The Hon. Don Harwin launches the Australian Heritage Festival in NSW on World Heritage Day

Special Minister of State, and Minister for the Public Service and Employee Relations, Aboriginal Affairs, and the Arts and the Minister for Heritage, the Hon. Don Harwin, has today launched the Australian Heritage Festival via video on the National Trust (NSW) YouTube channel. The Minister said:

“We have seen over the past 12 months how important connections to people, identity, and community are. So it’s time to go visit our treasured heritage sites and delight in their history.”

World Heritage Day, also known as International Monuments and Sites Day, is celebrated across Australia and internationally on 18 April every year. The date marks the commencement of the Australian Heritage Festival which, in New South Wales, includes the National Trust Heritage Awards ceremony – this year taking place on Thursday 13 May. In New South Wales, both initiatives are run by the National Trust (NSW) and proudly supported by the NSW Government through the Heritage Council of NSW.

The theme for this year’s Australian Heritage Festival is ‘Our Heritage for the Future’ and in New South Wales, more than 90 events have been organised by community groups, galleries, museums and libraries around the state. Nationally there are more than 400 events. The festival runs from 18 April to 17 May 2021.

“I am proud to support the Australian Heritage Festival taking place across New South Wales in 2021,” said Minister Harwin. “It is particularly exciting this year to see so many events celebrating our built, natural and diverse cultural heritage in light of the past 12 months.”

The National Trust is the official organiser of the Australian Heritage Festival across Australia. In New South Wales, the National Trust will be celebrating the commencement of the festival, World Heritage Day and its 75th Anniversary with a special event called ‘Earth & Sky’ at Old Government House in Parramatta.

“I will be celebrating the commencement of the Australian Heritage Festival and the National Trust’s 75th Anniversary at Old Government House,” said Debbie Mills, CEO of the National Trust (NSW). “Being at this World Heritage-listed site in Parramatta and marking this significant milestone for the National Trust really exemplifies the ongoing importance of conserving and celebrating our heritage for the whole community.”

See the full program of Australian Heritage Festival events taking place in New South Wales.

Media contact:

Lyndal Stuart, Director, Marketing and Communications
National Trust (NSW)
Email: lstuart@nationaltrust.com.au