The Friends of the Athenium and Cultural Centre put the building in the running for the Heritage Branch Cultural Conservation Award.

This week the Athenium, which is currently being refurbished, hosted Tidy Towns assessor Michael Bogle whogauged the Athenium’s cultural contribution to Junee.

Mr Bogle was taken through the building by Friends of the Athenium’s Barbara Manwaring, who said the committee was urged to nominate the site for the awards.

“It was actually recommended to us by one of the councillors and we thought, well let’s have a go,” she said

Work on the Athenium has been keenly watched by theatre and cultural enthusiasts, prompting some to have a second look at facilities in their own towns, according to Mrs Manwaring.

“A lot of the smaller towns with little theatres are now starting to recognise the value of their theatres, which is great,” she said.

Australia Beautiful chief executive officer Peter McLean said this week 95 towns which had been entered for the awards would be assessed.

“Assessing week is a time for towns to demonstrate what they have achieved and the challenge for our assessors is always to find that special town that has the edge over the rest,” he said.

He said awarded towns would go on to enjoy tourism, business and cultural opportunities.

Winners will be announced at the Tidy Town Awards weekend in Lockhart from November 5 to 7.