Winner
THEATRE 180
THEATRE 180 produces heritage theatre productions that tell the stories of key figures and events in Western Australia’s history in a range of styles. It tours extensively throughout the state, appealing to a wide demographic.
The name reflects the company’s aim of making local history accessible through a storytelling performance.
Popular plays range from stories of early settlers, convicts such as Moondyne Joe, the Catalpa incident, through to 20th century early cinema in Western Australia, wireless telecommunications, both World Wars, post-World War 2 immigrants to the state, the Wheatbelt in the 1950s and the 1980s America’s Cup.
Formerly named Agelink Theatre, the group’s 31-year history includes state, national and international tours. A skilled team creates theatre from oral and recorded histories and is committed to making our history accessible to an inter-generational audience.
Commendation
Bus Preservation Society of Western Australia
The Bus Preservation Society of Western Australia, based in Whiteman Park in the Swan Valley, is a self-funded community group dedicated to preserving and conserving the state’s motor bus public transport heritage.
The society, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2019, provides heritage bus services within Whiteman Park. It has more than 20 restored buses on display throughout the year. The buses also take part in motor shows, and community and local government events, where visitors have the opportunity to ride in them. Enthusiasts of heritage buses can see them at the York Motor Show, Ashley & Friends Day in Whiteman Park, Arthur Grady Day in Fremantle, RailFest in Bassendean, City of Swan Seniors Day Out and Whiteman Park Heritage Open Day.
The organisation’s vision has been to operate a nationally recognised, working collection of buses – preserving and presenting the social and engineering heritage of historic buses used in Western Australia for the enjoyment and education of visitors and the public. Its plan is to establish a bus museum in Whiteman Park.
Finalist
Bunbury Geographe Motor Museum
The Bunbury Geographe Motor Museum opened in 2020 to showcase motoring history and heritage, and tell the stories of people and vehicles from Bunbury and the South West.
The museum is run by a team of dedicated volunteers who have acquired, restored and shared hundreds of vintage cars, motorcycles and memorabilia. The museum's popular displays, which are regularly rotated with new exhibitions, feature vintage, veteran, post-war, classic and other significant vehicles, and paraphernalia. A recent event saw 400 vehicles and thousands of people visit Bunbury, with the city benefitting from the flow-on effect.
Car clubs, community groups and school groups are regular visitors to the museum, enjoying the displays and learning about the local history and heritage.
