The Twelve Apostles, the Skipping Girl Vinegar sign, Melbourne’s trams, Aussie Rules Football, the Shrine of Remembrance and Luna Park have all taken home the gold for their role in shaping Victoria’s cultural identity, as the National Trust today announced the 2007 Victorian Heritage Icons Award winners.

“The National Trust is delighted to acknowledge and welcome a diverse range of items to our Heritage Icons list – from the beloved neon Skipping Girl, to Australia’s most impressive war memorial and the spectacular Twelve Apostles,” said Martin Purslow, CEO of the National Trust of Australia – Victoria.

“For the first time in Victoria, we have also been able to conduct the largest poll of the heritage views of young people through the Children’s Choice Award.

“Victoria’s school children have had their say and, according to the majority, the fun and excitement of Luna Park is their pick for the list…very closely followed by Vegemite!”

The Victorian Heritage Icons Awards program was first launched by Oscar and Emmy Award winner Geoffrey Rush in 2006 as part of the Trust’s 50th birthday celebrations.

Now in its second year and generously supported by The Age, the aim of the Awards is to capture public opinions on popular concepts of heritage, recognising items that have not been covered by other registers or lists but are worthy for their role in the cultural lives of Victorians. Nominations may include objects, places or traditions, but not people.

Last year’s judged winners included Flinders Street Station, the MCG, Phar Lap, the Eureka Flag, and Puffing Billy.

“We were delighted with the very varied and innovative nominations received this year, and thank all Victorians who had their say and nominated icons that were important to them,” said Mr Purslow.

“Aside from the winners, nominations included the likes of the ‘Tan’, the Nylex clock, the ‘hook turn’, Dame Edna, the Sherrin football and Jeff Kennett’s hair!”

From the public nominations received, this year’s five new Victorian Heritage Icons were selected by a judging panel including: Livinia Nixon (Host of Channel Nine's Temptation and Things to Try Before You Die); Helen Kapalos (News Presenter - TEN News At Five) Caitlin Stasey (Actor, Neighbours), Glenn Robbins (Actor/Comedian), Rod Quantock (Comedian), Peter Fray (Editor, The Sunday Age), Ms Chris Gallagher (Chair, Heritage Council of Victoria) and Dr Graeme Blackman (Chair, National Trust of Australia – Victoria).

The Children’s Choice Icon – the sixth awarded icon – was determined by the most number of nominations received for that icon.

“Each year, we will continue to add to this list of six winning icons, developing a comprehensive record of items of significance in the cultural history of Victoria,” Mr Purslow said.

“And we look forward to seeing if Jeff’s hair makes the list next year!”

Read more about the winners here.

For media enquiries please contact: Samantha Smith – 0418 576 129

Heritage Icons Children's Choice exhibition

We believe our children are the keepers of Victoria’s heritage tomorrow, so it is important that they have an opportunity to consider what their heritage means to them and what they value in their community. We are also proud to have conducted the largest poll of the heritage views of young people ever undertaken in Victoria.

Many students submitted artwork to support their nominations, and these were recently on display in The Pavilion at Como Historic House & Garden.

The three lucky winners are below and they will each receive an Icons prize pack worth nearly $1000 each.

Melbourne Museum

"This place has interesting stuff, dinosaur bones, dead things and fake animals, and old things." Nicholas Stavrou, 6 years old

Victoria's Icons

"Victoria is full of various icons. Icons are buildings, signs and other items that belong or represent that area. My painting represents Icons that I have seen and can be seen on an every day basis. The painting brings old and new icons together, and the tram is the greatest Icon as it brings the people to the sites of the other Icons." Lauren Steel, 13 years old.

Army Barracks

Alexandria Dickinson, 17 years old