The National Trust (ACT) have opened their 2023 Heritage Awards for nominations for projects “both small and large”, says president GARY KENT.

WELCOME to our occasional National Trust column on Trust activities and ACT heritage issues.

The Trust is delighted to announce that nominations have opened for our 2023 Heritage Awards. You will find full details elsewhere on this page. We encourage entries of projects and activities both small and large. 

You will also find information about the 2023 ACT Heritage Symposium, with the theme “Planning for Heritage”. Please consider submitting a paper or just come along to hear a range of expert and community views on this important topic. 

The symposium is organised by the Trust, the Canberra Archaeological Society, the Canberra and District Historical Society and ICOMOS.

THE 2023 ACT Heritage Festival earlier this year was a great success. Many of the events were organised by the Trust, including the inaugural ACT Heritage Oration, presented by Max Bourke AM. You can find the text of Max’s thought-provoking address on our website at nationaltrustact.org.au

CONGRATULATIONS to the newly-appointed members of the interim ACT Heritage Council. The Trust has an excellent relationship with the interim chair of the council, Duncan Marshall AM, and wishes him and his fellow council members well in their new roles.

THE Trust continues to work on important heritage issues affecting the ACT. We are carefully watching discussions between the ACT Government and the National Capital Authority on the final route of the light rail in the vicinity of Parliament House. All options have substantial heritage implications.

I APPEARED, on behalf of the Trust, before the ACT Legislative Assembly Committee Standing Committee on Environment inquiry into ACT heritage arrangements, and explained the Trust’s call for substantial changes to current arrangements.

THE Trust will shortly publish half a dozen new and updated self-guided walking guides for suburbs including Russell, Campbell, Kingston, Dairy Road and Oaks Estate, with more under development. 

The Trust welcomes your views on current issues that you suggest we could take up. Please write to me: president@nationaltrustact.org.au

Heritage Symposium 2023 – Planning for Heritage – Saturday, 14 October 2023

Change in the built and natural environment is both inevitable and necessary. Factors such as land development, increased housing demand, climate change and regulation of land use, can have a significant impact on heritage values and heritage places and landscapes. Join us for the 2023 ACT Region Heritage Symposium to explore this.

Call for papers

You are invited to offer a paper, or a short five-minute vignette, related to the above. Proposals should include a title and a brief abstract. Please send your
proposals or inquiries to info@nationaltrustact.org.au 

Papers due: Friday, July 28. nationaltrust.org.au/event/2023-act-region-heritage-symposium