The 2019 Forbes Medal for heritage conservation has been awarded to Australia Post for restoration work on the Forbes Post Office.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In 2017, the iconic building in the centre of Forbes was given a new roof and coat of paint both inside and out, the clocktower was restored with a new clock installed.
In just the most visible works, chimney pots were restored, picket fences erected and entries upgraded to current standards for accessibility.
The council's heritage advisor Graham Hall praised the work and the rigorous research that had preceeded it at Tuesday night's Forbes Heritage 2019 awards presentation evening.
The building's significance is highlighted on the State Heritage Register: its links to the discovery of gold and establishment of the town cement its social significance but it is also noteworthy as an example of the work of NSW Colonial Architect's Office under James Barnet.
"It is an outstanding example of the Victorian Italianate style with Second Empire influence on the clock tower roof, and makes an important aesthetic contribution to the civic precinct in Forbes," the listing reads.
Mr Hall highlighted the fact that Forbes Post Office had served its function continuously for more than 130 years.
Australia Post has a formal conservation management plan for the building, he said, and care has even been taken to restore upstairs areas that are not used.
READ MORE:
Forbes Post Office was one of four nominees for this year's Forbes Medal.
The others, also incredibly worthy, are:
Carawobbity, the rural homestead is being restored by Ken and Monica Wren and serves as accommodation and function centre;
Horses, heroes and hardship, an art exhibition on the early days of the police force in the area. Senior Constable Daniel Greef and police chaplain Father Peter King collaborated with artist Ted Lewis to bring the diary of occurrences from the 1860s to life;
Buried at Sea, a theatre production on the life of a young Forbes father who enlisted in World War I and died after serving in Gallipoli. The play was written and performed by his great, great nephew Mark Salvestro who was inspired by his story and performed at the Forbes Town Hall in 2018.