Heritage Volunteer recognised

Engineering and industrial heritage are the focus of interest of this year’s award for outstanding service by a heritage volunteer.

Retired Consulting Engineer Roy Hardcastle AO was presented with the Ray Tonkin Award for individual volunteer services to heritage in Melbourne on World Heritage Day.

The award was created by the Heritage Council of Victoria in recognition of the significant role volunteers play in the maintenance and preservation of Victoria’s cultural heritage.

Mr Hardcastle is only the second winner of the award, recognising his more than 40 years of voluntary service to industrial and engineering heritage.

Presenting the award, Heritage Council member and Chair of the Council’s Industrial/Engineering Advisory Committee Helen Lardner, said Mr Hardcastle was a worthy winner and had been a valued member of her committee.

She said Mr Hardcastle had been a member of the Government Building Advisory Council from 1972 and a foundation member of the Historic Buildings Preservation Council in 1974, representing the Institution of Engineers (now Engineers Australia) until 1985.

“Mr Hardcastle joined the Industrial/Engineering Advisory Committee of the Heritage Council when it was formed in 2002-3,” said Ms Lardner.

“His profound knowledge of the origins, history and significance of industrial heritage in Victoria added greatly to the business of the committee,” she said.

The award was presented to Mr Hardcastle at the Heritage Council’s annual Heritage Address held at Melbourne Museum on 18 April, this year featuring historian and author, Emeritus Professor Graeme Davison AO as the keynote speaker.

Heritage Council Chair Daryl Jackson AO said Mr Hardcastle was an excellent choice for the second Ray Tonkin Award which was named after the former Executive Director of Heritage Victoria, Ray Tonkin. It is awarded on merit to individuals who have displayed an outstanding commitment and service to heritage in Victoria.