Ballarat Heritage Awards 2026
The National Trust Ballarat Heritage Awards, supported by the City of Ballarat, recognise those who have demonstrated excellence in conservation and design in and around heritage places and who promote and enhance community engagement with heritage.
On this page
Award categories
- New work/development within a heritage area
- Conservation of a heritage place
- Sustainability and/or greening of a heritage place
- Engagement with heritage (interpretation, education, promotion)
- Heritage advocacy
- Conservation skills
2026 nominations
Nominations for the 2026 National Trust Ballarat Heritage Awards are now open.
Nominations can be submitted by e-mail to conservation@nattrust.com.au. The closing date for nominations submission is 5 October 2026.
Contact us
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What does 'heritage' include?
Our heritage includes Indigenous, natural and historic places such as cultural landscapes, buildings, gardens, waterways, trees and objects, public and private places.
Who are the awards open to?
The Awards are open to individuals, businesses and community groups. Award nominations are sought in categories for any place with demonstrable heritage significance. e.g. included in heritage overlay, Victorian Heritage Register, included in a local or thematic heritage study or classified by the National Trust. Projects include miners’ cottages to skyscrapers, all are considered on their heritage merits and we encourage everyone to get involved.
Why is heritage important?
Heritage is of critical importance to the Ballarat Community. Our heritage provides clues to our past and how our society and community has evolved over time. It helps us examine our history and traditions and enables us to develop an awareness about ourselves. The National Trust and the City of Ballarat have a commitment to celebrate and promote our heritage.
What is the National Trust of Australia?
Since the National Trust’s establishment in Victoria in 1956, it has worked tirelessly with the community to advocate for the preservation of our shared heritage. As the premier heritage and conservation organisation in the state, and the major operator of historic properties open to the public, the National Trust of Australia is able to offer support and professional guidance to communities. In this way the National Trust Heritage Awards Partnership Program is a core part of their advocacy work and a celebration of the community’s extraordinary work in preserving what is important.