NSW Fellowship helps protect historic NSW buildings

Mr Grzegorz Kosilo was selected for the prestigious fellowship, which provides heritage stonemasons with an $18,000 scholarship to undertake specialist international training and research not readily available in Australia, allowing them to develop specialist trade skills and bring that expertise back to NSW.

As part of his Fellowship, Mr Kosilo will travel to Poland and Germany to investigate mineral-based stone repair products that closely replicate the natural structure and permeability of sandstone, offering a more compatible and durable solution for heritage conservation work.

The research is expected to help address specialist skills gaps in Australia’s heritage stonemasonry sector, with Mr Kosilo sharing his learnings with industry to strengthen local conservation practices and support the long-term protection of historic buildings and monuments across NSW.

The NSW Government owns and manages approximately 800 sandstone buildings and structures across the state, including schools, hospitals, courthouses and public monuments.

The George Proudman Fellowship is an initiative of the Minister’s Stonework Program, which plays a critical role in conserving these assets by combining traditional craftsmanship with modern conservation practices to help protect some of NSW’s most recognisable public buildings for future generations.

The Minister’s Stonework Program is sponsored by the NSW Government and delivered by NSW Public Works and Heritage Stoneworks.

More information on the Ministers Stonework Program can be found at https://www.publicworks.nsw.gov.au/services/asset-management-and-advisory/minister-for-stonework-program

NSW Government Architect Abbie Galvin said:

“The Ministers Stonework Program is unique in Australia and plays a vital role in not only protecting some of NSW’s most significant public heritage assets, but fostering industry capability.”

“Our heritage buildings give NSW its character, identity and sense of history, and the George Proudman Fellowship continues an important legacy of craftsmanship that helps ensure these remarkable places are conserved and admired for generations to come.”

“Mr Kosilo’s research has the potential to strengthen conservation practices not only in NSW, but across Australia, by exploring more durable, reversible and historically appropriate restoration techniques that work more naturally with historic sandstone.”

Public Works Executive Director Drew Varnum said: 

“Established in honour of the late George Proudman, the fellowship recognises the importance of investing in specialist heritage trade skills and supporting the next generation of stonemasons.

“As Master Mason of the NSW Public Works Department during the 1970s and 1980s, Mr Proudman played a pivotal role in revitalising the craft of stonemasonry and mentoring future generations of tradespeople, working on key landmarks like Sydney’s Central Station and the Chief Secretary’s Building on Bridge Street.   

“The Fellowship recognises the importance of investing in specialist trade skills, supporting the next generation of heritage stonemasons to build on traditional skills while exploring innovative conservation practices from around the world.”

The George Proudman Fellowship recipient Mr Grzegorz Kosilo said:

“For nearly 20 years I have worked in heritage restoration, stone production and installation on many of Australia’s most significant historic buildings, including St Mary’s Cathedral, Ultimo TAFE , Kirkbride in Callan Park and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

“Through this work, I’ve developed a deep respect for preserving the original stone and using repair methods that are truly compatible with historic fabric.

“In Australia, most stone repairs are still done with synthetic epoxy or acrylic-based materials. While they may look good initially, they often create long-term conservation problems because they behave very differently to natural sandstone.

“This fellowship gives me the opportunity to travel to Poland and Germany to study with stonemasons, heritage specialists and manufacturers of mineral-based repair systems. I want to bring back techniques and knowledge that are still rarely used in Australia.”