Port of Sale takes out prestigious architecture awards

Tuesday 02 July 2019

Wellington’s Port of Sale project has taken out two prestigious awards at the 2019 Victorian Architecture Awards.

The awards, held in Melbourne at the weekend, cap off a dream 18 months since the completed Wellington Centre building was officially opened at the Port of Sale.

More than 300,000 visitors have entered the doors of the Wellington Centre since its opening in January 2018 and the whole precinct has been warmly embraced by the Wellington community.

The most prestigious of the two architecture awards was the Regional Prize; entry into which can only be attained via nomination from judges. The Port of Sale was the only Gippsland shortlisted entry for this award.

The Port of Sale also won one of three awards in the Public Architecture category, from 24 entrants.

Wellington Shire Council Mayor Alan Hall attended the awards ceremony, with architects from fjmt who were responsible for the award-winning design.

"What a night it was, with 800 people assembled to witness the best of the best," Cr Hall said.

"We knew it (the Port of Sale project) was good, our community knows it’s good and now all of Victoria knows too!"

Cr Hall said the awards would cement locals’ love for the precinct and was a great opportunity to market the Port of Sale to the rest of the state and indeed the country as a great place to visit.

"The Port of Sale is an iconic focal point for our community and visitors alike," Cr Hall said.

"There is truly a sense of pride and achievement in our community.

"This is a fantastic win for the architects fjmt, our council and for our Wellington community who all worked so closely together to create this beautiful space."