Published on 28 September 2022
Preserving the past
Traditional builders, and owners of an 1863-built district hall (now a private residence), a lovingly restored outbuilding associated with an early settler’s cottage, and a 1915-built cottage with modern additions have won 2023 City of Onkaparinga History and Heritage Awards.
The awards, presented at the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast Visitor Centre on Saturday 24 September, recognise positive contributions in the promotion, conservation or understanding of the region’s European history and built heritage.
They also shine a light on best practice in the conservation of heritage places and seek to foster a stronger awareness of design and heritage within the community
Nominations this year were adjudicated by a panel comprising Acting Mayor Simon McMahon, Councillor Sandra Brown, and Council’s Heritage Advisor Andrew Stevens, who all visited the sites in July.
The judges were impressed with the quality of nominations received, and appreciated the innovative approaches, passion and interest shown by heritage property owners and traditional skills tradespersons in preserving the historic buildings and increasing their liveability through appropriate additions.
Without further ado, check out the winners of the 2023 History and Heritage Awards below, and see more before-and-after pics at council’s website.
Category 1 – Heritage Places – Restoration and Conservation
The local heritage-listed home at 35 High Street, Willunga, took out this award thanks to a restoration of the roof, including facia boards, rendering of the parapet, repair and repointing of the eastern and western walls, and replacement of window sills.
The judges were impressed by the commitment of the owner to preserve the historic building by engaging specialist tradespersons to undertake restoration of their heritage-listed home, and also by the staged restoration process to improve the liveability of the building and improving its street appearance.
Originally constructed as the Oddfellows Hall, the foundation for this stone and brick structure was laid in 1863. The District Council met for a time after 1864 in the small single-storey back room, and the hall served as the town's first cultural centre, becoming a popular venue for lectures, concerts, recitals, soirees, meetings and Willunga shows.
The building was converted into a dwelling in the 1960s.
Category 2 – Heritage Places – Additions and Alterations
A house at 85 St Johns Terrace, Willunga South, was nominated by the owner for a sympathetic addition of a carport, laundry, kitchen and deck to a local heritage-listed house.
The judges considered this a good example of a modern addition to a heritage-listed place. The judges were impressed with the consideration given to re-use of existing elements such as ceiling boards in the new additions, integration between the new and the old, and connection of the backyard with the new addition. The addition also does not affect the street appearance of the heritage-listed house.
The original cottage was built by local Percival Herring in 1915. Percival’s family resided in Beltunga cottage (across St John’s Terrace) and he constructed the cottage at number 85 as his own residence following his 1915 marriage.
Category 3 - Heritage Places – Adaptive Re-use
An outbuilding at 17 Chapman Avenue, McLaren Vale, was nominated by the owners for conversion of a local heritage-listed outbuilding into a bed and breakfast accommodation.
The judges were impressed with the conversion of the outbuilding into a single bedroom accommodation by lifting the height of ceiling, and the addition of modern kitchen and bathroom facilities.
This adaptive re-use has given new life to this outbuilding, and is a positive outcome for the community as well as the owners.
The original cottage is believed to be one of the few houses that has survived from the first decades of development in Gloucester, which was formed in the region by Nicholas Browning in 1851. Its actual date of construction is unknown, and it’s reputed to have originally had a thatched roof.
Category 4 - Traditional Building Skills
General Onkaparinga-based builder Garry Gardiner and his team took out the Traditional Building Skills Award for their restoration works at 35 High Street, Willunga.
Garry Gardiner and his team undertook roof replacement, replacement of barge and fascia boards, repainting of timber elements, repair to stoneworks, repointing and replacement of slate window sills.
The judges were impressed with the quality of works and application of various heritage skills at one location.