This year's Australia Day announcements saw Peter Freeman of Moruya awarded a medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to architecture. A conservation architect, Mr Freeman has worked across the country on a number of heritage conservation projects, including Hobart Town Hall and the Theatre Royal in Hobart, Presbyterian Manse in Moruya in NSW and the Robin Boyd-design Manning Clark House in the ACT. He has also been the heritage advisor for Eurobodalla Shire Council In Moruya Mr Freeman is well known for his excellent publication ‘The Wallpapered Manse: The Rescue Of An Endangered House’ – 2013 This book is about the former Presbyterian Manse in Moruya. The publication traces the history of the manse since its construction in 1865 and the conservation project, which has brought the property back to life. But the publication has a much wider sweep, as it chronicles the life and times of the town, and the events that fashioned both the manse and its township. The extraordinary feature of the manse is its [undiscovered] interiors, which were panelled in kauri pine, and decorated with subsequent layers of wallpaper, hence the title.
Mr Freeman has been the principal of a dedicated conservation practice for over twenty five years; firstly as Peter Freeman Architect; and then as Peter Freeman & Partners Pty Ltd; and currently as Peter Freeman Pty Ltd: Conservation Architects + Planners. The practice was founded in 1984 and has expertise in all facets of architectural conservation and conservation planning; and has undertaken major conservation projects throughout Australia and in South East Asia. The practice has also developed associated practices in Canberra, Sydney & Hobart. As per the official announcement: Peter Geoffrey Freeman For service to architecture. • Conservation Architect, Peter Freeman Pty Ltd, since 1984. • New South Wales heritage conservation projects have included: o Moruya Quarry Wharf; o Presbyterian Manse, Moruya. • Tasmanian heritage conservation projects have included: o Hobart Town Hall; o University of Tasmania's Domain House; o Theatre Royal. • Australian Capital Territory heritage conservation projects have included: o Manning Clark House; o Conservation Management Plan for Reid Streetscape; o CSIRO Westridge House;
