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2009 Tasmanian Heritage Icons are announcedAward CeremonyAt a ceremony in Hobart's Theater Royal The National Trust of Australia (Tasmania) announced the names of this year’s winners of the Tasmanian Heritage Icon Awards, which have been chosen by an independent panel from amongst hundreds of community nominations. Ten Tasmanian Heritage Icons and one Children’s Choice Icon now join last year’s inaugural list which received overwhelming community acceptance. Mr Chris Tassell, Managing Director of the National Trust (Tasmania) said , “Once again, the community has really responded strongly and we now have an additional group of worthy Icons that truly represent what ‘Tasmania’ is really about. Just like last year, these Icons are highly valued and much loved.” Mr. Tassell said “We think it is a great thing that the community is able to recognise our State’s distinct cultural heritage and the success of the program indicates how important these Icons are to Tasmanians.” The latest list, announced at the Theatre Royal on Monday the 9th of November, is the result of an annual process that enables the community to nominate their favourite Icons. A six member independent judging panel accesses the nominations against diverse criteria which include historical, aesthetic, technical, scientific, social or spiritual significance. The Chairman of the Heritage Icon Awards Committee, Mr Colin Kent – General Manager Marketing at Tasmanian Perpetual Trustees, said that the community nominations and this year’s winners reflect the rich diversity of things which Tasmanians believe are very special and worthy of wider recognition. "There will always be the potential for controversy about which Icons have been chosen but part of our aim is to ensure that some of the truly remarkable, yet not widely understood aspects of Tasmania find their way to the winners list. This will challenge Tasmanians to continually evaluate the things which are important to them and worthy of recognition and preservation, as part of our heritage,” Mr Kent said. “The nominations show us that Tasmanians really understand their culture and they want this recognised. In my opinion, this is a defining feature about the Tasmanian community.” Mr Kent said. The 2009 Tasmanian Heritage Icon Awards and the Children’s Choice Icon Award are: 2009 Tasmanian Heritage Icon Awards
2009 Children’s Choice Icon Award
“Tasmanian Perpetual Trustees, together with the Commonwealth Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, has once again been delighted to partner the National Trust in this fantastic community program,” Mr Kent said. “We look forward to these “new” Icons being even further appreciated and we eagerly await nominations for next year’s list.” 2009 Heritage Icons Committee - Judging PanelChairman –
Committee members –
Profiles of this year's winnersMount Wellington
The mountain overshadows and protects Hobart, giving a glorious scene in all seasons. One of the great sights of Hobart, Mt. Wellington rises to a height of 1,270 metres and provides a magnificent backdrop to the City of Hobart. Climbed by George Bass in 1798, Charles Darwin in 1836 and Lady Franklin in 1837, it is now part of everyday life in Hobart and is regularly used for sport, recreation and leisure activities. In the judges opinion, the rugged mountain is central to the character of Tasmania with its mix of iconic natural beauty alongside an urban landscape. Mt Wellington is synonymous with Hobart and for residents and visitors alike, the site of Mt Wellington as you approach the city is a glorious reminder of the natural beauty of Tasmania.
Theatre Royal
The Theatre Royal, opened in 1837, is the oldest working theatre in Australia. It is a Tasmanian treasure. The ambience is thrilling, its beauty majestic and it transports people to another world! The judges’ considered that, along with its importance as a heritage building, the history contained within its walls, the notable performers who have graced its stage and its social significance to countless thousands of Tasmanians, make it a true Tasmanian Heritage Icon.
Tasmanian Cool Climate Wines
Tasmania’s first vineyard was planted at New Town, now a Hobart suburb, in 1821. In 1848 its white wine won an award at the Paris Exhibition. Tasmania now produces elegant cool climate wines such as pinot noir, Riesling, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon, pinot gris and sparkling wines and enjoys a national and international reputation as a leading producer of Australia’s premium cool-climate wines. The judges believe that the Tasmanian wine industry and in particular its ability to consistently produce premium cool climate wines which receive national and international accolade, has greatly enhanced our collective identity and pride and is therefore of great social significance to Tasmanians and worthy of Icon status.
Shell necklaces made by Indigenous Tasmanians
The judges believe that these necklaces simply are aesthetically incredible, and encapsulate the timeless and extraordinary dexterity and creativity of their makers. A cultural tradition of Palawa society that extends back at least 1800 years, the making of shell necklaces has always been the role of women and has been handed down through many generations.. The judges considered that the necklaces were worthy of acknowledgement as true Tasmanian icons.
Winton Merino Stud Flock No. 1
The Winton Saxon Stud is the oldest sheep stud in Australia with pure bloodlines dating back to the time of King Phillip of Spain. The bloodlines have been dispersed throughout the country and represent the only true superfine parent stud in Australia. In considering this nomination, the judges acknowledged the importance not only to Tasmania but also to Australia of the establishment of the Winton Stud. Its influence in building the reputation of Tasmanian as a source of the best superfine wool and to the development of one of the States main export industries is considerable and therefore worthy of inclusion as a Tasmanian Heritage Icon.
Low Head Lighthouse & Settlement
The lighthouse & settlement represent the earliest navigational aid in the Tamar area. A signal station, set up in 1805, is Australia’s oldest continuously used pilot station. The tower was built in 1833, 15.25 metres from top to bottom and constructed of local rubble with a coat of stucco. The crown was built of freestone from Launceston. It is Australia’s third and Tasmania’s second oldest lighthouse. The judges considered that the historic lighthouse and its accompanying settlement figured prominently in the history of Tasmania and its foundation. In addition, the area featured prominently in the lives of many Tasmanians. It was therefore judged to be worthy of the status of a Tasmanian Heritage Icon.
Port Arthur Historic Site
Port Arthur was established in the 1830s as a penal settlement. It remains a physical chronicle of a dramatic part of Australia’s history. Its 60 or so buildings and picturesque landscape offer a challenging mix of both beauty and horror and have helped the site to become one of Tasmania’s iconic destinations. The judges considered that this site was so important to the image of Tasmania, that there could be no doubt that it was worthy of being listed as a Tasmanian Heritage Icon.
Longford New Years’ Day Race Meeting
The meeting is Australia’s oldest continuously used racecourse with the first meeting held in 1846. It has become an integral part of Northern Tasmania’s social calendar. Thousands of people each year enjoy the convivial atmosphere of this picnic race meeting. The judges considered that this race meeting epitomises the history, social bonds and charm of rural life in Tasmania and that its importance goes far beyond that of the local community and is therefore worthy to be included as a true Tasmanian Heritage Icon.
Coogans Blackwood Furniture
William Coogan (1857 – 1940) established W. Coogan & Co. in 1880 in Launceston. The firm manufactured furniture in both Launceston and Hobart until the 1950s and had showrooms around the state. Coogan’s furniture featured mainly Tasmanian oak and blackwood and was exported to all Australian states where it was recognised for its beautiful quality and workmanship. These everyday items of useful and practical furniture, which can still be found in many Tasmanian homes, are now highly collectible pieces and often prized family heirlooms. The judges considered that the blackwood furniture manufactured by Coogans in Tasmania was iconic in its day and worthy of preservation and recognition as a Tasmanian Heritage Icon.
Central Highlands Trout Fishing
Early settlers tried 3 times to bring live ova from Great Britain and finally succeeded. Tasmania is now fortunate to have one of the purest strains of wild brown trout found anywhere in the world. Tasmania is famous for its chain of over 3000 shallow still-water lakes throughout the Central Highlands that provide the most interesting, challenging and productive trout fishing available anywhere in the world. The judges; opinion was that this pastime, which has been enjoyed by so many Tasmanians and which attracts visitors from all over the world, is of such significant social and cultural value that it should be recognised as a Tasmanian Heritage Icon.
CHILDRENS' CHOICE ICON AWARD : Cradle Mountain
Cradle Mountain forms the northern end of the wild Cradle Mountain/Lake St. Clair National Park. The jagged contours of Cradle Mountain epitomise the feel of Tasmanian wilderness landscape. Ancient rainforest and alpine heath, buttongrass, colourful deciduous beech, icy streams and ancient pines with a wealth of native wildlife, ensure that this is the most popular natural area in Tasmania. The Children’s Choice Icon Award is selected from those nominated by children and the judges were pleased to see that the experience of Cradle Mountain has left such an impression on those children who have visited this iconic site.
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