November, 2010:

So many cities have been through the phase of knocking down beautiful old buildings to make way for functional yet lifeless, soulless structures. Perth is no different and we’ve certainly lost some wonderful old examples of early architecture. The good news is, there are still many buildings that have been around for many, many years with several being painstakingly restored and re-purposed.

A lot of people in Perth don’t realise that we still have a very rich and living heritage in our city. Thankfully Heritage Perth is doing something about that. Heritage Perth’s aim is to actively support the conservation and interpretation of Perth’s heritage, encouraging a culture that values and celebrates it.

Today on my radio program I spoke to Heritage Perth Executive Director, Richard Offen.

Richard Offen joined the staff of the UK National Trust in 1989 and from 1992 until 2003 was responsible for the Trust’s famous Neptune Coastline Campaign. Under his direction the campaign raised over £28 million, enabling the Trust to buy and protect 160 kilometres of the spectacular British coastline.

Before being appointed Executive Director of Heritage Perth, Richard was a founding partner of the heritage consultancy Solutions for Heritage.

Richard is a popular lecturer, has been a regular broadcaster on both radio and television and, in 1999, wrote and presented a 55 minute documentary video, Neptune’s Legacy, which charts the history of the UK National Trust’s most successful campaign. Richard was co-author of the National Trust book ‘The Living Coast’ and wrote the text for a book of aerial photographs of the British coast entitled ‘Coastline UK’. – Heritage Perth

We spoke about the wonderful history of the city and about Heritage Perth Heritage Days coming up this weekend.

It’s time to celebrate the valuable inheritance our forefathers left us when Heritage Perth Heritage Days showcase our City’s history going back many thousands of years before colonisation. It’s a unique opportunity for residents and visitors of all ages and cultures to explore the fascinating history and heritage that is – the City of Perth.

This year’s expanded program features over 30 venues and 100 activities which aims to make this weekend Perth’s biggest ever heritage event. There is something for everyone and it’s FREE!

Exciting new venues including; Council House with tours of the debating chamber and an exhibition of historic photographs, the Perth Mint where you can see molten gold being poured, ANZAC House with its historic army vehicles, the Supreme Court with its cells where infamous criminals have been held, Mercy Heritage Centre, Government House and the Royal Perth Hospital Museum with the first X-Ray machine is Australia.

There will be never before seen “Behind Closed Doors” tours of Perth buildings, walking tours of colonial and indigenous sites, Art-Deco tours, exhibitions of ‘ceremonial regalia’ and old survey photographs and equipment, live entertainment, heritage information hub, public forums to discuss the ‘booms’ impact on the arts, history and heritage in WA, stone-carving demonstrations, chance to ride on an old MTT bus and even dance the afternoon away at the Town Halls ‘Tea Dance’. And gardeners will not be disappointed The tremendous interest in the inaugural “Meet the Gardener” tour at Stirling Gardens has seen the inclusion of both the historic Queens Garden, Harold Boas Garden and Government House Gardens in the 2010 program.

You can hear my interview with Richard by clicking the play button on the audio player at the bottom of this post.

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