Nominations open for Round 2 of Blue Plaques

People across the region are being encouraged to nominate local people or events that helped to shape the rich heritage of NSW in the second round of the $5 million Blue Plaques program.

Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the program is a fantastic opportunity for communities to learn about and celebrate local heritage.

“This initiative is all about recognising the eclectic characters, personalities and important public figures that have made or become part of the history of our state,” Mr Saunders said.

“I encourage people to research our local history and nominate diverse and unique individuals and stories for a Blue Plaque.”

The second round of nominations for Blue Plaques closes on December 21.

To be eligible, each Blue Plaque must meet eligibility criteria and go through an extensive fact-checking process carried out by independent historians to verify the story behind the Plaque.

Minister for Heritage James Griffin said the latest 14 new Blue Plaques represent an eclectic mix of people, events and stories that helped shape the state of NSW.

“Among them, we have Australia poet and author Dorothea Mackellar who, at the age of 19, wrote the words we all know and love, ‘I love a sunburnt country, a land of sweeping plains’,” Mr Griffin said.

“We’re recognising the 1965 Freedom Ride, which was pivotal in highlighting the racial discrimination experienced by Aboriginal people, challenging a ban on Aboriginal ex-servicemen at the Walgett Returned Services League, and local laws barring Aboriginal children from the Moree and Kempsey swimming pools.

“The 35 Blue Plaques announced so far are just the beginning of this fantastic program, which is reinvigorating community connections with our rich NSW heritage.”

The previously announced 21 Blue Plaques are currently being installed in locations including Albury, Wagga Wagga and Canowindra, and the 14 new Plaques will be installed in 2023, with exact locations to be revealed when they’re installed.

For more information on Blue Plaques recipients, installation locations, and to find out how to nominate a Blue Plaque, visit the Blue Plaques website.

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