The Shire of Collie was pleased to receive a WA Heritage Award last week. The award category was ‘Contribution by a Public or Private Organisation’ ~ demonstrating a commitment to cultural heritage, services & programs.
The award covered the integrated plan to improve the arrival experience into Collie and included the following elements:

1. Heritage building facade and balcony upgrades on Throssell Street;
2. Preparation of the Collie Rail to River Heritage Trail, linking other walk/mountain bike trails and Collie Wambenger digital app;
3. Upgrade of the Collie Goods Sheds with Heritage Skills Association to provide a practical trial project site (with the assistance of the Collie Rail Heritage Group) to address the lack of
accredited heritage skills training and an aging skilled population workforce;
4. Development of the Collie mural trail depicting cultural and historic elements of Collie’s past;
5. Work with the Collie Mine Worker’s Institute to refurbish the Collie underground mine
experience, to better depict the history of coal mining in Collie;
6. Three new murals were added to the Collie Mural Trail along Throssell Street ~ celebrating various cultural themes including the local Aboriginals, the timber industry and coal miners.
7. The Collie Retired Mineworkers Association Inc. and South 32 opened the Underground Wallsend Mine project on the eastern end of Throssell Street adjacent to the East End Bridge.
This was one of the original historic incline mine entrances right in the Collie townsite.
8. Ongoing work with Be Your Guest Holding and the National Trust WA on Collie Roundhouse conservation / redevelopment proposal – as a major entry point into Collie. This $40M project
is subject to Federal and State funding applications being approved;
9. Ongoing work with the Coalfields Museum & Historical Research Centre to find a suitable alternative site for the new museum (to best display Collie heritage items) and Collie Rotary (to
restore a 30m fire observation tower and relocate it into Collie);
10. Planning for the upgrade of the heritage listed swinging bridge;
11. Other public real improvements including landscaping and paving along Throssell Street to compliment the building upgrades.

We appreciate contributors to projects relating to the award, including the South West Development Commission, National Trust WA, Coalfields Museum & Historical Research Centre, Heritage Skills Association, Collie Rail Heritage Group, community groups, landowners and Shire staff. It is an amazing collaborative effort!