The newly restored and re-opened Milang Butter Factory played host to the 2024 Alexandrina Council Heritage Awards on Thursday 23 May.

Guest speaker was Peter Goers, South Australian arts personality and long-time ABC radio presenter, who delivered an entertaining address on heritage, the Alexandrina region and living in South Australia.

Award winners and commendations were announced across six categories:

Heritage Gardens and Fencing

Commendations were awarded to Melrose’s Garden, Woodburn Homestead, Langhorne Creek and a private Garden, Tottenham Court Road, Port Elliot.

Conservation Practice (Projects under $50k)

Commendation went to Restoration of Mary’s Well, Red Creek.

The winner was Restoration of State Heritage Listed Workshop, Bleasdale Vineyards, Langhorne Creek.

Conservation Practice (Projects over $50k)

Commendation went to Trafalgar House Restoration, The Strand, Port Elliot

The winner was Milang Butter Factory Restoration, Daranda Terrace, Milang.

Historic Research

Commendation went to Paul Taylor, Oral History with Lorraine Pomery Project

The winner was Jessica Groot and Deb Morgan, Old Angas Mill.

Heritage Tourism

Joint winners were: Pago Luxury Retreat, Middleton and 50 Years of the Strathalbyn National Trust Museum and Heritage Centre.

Lorraine Pomery Service to Heritage Award

Commendation went to Cedric Varcoe.

The winner was  Anthony Presgrave.

Mayoral Award

The winner was Jessica Groot and Deb Morgan, Old Angas Mill Project.

This year no awards or commendations were issued in the category of Adaptive Re-use.

The evening was organised as part of the SA History Festival and well attended by more than 100 people, who celebrated Alexandrina’s rich heritage.

“The committee was delighted to see the high calibre of entries this year, clearly reflecting the dedication of the nominees, often over a considerable period, to preserving, restoring and promoting the heritage of Alexandrina,” says Heritage Advisory Committee Chair Simon Weidenhofer.

“Protecting and promoting Alexandrina’s unique history is a priority for our Council and hosting the Heritage Awards is public recognition of the work being done in our community to preserve history,” says Mayor Keith Parkes.

“We’ve also become the first regional council in South Australia to endorse a full-scale Heritage Strategy and Action Plan and we are about to start community consultation on our Milang Local Heritage Code Amendment to protect the substantial heritage in this special town.”

For further information about heritage in Alexandrina, visit the council website.