Since its inception, Ainsworth Heritage has been the recipient of several industry awards. We are greatly honoured with this acknowledgement from within the heritage industry as it is a testement to our best practice approach and continual thriving to produce reports and projects which set new industry benchmarks.
2007 – Australiasian Society for Historical Archaeology
Inaugural Judy Birmingham Award for Best Historical Archaeological Heritage Report
Project: Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome: Archaeological Management Plan
Team: Jane Ainsworth, Matt Alexander and Dan Tuck.
This report has contributed to the discipline by applying the principles and theory of historical archaeology to a relatively unique type of World War II temporary air defence site, in order to establish the site’s archaeological significance and ensure that this significance is protected in the likely future development of the site. This archaeological management plan is the first time that AMP principles have been applied to a WWII aerodrome and thus it may become a benchmark study in archaeological approaches to temporary WWII sites in Australia.
2008 – Energy Australia National Trust (NSW) Heritage Awards
Highly Commended: Conservation Management Plans – Corporate/Government
Project: Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome Bellman Hangar Conservation Management Plan
Team: Jane Ainsworth, Matt Alexander, Andrew Barnes (QANTEC McWillliam) and Roger Parris.
The Conservation Management Plan provides the basis for the future use of an unusual and innovative historic aviation structure. It demonstrates the importance of prefabricated building systems as part of our inheritance from the second world war.
2009 – Energy Australia National Trust (NSW) Heritage Awards
Highly Commended– Conservation Maritime – Corporate/Government
Project: Ballina Surf Life Saving Club Archaeological Assessment
Team: Matt Alexander and Jane Ainsworth
NOTE: This project was undertaken entirely by Matt Alexander and Jane Ainsworth, whilst Ainsworth Heritage was merged with its former partner company.
The Ballina Surf Life Saving Club Maritime Archaeological Assessment (Ballina SLSC Assessment) was commissioned by Ballina Shire Council to determine if the proposed site of the new Ballina SLSC had the potential to contain shipwreck heritage (archaeological potential). An area of reclaimed land over the mouth of the Richmond River on NSW’s far north coast, whose context is now largely suburban, the site was once part of a dangerous river port entry, which claimed over 100 ships from the 1840s until 1910.
Using maps, archival research and surface survey, the report has arrived at management guidelines to shape the development of this site as well as others in the historic river mouth area, and to minimise the impact upon any shipwreck archaeology that may emerge. It is a fine example of careful, logical planning to protect unknown heritage resources and a measure of the value that our communities increasingly place upon their heritage.
