Sarah Ruberto and Justin Croft of Goulburn Mulwaree Council with the award. Photo: Supplied.
A Goulburn heritage conservation project has been recognised at a statewide awards event.
The Rocky Hill War Memorial Tower conservation project received a Highly Commended award in the Built Conservation category at the 2026 National Trust (NSW) Heritage Awards held earlier this month.
The award recognises the extensive specialist conservation works undertaken at the memorial ahead of its centenary in December 2025.
Project manager Sarah Ruberto said the recognition was an acknowledgement of the collaborative effort to preserve one of Goulburn’s most important places of remembrance.
“This is a fantastic outcome and an important recognition of the role the Rocky Hill War Memorial continues to play within our community,” she said.
The project was triggered by significant concrete deterioration and long-standing water ingress issues that had previously caused repeated closures and threatened the integrity of the landmark memorial.
The works included concrete spalling remediation, replacement of decaying structural steel, stonework repointing and repairs and the application of protective coatings.
Working at height in challenging conditions, the team undertook complex remediation works while carefully preserving the original fabric and character of the memorial.
Local contractor ARW Multigroup was brought on board for the works.
“These conservation works were about far more than repairing a structure,” Ms Ruberto said.
“They were about protecting a place of reflection, remembrance and local identity for future generations.
“I would like to sincerely thank ARW Multigroup for the exceptional care and professionalism shown throughout the project, along with Heritage Adviser David Hobbes and Jones Nicholson for their expertise and collaboration. The result is something the entire community can be proud of.”
The recognition comes as community interest in Rocky Hill continues following the memorial’s centenary celebrations and the current exhibition In Their Honour: A Century of Remembrance, on display at the Rocky Hill War Memorial Museum.
The exhibition explores the history, significance and enduring community connection to the memorial over the past 100 years.
In 2021 Goulburn’s Rocky Hill War Memorial Museum picked up the coveted Blacket Prize and also received a commendation in the NSW AIA Public Buildings Award category at the NSW Architecture Awards.
The project was made possible through funding from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Saluting Their Service program, alongside additional investment from Goulburn Mulwaree Council.
