Organisations and individuals across the New England region are being encouraged to enter the 2026 National Trust (NSW) Heritage Awards, with entries now open for projects that demonstrate excellence in heritage conservation and interpretation.
The annual awards recognise outstanding achievement in the protection, conservation, and interpretation of Aboriginal, built, natural, and cultural heritage across NSW, including regional communities such as Armidale, Glen Innes, Inverell, Tenterfield, and surrounding districts.
Entries close at 11.59pm (AEDT) on Wednesday, 4 March 2026.
Shortlisted projects will be announced in April, with the 32nd annual National Trust (NSW) Heritage Awards ceremony to be held at Doltone House in Sydney on Friday, 15 May 2026.
Returning chair of the National Trust Heritage Awards jury, architect Matt Devine, said the 2026 awards came at a critical time for heritage and conservation.
“With the need to protect and maintain the special places we all love amid the pressures that come with growth, this year’s Awards are especially timely.
“The 2026 National Trust (NSW) Heritage Awards serve as a landmark occasion to adequately acknowledge those who are working hard to preserve NSW’s rich heritage for future generations.
“These Awards are about more than buildings or landscapes. They showcase how innovation and development can, in fact, coexist with conservation. Therefore, the Heritage Awards importantly highlight how we can honour our state’s past while still shaping its future,” Mr Devine said.
Previous entries have included a broad range of projects, from restored historic buildings and conserved collections to community events, advocacy campaigns, public art, and publications.
The 2026 program features nine project categories: Aboriginal Heritage, proudly sponsored by Extent Heritage; Architecture; Advocacy; Built Conservation, proudly sponsored by Heritage 21; Interiors and Objects; Landscape; Education and Interpretation; Events, Exhibitions and Tours; and Resources and Publication.
Individual awards are free to enter and include four categories, three of which are peer-nominated: Lifetime Achievement, proudly sponsored by Museums of History NSW; Heritage Skills; and Young Achiever, proudly sponsored by GML Heritage. The Cathy Donnelly Memorial Award for women will also be presented.
Special awards include the People’s Choice Award, Judges’ Choice Award, and the President’s Prize.
Tickets for the awards ceremony are available until 1 May, unless sold out earlier. The event regularly reaches capacity.
For more information or to enter, visit nationaltrust.org.au/national-trust-heritage-awards-nsw/.
The National Trust (NSW) Heritage Awards are a signature event of the Australian Heritage Festival, coordinated annually by the National Trust. The NSW Government, through Heritage NSW, is the principal sponsor of both the Australian Heritage Festival and the National Trust Heritage Awards.
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