$73,000 In Grants To Benefit Local Heritage  Mrs Williams said these grants will help local communities to know, value and care for their heritage.

“Our region has some wonderful heritage and any funding to help preserve and promote heritage is greatly appreciated.”

Successful local applicants include: 

• $20,000 for Port Macquarie Historical Society for repairs and structural remediation works to the Port Macquarie Museum building. The works include improving upper sub-floor structure, the historic kitchen chimney as well as other works. 

• $53,000 Port Macquarie-Hastings Council to undertake a study to identify Aboriginal archaeological and cultural heritage sites and places across the Port Macquarie-Hastings Local Government Area. Funding has also been included for a Heritage Advisor.

“Looking after our heritage is everyone’s responsibility and local communities play an important role in maintaining heritage at a local level,” Mrs Williams said.

The 2019-21 grants saw $5.8 million awarded to 241 projects statewide across three categories: Aboriginal Cultural Heritage, Caring for State Heritage and Community Heritage.

Minister for Heritage, Don Harwin said protecting local heritage was an important step towards celebrating NSW’s history as a whole and maintaining a physical record of the past.

“Across NSW the Government is providing support for local heritage and indigenous groups, to protecting important heritage items ensuring communities maintain connection with their history” he said.