The North Otago branch of the New Zealand Historic Places Trust has nominated the Oamaru Opera House for the David Cox Memorial Award.
The award, administered by the Otago branch committee of the trust, recognises and encourages excellence in the restoration, conservation and continued use of historic buildings and structures in Otago.
In her report to the branch's annual meeting this week, branch chairwoman Carol Berry congratulated the Waitaki District Council on the completion of two important heritage projects this year - the redeveloped Opera House, which was a multi-use heritage asset in the community, and the Boer War Memorial repositioning.
She also congratulated the New Zealand Transport Agency for accepting the wishes of the heritage-conscious town to reposition the statue's Trooper Jack 40m south and to repair the lights and the fountain.
Mrs Berry said the presence of the statue "bestows aesthetic grace and individuality to this public space".
Mrs Berry acknowledged the service given by the branch's immediate past chairman, Rodney Grater, who died in September last year.
The branch is commissioning a plaque in his honour, to be hung in St Luke's Church, where Mr Grater was instrumental in the recent restoration project.
