Winners were announced in five categories, with the biennial awards recognising contributions to cultural heritage conservation, research, education, promotion, interpretation, training and awareness-raising within Greater Shepparton. The Awards aim to promote the benefits of cultural heritage conservation by highlighting good practice conservation examples and guidance, as well as offering the owners or guardians of our cultural heritage recognition of their invaluable work.

Cultural heritage includes both tangible cultural heritage, such as buildings and landscapes, books, artefacts and artwork, and intangible cultural heritage, such as folklore, traditions, language and knowledge.

Nominations were open for several months last year, with nominations then shortlisted ahead of site visits and inspections by the judging panel. While the number of entries was lower than previous years, the judging panel were extremely impressed with the quality and standard of the nominations received.

“It is always great to see the quality of the nominations received for these awards. A big congratulations to the very deserving winners of each of the categories,” Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali said.

“We thank everyone for the time and effort they have dedicated to improving the cultural heritage of our region, it doesn’t go unnoticed. Council hope these awards show our recognition of what you have achieved.”

Greater Shepparton Heritage Advisory Committee Councillor Representative, Cr Fern Summer, acknowledged the great work of the committee in bringing the awards to life.

“The committee has worked diligently since 2012 to recognise, protect and conserve heritage in Greater Shepparton. Together, they have lifted the profile of heritage and paved the way for younger generations to get involved,” she said.

Find out more about the Greater Shepparton Cultural Heritage Awards on our website here. 

Winner’s details are included below.  

Maintenance of a Heritage Place

The Mooroopna Historical Society was given the award for their custodial care of an extensive and significant collection. Their collection is diverse and includes rare medical items, including surgical equipment, furniture and uniforms, local family histories, documents, original plans of the former Mooroopna Base Hospital and a numismatic collection (badges). The number of paper-based items is considerable and this in itself is a difficult task in terms of management, storage and conservation. To add to their curatorial tasks, is the ever-present risk of flooding and the flood event of 2022 has certainly tested their capacity. But through the resilience of the volunteers and many hours of work   and determination, their culturally valuable collections were restored. Of note is the professional approach taken when it came to the drying of the large numbers of paper files and family histories which were damaged by the flood waters. Through their professionalism, these have been saved and restored.

Best Research Publication or Manuscript

From adversity to Prosperity - Decades of change in the Katandra District 1930-1960, is the second volume of a history of the Katandra district. The publication is the result of many members of the local historical group’s hard work. It is a thorough piece of research and includes information on a wide range of community groups, businesses, organisations, clubs and services, and local farming and agricultural enterprises. The historical material covers the history and development of the district from the 1930s to the 1950s, and is an important record as it provides an understanding of how present day Katandra district has developed into a contemporary regional settlement. The factual information is brought to life with many carefully-recorded reminiscences, and this combined with a well thought out synthesis of the historical material, maps and photos, provides an interesting read as well as a factual document.

Other Publication

The Tiger has many lives: The story of Rod Wells, POW Survivor is a well-written and very accessible biography of a remarkable achiever and contributor, who began and concluded his life in the Tatura/Rushworth area. However, it is the much wider stage that is at the heart of this narrative - Wells’ experiences as a Prisoner of War (POW) of the Japanese, which resonate. His courage, initiative and resilience in the face of brutality and extremity are written in a matter of fact manner that is powerful. His childhood fascination with scientific experimentation is also wonderfully evoked. It also recalls a particular time and culture that is described with clarity and with much humour. His considerable achievements in later life in the fields of secure communications, electronics and nucleonics are also chronicled and contribute to an understanding of the strengths and intellectual capacity of this remarkable person.   

Community and Multicultural Events and Tourism

Heritage does not just encompass buildings, sites or objects, it also includes skills, techniques and crafts from earlier times. These are often in danger of being forgotten. The Merrigum Heritage Day demonstrated many skills from the past which have been superseded by newer technologies and inventions. The event provided an opportunity for the public, in a relaxed and enjoyable environment, to observe and take part in skills and crafts employed earlier in the district and the wider region. The skills on display included sleeper-cutting with a broad axe, butter churning, washing clothes by hand with a wash board, blacksmithing and the less typical trade, but of great interest, the making of cricket bats by hand. There were many other skills and trades on display and it is a credit to the organisers and volunteers on the day to provide such a professionally run day. Approximately 250 people attended and it was advertised in the National Trust’s Australian Heritage Festival.

Other Contribution

Kristy Rudd won this award for her voluntary works at the Shepparton Heritage Centre. With typical energy, Kristy suggested improvements to Council, many of which have now been undertaken including repainting, wall repairs, replacement of floor coverings, differing floor heights levelled out, new lighting and air conditioning introduced, and some areas re-plastered. This was particularly relevant after the 2022 flood event where she oversaw many of the conservation works. Kristy has opened up the display areas with much of the collection presented in a new, fresh and well-organised way including the addition of some impressive new cutting-edge display units funded through an $80,000 grant. She is an inspiration for those who volunteer with her, as her energy and well-developed organisational skills support a positive work environment. For children, she has made sure that relevant displays are accessible and interactive with work sheets that provide a pathway for children to understand and be engaged with Shepparton’s history. Kristy is an accomplished researcher, freely gives her time to assist with queries and has become a well-respected volunteer within the organisation.