Grants available for Durack’s national heritage

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Community groups across Durack can apply for grants through the Community Heritage and Icons Grants Programme. These Australian Government grants provide opportunities to celebrate and raise awareness of places that are recognised on Australia’s National Heritage List.

Member for Durack, Melissa Price said that of the 103 listings that define our nation’s natural, historic and Indigenous culture, a number of spectacular sites are in her electorate.

“I hope that each listed national heritage site in Durack will benefit from a grant.” Ms Price said.

“The people of Shark Bay are planning a major celebration next year to commemorate 400 years since the landing by Dirk Hartog, and others such as Ningaloo and the Kimberly hold festivals and events to promote their sites and icons,” said Ms Price.

“The Batavia story on the Abrolhos and the work undertaken about this ship wreck through the Geraldton Museum presents another opportunity that may benefit from a grant application.

“I would also like to see what’s referred to as the oldest mine in the world, the Wilgie Mia Ochre Mine in the Midwest, broadly celebrated and encourage interested groups to apply for a grant,” Ms Price said.

National heritage sites in Durack include:

  1. Batavia Shipwreck Site and Survivor Camps Area 1629 - Houtman Abrolhos
  2. Dampier Archipelago (including Burrup Peninsula)
  3. Dirk Hartog Landing Site 1616 - Cape Inscription Area
  4. Purnululu National Park
  5. Shark Bay, Western Australia
  6. The Ningaloo Coast
  7. The West Kimberley
  8. Wilgie Mia Aboriginal Ochre Mine

Grants of between $2,500 and $10,000 are available for projects that are aligned to the programme’s objectives.

“This is a good opportunity for communities to be involved in conservation, promotion, and raising awareness of places on Australia’s National Heritage List,” Ms Price said.

“I strongly encourage community organisations such as historical societies, Indigenous groups, National Trust groups, and ‘Friends-of’ groups to consider making an application.”

Applications for funding close on 5 March 2015.

Further information about Community Heritage and Icons Grants, including the programme guidelines and application form, is available at:www.environment.gov.au/community-heritage-icons-grants