I am delighted to announce, on behalf of the Board of the National Trust of Australia (NSW), that John Neish has been appointed the new Executive Director, and will take up the position on 25 August.

John brings to the National Trust 25 years’ experience spanning the private, not for profit and local government sectors, and a deep commitment to the view that economic prosperity is integrally linked to heritage, social and environmental values. John was General Manager of Parramatta City Council from 2003-2008 and during his tenure was instrumental in developing Parramatta as a dynamic cultural, heritage and economic precinct, steering the City’s ascendancy as Sydney’s second CBD.

Throughout his career John has woven protection of heritage into his various local government roles. As a community worker in the early 1980s, he conceived the Glenn Innes Main Street project which reinstated historic building colour schemes and developed heritage–appropriate public works. The scheme significantly boosted tourism and continues today. In his middle and senior management roles at Parramatta, John drove a series of heritage related innovations, including the establishment of the Parramatta Heritage Resource Centre and the conservation of George Salters Cottage, the second oldest European cottage in Australia; and led Parramatta’s role in the State Regional Environmental Plan which improved conservation zone protections and added additional zones. The Board extends its warmest welcome to John, who will bring to the Trust: fresh vigour, excellent managerial capabilities, a listening ear and a sincere commitment to lead the Trust forward into the future and further strengthen its leading role in all aspects of heritage.

In appointing John, the Board would like to thank Acting Executive Director, Steve White, who capably stepped up to the role and for his committed service in managing the Trust during this period of transition. 

Dr Zeny Edwards
President

Enter the Trust’s “I love this place…” photographic competition, closing Sunday 24 August, and win $2000 cash or $1500 in cameras, with selected entries exhibited in Sydney on World Architecture Day, 6 October. Click here.

Come along to hear Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore present a breakfast talk on “The Sustainable Sydney 2030 Vision for Sydney's future", 7.30am, Tuesday 5 August. More…

Buy tickets in the new National Trust Raffle and win a fabulous Botanica SA Wine & Roses tour. Click here…

Put our feature exhibition Yin-Yang: The Chinese in Australia, in your diary. Starting 8 August S. H. Ervin Gallery. Read more…

Conservation Issues

Parramatta High-Rise Development 
The Trust is opposing a development application for the demolition of the heritage-listed church hall at 356 Church Street and its replacement with a 13 storey hotel. The hotel will project over the adjoining Trust-listed 1872 Thomas Rowe designed Congregational Church. In 2006 the Trust strongly opposed increases to the height limits in Parramatta’s Development Control Plan which were set to degrade the historic views from Parramatta Park and Old Government House across the former Kings School grounds and St Patrick’s Cathedral, Church Street and North Parramatta. This is one of our most famous early colonial landscapes, depicted in paintings from 1791, its importance confirmed by the current proposal for World Heritage Listing of OGH and Parramatta Park. 

Kyogle Highlights Planning System Flaws
Kyogle Council, by a majority vote, has approved the demolition of a shop that its 1996 Heritage Study said was “the best example of 1930s Art Deco in Kyogle”. The Council did not finalise a Local Heritage List and this and all other significant places in Kyogle recognised in the Study are now at risk. This is the very situation that the National Trust raised when opposing the new state planning legislation’s provisions for easier demolition. The Trust has contacted the Heritage Branch of the Department of Planning requesting that an Interim Heritage Order be placed on the Kyogle building and that they ask Kyogle Council to urgently submit its Heritage List for determination by the Minister. Support the protection of the Kyogle building, visit the local community website.

Eveleigh Railway State Heritage Threatened
The news from the internationally significant Eveleigh Railway workshops at Redfern gets worse. The blacksmith operating for the past 17 years from Australian Technology Park at Eveleigh has been given notice to quit as of September. The original development consents for the ATP required this area to be retained with an expectation that equipment would be restored, with funding, to working order. The present blacksmith trains apprentices on site and produces Victorian style ironwork essential for restoration work in greater Sydney. Visit the Open Day on Sunday 17 August – see here. Visit the Wrought Artworks website and see an on-line video of the blacksmith at work. For more about the Trust’s broader campaign to save Eveleigh and the 3801 locomotive please click here.

Historic Chinese Market Gardens Threatened
The National Trust has supported the Chinese Heritage Association of Australia in its efforts to protect the State Heritage Register listed Chinese Markets Gardens at Phillip Bay, La Perouse, from a proposal to convert it to an extension of Botany Cemetery. This garden was established in the 1830s and has been operated by Chinese market gardeners for more than a century. The watercourse still flowing through the site is thought to be the creek from which Governor Phillip drew water for the First Fleet and there is a strong probability that La Perouse grew vegetables on the site from January, 1788. Burials would be below the water table and only massive earthworks, destroying the important historic and landscape heritage values and the productive agricultural land, would make possible a cemetery extension. The Trust has been a vocal advocate of renewable tenure of cemeteries and believes that this is the appropriate solution to the problems at Botany Cemetery.

Catherine Hill Bay
The independent panel on the Coal & Allied development proposals at Catherine Hill Bay, Nord’s Wharf and Gwandalan has recommended a reduction in development from 300 proposed allotments at Catherine Hill Bay’s Middle Camp to 222. The report also recommended that development should only be on previously disturbed land visibly separate from the existing village, should not impact on the area’s scenic, aesthetic and cultural heritage qualities and that the footprint should be reduced, particularly near the village and cemetery. This report has confirmed the sensitivity of Catherine Hill Bay, and of the Trust’s objections to Coal & Allied and its parent company Rio Tinto Australia. To read more about why the development plans are unsustainable please click here.

Events, Exhibitions & Travel

Abstract Earth: The Photography of Richard Woldendorp – until 03 August
Richard Woldendorp is a highly respected photographer acknowledged as Australia’s pre-eminent practitioner of aerial photography. For almost 50 years, Woldendorp has documented the country's unique landscape from the sky. This exhibition acknowledges Woldendorp’s important contribution to Australian landscape photography and has been selected by art critic John McDonald and photographer R. Ian Lloyd. For more information about the exhibition please click here.

Richard Woldendorp, ForestRiver, Kimberley,  WA, Australia, 2003

Yin-Yang: China in Australia, 8 August – 28 September
The S.H. Ervin Gallery, Observatory Hill, Sydney will host this exhibition which explores the important contribution of the Chinese people in shaping Australia, and how Chinese culture has and continues to inform our society. The exhibition include works of art by Sinophiles including Ian Fairweather, Margaret Preston and William Hardy Wilson, and objects that demonstrate the influence of Chinese culture in Australian history. Curated by Dr Zeny Edwards assisted by Joanna Capon, the exhibition is a timely examination of Australia’s relationship to China coinciding with the Beijing Olympics. For more information please click here.
WILLIAM HARDY WILSON – Kurrajong Library c.1951 National Library of Australia

Genius in the Genes: The Lindsay Family – until 30 September
This exhibition at Norman Lindsay Gallery, Faulconbridge, highlights the connections between Norman Lindsay and his family and friends. Includes works by Daryl, Lionel, Ruby, Percy, Jack, Jane, Rose and others in this clever family. P: 02 4751 1067. Click here for more information about the Gallery.  
The Lute Player, Norman Lindsay, Oil

National Trust Corporate Breakfast with Clover Moore MP – Tuesday 5 August, 7.30am
Guest speaker Clover Moore MP, Lord Mayor of Sydney, will speak on the topic "The Sustainable Sydney 2030 Vision for Sydney's future". Clover Moore is the first popularly elected female Lord Mayor of Sydney, and an Independent. Ms Moore is also an Independent Member of the NSW Parliament, now serving her sixth term in the Legislative Assembly. She is Chair of the Sydney Festival Board and of the Central Sydney Planning Committee, and Vice-President of the Australia Day Council of NSW. The Tearoom, Queen Victoria Building. Tickets from $60. Click here for more information and to download a booking form.

150th Anniversary of Parramatta Park: ‘Embrace the Park’ – Wednesday 6 August, 12noon
The Parramatta Park Trust is inviting National Trust (NSW) staff, volunteers and members to participate in celebrating 150 years of Parramatta Park. Come and stand along the park boundaries and embrace the parklands. Everyone will then move to the centre of the park to create a ‘150’ symbol before enjoying a picnic and concert. Show your support and join the Old Government House and Experiment Farm Cottage folk in this festive day. Register with David Hoffman on 02 9635 8149 or oghouse@bigpond.comOld Government House staff make front page news!

Pamela Griffith - Orientalism: An Australian Artist's Perspective, Trust Centre, 7 – 21 August
Coinciding with the Beijing Olympics, internationally renowned artist Pamela Griffith will exhibit limited edition relief prints exploring the symbolism of the animals of the Asian Zodiac, together with a suite of coloured etchings based on the changing seasons and a series of dramatic Chinese inspired works combining gold and silver leaf with rich oils. Artist talks will be held at 11am on 12 and 19 August. A limited number of complete Zodiac sets will be for sale at the exhibition. Exhibition open 11am – 4pm, 7 – 21 August (closed Mondays). Click here for more information

National Trust Market Stall in Leura Mall – 9 August, 8.30am – 12.30pm
A wonderful array of interesting items for sale including native plants, pottery, hand knits, bric-a-brac, homemade cakes and preserves. Funds raised support the National Trust.

Women’s Committee Haberfield Day – Tuesday 12 August
Join the Women’s Committee Haberfield house inspection day. National Trust members will have the opportunity to visit 3 lovely private homes. Morning session: 10.30am – 12.30pm. Afternoon session: 1pm – 3pm. Cost: $28 – members only. Tickets still available – download the Ticket Application Sheet. Closing 5 August.

Chinese Brush Painting Master Class, Saturday 20 September, 10am – 3pm
Mr Chi Lik Cheung was born in Hong Kong and completed his Masters Degree (MSA) from Sydney College of the Arts in 2006. He is a practicing artist, tutor of Chinese brush art, and president of the Australian Oriental Calligraphy Society. He also examines cultural history in scripts and artefacts, and the role of classical arts in contemporary daily life. Suitable for all ages and levels. Morning session – Basic Chinese calligraphy. Afternoon – Spring Plum Flower ink painting. Cost: $95 / $85 NT Members. Cost includes materials, lunch, tuition & entry to Yin Yang: China in Australia. Bookings: 02 9258 0122 or evenables@nsw.nationaltrust.org.au

Cirquinox comes to Norman Lindsay Gallery – Sunday 21 September, 10am – 4pm
Cirquinox, the annual Blue Mountains Circus Festival, will be celebrated at Norman Lindsay Gallery. Cirquinox features aerial acts, stage shows, roving performers, a circus play space, face painting, circus stalls and refreshments. Cost: Adults $15, Child / Concession $9 (includes all shows). There will be a shuttle trolley bus service from Springwood Station for a gold coin donation. Advance bookings: 02 4751 1067 or nlg@hermes.net.au

Special Member Promotions & Announcements

“I Love this Place…” Photo Competition
The Trust (NSW), supported by the NSW Architects Registration Board and radio partner ABC Local Radio, invites Australians to pick up their cameras enter the national “I love this place …” photographic competition. Win $2,000 cash or $1,500 worth of cameras from Georges. Send us a digital image of a built environment anywhere in Australia that has a special place in your heart, with up to 100 words completing the sentence “I love this place because…”. Shortlisted entries will be exhibited at Customs House, Circular Quay, Sydney, on World Architecture Day, 6 October 2008.
Entries close midnightSunday 24 August 2008. Click here for more.

New National Trust Raffle – Win a Botanica SA Wine & Roses tour
Purchase your tickets for the new National Trust $2 Raffle for your chance to win a Botanica South Australian Wine and Roses tour for two people valued at $3,390. Other prizes include  an overnight stay at Norman Lindsay Cottage, a mixed case of Australian wines from the National Trust Wine Service, 1 year subscription to Vogue Living and Vogue Entertaining + Travel magazines, and Agatha Christie’s Poirot series 1 DVD box set. Click here for more information. To purchase your tickets call 02 9258 0123 or download an order form

Enter the National History Challenge 2008
The National Trust invites students from years 5 to 12 to enter this research based competition, giving them the chance to be an historian, investigating their own heritage. The National Trust’s special category is Australia’s heritage and the Trust offers cash prizes for best entries in each state/territory meeting the theme: Australia’s heritage: Australia meets the world. Students can present their work in a number of formats. The closing date of the competition is 15 August 2008. Information and ideas can be found on the National Trust website. Registration forms at www.historychallenge.com.au.

Volunteer at the Wildflower Festival or the Complete Home Show for the National Trust!
We have three new exciting opportunities for which we need your help. The main focus is signing up new members, engaging in conversation about the Trust and/or selling raffle tickets. All necessary training and information will be given before the event.

• Festival of Wildflowers, Saturday 30 & Sunday 31 August, 8.30am – 4pm.  Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden, 420 Mona Vale Rd, St Ives.
• The Complete Home Show, Friday 12, Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 September, 10am – 5pm.  Royal Hall of Industries and Hordern Pavilion, Moore Park.
• Door to Door in your local area at a time that suits you.

To register your interest in volunteering at either of these events or door-to-door, please email jgontier@nsw.nationaltrust.org.au or call Janene on 02 9258 0155 now! Thank you to all those who responded to our last request for volunteer assistance; we truly appreciate your help.

National Trust Portraits series – ABC Newcastle Radio Broadcast
On 31 July, Brough House, Maitland hosted ABC Newcastle Radio, broadcasting live from 11am – 3pm. The National Trust properties Brough House and Grossman House came up with the idea ‘Painting for Repairs’. In order to raise extra money needed for repairs, they invited local artists to paint a series of portraits of local identities. As part of the live broadcast, ABC presenter Carole Duncan had her portrait painted while she was broadcasting. Visit the ABC Newcastle website to read more about the project.

Superannuation – Fund for Cooma Cottage
The Trust’s superannuation providers Chifley Financial Services and FuturePlus held a corporate golf day on 30 May 2008, the ‘Chifley FuturePlus Golf Classic at Kogarah Golf Club’. They graciously made the Trust one of the two joint beneficiaries for the day and the funds donated from the event have been used to make a start on a Property Endowment Fund for Cooma Cottage in Yass. This was a wonderful gesture by our friends at Chifley/FuturePlus and one that is very much appreciated by us and by Cooma Cottage in perpetuity.

Maintenance of Harper’s Mansion Garden, Berrima
On 26 February 2008, the National Trust entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the NSW Department of Corrective Services for the maintenance of the garden at Harper’s Mansion, Berrima. The work will be undertaken by inmates at the Berrima Correctional Centre under the supervision of a horticulturist from the Correctional Centre. In exchange, the Trust will pay for a series of TAFE training modules for the inmates, for which inmates will receive a certificate. One of the first tasks undertaken was to map the plantings of the “produce garden”, showing anticipated spread of trees and shrubs and enabling better planning of the garden.

View the Soft Furnishings at Old Government House
The Sun-Guardian newspaper recently featured the soft furnishings group works at Old Government House on their front page. View a wonderful slide-show of the work on their website.

Holiday fun at Experiment Farm Cottage
Dozens of children and their parents recently enjoyed a series of fun and engaging holiday programs at Experiment Farm Cottage. Activities included embroidery, cross-stitching, children’s games of yesteryear and even farming! The winter sun shone and added to the enjoyment of the outdoor games.
Bowled over at Experiment Farm Cottage

Filming at Old Government House
On Nickelodeon, Channel 9 in November look out for a new children’s show called The Kingdom of Parramithi, from the producers of The Wiggles! The castle background will be none other than Old Government House. OGH staff had a fun day with the TV cast and crew and are considering a review of their Redcoat costumes after witnessing the fun and vibrancy of the Parramithi uniforms!
Andrew Kerr and Rosemary Moore are heralded into the Kingdom of Parramithi