The Shire of Murray has been recognised for its world-class excellence in heritage practices with a fourth WA Heritage Award.
The local government was named the winner of the Contribution by a Public or Private Organisation category for the St John's Church and Exchange Hotel conservation projects.
The Shire has been a nominee in the state Heritage Awards seven times since 2011, was a winner of similar awards in 2016 and 2017 and won the Conservation of a Non-Residential Place Award for the restoration works of Edenvale Homestead's west wing in 2013.
The region has a rich history of culture and many places of heritage significance still in use, and the council has recently increased budget expenditure for heritage management and conservation works to protect such assets.
Shire of Murray president David Bolt said the latest accolade recognised their "proactive approach" to the management of its heritage places.
"The award is as much an accolade for the community's commitment and desire to preserve the district's character and heritage assets, as it is for the Shire of Murray in the development and delivery of plans and initiatives to this effect," he said.
"Through collaboration with our community and local businesses, we continue to achieve monumental heritage milestones and have set the benchmark for the sector."
Through collaboration with our community and local businesses, we continue to achieve monumental heritage milestones and have set the benchmark for the sector.
- Shire of Murray president David Bolt
Heritage Minister David Templeman said he was "delighted" to see so many historic tourism destinations highlighted in the 2020 awards.
"I'm also pleased to see six local government authorities recognised for their commitment to conserving and celebrating local history," he said.
"Particularly the Shire of Murray, who were recognised as a category winner for restoration of the St John's Church and Exchange Hotel.
"These award-winning projects demonstrate the important role cultural heritage tourism has to play in our state and will encourage Western Australians to 'wander out yonder' and explore new regional destinations."
Announced last month, the Shire was among 29 winners in this year's WA Heritage Awards recognising the preservation of valuable stories, culture and places.
The first honours were handed out in 1992 and, since then, have showcased hundreds of individuals and heritage projects setting excellent standards in interpretation, heritage tourism, conservation and adaptive reuse.
