The Friends of Trial Bay Gaol (FOTBG) have won a prestigious NSW Government Heritage Volunteer Award in the Built Heritage category.
Formed in 2003, the group has dedicated the past five years to bettering the gaol for the benefit of tourists visiting the historic site.
They have given particular attention to the gaol’s museum collection, and overall protection and upkeep of the site.
Working in conjunction with the National parks and Wildlife Ser-vice, the group dedicates more than 2000 man hours a year to research and management of the historic building.
There are currently eight members of FOTBG, all of them working at least two days a week at the gaol.
The volunteers conduct research into areas such as visitor enquiries, sorting through information from various trusts previously associated with the gaol, analysing historic photos and liasing with other sources of information on the site.
Trial Bay Gaol has a rich and vibrant history with strong, ongoing ties to the Aboriginal community that pre-date widespread European settle- ment in the area.
It operated as a Public Works prison between 1886 and 1903 and also served as an internment camp for German POWs and other internees during the First World War.
In the early 1950s the gaol began to attract community interest from Kempsey Rotary, the Kempsey Shire Council and the German consul, and an extensive restoration project followed soon after.
The Trial Bay Gaol Trust was formed in the 1960s.
In the years since, the gaol has become a premier tourist attraction, with over 40,000 visitors a year passing through the gates.
From 2003, FOTBG has researched more than 500 items and 1000 photographs from the gaol’s collection.
The organisation has also worked extensively to promote drama, music and arts events at the site, including Trial Bay’s 100th birthday celebrations in 2003.
Most recently the group has launched a Wildflower Guide to Monument Hill, which features the natural heritage of the site.
The group also works closely with other community organisations associated with the gaol, including Arakoon Bush Care and the Pandanus People.
Through dedication and drive, FOTBG has raised significant funds for ongoing restoration works and continues to grow.