Landmarks on heritage list

Albany’s rich history has been recognised with two of the port city’s landmarks named as finalists in the WA Heritage Awards.

Discovery Bay Historic Whaling Station and Albany Town Jetty are among 56 finalists vying for the State’s top heritage honours.

Discovery Bay Historic Whaling Station general manager Glenn Russell said the former whaling station turned tourism drawcard had been a “labour of love” over the past 30 years for numerous people involved with its preservation and development.

“We are certainly pleased to have the work done here over the years by many, many people, and the success of the restoration and preservation of the living history of the site acknowledged,” he said.

“It is important for people to be able to gain a better understanding of what happened here as part of Albany’s cultural history.”

Mr Russell said he thought the centre was in with a good chance to win the outstanding heritage tourism product category next month, based on the benefits to the economy.

The Albany Town Jetty, completed in 1864 to service the Port of Albany and heritage listed in 1992, is a finalist in the outstanding interpretation project that enhances a place category.

City of Albany Mayor Dennis Wellington said it was ‘fantastic” for Albany to claim two finalist nominations.

“I believe Albany is the most significant historic city in WA in terms of our status as the oldest European settlement in the State, as well as our Noongar heritage,” he said.

“Our history and heritage is something that visitors can’t help but be impressed by and locals are rightly proud of … we have a plethora of unique historical attractions.”

Winners will be announced in Perth on April 3.