As we approach the end of this very busy year, I would like send my heartfelt thanks and warmest wishes for a happy Christmas and New Year to all our members, supporters and volunteers. Without you, we could not continue to conserve our natural, built and cultural heritage for future generations. We look forward to your continued support in the New Year.

The National Trust Centre on Observatory Hill will be closed between Monday 24 December and Tuesday 1 January. The S.H. Ervin Gallery and Trust Café will reopen on 19 January.

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

  Conservation Issues

Waverley Cemetery Gates tops Partners in Preservation voting
The Waverley Cemetery Gates have topped the polls in the online voting competition to save some of Sydney’s most important heritage landmarks. The 130-year-old intricate wrought iron gates will receive the lion’s share of a hefty preservation grant to restore them to their former glory. The community-based initiative, Partners in Preservation was a pilot program of the National Trust of Australia (NSW) and American Express that ran from 16 November – 14 December. American Express pledged $185,000 towards the initiative and in addition, donated 20 cents for every purchase made on an American Express Card during the voting period at hundreds of outlets in the three council areas.  These funds are still being calculated.  The advisory panel will announce the size of the preservation grant awarded to Waverley Cemetery Gates in February 2008, in addition to the smaller grants awarded to two other selected sites. We would like to thank everyone who voted for their favourite site during the program and American Express for making this worthwhile project possible. Click here for more information.

Busy Holiday Season
The Christmas - New Year Season will be a busy time for the National Trust. Various NSW Government plans and proposals are now on display for public comment and Trust members are encouraged to take the opportunity over the holiday season to examine and make comment on some vital issues that may otherwise pass unnoticed at this time of the year. Firstly there are the proposed changes to the NSW planning system, the Catherine Hill Bay Part 3A Residential Development, the Callan Park Land Use Plan  and Sydney's Metropolitan Strategy - Draft North Subregional Strategy (Hornsby & Ku-ring-gai). There are also some vital proposals in the pipeline which may be announced just prior to Christmas such as the Heritage Act Review, Currawong Development/State Heritage Register Listing and the future of the Eveleigh Railway Yards. Keep checking the Department of Planning and Redfern/Waterloo Authority websites if you wish to be aware of and comment on these issues.

Draft Parramatta Park Conservation and Management Plan
The Draft Conservation & Management Plan for Parramatta Park is on public exhibition until 22 February 2008. Additionally a Management Plan has been prepared for simultaneous exhibition in the context of the nomination of Australian Convict Heritage sites, including Old Government House and its Domain (Parramatta Park), for the World Heritage serial listing. Copies of the draft plan may be viewed at www.ppt.nsw.gov.au.

Ecologically Sustainable Buildings
The National Trust was pleased to hear that Sydney City Council is encouraging developers to use environmentally friendly building materials and to install recycling systems. With the Australian Government now meeting its new commitments under the Kyoto Protocol and practical local government moves in this area, there is now a need for the NSW planning authorities to commit to specific targets with state and local planning instruments.

Scenic Tree Avenues Under Threat
Scenic and historic tree avenues around NSW continue to be under threat from road works and development. Following the removal of the Moss Vale Road (Kangaroo Valley) tree avenue for road widening, a similar threat faces the historic 1920s avenue of trees at O’Connell, near Bathurst where five trees have recently been poisoned and the RTA again propose road widening works. The Trust is also concerned about the removal of most of the Brush Box trees at Olympic Park that formed the original avenue to the State Abattoir that were planted in 1907 to the design of J H Maiden, then Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens. Both the Master Plan and Conservation Management Plan had recommended their conservation and incorporation in any new development. Following recent rainfall, the trees appear to be in excellent condition but the advice for their removal was based on their reported “poor condition” at the height of the drought.

Wauchope Fig Trees
The Trust has written to Port Macquarie Hastings Council expressing concern about Council’s plans to remove an avenue of fig trees in Hastings Street, Wauchope. These trees were planted in 1937/8 as part of Australia’s Sesquicentenary. The trees have wonderful streetscape value and complement the 1913 Methodist Church, the beautifully restored Federation period court house, the 1915 police residence and many fine examples of homes from the timber boom of the 1920s in Victorian and Federation period styles and with art deco detailing. The Trust is considering a listing of the avenue of trees or a small urban conservation area featuring the trees on the Trust Register.

Rose Bay Marina
The developer of a major marina proposal in Rose Bay has taken the development to the Land & Environment Court under “deemed refusal” provisions of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act. Despite this, Woollahra Council has promoted strong community participation in the process. Large numbers of people attended meetings to contribute to the formulation of more than forty grounds for the rejection of this development, which would have severe impacts on Rose Bay and is contrary to the public interest. Woollahra Council heard thirty submissions from people all speaking passionately in opposition to the marina with not one person supporting the development.

Photo - Peter Rae/Fairfaxphotos

Balmoral Net Enclosure
The suspended steel mesh net enclosure at Edwards Beach, Balmoral, built in the 1920s/30s was classified and entered on the National Trust Register in 1994. It is also a listed Heritage Item on Mosman Council’s Local Environmental Plan. Nonetheless, Mosman Council is proposing its demolition in the face of rising community concern. The Trust will be lodging a strong objection. This is a highly valued community asset, and these actions send a very poor message to private owners who are being encouraged to maintain and conserve their heritage-listed properties.

Forster School of Arts
The Trust is opposing Great Lakes Council’s proposal to demolish the 1878 Forster School of Arts. The Council’s own State of the Heritage Report has highlighted development pressures over many decades that have resulted in much of Forster’s heritage being destroyed for new developments and now there are only two places listed as heritage items on the Council’s Local Environmental Plan. The Report notes that one of those places was proposed for demolition. The Trust supports the local community in endeavouring to save the School of Arts and has offered the facilities of its tax-deductible appeals system as a means of raising funds for maintenance and restoration works.

Berry By-Pass
The Trust will be commenting on a number of options by the Roads and Traffic Authority for a by-pass of the historic town of Berry. Two of the three by-pass proposals would have severe impacts on the original historic township with buildings dating from the 1860s/70s. The buildings in Pulman Street were listed on the Trust Register as a group listing in 1979.

  Sustainability Spotlight

Please don’t forget we’re a charity – we need your support right now!
The National Trust (NSW) is determined to care for our shared heritage and to keep it accessible for everyone. But the fact is, as a charity, we urgently need to raise funds to keep up with rising costs. Because we receive no ongoing government funding we need your help to maintain our 38 priceless properties across NSW, and our extensive bushland properties and gardens - some of which are home to threatened species such as Blue Gum High Forest and the Powerful Owl. We are again appealing to people who believe in the Trust as much as you do to support us in caring for these wonderful places. We very much hope you will help us today with a donation. Please click here to make a donation online or call (02) 9258 0156 to donate over the phone.

  Events & Exhibitions

National Trust properties FREE ENTRY on Australia Day
To celebrate Australia Day, the National Trust is providing FREE ENTRY* to its heritage places Australia wide. This will give you, your friends and family the opportunity to have a great day out and reflect upon what you think is great about Australia and being Australian. It is also a chance for us to re-commit to valuing our heritage and making Australia a better place in the future.
*Conditions apply in some States for attendance at special events.

The Led Zeppelin World Tour exhibition 19 January – 2 March
In our 30th Anniversary year, S.H. Ervin Gallery travels back to a hot Sunday afternoon in February, 1972, when legendary rock supergroup Led Zeppelin played an extraordinary concert at the Showgrounds in their only ever Sydney appearance. Photographer Ted Harvey was there - backstage, upfront, hanging out with the group, taking rolls of film. Harvey recently rediscovered his collection of documentary photographs, 40 of which have now been selected for display. The exhibition also presents responses from contemporary artists Adam Cullen, Nicholas Harding, Geoff Harvey, Euan Macleod, Lucille Martin, Alan Jones, Craig Waddell, Chris O’Doherty (aka Reg Mombassa), Janice Raynor and Gareth Sansom. This exhibition supports RockPhotoAid.com. A Lismore Regional Gallery Touring exhibition. Series of guest talks, school holiday workshops & special events are being scheduled. Please view www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au for further details.

January Children’s Holiday Art Workshops at the S.H. Ervin Gallery
Enrol your little ones in an educational art workshop during the summer holidays at the S.H. Ervin Gallery, Observatory Hill. Classes include:  Sculptural Clay Vessels – 17 January, ages 7-14yrs. Children will have the opportunity to create and take home their own unique ceramic piece.  Sketching the Landscape: drawing plein air – 18 January, ages 7-14yrs. Children will create their own drawings investigating the built and natural environment.  CD Cover Design: music, lyrics and art – 24 January, ages 10-17yrs. Using lyrics and text from the famous Led Zeppelin song Stairway to Heaven, students will create their own image inspired by the work of innovative contemporary artist Lucille Martin. Expressive Self Portraits – 25 January, ages 5-12yrs. Students will use reflective surfaces to create their unique self portrait using colour, line and composition. Each workshop costs: $33 / National Trust Members $30, and includes materials and tuition. Bookings essential, call Eleanor Venables (02) 9258 0122.

Summertime Picnic in the Park – Sunday 20 January, 4pm
Join the After Hours Committee for a lazy Sunday afternoon at Werrell Reserve, Teviot Avenue, Abbotsford. Enjoy the Sydney summer, meet some new friends, and have a late afternoon picnic. Bring your friends or family, something to eat and drink for yourself, plus something you would like to share with your new friends. For more information call Tony Bastow 0404 292 208 or Pat Barling 0414 702 677.

  Promotions & Announcements

Enter the EnergyAustralia National Trust Heritage Awards
The EnergyAustralia National Trust Heritage Awards offer a unique opportunity to showcase and provide recognition to individuals, government departments, commercial organisations and community groups who have completed a project in 2007 that promotes the conservation of Australia's natural, built or cultural heritage.Made possible by the continued support of EnergyAustralia and the NSW Heritage Office, Award categories cross over into built heritage and landscape conservation projects, presentation and development tools, tourism, conservation energy management and cultural heritage.Call 02 9258 0181 or go to click here for an entry kit and more information.

Congratulations to the winner of our European River Cruise Holiday!
The draw for our Membership promotion prize for 2007 was held last Friday 14 December at the S.H. Ervin Gallery. Robin Murray of Gladesville was drawn as the winner of a wonderful 14 day holiday, cruising the rivers of Europe in luxury and style. The prize was generously donated by Mary Rossi Travel, Sea Cloud Cruises and Gulf Air.

A new membership promotion has been launched for 2008, where new members and referring members will go into the draw to win a wonderful holiday in Italy, valued at $18,000. Please click here to join now and you could be next year’s winner and get to explore the Walled Cities of Umbira, Italy.

Purchase your limited facsimile edition of ‘Town Planning in Australia’ by John Sulman
The National Trust is publishing 100 copies of the 1921 original book by John Sulman, with an introduction by Robert Freestone,. The book includes 280 pages plus foldouts, in full colour soft cover. To purchase your copy today please click here and download a booking form. Alternatively, you can call Mara Barnes on 02 9258 0161. Cost: $120 plus $10 postage and packaging.