The national medal was devised by Bathurst Regional Council to make a statement about the value of preserving and promoting our national heritage, and is just another addition to the city’s Bathurst200 events.

Nominees were chosen by a panel of judges who were looking for people that have made a significant contribution to the protection, promotion or enhancement to the value of Australia’s heritage.

Mr Lupp was surprised to be nominated for an award where people from all across Australia were up for consideration.

“I didn’t expect to be nominated, so it is a huge thrill and I’m honoured,” he said. 

The other nominees are providing some tough competition for the Bathurst resident due to their contributions being career-based, while his are done in his spare time, but he is quietly hopeful that he may secure the win.

He said that council’s commitment to preserving national heritage had been a driving force in his determination to continue with his own projects, which currently include writing a book on the history of 19th century architects and buildings in Bathurst. 

“Council has been very clever in using the bicentenary to establish this award,” he said.

“I think it is really going to put Bathurst on the map for its heritage.”

Mr Lupp will be joined on the nominee list by Thomas E. Perrigo (CEO National Trust of Australia – Western Australia), Duncan Marshall (heritage conservation consultant, chair ACT Heritage Council – Australian Capital Territory) and Howard Tanner AM (award-winning heritage architect and principal of Tanner Architects from 1974-2003 – NSW). 

The winner of the Bathurst Macquarie Heritage Medal will be announced tomorrow at an official dinner at The Carrington on Keppel Street.

Tickets can be purchased for $70 from the Bathurst200 website and the Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre box office.