELLY MEMORIAL AWARD

Sharon Veale, public historian and urban planner, Partner and CEO, GML Heritage

Opposite from top Conservation – Landscape winner: Northern Rivers Rail Trail – Tweed section, Tweed Shire Council; Education and Interpretation winner: Remembered and Revisited – Victoria Theatre Newcastle, Out of the Square Media, Century Venues and Gavin Patton; Resources and Publications winner: Gunyah Goondie + Wurley, Thames & Hudson Australia.

Top Judges’ Choice winner: Bondi Pavilion, Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects (photo by Brett Boardman).

Find out more about the winning projects

Visit shortlists and winners. nationaltrust.org.au/ national-trust-heritage-awards-nsw

The National Trust Heritage Awards is a signature event of the Australian Heritage Festival in New South Wales and is proudly supported by the NSW Government through Heritage NSW.