As the Dunedin Heritage Festival began with a bang yesterday, a conservation steward was honoured for his contribution to the Otago Peninsula and to Dunedin heritage.
Otago Peninsula Trust founder Bill Dawson received the Bluestone Award at the festival’s opening at Taiaroa Head.
It is presented every two years to "an exemplary individual who has shown long-term leadership, achievement and contribution to Dunedin’s heritage".
Mr Dawson said the honour felt "surreal".
"I don’t like to think it’s just me getting the award. This is for the work of the whole trust."
His greatest achievement on the trust was helping to "keep it afloat", he said.
"We made losses for the first 10 years."
He kept at it because he "did not like to be defeated".
"I’m a bit uncomfortable winning awards. It’s a bit out of the blue, that’s why they call it the Bluestone Award."
The trust, which was created by Dunedin Jaycees in part as a way to revitalise Dunedin, is celebrating its 50th anniversary during the festival.
Its achievements include saving the Glenfalloch Gardens, creating the Royal Albatross Centre, restoration work around Fort Taiaroa and the joint venture of Blue Penguins Pukekura.
Southern Heritage Trust trustee Ann Barsby said in the 50 years Mr Dawson was on the trust he brought "generosity and investment to so many heritage projects".
The restoration of the Armstrong Disappearing Gun at the fort was a project he worked hard on, she said.
At the event yesterday, a 1942 field gun was fired to commemorate 50 years of the trust. Only a small amount of gunpowder was used so as to not spook the wildlife.
The festival will run for 10 days.
