Heritage champion holds influence

Photo: Nev Madsen

TOOWOOMBA’S rich history and heritage has a dedicated and knowledgeable guardian in Stephanie Keays.

The president of the local National Trust branch is a strong advocate for the preservation of the city’s historic built environment.

When Harris House was bequeathed to the National Trust last year without any endowment, it faced ruin.

Turning to crowd-funding to raise the required capital to preserve the property which is more than a century old, Ms Keays laid out her most recent crusade to preserve the city’s long and proud history.

It’s the latest in a string of important preservation work to which she has committed years of her professional life.

She is the founder and owner of Stephanie Keays Architect, a small boutique practice which specialises in heritage and sustainable design.

It’s about blending the new with the aged and her mark has been left on the city through her specialist projects.

A former heritage advisor for the Toowoomba Regional Council, Ms Keays has advised on how projects can proceed without threatening the rich history of the city while achieving the modern ambitions.

Under her leadership tenure at the National Trust, the iconic Royal Bulls Head Inn was preserved, repaired and now open to the public so visitors can experience the history of one of Toowoomba’s oldest buildings.

Ms Keays was a key organiser of the Toowoomba Open House, a tour of the city’s buildings and homes dedicated to showcasing the architecture and prestige of development from past eras.

It allowed the public to understand the stories behind the buildings, and give a glimpse into the lives lived throughout Toowoomba’s history.

When researchers uncovered names of Toowoomba Diggers left off the Mothers’ Memorial at Queens Park, how to correct the record without damaging the existing monument was a stumbling block.

Ms Keays, as a member of the National Trust, along with members of the Toowoomba and District Historical Society, campaigned for a respectful and fitting way to ensure the record was fixed.

Don’t miss the next instalment of The Chronicle’s Power 100 as nominated by you online at thechronicle.com.au.

INFLUENCING UNDERSTANDING: Heritage advocate Stephanie Keays has been nominated for her advocacy work preserving the city’s history.

Photo: Bev Lacey RESPECTED: Historian Peter Cullen, and his wife Eleanor, have been put forward for the list.