Aboriginal rock art sites, Canberra landmarks, and women writers are among the projects funded in the latest round of the ACT Heritage Grants Program.

The grants support projects that help Canberrans protect and share the ACT’s heritage, from conserving listed sites to educating the public about Aboriginal culture.

13 projects share $213,103.

This year’s projects include restoring and protecting Aboriginal rock art sites in Namadgi (National Parks Association); centenary celebrations of the Causeway Hall in Kingston (ACT Hub) and the Northbourne Oval in Braddon (Canberra Raiders); profiling women writers (ACT Writers Centre and She Shapes History); and a pilot of AI-based storytelling at ACT heritage places (University of Canberra).

• University of Canberra, Exploring community awareness and engagement activities with ACT cultural heritage places using AI-based storytelling: $42,123
• St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Door conservation: $32,850
• Hyatt Hotel Canberra, Conservation Management Plan renewal: $24,635
• The Canberra Raiders, Celebrating 100 years of Northbourne Oval: $21,030
• Anne McGrath, Essential conservation works at Majura House: $20,212
• St John’s Anglican Church, Conserving exterior stone fabric: $17,947
• National Parks Association ACT, Protecting rock art sites in Namadgi National Park: $17,151
• ACT Writers Centre, She writes history: $16,054
• St Paul’s Anglican Church Manuka, Refurbishment of western doors: $8,686
• Engineers Australia ACT, Recognition of Canberra’s initial outfall sewer: $3,850
• St Ninian’s Uniting Church, Gutter remediation on an old stone church: $3,525
• ACT Hub, Centenary celebration of the Causeway Hall: $2,752
• St Christopher’s Cathedral Manuka, Digitisation of records: $2,288

Heritage minister Chris Steel MLA said the projects showcase a wide range of stories from Canberra’s past, reinforcing our shared history.

“As a relatively young city in Australia’s history, Canberra is a melting pot for different cultures,” Mr Steel said.

“Long before its official establishment, this region was also home to the rich Aboriginal history stretching back tens of thousands of years.

“The ACT Government is supporting projects that can protect and share these stories for future generations, helping to remind us that Canberrans come from all walks of life and have contributed to our city in amazing ways.”

The Hon. Bill Shorten, Vice-Chancellor, University of Canberra, said: “Heritage is so much more than historical artefacts and cultural collections, it is the essence of community and reflects our identity, values and the traditions that influence our lives today.

“The University of Canberra is deeply embedded in Canberra’s heritage, and it is an absolute privilege to host today’s announcement of the 2025 ACT Heritage Grants Program recipients, including one of our own projects from our Faculty of Business Government and Law – Exploring community awareness and engagement activities with ACT cultural heritage places using an AI-based storytelling approach.

“Each of these projects contributes to Canberra’s community and story.”

These projects will be featured in the Canberra and Region Heritage Festival (Saturday 11 April to Sunday 10 May 2026). The theme ‘Mid-Century – innovation, change and optimism’ will look at how planners and designers of the 1950s and 1960s helped shape the city’s look, culture, and way of life.

While the theme focuses on mid-century heritage, the program welcomes all events related to our region’s cultural, First Nations, natural and historic heritage.

Registrations for the festival are open now and close at midnight on 28 November.

For more information on the ACT Heritage Grants Program and read more about this year’s recipients, visit the ACT Government grants webpage.

To register for the 2026 Canberra and Region Heritage Festival, visit the ACT Environment website.