Barry Stinson was awarded a high commendation for Outstanding Heritage Achievement in last year’s Heritage Awards. He is pictured with Councillor Jerry Clune.

The preservation, promotion and conservation of our region’s rich heritage is recognised by the City of Greater Geraldton’s annual Heritage Awards.

Nominations are now open for the 2015 City of Greater Geraldton Heritage Awards which acknowledges outstanding efforts by local individuals and organisations who have worked to conserve and promote the City’s social, cultural and natural heritage.

Nominations will close on Monday, March 16 2015 at 4pm and the winners will be announced at a gala event during Heritage Week which runs from April 11 to 19.

Mayor Ian Carpenter said the awards recognised people and organisations that play a very important role within the community.

“We have a very rich culture and heritage throughout the region and the stories of our history help us form our local identity,” he said.

“The previous winners are a testament to the high calibre of work that has already been done in conserving our heritage.”

Swansea House was the winner of last year’s award for Excellence in Heritage Building Design and Conservation.

Introduced in 2012, previous winners have included Swansea House, Greenough Museum and Gardens and Glengarry Homestead. Local individuals have also been recognised including Howard Gray, Gary Martin and George Macdonald.

If you would like to nominate a person or organisation in your local community, copies of the Guidelines and Nomination Form can be collected from the Civic Centre, Mullewa District Office and Geraldton Regional Library or can be downloaded from the Library website www.library.cgg.wa.gov.au.

For further information contact City of Greater Geraldton Coordinator Heritage Services, Trudi Cornish on (08) 9956 6659 or trudic@cgg.wa.gov.au.