Efforts to preserve history in Bunbury recognised

Bunbury’s unique heritage was highlighted on Friday as local heritage success stories were showcased and awarded at the annual City of Bunbury Heritage Awards.

Since 2008, the awards have acknowledged and encouraged excellence in conservation of heritage places and sites.

There are two categories in the biennial awards – City of Bunbury Award for Excellence in Heritage Building Design and Conservation Work and City of Bunbury Award for Outstanding Heritage Promotion.

Taking home the City of Bunbury Award for Excellence in Heritage Building Design and Conservation Work community organisation category was the Anglican Parish of Bunbury and Carey Park.

The award recognised the works on St Boniface Cathedral (1960) and St Mark’s Church and Graveyard (1842) and demonstrated how community activism and enthusiasm can help to retain valuable heritage.

The Bewsher family and Bevan Dix were awarded the City of Bunbury Award for Excellence in Heritage Building Design and Conservation Work in the private category.

After a lengthy process, the trio restored a rotted grave marker that had great significance to Donnybrook resident David Bewsher and encouraged families in the region to do the same.

Joseph Caruso was awarded the City of Bunbury Award for Outstanding Heritage Promotion for his work on the old Bunbury Post Office and Bonded Store which he purchased through Tarry Property Investments.

Mr Caruso was recognised for having undertaken extensive repairs and conservation works and demonstrating his commitment to the conservation and promotion of Bunbury’s heritage.

A certificate of merit was awarded to Megan Lawless for her voluntary work administering the Memories of Bunbury Facebook page and playwrite Norm Flynn for his works that draw inspiration from Bunbury’s history and identities.