The University of Western Australia was highly commended for its outstanding contribution to heritage at the recent Western Australian Heritage Awards.

John Castrilli, WA Minister for Local Government; Heritage; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests, announced the high commendation at the annual awards ceremony, which recognises outstanding commitment and contribution to heritage conservation.

UWA's Heritage and Research officer, Shobha Cameron said the architecture of the University's early buildings - completed in the 1930s - and the standard of the campus grounds on the Matilda Bay foreshore contributed to the University being recognised as one of the most beautiful campuses in the world.

The University's awareness of its heritage responsibilities was demonstrated following the March 22 hail storm, when University staff and students showed commitment and dedication to repairing the damage, Ms Cameron said.

"There has been considerable expenditure in the past decade on heritage-listed buildings on campus, including ongoing upgrades to the Hackett memorial buildings," she said.

"Winthrop Hall's limestone façade and McGillivray organ have been restored and the University Boatshed on the foreshore has been reconstructed to the original 1929 concept.

"There have also been upgrades to landscaped areas of significance on campus, including re-landscaping of the paths and stone benches in the Somerville Auditorium and, most recently, replacement of the Whitfeld Court paving around the Reflection Pond."

"We are very pleased that our excellence in the promotion and conservation of the cultural heritage of Western Australia has been recognised by the Heritage Council of WA."

The commendation follows last week's announcement that UWA's Professor Carmen Lawrence had been appointed Chair of the Australian Heritage Council, the Federal Government's independent expert advisory body on heritage matters.

More details about the WA Heritage Awards.

Media references

Shobha Cameron (UWA Heritage and Research, Campus Planning)  (+61 8)  6488 3556
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716