ACT Heritage Grants Program 2024: Celebrating Local History and Culture
Every year, the ACT Heritage Grants program provides funding to individuals and community groups in the region to support projects that celebrate and preserve the rich history and culture of Canberra. In 2024, the program has selected 13 recipients, allocating a total of $206,500 to fund various initiatives that aim to conserve and promote the diverse heritage of the region while enhancing the experiences of locals and visitors alike.
In Brief
- The 2024 ACT Heritage Grants program is funding 13 local projects.
- These grants help individuals and groups with projects that celebrate the region’s history.
- The Woodlands & Wetlands Trust is one of the recipients.
The ACT Heritage Grants program plays a vital role in helping Canberrans honor their cultural heritage, stories, and history that span many years. The selected projects for this year include a range of initiatives such as restoration of heritage places and objects, oral histories, publications, and tours, all contributing to the preservation and promotion of the region’s rich heritage.
Highlighting The Woodlands & Wetlands Trust
The Woodlands & Wetlands Trust has been named as one of the recipients of the 2024 ACT Heritage Grants program, receiving a grant of $20,200. The trust plans to utilize this funding to develop a self-guided interpretive trail at Mulligans Flat, a significant natural sanctuary in the region.
Dr. Jason Cummings, the CEO of The Woodlands & Wetlands Trust, expressed excitement about the project, stating that the interpretive trail will showcase the geological heritage of Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary and offer insights into how geology has influenced the landscape and people’s connections to the land. The trail is designed to provide visitors with a unique opportunity to engage with both the natural and cultural aspects of Mulligans Flat, with a particular focus on incorporating Ngunnawal perspectives and stories.
The trail will not only enhance the experience of visitors to Mulligans Flat but also serve as an educational resource for school groups. It will be integrated into the Canberra Tracks network, offering an immersive journey through geological time and highlighting the significance of geology in shaping the landscape features, flora, fauna, and human interactions.
2024-25 Individual Recipients and Projects
- Cuppacumbalong: Roof Conservation Works – $63,500
- Tidbinbilla Pioneers Association: Oral Histories in the modern era – $22,200
- Tidbinbilla Pioneers Association: Rock Valley Homestead Conservation Works – $17,000
- Canberra Baptist Church: Conservation Management Plan – $15,525
- Trevor Lipscombe: Griffith Weston Forest Trail Guidebook – $2,500
- Canberra & District Historical Society: Digitisation of Limestone Plains photographs – $780
- Hall Heritage Centre: Lyall Gillespie and the story of Ginninderra – $3,225
- Yarralumla Residents Association: Discovering and Valuing Yarralumla Heritage – $9,850
- Nick Swain: A History of the Mugga Lane area – $5,040
- Woodlands & Wetlands Trust: Canberra Tracks geo heritage trail at Mulligans Flat – $20,200
- University of Canberra: A City by Design – $32,500
- Theatre Organ Society of Australia: Compton Organ maintenance, Albert Hall – $4,680
- Free Serbian Orthodox Church St George: Murals Restoration Works – $9,500
For more information about the grants and the selected projects, visit the Heritage website.
Conclusion
The ACT Heritage Grants program continues to play a crucial role in preserving and promoting the rich heritage and culture of Canberra. Through funding initiatives that celebrate the region’s history and stories, the program supports individuals and groups in their efforts to conserve and showcase the diverse heritage of the area. The projects funded in 2024 highlight the importance of preserving historical sites, sharing oral histories, and engaging the community in exploring and appreciating the unique heritage of the region.
FAQs
Q: How are the recipients of the ACT Heritage Grants program selected?
A: The recipients are selected based on the merits of their proposed projects, which must align with the program’s goals of conserving and promoting the region’s heritage while enhancing local and visitor experiences.
Q: What is the significance of the Woodlands & Wetlands Trust’s project at Mulligans Flat?
A: The project aims to create an interpretive trail that showcases the geological heritage of Mulligans Flat and tells stories about the landscape’s formation and its cultural connections, offering visitors a new way to engage with the natural and cultural aspects of the sanctuary.
Q: How does the Canberra Tracks network play a role in the interpretive trail project?
A: The interpretive trail at Mulligans Flat will be integrated into the Canberra Tracks network, providing visitors with an immersive experience that highlights the geological features of the area and shares stories about how geology has shaped the landscape and its inhabitants.