Two projects, the restoration of Holy Trinity Anglican Church, and the Sustainable Collections project have both been named as finalists.

Holy Trinity Anglican Church’s project which began in 2004 was a restoration project strongly supported by the local branch of the National Trust.

The second project the Sustainable Collections project is a joint initiative of Orange, Blayney and Cabonne councils which is now in its fourth year of assisting communities in the area with museum and historic collections.

The current aim of the project according to the National Trust is the documentation, conservation and interpretation of moveable heritage collections in the three council areas.

Reverend Frank Hetherington said the Trinity Foundation that instigated the renovation work was thrilled the project had reached finalist status.

“It has been a long and at times difficult process,” he said.

“We were fortunate to receive a grant of $170,000 from the NSW Heritage Council and we have raised just over $600,000 ourselves,” he said.

Former president of the Orange branch of the National Trust Kenneth Dryland, who headed the organisation when the Holy Trinity restoration work began, said the naming of the church project as a finalist was wonderful news.

“It is just so important that a place like Holy Trinity which has such strong links to our early history in Orange is preserved,” he said.

The 2004 project involved the restoration of the church to mark the sesquicentenary of the first establishment of the Anglican parish.

The project included the installation of a peal of bells in the tower which have become a focal point of church activities since.