Heritage Festival to debut City's Bluestone Awards

The Dunedin Heritage Festival, to be held this year in March, over Otago Anniversary weekend, will feature the conferment of the city's inaugural Bluestone Awards. These awards will recognise individuals whose long-term leadership, achievement and contribution to the heritage of Dunedin have been exemplary and which hopefully, over time, will be seen as one of Dunedin's most prestigious civic honours.

Mayor Peter Chin says that the awards are a way to publicly acknowledge those who enrich the city by improving public understanding, access to, and appreciation of, Dunedin's heritage as a result of their endeavours. "No other city in New Zealand has the richness of heritage that Dunedin does and it is time we celebrated the people who have contributed so much to that heritage," Mr Chin said.

Sue Clarke, Heritage Festival Director, is very enthusiastic about the establishment of the Bluestone Awards and the fact that they will be presented every second year to coincide with the Heritage Festival

"They will add a unique dimension to our celebrations. This Festival we are celebrating Dunedin's vast art and literature heritage, following on from 2007's music heritage theme. No matter what field of endeavour is showcased our living heritage will always be about people; their efforts and contributions that have made Dunedin the vibrant city that it is.

"The Bluestone Awards are going to be a very public way to demonstrate Dunedin's investment in and appreciation of our heritage."

The awards will be presented at the traditional Otago Anniversary Day Dinner on March 23 in the Glenroy Auditorium. Celebrity and University of Otago graduate, Te Radar will be MC for the night. Tickets for the event will be on sale from February 16 at a cost of $75 per person.

Contact details

Contact Peter Brown on PBrown@portotago.co.nz or 021 229 8824.

Last reviewed: 10 Feb 2009 1:53pm