The 181 hectare old Air Services Australia Site at Cranebrook has been sold by the federal government, and developers are working with Penrith City Council to rezone the site for housing development. This is despite the NSW Department of Environment and Conservation’s view that, having regard to its significant biodiversity and Aboriginal heritage values, it has “virtually no development potential”. At the time of its sale the Federal Minister for the Environment is reported to have said that the site contained no significant conservation values. A recent study found threatened plants and fauna species and two endangered ecological communities.
click here for further information.    

The world significant Eveleigh Railway Workshops are the subject of major redevelopment plans as most of its buildings are no longer utilised for their original purposes. However, directly adjoining Sydney Technology Park  (the former locomotive workshops) is the Large Erecting Shop which is still the beating heart of historic Eveleigh, where many of the historic steam and diesel trades and skills are still in use. A recent National Trust tour of this building saw historic carriages and steam locomotives under various stages of restoration and repair. Despite claims to the contrary, this building is sound, public access is easily available and the 3801 locomotive is in fine working order. Visit the Trust’s website and put forward your views on the future of the Large Erecting Shop. www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/files/save3801.pdf

The Trust has commented in detail and expressed grave concerns at the redevelopment of the former Rippon Grange (John Williams Centre) at Wahroonga. The proposal affects Blue Gum forest listed as a critically endangered ecological community, will destroy the original approach to the house and much of the state heritage significance of this most important part of the arts and crafts style garden. The overall scale of the development has a major impact on the garden, which in turn affects the house and the surrounding area. Adaptive re-use of Rippon Grange and its grounds should take a much more sympathetic approach.
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Newcastle City Council is seeking to terminate the lease of the historic Birmingham Gardens Cinema exhibitor who has operated the theatre since the mid 1960s. There are strong community concerns about plans to redevelop the site, depriving Newcastle City of its last suburban cinema, which was built by the community. The Trust’s Friends of Tomago have planned their annual fundraiser at the theatre in late October and the Trust will be supporting the community campaign to save this cinema. Click here for more information.
STOP PRESS – Click here to go to the Trust’s website and read the Trust’s submission opposing the redevelopment of the Glebe Valhalla.

The painting of the exterior of the original Van de Velde House at Everglades is 3/4 of the way complete. The painting of the National Trust owned building will reinstate the original yellow colour scheme as identified by Julie Whittlam, Heritage Paint Specialist. This was discovered after extensive investigation using the scalpel and light lupe (incision) method and exposure of the earliest paint layers, by slowly dissolving the subsequent layers, allowing the original painted surfaces to be examined and identified. Click here for information on our Everglades appeal.

You may have seen the news item on primetime ABC News recently about our wonderful soft furnishings project at Old Government House, Parramatta. For the past 3 years, a group of talented volunteers have racked up thousands of hours sewing cushions, curtains, chairs coverings, tablecloths, crumb cloths, bell pulls and bolsters by hand. The volunteers have almost completed the recreation of interiors to reflect the household as it was in 1821, the last year of residency of colonial governor Lachlan Macquarie and his wife Elizabeth. As the sewing machine wasn’t invented until 1860, most of the items have been hand sewn by the volunteers. Old Government House is open every day, with parking, spacious grounds and Lachlan’s Restaurant & Café. Come on Wednesday mornings to see the volunteers at work. For opening times please visit http://www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/properties/ogh/default.asp

For this year’s Pink Ribbon Day, the National Trust provided the venue for a special breast cancer awareness dinner and was decorated for the occasion. Part of a global initiative, pink buildings and icons have been highlighted for the launch of Breast Cancer Month in an effort to focus attention on progress in breast cancer control and to raise vital funds for further research. Tuesday’s dinner was attended by representatives of major supporters of breast cancer awareness, including the Consulate General of Malta and the Consulate of the Solomon Islands. Our newly painted headquarters shone out across the city and harbour as pink lights washed the façade, and our flagpoles are flying pink flags. The National Trust is proud to support this initiative.

Sketches of Frank Gehry is director Sydney Pollack's first feature length documentary on the acclaimed architectural icon, Frank O. Gehry. Beginning with Gehry’s own original sketches for each major project, including the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the film explores Gehry’s process of turning these abstract drawings first into tangible, three-dimensional models, then into finished buildings of titanium and glass, concrete and steel, wood and stone. In cinemas 12 October 2006. Courtesy of Hopscotch films  we have 10 double passes to the film. For your chance to win, be one of the first 10 people to email your name and address to eileen@hopscotchfilms.com.au  with ‘National Trust’ in the subject line. Winners will be notified by email.

Australia’s most significant art prize celebrating portraiture by Australian women artists opens in the Trust’s S H Ervin Gallery on Friday 29 September. Now in its 42nd year, the Portia Geach Memorial Award is recognised and acknowledged in the Australian art scene for its important role of promoting and developing the profiles of Australian women painters. The award exhibition displays entries from artists across the nation, representing the diversity in contemporary portraiture. So come and view the winning work along with all of the other finalists and vote for your favourite. All votes go into the draw for a gift voucher from the Gallery’s bookshop. For details visit http://www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/properties/gallery/default.asp

Everglades participates as an associate garden in the Leura Garden Festival along with nine local gardens, which will be open to visitors from 30 September – 8 October. Each has its own special character and showcases a variety of cool climate trees and shrubs in their spring finery. Musical entertainment at the gardens will be complemented by two shows at Everglades. Cost: $17.50 for nine gardens. $5 for individual gardens. Children are free. Everglades is free for Trust members. For information on the Festival visit www.leuragardensfestival.com.au. Also join us at Everglades for a new series of popular Australian literature in performance. Actor John Derum and Celtic Harpist Dawn Egan will give voice and melody to C.J. Dennis’ The Singing Garden. Sunday 1 October, Wednesday 4 October, Thursday 5 October and Sunday 8 October. Cost: $10 per person + garden entry. For more information please visit http://www.evergladesgardens.info/events.php

Golden Vale, an 1870 Georgian residence, is the National Trust’s most recent acquisition. A delightful garden surrounds this historic home, enclosed within high walls in the English style. A barn, stables and other structures make up the group of interesting outbuildings also on view. The property will be open from 10am – 12noon on 18 October for ticket holders only. The cost is $15 per person, members only. Bookings are essential so please send a cheque (made payable to The Berrima District Branch) before the 10th October to: The Ticket Secretary, National Trust, PO Box 491, BOWRAL 2576, and insert a stamped, self addressed envelope. Call Jennifer on 02 4861 5844 for more information. Those visiting from outside the area are welcome to bring a picnic lunch.

Members, staff, volunteers and friends of the National Trust are invited to attend a cocktail evening to say goodbye to Barry O’Keefe. Ms Jillian Oppenheimer and Mr Jack Mundey AO will both be giving their personal farewells and thanks to Barry. Friday 20th October, 6pm – 8pm. This event is free, although a tax deductible donation of $30 is greatly appreciated. All donations will go towards the farewell gift for Barry O’Keefe.

Please RSVP by Friday 6 October on 02 9258 0123 or kwestaway@nsw.nationaltrust.org.au as numbers are strictly limited.

A notice to all members that the National Trust Annual General Meeting for 2007 will be held on Saturday 25 November. Voting packs for the Board Elections will be distributed through the next issue of the National Trust Magazine.

We have a range of exciting positions available at Observatory Hill and at our properties. For example, we are seeking a senior executive assistant with initiative and drive and high level organisational, administrative, written and verbal communication skills to support the Trust’s Executive Director, assist on projects and to be the secretariat for the Board. For more information on this and other positions click here.