With governments keep pulling the plug on heritage, the general media keep bashing heritage and key lobbing organisations resolving to give up the ghost, it is refreshing to see people power picking up the slack.   While a wave of inappropriate development is whittling away what little heritage is left – heritage philanthropy, it would seem, is on the increase.

Even in this troubled financial crisis which has put Victoria on the brink of recession and individuals straining to pay the bills, an increasing number of public pledges proves the public really does care about heritage.

In the past couple of years, St Pauls Cathedral on Swanston Street and Skipping Girl sign in Abbotsford received a large amount of public money generated through appeals.  In Kew, two large amounts – $250,000 and $50,000 were generated by private benefactors for the restoration of the Kew Court House as a community building.

Historically, when people are passionate enough to put their money where their mouth is, government and the media follow.

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