This morning, 28 June, the Hon Robyn Parker, first State Minister for Heritage visited Christ Church Cathedral in order to announce the listing of Newcastle’s famous landmark on the NSW State Heritage Register. This was the first listing made on the register since the appointment of Ms Parker as Minister. The Dean of Newcastle, the Very Reverend Dr James Rigney thanked Ms Parker on behalf of the City and the Cathedral, drawing attention to the importance of the building as a living place of worship and witness to which the people of Newcastle and the Hunter region have looked since the beginning of settlement in Newcastle. “Both the Cathedral and its adjoining burial ground symbolise the tentative expansion of the colony away from Sydney and the importance placed on religion and its practice by the early government of NSW. ” Today’s announcement means that the Cathedral will be in a position to apply for ongoing grants to assist in the maintenance of its fabric and the preservation of its contents. Amongst guests gathered today for the announcement were the Member for Newcastle, Mr Tim Owen, and the Lord Mayor Councillor John Tate, as well as advisors from the Department of Heritage. The Minister paid tribute to the work of Dr Rosemary Barnard as nominator of the Cathedral for listing.