In the last issue of e-news we reported that the official launch of the Everglades Watercourse was to take place on Sunday 10 September. The date has since been brought forward to Saturday 9 September at 11am, and will include a light brunch and a short reading from The Singing Garden by actor John Derum, accompanied by harpist Dawn Egan. For more information please call 02 4784 1938 or visit http://www.evergladesgardens.info/whats-new.php        

All National Trust staff, volunteers, members and guests are invited to farewell our longest-standing President, the Hon. Barry O’Keefe AM QC. Please join us for cocktails at the National Trust SH Ervin Gallery to honour the outstanding contribution Barry has made to the National Trust over 15 years. The farewell will be held on Friday 20 October, from 6pm – 8pm. Numbers are strictly limited. RSVP to 02 9258 0123 or kwestaway@nsw.nationaltrust.org.au by Friday 22 September. A tax deductible donation of $30 would be greatly appreciated.  A Gala Dinner farewell event is also being planned for 3 November, to be held at Old Government House. For more information please email or call the number above.

The National Trust strongly supports a proposal to name the intersection of George Street and Argyle Street, The Rocks  “Jack Mundey Place” in recognition of Jack Mundey’s outstanding contribution to the conservation of The Rocks through the Green Bans of the 1970s. Visit the Trust’s website for the full history of this period and to lend your support to the proposal to name 'Jack Mundey Place' www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/news/rocks.asp

A development application has been lodged with the Sydney City Council to strata title and convert the Glebe Valhalla cinema into offices. The Trust believes that this cinema has major social significance as well as architectural qualities. It has been argued that it is no longer feasible to operate the Valhalla as a cinema; however, the Paddington Chauvel has just re-opened and the Randwick Ritz and Cremorne Orpheum are vital social and economic facilities for their local communities. The National Trust will be commenting on the proposal and invites members to also put their views by the 21st September deadline. Visit the Sydney City Council website to view the development proposal, you might consider putting in a submission to the Council with a copy to the National Trust.

The National Trust has launched a new on-line service. Now you can join or renew your membership conveniently and securely with your credit card.  An option to renew automatically each year is available to save you time. For those looking for a unique gift, National Trust memberships can also be purchased for friends and family making it a perfect gift for any occasion. As a special ‘thank you’, members and each new member they bring to the Trust will receive a complimentary gift valued at $15. Find out more. Plus, you’ll both have a chance to win this year’s fabulous holiday in far north Queensland, valued at $9,000. (For full terms and conditions visit our web site) To join, renew or buy a gift membership now, click here https://www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/join_online.asp          

National Trust Board Director Heather Nichols recently resigned from the Board. Heather is a very active and effective regional representative and in thanking her for her contribution to the Board, President Barry O’Keefe stressed the importance of country members to the Trust. "They are the eyes and ears of the National Trust in places remote from Sydney, but in which there are wonderful items of heritage that need protection."  The Trust is very grateful to Heather for her dedication as a Board member over the past two years and her ongoing commitment to the Trust.

At its meeting on 30 August the Board appointed John Niland as a Director of the Trust. John Niland is a Professor Emeritus of the University of New South Wales and was Vice-Chancellor and President of UNSW from 1992 to 2002.  Before that he was the Dean of the Faculty of Commerce and Economics.  He is currently Chairman of the Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust and a member of the Macquarie Bank Board, the University Grants Committee of Hong Kong and the Board of Trustees of Singapore Management University.  Professor Niland is a former Chief Executive of the State Pollution Control Commission and Executive Chairman of the Environment Protection Authority. 

The annual National Trust SH Ervin Gallery Spring Book Fair will be held at the National Trust Centre on Observatory Hill, Saturday 16 September. Discover great second-hand deals on the arts, history, travel, biographies, paperbacks, classic cookbooks, children’s & youth section, magazines, etc. This year there will be a special fine arts & collectables corner. Plus a HUGE sale on new publications in our arts bookshop. The Trust Café will open early on the day. Doors open 10am – 4pm – onsite parking available. Enquiries please call 02 9258 0140 or visit http://www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/events/bookfair.asp

The National Trust property Everglades, the famous gardens in Leura, is preparing for the spring equinox with its very own ‘Ciquinox’ – a colourful circus festival featuring aerial acts, stage shows, roving performers, circus workshops and face-painting. There will be a range of local talent, as well as circus skills workshops, giving you the chance to bring out your own inner clown! Entry is free for National Trust members; standard admission fees apply for non-members. The day will run from 11am – 3pm. For more information please visit www.evergladesgardens.info/events.php

The National Trust’s SH Ervin Gallery is holding a one day symposium to learn and share ideas from Sydney’s leading artists, curators and workers in the Sydney printmaking scene. Guest speakers include Anne Ryan (exhibition curator & curator Australia Prints, AGNSW); artists Nicholas Harding, Euan Macleod & Michael Kempson. The cost is $35 for National Trust members; $40 for non-members; $33 for students. For bookings and a full list of guest speakers please call 02 9258 0140 or visit http://www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/properties/gallery/files/symposium.pdf

The National Trust’s Saumarez Homestead is holding a special exhibition of paintings and prints by Edward Baker Boulton, a 19th century grazier and artist who worked in the New England area. Featuring exquisitely detailed watercolours sourced from private collections, the exhibition runs from 10-24 September. It will open formally on September 10 with a lunch and special lecture by writer/historian John H Edwards, who published Edward Baker Boulton: Australia’s Forgotten Artist two years ago. Cost to attend the official opening on 10 September is $30. It will run from 11.30am – 3pm and bookings are essential. Call 02 6772 3616 or email saumarezhomestead@bluepin.net.au

Donald Friend was not only an exceptional artist, but also a fine writer who kept an extensive diary. Terence Clarke, well-known theatre director & composer, was part of Friend’s inner circle. Clarke will read exciting and telling incidents of Donald Friend’s amazing life. This event will take place on 21 September, 6pm – 8pm, at the National Trust’s SH Ervin Gallery. Bookings are essential on 02 9258 0140. Cost: $20 for NT members, $22 for non-members (includes parking, wine & exclusive viewing of the current exhibition Sydney Prints). For more information, please visit http://www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au.

The National Trust’s Dundullimal Homestead in Dubbo will be holding an exclusive dinner and lecture with eminent architect Clive Lucas, who spent three years working on its restoration from 1985-88. The amazing story of its transformation is well worth hearing. The evening will commence at 6pm, in Dundullimal’s Shed Café. The cost for the evening is $30 per person or $25 for Trust members. For bookings and information please call Dundullimal on 02 6884 9984 or email dubbont@tpg.com.au

The National Trust After Hours Committee invites you to attend an evening of art, live music and sharing fond memories. The SH Ervin Gallery will open for an exclusive viewing of the Portia Geach Memorial Award exhibition, where you will be served refreshments and savouries. The evening will run from 6.30pm – 8.30pm at the SH Ervin Gallery and the cost is $28 per person. For bookings please call 02 9258 0161. For more information please visit www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au

There are still some places left on the National Trust’s Family Tour of Camperdown Cemetery this Saturday, September 9th as part of the Under the Blue Moon Festival. Located in the picturesque grounds of St, Stephen’s Anglican Church, Newtown, the family tour features ghosts, ghouls and face painting. Starts at 2pm and goes to 3.30pm. To book your tickets please call 9258 0161. For further information please visit http://www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/media/files/2006/august/media-2-8-06.pdf