Bondi Pavilion, Glenn Murcutt’s water tank win in National Trust Heritage Awards

The restoration of Sydney's Bondi Pavilion and the transformation of a rusty 1901 water tank into a "sound chapel" are among the 17 winners of the 2023 National Trust Heritage Awards.

Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects received the Judges' Choice Award for the Bondi Pavilion restoration, described as "an incredible project that has completely revived this iconic building."

The winner of the Adaptive Re-use category is Cobar Sound Chapel, a permanent sound art installation in Cobar, New South Wales created by composer and sound artist Georges Lentz in collaboration with Glenn Murcutt.

The winner in the Advocacy category is the Millers Point Community Resident Action Group, whose "Don't Block The Rocks" campaign sought to protect The Rocks from "developers' greed" just as Jack Mundey and the Green Bans did in the 1970s.

"Congratulations to this year's 17 winners and thank you to all of those who entered the awards," said National Trust (NSW) CEO Debbie Mills.

"We saw a huge range of projects, and judges were truly impressed by the dedication and imagination that has gone into preserving special places for everyone."

NSW heritage minister Penny Sharp said the projects showed the diversity of heritage across the state.

"These winning projects are a reminder of the many ways we can interpret and protect our shared stories. From Sydney to Gundagai, these projects show that it is possible - and imperative - to bring heritage to life for the people of New South Wales to enjoy and explore," Sharp said.

Architect Matt Devine chaired the jury, which featured Barrina South, Caitlin Allen, Charles Pickett, David Burdon, Kathryn Pitkin and Lisa Harrold.

The 2023 winners are:

Bondi Pavilion Restoration and Conservation project - entered by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects

bara Monument for the Eora - entered by Judy Watson, Hetti Perkins, City of Sydney, City Plan Heritage, UAP

Cobar Sound Chapel - entered by Cobar Sound Chapel Ltd

Don't Block the Rocks - entered by Millers Point Community Resident Action Group Inc

"Ways Terrace" 12-20 Point Street, Pyrmont: Conservation and Upgrade Project - entered by Land and Housing Corporation, Department of Planning and Environment

Millers Point Townhouse - entered by Design 5 Architects

The Yellow Dress Project - entered by National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA)

Northern Rivers Rail Trail, Tweed section - entered by Tweed Shire Council

Remembered and Revisited: Victoria Theatre Newcastle - entered by Out of the Square Media, Century Venues and Gavin Patton

Building Bridges Emu Projection - entered by Clarence Valley Council

Mulaa Giilang: Wiradjuri stories of the night sky - entered by Orange Regional Museum

Storyplace - entered by Museums and Galleries of NSW

Gunyah Goondie and Wurley - entered by Thames and Hudson Australia

Restoration of the Niagara Cafe, Gundagai - entered by Luke Walton and Kym Fraser

Ian Stapleton

Ken Ellis

Sharon Veale