Bathurst Macquarie Heritage Medal changes announced

MEDIA RELEASE 26 November 2018

The Bathurst Macquarie Heritage Medal will take on a new focus in 2019.

The Medal, initiative as a bicentennial event in 2015 has undergone a major review by Council and a new local scholarship/grant for a major conservation or interpretation project has been endorsed to replace the previous nationally-focused heritage award.

Mayor Cr Graeme Hanger OAM said local heritage would be the beneficiary of the review of the award which has been re-focused to shine a light on local, rather than national heritage advocates.

“The Bathurst Macquarie Heritage Medal Project/Scholarship will be introduced in 2019. It is a two year program offering a $10,000 grant for a major building conservation project on a heritage item or building, a major heritage interpretation project, or as a scholarship grant for learning in heritage conservation and management or heritage trades.

“The project/scholarship will be announced for the first time in 2019 on Proclamation Day and the $10,000 grant is the largest offered by Council under its existing range of heritage funding programs.

“The type of project or learning to be supported by the revised Macquarie Medal fund will fill a gap in Council’s current heritage incentive funding programs which currently provide funding through the Local Heritage Fund, the Interpretation Fund and Main Street Fund.

“The re-focused award will celebrate major achievements in the region’s history and heritage and will support the continued learning and training of Bathurst’s residents in heritage management and conservation techniques,” Cr Hanger said.

Nominations for the 2019 Bathurst Macquarie Heritage Medal Project/Scholarship will open in late January 2019.

The changes announced for the award will not impact on Council’s ongoing support of the National Trust Bathurst Region Heritage Awards, which includes the Chifley Medal.