Mackay’s heritage in safe hands
Tattooist joins awardees for her refurbishment of a Wood St address built in 1922
Mackay
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TATTOO artist Katie Fox was drawn to quirky features from a bygone era when she chose her Wood Street address.
Little did she know, the building was heritage listed. Home to the Daily Mercury until 1985, it was built in 1922, in the Inter-War Free Classical style that characterises many of Mackay's historic buildings.
Once renovation plans were approved, however, Ms Fox and her Gold Empire Tattoo Barber team knuckled down to finish the overhaul in time for their projected January opening.
"We got the keys on the first of December and were hoping to move in on the first of January," Ms Fox said.
"My fiance worked really hard … Christmas Day he was in here renovating.
"He was here til four in the morning most days just to get it done."
Their work won gold in the commercial section of the Tom Casey New or Refurbished Heritage Place or Home category at Thursday night's Heritage Awards hosted by Mackay Regional Council.
Refurbishment involved knocking down all the non-structural internal walls except for one office, ripping up the carpet, and taking the liquid-nails covered floor back to concrete.
"All the builders tried to talk me out of doing polished concrete but I put my foot down," Ms Fox said.
"Because it's 100-year-old concrete, it's got all the different coloured polished stone. It's a real feature in the shop and it's how it would have originally been when it was the Daily Mercury building," she said.
Describing her style as eclectic, Ms Fox said she completed the restoration with a mix of antique and modern furniture.
Like-for-like window replacements were used and architectural features retained, along with the original wooden reception desk.
Gold in the home category of the award went to Michael Sleeman for his refurbishment of the post war service house 'Olive' in Field Street, West Mackay.
Details included VJ boards, rejuvenating the original windows and wooden floors and adding a new facade complete with heritage features and smart white wooden fence.
The Berenice Wright Heritage Champion Gold Award went to the small band of volunteers at the Pioneer Valley Museum for their work curating and caring for a collection of local, regional and state significance.
The past year proved significantly challenging at the museum as heavy rain caused the roof to leak, leading the team to collaborate with Queensland Museums to transform and improve the collection.
The Heritage Media Award had two winners.
North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation won gold for its Port of Mackay 80th Anniversary Celebrations, which included the Maritime Carnival attended by more than 3000 people.
The celebrations included articles published in the Daily Mercury, historical port tours, children's treasure hunts and displays of artefacts.
The Daily Mercury was recognised for its ongoing commitment to championing Mackay's local history and heritage by partnering with Mackay, Sarina, Pioneer Valley and Greenmount museums to publish more than 100 articles on various aspects of the region's history.
First celebrated in 2004, the biennial Heritage Awards pay tribute to individuals, schools, local businesses, organisations keen to preserve Mackay's heritage.
Speaking at the awards presentation, Cr Williamson said Mackay was blessed to have a passionate community interested in the region's history.
"It's that old saying … how do you know where you're going unless you know where you've come from?" he said.
Cr Williamson also paid tribute to Mrs Wright, who helped establish Mackay's extensive heritage collection 40 years ago, and fellow volunteers.
"The effort put in to maintaining Mackay's heritage collection is done by you guys, the volunteers, and we couldn't do it without you … that's why these awards are especially important," he said.
Other winners were:
Berenice Wright Heritage Champion - Individual or Organisation Award:
Silver - Mackay Historical Society and Museum vice president Steven Pritchard for his years contributing to various history groups and community events in the region.
Bronze - Christine Vaughan for her museum Yesterdays Memories as well as her work finding and collating burial information on the historic St Peter's Church of England next door to her property at The Leap.
Highly Commended - Mackay Family History Society's founding member Judy Wallace, for her preservation of Mackay families' histories for more than 30 years.
Highly Commended - Restoration Barn Mackay's Maryann Lister for restoring antique furniture, taking into account how the furniture was originally crafted and, where possible, replicating techniques and materials.
Tom Casey - New or Refurbished Heritage Place or Home Award:
Silver - Urban Trend Constructions Australia Pty Ltd for their work on the bungalow-style 'Queenslander' at 4 McIntyre Street, East Mackay.
Bronze - Tonny and Lyn Wolzac for their refurbishment and reinstatement of the traditional covered patio complete with butterfly stairs at 3 Edmonds Street, Bucasia.
Heritage Media Award:
Silver - Mackay Rangers Football Club for its publication detailing the club's involvement in soccer in Mackay and surrounds over 50 years.
This round's judging panel included Mackay historian Berenice Wright, councillors Fran Mann and Karen May, Queensland Homes' Tom Casey, builder Nathan Bow, Mackay and District Australian South Sea Islander Association chairman Starrett Vea Vea and council staff.
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