Discover the inspiring projects and extraordinary individuals recognised for their contribution to heritage this year.
Remarkable heritage conservation projects and the people who brought them to life were celebrated today at the National Trust (NSW) Heritage Awards – the state’s largest annual celebration of excellence in the conservation of Aboriginal, built, natural and cultural heritage.
20 winners were recognised across nine project categories, four individual awards, a special President’s Prize, the highly sought-after Judges’ Choice Award and the People’s Choice Award.
“We’re always impressed by the level of talent and passion on display across the state” said Debbie Mills, Chief Executive Officer of the National Trust (NSW). “This year’s winners stretch from Byron Bay to the Far South Coast and out to Coolamon in the Riverina; an impressive breadth of projects that set the standard for heritage conservation across NSW’s diverse regions.”
This year the prestigious Judges’ Choice Award went to Pyrmont Community Centre. Judges described the adaptive reuse works as “thoughtful and sensitive, balancing respect for the building’s heritage with confident new interventions, enhancing accessibility and ensuring its ongoing relevance to the growing Pyrmont community.”
The Carrington Hotel’s Grand Dining Room Renovation took out the popular People’s Choice prize with thousands of votes from the public recognising the revitalisation of one of the Blue Mountains’ most significant Victorian interiors.
President of the National Trust of Australia (NSW), Bruce Pettman, awarded the 2026 President’s Prize to the Coolamon Hotel Redevelopment – a five-year conservation project that invested not only in a prominent building but also in the local community. Mr Pettman described the rebirth of the Coolamon Hotel as testament to the rich history of country pubs in Australia and their impact on people, economies and cultural heritage.
Penny Sharpe, Minister for Heritage, commended the winners for their exceptional work in protecting and showcasing NSW’s heritage, highlighting that “These projects are vital to ensuring our unique places and stories are recognised, valued and preserved for generations to come.”
Sally Barnes, Heritage Council of NSW Chair remarked on the impressive span of the projects, stating, “It’s rewarding to see how heritage continues to enrich our surroundings in so many ways, maintaining a strong and enduring connection with contemporary communities.”
Steve Meredith, Member of the NSW Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee said, “I’d like to thank all the finalists who have made a significant contribution to ensuring Aboriginal cultural knowledge is shared, recognised, protected and better managed in NSW.”
“It’s inspiring to see the remarkable talent and dedication evident across NSW, with communities everywhere – from our cities to regional areas – benefiting from these exceptional contributions” said Heritage NSW Executive Director, Sam Kidman.
The ceremony was presented by author and presenter Sarah Macdonald and speakers included keynote speaker, visionary engineer, Jillian Kilby; Sally Barnes, Chair of the Heritage Council; National Trust (NSW) CEO Debbie Mills; National Trust (NSW) President Bruce Pettman and Awards Jury Chair Matthew Devine.
Judges who joined Matthew Devine on the panel for 2026 included: Barrina South, David Burdon, Ingrid Mather, Julie Baird, Stirling Smith, Tamsin McIntosh, and the 2025 Young Achiever award recipient, Steven Barry
The National Trust (NSW) Heritage Awards is a signature event of the Australian Heritage Festival, coordinated annually by the National Trust. The NSW Government through Heritage NSW is principal sponsor of the Australian Heritage Festival and the National Trust Heritage Awards.
The 2026 winners:
Aboriginal Heritage – proudly sponsored by Extent Heritage
• Cultural Knowledge Standards – entered by Aboriginal Affairs NSW – Aboriginal Cultural Heritage and Land Strategy Team
Advocacy
• Save Gosford Library – entered by Merril Jackson OAM
Architecture
• The Lands by Capella – entered by Hassell in collaboration with Purcell Architecture
Built Conservation – proudly sponsored by Heritage 21
• Small: GSDA Dwelling No.1 Recovery – entered by Hector Abrahams Architects
• Large: Town Hall House Remediation – entered by Urbis and City of Sydney
Education and Interpretation
• Education: The Water We Share: Past Present Future – entered by Museums of History NSW
• Interpretation: Munjip Trail – entered by Eurobodalla Shire Council
Events, Exhibitions and Tours
• Events: NSW Aboriginal Archaeology Future Forum – entered by Australian Association of Consulting Archaeologists Inc
• Exhibitions: Model Newcastle: Big Stories, Little Things – entered by Newcastle Museum
Interiors and Objects
• Interiors: Entertainment Hall White Bay – entered by DunnHillam Architecture + Urban Design with Placemaking NSW
• Objects: Q Station Inscriptions Conservation – entered by Q Station, Manly and International Conservation Services
Landscape
• Restoration of the Sandhills Wetlands – entered by Byron Shire Council
Resources and Publications
• Adapt! Designing New Lives for Old Buildings – entered by Uro Books, Hannah Lewi (University of Melbourne) and Cameron Logan (University of Sydney)
SPECIAL CATEGORIES:
Judges’ Choice
• Pyrmont Community Centre – entered by Welsh + Major in association with City of Sydney
President’s Prize
• Coolamon Hotel Redevelopment – entered by GPG Architecture
People’s Choice
• Grand Dining Room Restoration – entered by The Carrington Hotel
Young Achiever Award – proudly sponsored by GML Heritage
• Erica Wright, 2025 Vera Deacon History Intern
Heritage Skills Award
• Gary Cooper, Heritage Plasterer
Lifetime Achievement Award – proudly sponsored by Museums of History NSW
• Dr Roy Lumby, Heritage Specialist
Cathy Donnelly Memorial Award
• Dr Mary Casey, Heritage Consultant
