This enews coincides with the release of the Federal Budget 2007. The Treasurer announced a number of new initiatives in the areas of heritage and the environment, and the Trust will be attending a Budget briefing session in a few days’ time. As we do each year, we will carefully scrutinise the impact of the Budget on the conservation of our natural, built and cultural heritage. Please stay tuned for our next issue of enews which will feature a more detailed response. In the meantime, I’d welcome your comments on the implications of the Budget for heritage conservation and the Trust's work. Also, please note that limited tickets are still available for our gala fundraising dinner on 23 May at Government House, at which we will launch our new Sustainability Program. This is the Trust’s keynote fundraising event for the year and promises to be a terrific evening. We’d very much welcome your support. Details below, together with a special offer on membership - save up to $30 by joining by May 25 2007, and suport the Trust's work in conserving our environmental & built heritage.

Tina Jackson
Executive Director
tjackson@nsw.nationaltrust.org.au

Special Limited e-news offer – SAVE SAVE SAVE on National Trust Membership!
The National Trust is encouraging everyone to help conserve our environment and cultural heritage – by asking you to JOIN the National Trust or if you are a member refer a new member. The National Trust is waiving the joining fee for a very limited time, a saving of up to $30! National Trust Membership entitles you to free entry to over 800 properties worldwide, free international property guide and National Trust Magazine, access to events, tours and exhibitions, discounts at National Trust shops, partner hotels, restaurants and more. Plus a chance to win a $12,000 European holiday for two. Consider joining today to help support the ongoing protection of our natural environment and built and cultural heritage. Simply phone (02) 9258 0156 NOW and mention this e-news offer to receive discount. Offer ends Friday 25 May 2007.

National Trust puts ‘green sheen’ on black tie fundraiser at Government House 23 May 2007
Join us for a fabulous evening and sumptuous food in the fine surrounds of Government House as the Trust holds a special ‘green’ fundraising dinner and auction with Trust Patron, Governor of NSW, Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO. We aim to raise funds for the Trust’s new sustainability campaign to kick start the process of retrofitting some of our properties with energy efficient and water conservation technologies, to make them community models of environmental sustainability. Enjoy entertainment from acclaimed concert pianist Ambre Hammond and a South American trio. Tim Goodman of Bonhams & Goodman auctioneers will auction items reflecting the theme of sustainability (see below). Government House, Macquarie St, Wednesday 23 May 7.00 pm, $500 per person ($350 a tax deductible donation) or $5000 a table of 10. For enquiries or to book please call 9258 0129.

Make your bids in the National Trust’s Sustainable Auction!
Those unable to attend our gala fundraising dinner on Wednesday 23 May can still make bids on the following fabulous range of “green” items and events in our Sustainable Auction:
Lunch for two with Tim Flannery
Lunch for two with Ian Kiernan
Bluescope Steel Water Tank plus installation
Domestic solar power house conversion
Trek urban commuter bicycle
Akira Isogawa printed silk cotto chiffon pleated dress and silk cotton cropped cardigan
NEOZ cordless lamp
Lunch for two at Testsuya’s – including all wines
Pure alpaca cloak
2 Wollemi Pines
Kayak adventure for two on Middle Harbour

Check the Trust’s website www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au soon for images of products.
Phone bids to Nikki Brown on 0413 655 734. Bids close midday Wednesday 23 May.

National Trust $5 Raffle – win a 17 day Outback Tour in QLD
Time is running out to purchase your tickets in the National Trust $5 Raffle, with fabulous prizes to be won. First prize is two tickets for the National Trust Way to the Channel Country outback tour, giving you a real taste of life in the outback. Tickets can be purchased directly through our properties, by calling 02 9258 0123 or via our website. Closes Friday 8 June.

Time Capsule message cards special offer: buy before 31 May and get 5 for $20
Buy Message to the Future cards for the National Trust time capsule now and get a pack of 5 for the special price of $20 plus 50c postage (normally $5 per card). Click here to find out more about the capsule project and to buy cards securely online, and follow this link to read messages from some of the Trust’s Living National Treasures.

Another brick out of the wall
Randwick Council in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs voted recently to ignore its own heritage adviser and advice from the National Trust and approved a plan for the demolition of historic sandstone retaining walls to make way for an underground car park at Arden Street in the beachside suburb of Coogee. There was strong local opposition to the development plan and the Trust is angered that the Council has chosen to support a development application which will see the 80-year-old walls, which give character to the suburb, demolished. The retaining walls in Arden Street are a vital part of the significance of the street plan and should not be compromised in any way. Listing should have been a priority for the Council.

Draft Growth Centres Conservation Plan
The Trust has commented on the Growth Centres Commission Draft Growth Centres Conservation Plan for the Cumberland Plain in western Sydney. The proposal for “biodiversity certification" by the commission, a body set up by the state government, has been rejected by the Trust as a flawed concept similar in nature to the earlier private certification of building development applications. Such a scheme could see the loss of much of Sydney’s irreplaceable Cumberland Plain biota, endangered plant communities and species and fauna. The proposed trading off and establishment of funds to purchase other sites is, in the Trust’s view, contrary to all ethical concepts of recognizing and conserving our unique heritage.

Have your say: the draft Goat Island Master Plan
Goat Island, west of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, is significant for its complex layering of uses, which include gunpowder storage, water police station, bubonic plague research and the centre of maritime operations for Sydney Harbour. The vision is for Goat Island to become an exciting place for visitors – a place where they can experience the story of Sydney Harbour. The NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change released a Draft Master Plan for Goat Island on Tuesday 20th March, which will be on public exhibition until 11th June. Comments are invited up until that date. To view the draft Goat Island Master Plan and have your say please visit www.goatislanddreaming.net.au

Veiled Elegance: A Century of Weddings – until 17 June
An exquisite array of 19th and early 20th century bridal and wedding apparel from a fascinating collection of vintage clothing is on display at the National Trust’s Woodford Academy at Woodford, in the Blue Mountains. The exhibition focuses on bridal finery from the world-renowned Darnell Collection of 3,500 pieces, owned by Blackheath resident, Charlotte Smith, reputed to be the largest private clothing collection in Australia. The exhibition will be open on weekends from 10am – 4pm. Admission: $5 per person. For further information about the exhibition call 02 4758 8584 or for information on Woodford Academy click here.

Janet Dawson Survey at S H Ervin Gallery: 12 May – 17 June
This comprehensive exhibition tracks the career of senior Australian artist Janet Dawson from its genesis in the 1950s through to the present day. Janet Dawson emerged in the 1960s as one of Australia’s most important painters pioneering the international avant-garde style of non-objective painting using pure colour. She also was an important force in re-establishing contemporary printmaking in both Melbourne and Sydney. This exhibition shows the continuity and artistic strength of a career spanning 50 years ranging from abstraction through realism to expressionism but always based in the landscape. To visit the SHEG website click here.

Janet Dawson
Moon at dawn through a telescope
January 2000
National Gallery of Australia, Canberra

Kings Cross Exposé - Sunday 27 May, 11am
Join the After Hours Committee to see ‘The Cross’ that the tourist rarely sees. Highlights include Tusculum & Rockwell Villas, The Macleay Regis a 1920’s Prestigious 9 storey building, Elizabeth Bay House and Tony Johansen’s art studio. Cost: $28 per person – includes food and wine.  For bookings and enquiries please contact Tony Bastow 0404 292 208; Elyne Downey 0418 658 477 or email patricia.barling@zimmer.com  Meet at Victoria Street entrance to Kings Cross station.

Sydney University Antique Fair Sun & Mon 10-11 June
See 32 leading antique dealers’ wares, attend mini lectures on antiques, enjoy musical interludes or have your collections professionally valued at $3 per item.  Historic Quadrangle tours at noon and 2pm, University museums open on Sunday. Lucky door and raffle prizes, silent auction, refreshments and free parking.  Cost: Adults $10, Concession $7, kids under 12 free. Open from 10am – 5pm on Sunday & 10am – 3pm on Monday. For more, click here, e-mail Julie Burt at acquital@bigpond.net.au  or call 0407665759

Christmas in June at Willandra - Sunday 24 June, 2pm
Join the After Hours Committee and Ryde Historical Society to celebrate Christmas Eve in June with party food and drinks. Enjoy a personalised tour of Willandra – an archetypal colonial two storey quality built Georgian house, overlooking the Parramatta River. Cost: $25 per person. For bookings and enquiries please contact Tony Bastow 0404 292 208; Elyne Downey 0418 658 477 or email patricia.barling@zimmer.com

Jiawei Shen wins Holding Redlich People’s Choice Award, Salon des Refusés
Thank you to everyone who visited the annual Salon des Refusés at the National Trust S H Ervin Gallery and voted in the Holding Redlich People’s Choice Award. Jiawei Shen’s self-portrait, Tri-Selves, was overwhelming voted the favourite artwork in this year’s exhibition. The announcement was made by Ian Robertson, Managing Partner, Holding Redlich, Sydney, at the Gallery on Thursday evening, 26 April. Holding Redlich is the principal sponsor of the Salon des Refusés exhibition, generously providing the winning artist with a $2,000 prize. Click here for more.

Harper’s Mansion to open its grounds to the public
High on the hill overlooking the historic colonial village of Berrima is Harper’s Mansion. The 1834 two storey brick house proudly sits in an acre of fine cool climate gardens. Its newly completed maze is the only one of its kind in NSW. Local Trust members and Berrima residents recently formed a new group Friends of Harpers Mansion to again open the grounds to the public. Opening hours are 10.30am to 4pm, Saturday and Sunday. The Friends aim to make the grounds available for private functions, such as weddings, picnics, and hold public events such as concerts. For further information call (02) 4877 1508.

Dundullimal acquires historic pianoforte
Dundullimal Homestead in Dubbo recently acquired a historic Broadwood pianoforte, thanks to Bruce Batterham of Tamworth, who donated the item to the National Trust in February this year. The instrument was manufactured in London c.1830 by John Broadwood and Sons, and became one of only seven which were imported into Australia. The National Trust property hopes to restore the pianoforte and eventually use it at special events held at Dundullimal. For more information about Dundullimal click here.

A marriage made in heritage heaven
Looking for a special atmosphere for your wedding party instead of the usual venues? Why not consider celebrating your big day in a romantic heritage setting, complete with old-world charm and style? The National Trust of Australia has many unique and varied properties that are geared up to cater for weddings of various styles and sizes. These venues are all across New South Wales and include Sydney, the Blue Mountains, the Hunter Valley, Bathurst, Dubbo, Armidale and Cooma. For more information about these venues and contact details please visit click here.

Treasure of the Trust lunch postponed
The Treasures of the Trust lunch with Justice Michael Kirby planned for 4 June has had to be postponed until later in the year. Stay tuned for updates in future e-news issues.

Donate to the National Trust and help preserve our heritage for future generations.
For details of our latest appeal, click here.
To leave a gift to the National Trust in your will please call 02 9258 0182 or click here for further information.

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