The Trust has written to the Hon. Frank Sartor, Minister for Planning and Minister for the Redfern-Waterloo Authority, asking for the retention of the steam locomotive and rolling stock workshops at Eveleigh in Redfern. The letter highlights the importance of protecting and maintaining Eveleigh’s Large Erecting Shed which is of national significance and rare at a world level. It is the only solution for the long-term maintenance and operation of steam trains in NSW. The Eveleigh Large Erecting Shed is also home to the famous and much loved 3801 locomotive. http://www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/files/save3801.pdf            

As a result of our successful No Skills No Future conference and seed funding from the State Heritage Office, the Trust has employed trades practitioner Mark Goodchild to investigate avenues to address the skills shortage crisis in heritage conservation. We are currently negotiating partnerships with existing group training companies to employ new apprentices and looking at ways to give tradespeople the skills and knowledge needed for the restoration and conservation of historic buildings. This much needed and worthwhile initiative urgently requires additional funding to maintain the present momentum.
Contact Mark Goodchild on 9258 0163 if you can assist us in funding this vital project.

The National Trust invites you to celebrate Australia’s natural and cultural heritage and be a part of one of the longest running community initiatives in the state. The theme for 2007 looks at our evolving urban and rural landscape, exploring settings and context and community interaction with particular places. This could include, for example, events that focus on natural settings, sustainable development, urban planning or cultural settings and factors that shape an area’s distinctive identity. To register your event or for more information please visit http://www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/events/festival/default.asp

The final report from the Productivity Inquiry into the Conservation of Australia’s Heritage Places is more positive than the draft version. However, it focuses on the perceived restrictions and cost burden for owners of heritage homes and the need for incentive payments to encourage adequate care, without clearly defining what constitutes unreasonable costs or the source of funding for incentive payments. We are now awaiting the government’s response to the report. http://www.pc.gov.au/inquiry/heritage/finalreport/index.html

The Trust is supporting the owners of the cabins in the shack communities at Era, Burning Palms and Little Garie who are fighting moves to terminate their licenses and to have the shacks become state owned. These communities were classified by the National Trust as Landscape Conservation Areas in the mid 1990s because of their cultural and historic significance. In the Trust’s view, transfer of their ownership to the state and their management, care and control by persons other than the community members would see these values gradually eroded and ultimately lost.  Please visit www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au for more info.                   

A Landscape Conservation Area listing of the Goulburn River, north-east of Mudgee, is being prepared. The Trust’s Gulgong/Mudgee/Rylstone Branch and local residents are seeking to protect the Goulburn River Gorge and a feature known as “The Drip,” or “Great Dripping Wall”. The area is of deep significance as a meeting place for the Wiradjury, Wonnarua and Darkinung and Kamilaroi Aboriginal people, and is potentially threatened by a long wall coal-mining proposal. http://www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/files/goulburnriver.pdf

As a new feature of Enmore Road’s annual Under the Blue Moon Festival, the Trust will lead two fun and informative walking tours of Camperdown Cemetery on Saturday 9 September. Under the Blue Moon celebrates gothic and other alternative subcultures of Newtown. The family tour begins at 2pm and features ghosts, ghouls and face painting. The twilight tour geared towards adults will begin at 5pm. Both tours run for approximately 90mins. For cost and bookings phone 02 9258 0161. http://www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/conservation/cemeteries

From 19 August the National Trust SH Ervin Gallery will host an exhibition of 90 works by 68 artists who have exhibited with the Sydney Printmakers association since 1961. It is a comprehensive survey and journey through printmaking techniques and contemporary approaches including screen prints, linocuts, woodcuts, etching, lithography and digital imaging. For more information about the exhibition and our weekly Public Programs, go to www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au

Image: John Coburn, Flame tree 1976. Art Gallery NSW, gift of artist.

After years of silence, the watercourse at Everglades is once again burbling! The restoration of the watercourse reticulation was made possible through the fundraising efforts of Everglades’ volunteers, neighbours and friends. The watercourse has been artfully constructed with local ironstone to look like nature’s handiwork. The official launch will take place on Sunday 10 September at 11am. http://www.evergladesgardens.info/whats-new.php

Fancy listening to a bit of jazz on a lazy Sunday? Then bring along your friends and family to hear some of Sydney’s finest jazz ensembles perform at Experiment Farm Cottage on Sunday 20 August from 11am to 4pm. ZOOO Superband and the Renée Kayser Trio will headline this year’s program. Tickets can be booked by phoning 02 9635 8149 or visit http://www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/media/files/2006/july/media-17-7-06.pdf

Join in Taronga Zoo’s 90th birthday celebrations and take a walk down memory lane on a personally guided history tour of Taronga Zoo. Learn about Taronga’s rich history; discover architectural and historical points of interest, fascinating Zoo trivia and animal stories. The tour takes in the famous domed Entrance, Floral Clock, Elephant Temple and Giraffe’s Building. Tours will be conducted twice daily (10.30am & 2.30pm) on September 16, 20, 23, 27, 30 and October 4, 11, running for 90 mins. Special price for National Trust members: $22* - includes Zoo entry, guided tour and Historic 90th Birthday Guidebook. Bookings essential (limited numbers) Call 02 9978 4782 (Mon - Fri). *Not valid with any other existing Zoo offer including pre-paid tickets, concession tickets or transport passes including ZooPass.

Everyone is invited to attend one or both of two special events to farewell the National Trust’s longest standing President, the Hon. Barry O’Keefe AM QC. Cocktails in the SH Ervin Gallery, Friday 20 October, 6pm-8pm ($30); and a Grand Farwell Dinner at Old Government House, Friday 3 November, 7pm – 11pm ($150). Bookings are essential, please call 02 9258 0123. Numbers are limited.

The National Trust of Australia (NSW) requires an experienced, enthusiastic and dynamic Philanthropy Manager to identify, cultivate and manage gifts, bequests and donations from individuals and organisations. For more information please visit www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au

We are seeking volunteers for Saumarez Homestead to help keep this 10-hectare National Trust property in Armidale running smoothly. Make friends and have fun while providing invaluable support leading tours, conducting research, helping with the school’s program, organising special events, catering and running the tea room. For more information or to attend an orientation session on 26 August, phone 02 6772 3616 or email saumarezhomestead@bluepin.net.au

The Hon Bob Debus will be speaking at the National Trust Corporate Breakfast on 31 August at the Hotel InterContinental starting at 7.30 am. Tickets are still available. Phone 02 9258 0181 or visit http://www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au to download a booking form.