Flinders Street Station, MCG, Eureka Flag, Phar Lap and Puffing Billy have been selected by the judging panel as the 2006 Victorian Heritage Icons from the many public nominations received.

The People’s Choice Icon - determined by the most number of nominations received - was won by the Palace Entertainment Complex.

The Awards were announced in March at the Young & Jackson Hotel, by Victorian Minister for Planning Rob Hulls who said the program had proven to be an exciting new event on Victoria’s calendar, providing an opportunity to celebrate buildings, places and events for their human history.

“The Awards have been a wonderful opportunity for the Victorian community to be involved in identifying icons that have made an outstanding contribution to our contemporary cultural identity, ” Mr Hulls said.

“It is a delight to acknowledge and celebrate a revered sporting mecca – the MCG; our racing hero Phar Lap; the beloved Puffing Billy; the emblem of our most significant rebellion – the Eureka Flag; a symbol of Melbourne’s live music scene – the Palace Entertainment Complex; and what ignited the tradition of meeting under the clocks – Flinders Street Station,” Anthony Knight, Deputy Chair of the National Trust of Australia – Victoria said.

Oscar and Emmy Award winner, Geoffrey Rush, who launched the Awards program in October 2005, sent his message of support from his latest filming location in the Caribbean:
“Being away from home so often continues to heighten my appreciation of the cultural history of Melbourne and Victoria. We are fortunate to have so much of our precious heritage preserved,” Mr Rush said.

“Victorians should value, record and protect those items dear to us - and the Victorian Heritage Icons Awards has allowed us to do just this. I’d like to once again congratulate the National Trust for introducing the Awards program, the Herald Sun and Victorian Government for supporting it, and everyone who has entered a nomination.”

The Victorian Heritage Icons Awards are an initiative of the National Trust in Victoria as part of its 50th birthday celebrations being held in 2006. Supported by the Victorian Government and the Herald Sun, the aim of the Awards was to capture public opinions on popular concepts of heritage - recognising items that may not have not been covered by other registers or lists but are worthy for their role in the cultural development of Victoria.

The judging panel consisted of comedian Rod Quantock; media commentators Neil Mitchell and Jill Singer; historian Professor Graeme Davison; Chair of the Heritage Council Victoria, Chris Gallagher; and National Trust Chairman Dianne Weidner.

“Each year, we will add to this list of six winning Icons, developing a comprehensive record of items of significance in the cultural history of Victoria,” Mr Knight said. “We thank all Victorians who nominated their favourite Icon and helped the National Trust celebrate its 50th birthday!”