Engineering Heritage Recognition Program
This program is an updated version of the Australian Historic Engineering Plaquing Program which was established in 1984 as a means of bringing public recognition to engineering works of historic or heritage significance and to the engineers who created them. The aims of the program are to encourage the conservation of Australian engineering heritage, and to raise community awareness of engineering and the benefits it provides. Engineering works and items already awarded markers can be found on the Heritage Marker Register. To search the register please use the options below.
Select Table Type
The Heritage Recognition Program is managed by Engineering Heritage Australia through its Heritage Recognition Committee.
Significant engineering heritage works are those that have been judged to be valuable to a group of people, or have contributed something of value to the nation, a region or to the practice of engineering. This could include works derived from overseas.
The term 'works' is most frequently used to refer to engineering items such as locomotives, bridges or computers. It can also mean places or sites, objects, equipment, artefacts, writings, drawings, photographs or other engineering items, including moveable items. Sites may include locations of former significant engineering works which have since been demolished.
Levels of Awards
The Program recognises the significance of engineering heritage works at two levels:
- National Engineering Heritage Landmark
- Engineering Heritage Marker
Engineers Australia reserves its ultimate accolade, the National Engineering Heritage Landmark, for works of outstanding heritage significance. The item must be of at least State significance under the relevant State Act, and must have contributed significantly to the development of Australia and represent a milestone by which progress is measured. These works will be seen not only as part of Australia's engineering heritage but also as significant components of the National Estate.
The Engineering Heritage Marker is the appropriate award for important works of lesser significance.
Nominations
Nominations may be made by any unit of Engineers Australia, such as a Division, College, National Board, Branch, Panel, Regional Group or conference Committee, or by any interested organisation or individual. However all nominations should be supported by and submitted through the Divisional engineering heritage group in whose area the work is located. Please contact us if you wish to nominate a work to be recognised in your area.
The nomination must include a nomination form signed by the Chair of the relevant Divisional engineering heritage group. The submission should be a research document which details the history of the work, place or industry and identifies its significance to engineering and heritage. It should include drawings and photos to assist in assessing the significance of the work.
To avoid disappointment before too much investigative work is undertaken, it is suggested that a two-page brief of the proposed nomination be made and presented through the relevant heritage group to the Heritage Recognition Committee of EHA for an initial acceptance. The full nomination, after signing off by the Divisional heritage group, shall be forwarded to the Heritage Recognition Committee for assessment to determine whether the proposed work is worthy to be recognised under its guidelines.
The nominating body has the responsibility for overseeing arrangements for organising and financing the award ceremony while Engineers Australia provides the marker and assists in arrangement for the ceremony.
A Guide to the Engineering Heritage Recognition Program gives more detail on how to nominate and what must be considered when assessing the significance of an engineering work.
Appendices A and B from the Guide are provided below in Word format so that they can be filled in electronically and included with the nomination.
