Published on Thursday, 27 November 2025 at 9:16:27 AM
The Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes is thrilled to announce a major win for our region! The Southern Forests & Valleys Heritage Festival has taken out the highly coveted Heritage Tourism category at the 2025 Western Australian Heritage Awards.
The awards ceremony, held on Monday, 17 November 2025, at the historic Government House Ballroom, celebrated the best in heritage conservation and promotion across the state. The judges lauded the festival for setting “a new benchmark for regional heritage tourism.”
The Southern Forests & Valleys Heritage Festival, delivered by the Warren Blackwood Alliance of Councils (WBAC), brought the vibrant history and diverse heritage of 10 towns across five local governments, including Bridgetown and Greenbushes, to life.
As part of the National Trust’s Australian Heritage Festival, the two-week program in 2025 captivated visitors with heritage walks, fascinating exhibitions, artisan workshops, live demonstrations, engaging ghost tours, Aboriginal storytelling sessions, classic car parades, and community-led events.
The festival's success is a testament to the incredible collaboration between the WBAC, local governments, visitor centers, and a passionate army of community volunteers and heritage organisations. This joint effort encouraged visitors to explore multiple towns, strengthening community pride and ensuring that the economic benefits of tourism were dispersed throughout the region.
Judges particularly note
d the festival’s innovative approach, highlighting its creative interpretation and strong regional promotion, which included innovative use of digital resources and interpretive signage to enhance visitor engagement.
WBAC Executive Officer Katie McDonnell encapsulated the sentiment shared across the region:
“This festival was built by our communities. It celebrates our heritage, strengthens connections, and showcases why the Southern Forests & Valleys is such a culturally rich and vibrant destination. Winning this award is a credit to every volunteer, local government, organisation and group who contributed.”
The Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes congratulates the WBAC and all participants on this outstanding achievement, which highlights the depth of heritage and community spirit in our corner of Western Australia.
Back to All News