After what has been an eventful period for the National Trust, things are settling down to ensure a smooth transition for the Executive and the staff. We are busy preparing for the National Trust Festival with nearly 400 heritage events being held statewide, the highlight of which is the Heritage Awards on 7 April when we recognise Australian conservation at its best. The Board has resolved to appoint Steve White as Acting Executive Director. Steve was the Finance Director of the Trust. His position will be taken up in the interim by Soma Somavarman, who has been appointed Acting Finance Director.

I wish everyone will participate in and enjoy the National Trust Festival and connect and engage with the community events to celebrate our heritage.

Zeny Edwards
President

It is with feelings of both pride and humility that I write to you, members, friends and supporters of the National Trust in New South Wales for the first time in this way. Pride in the organisation itself, what it does and what it stands for in the community and pride in the dedicated team of professionals, staff and volunteers who do the work that they do. In the same breath it is personally humbling in that I have been given this opportunity to lead both. Whilst there are many opportunities coming up for all of us to celebrate our heritage through the National Trust Festival and other events as Zeny has said, we must not lose sight of the fact that as we plan to do that our heritage in New South Wales is under a greater threat now than ever in recent years. Consider the issues around the NSW Heritage Act Review, the Murrumburrah Cottage, Craignairn at Wahroonga and Catherine Hill Bay below to highlight just a few. Visit our website for a more in-depth commentary on these and other issues. Join us and become part of the growing voice of concern in the community – join online now.

In a time where the community needs the Trust more than ever, The Trust also needs you more than ever as together we fight to preserve our precious heritage.

Steve White
Acting Executive Director

NSW Heritage Act Review
The report of the Independent Expert Panel conducting a review of the NSW Heritage Act (1977) has been released and the National Trust is concerned that, in the government’s attempt to develop a more efficient and effective bureaucratic model, heritage is downgraded even further than its present low status. Decision-making in so many areas has been centralised with the Minister for Planning and this raises community concerns about the independence and expertise of those people appointed to the Heritage Council and expert, review and ministerial panels. Proposals to remove the representation of community groups such as the National Trust from membership of the Heritage Council would reduce the independent skills and experience base available to the Heritage Council. With a history dating back to 1945 and representing both country and urban NSW, the National Trust lobbied to have the Heritage Act and Heritage Council established and has contributed significantly to its decisions for 30 years. Other major concerns are proposals to restrict heritage curtilages and buffer zones, limiting the term State Heritage Significance only to places on the State Heritage Register, the removal of time limits for the Minister to determine State Heritage Register listings and a broadened range of grounds for objecting to heritage controls. Visit the Trust website for a media release on the recommendation and a detailed account of the National Trust’s position on the NSW Heritage Review.

National Trust Listing of the Sky and Earth Hour
As Earth Hour approaches on 29 March, the National Trust is finalising a Classification Report to list the day and night sky over NSW on the Trust Register. Both the day and night skies have extraordinary aesthetic, historic, social and scientific significance for all Australians. The Southern Cross and the Milky Way (our home galaxy) are defining symbols for Australians. The sky is the only vista common to the whole country and is highly significant to the Aboriginal people who depicted the sun, moon and stars in art and dreamtime legends. The voyage of Captain Cook to the southern seas was primarily intended to view the transit of Venus and for the first time allow an accurate determination of the distances to the outer planets in our solar system. Within a week of the First Fleet’s arrival an observatory was established at Dawes Point. The number of stars visible from the Sydney CBD has fallen from 2000 to 100 through the last century and even the fifth star of the Southern Cross is now difficult to see. A clear view of the sky is the right of every Australian and should be preserved. Switching the lights off for Earth Hour will remind us of this special but “over-looked” aspect of our natural heritage.

Historic Cottage – Murrumburrah
The Trust has expressed concern to Harden Shire Council at reports that the Council was intending to demolish an historic timber cottage constructed in the 1870s/80s and listed on the Trust Register in 1974. The cottage was understood to have suffered some flooding damage from nearby drainage works and the Trust has offered to establish a tax-deductible appeal to fund restoration work on the building.

Scone Civic Theatre may re-open
The Trust was delighted to hear of proposals by theatre restorer/operator Paul Brennan to re-open the Scone Civic Theatre which has been closed for more than a year. This theatre is a rare surviving example of the work of noted “art-deco” style theatre architects Crick and Furze and is listed on the State Heritage Register. The Trust is considering the preparation of a nomination for the listing of this theatre on the National Heritage List.

Craignairn, Wahroonga
The National Trust recently gave evidence at a Land & Environment Court hearing regarding a proposal to build a new house adjoining the 1909 Howard Joseland building Craignairn. The Court has rejected the development because of its impacts on Craignairn.

Catherine Hill Bay Open Day – Saturday 5 April
Residents of historic Catherine Hill Bay are fighting to save the coastal hamlet from overdevelopment. Catherine Hill Bay comprises 100 historic homes in rolling hinterland on a pristine surf beach with many endangered species in the vicinity. Developers propose to build 900 homes, obliterating the village and threatening its biodiversity. To increase awareness about the plight of this coastal gem, Catherine Hill Bay residents will hold an open day. Visitors are invited to spend a day at the Bay, to learn about its history, enjoy its natural beauty, and inspect its heritage buildings which have been listed by the National Trust (NSW). Please click here for more information on Catherine Hill Bay Open Day.

Observing Living History: 2 April – 2 June
Today the Sydney Rocks is a vibrant mix of historic hotels, restaurants, shops and galleries. However life in The Rocks was not always so salubrious. The exhibition ‘Observing Living History’ tells the story of The Rocks, bringing together a collection of rarely seen archival materials. The exhibition is free and is generously supported by the City of Sydney and the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority. Open Monday – Friday 10am – 5pm. Click here for more information on Observing Living History.

Buy a Pin to Support National Trust Day – Sunday 20 April
Support National Trust Day and the conservation of our environment and cultural heritage by buying a National Trust leaf or pin. Simply fill in the form with the number of pins or leaves you would like and post or fax your order back to the National Trust. The Leather Leaf pins start at $2 each or $16 for a pack of 10; while the Silver Leaf pins cost $5 each or $40 for a pack of 10 (plus 50c postage fee). Trust members, supporters and friends are also invited to visit selected properties free of charge on National Trust Day – click here for more information on National Trust Day.

Festival of Children’s Literature at the Norman Lindsay Gallery, Faulconbridge – 12 and 13 April
What better place to celebrate children’s literature than at the home of the Magic Pudding! It promises to be a great weekend of entertainment for all the family, with stalls throughout the garden, selling food and books and offering lots of fun activities. There will also be free arts and crafts workshops for the kids, free plaster painting and face painting and roaming musicians. Workshops/ author talks ($30 each) for adults who are interested in learning about the children’s book publishing industry will also be held (bookings essential). Download the Festival Program to book your tickets and workshops or call 02 4751 1067.

The Birthplace of Darling Point – Saturday 5 April, 10am – 4.30pm
Visit historic Lindesay, the first house built in Darling Point (1834) and imagine the gracious life of the well-to-do in early Sydney. Georgian interiors with their fine Australian and English furniture are complemented by an elegant parterre garden and well tended grounds with uninterrupted Harbour vistas. Guided tours on the hour from 11am. Morning and afternoon tea available. Cost $6. 1a Carthona Avenue, Darling Point 2027. Ph: 02 9387 6981. Click here for more on Lindesay.

Vienna Cottage exhibition – Wednesdays & Sundays 6 – 20 of April
Visit Vienna Cottage to view an exhibition documenting the life and times of the early residents of Vienna Cottage. The collection of photos and archival material will provide a fascinating insight into the life of the Hillman Family in the late 1800s. The exhibition sets the scene by documenting major political and social events of the time and includes some rare photos of Hunters Hill. Free entry - 38 Alexandra St Hunters Hill. Open from 11am – 4pm, Wednesdays and Sundays. Click here for more on Vienna Cottage.

Soiree with the Governor – Saturday 12 April and A Ghostly Night at Old Government House – 18 April
Governor and Mrs Macquarie request the pleasure of your company for a Soiree with the Governor on 12 April.  Spend an evening with the Macquaries and their guests, in a full-period re-enactment at Old Government House, Parramatta Park. From 7pm. Bookings essential – 02 9635 8149. Cost $35 including supper.  On 18 April you are invited to A Ghostly Night, to explore the 205 year old Georgian mansion by candlelight and hear stories of supernatural encounters, 8pm – 10 pm. Cost $25 supper included. Bookings essential –  02 9653 8149 (not suitable for children under 15yrs). Parramatta Park, Parramatta. Click here for more on Old Government House.

Ludovic Blackwood Sanctuary Open Day – Sunday 13 April
The National Trust is hosting an open day for the public to visit this Blue Gum High Forest. It is a chance to wander among the towering gums and get a sense of what our local landscape would have been like before the urban sprawl. There will be a free guided walk at 10am. Bookings essential – 02 9258 0176. Click here for more information on the Ludovic Blackwood Sanctuary Open Day.

Gore Hill Cemetery Walking Tour – Sunday 13 April, 11am – 1pm
Historic Gore Hill Cemetery is a hidden oasis of calm in the bustling lower North Shore. Hear fascinating stories about the people who are buried there. Graves of interest include: the Hordern Monument (department store owners), Sir John Sulman, the Dalton Vault (first burial 1877), Cornwall Vault (vinegar makers), the Durack family (the pastoral family of Western Australia) and a memorial to Sister Mary McKillop. Cost $20 members, $25 non-members – includes light refreshments. Bookings essential – 02 9258 0123.

Wild Night Walkabout at Wirrimbirra Sanctuary, Bargo – Wednesday 19 April
Bring your night vision for an after dark bushwalk and see how many nocturnal animals you can spot hiding in the trees. Hear about the daring bushrangers who used the dense Bargo bush as a hide out from the police. Cost: $15 per person, $5 for children under 5 years – includes dinner. Bookings essential – 02 4684 1112. Wirrimbirra Sanctuary is on the Hume Hwy between Tahmoor and Bargo. Click here for more on Wirrimbirra Sanctuary.

April Children’s Holiday Workshops – S.H. Ervin Gallery: 16 April – 23 April
Enrol your little ones in an educational art workshop during the Autumn holidays, coinciding with the exhibition, Salon des Refusés. Classes include: Drawing from the Reflection; Expressive self portraits; Sketching the landscape: drawing plein air; Sculptural Clay; and Sculpture with Recycled Materials. Click here for more information on the workshops. Cost: $33 / National Trust Members $30 for each workshop – includes entry to exhibition, materials and tuition. Bookings essential – call Eleanor Venables (02) 9258 0122 or email:  evenables@nsw.nationaltrust.org.au

Salon des Refusés: The alternative Archibald and Wynne Prize Selection – until 4 May
Our alternative selection exhibition from the hundreds of entries to the Archibald and Wynne Prizes. Each year our guest selectors go behind the scenes of the Art Gallery of New South Wales to select the exhibition. The Salon has established an excellent reputation, and is often cited as more interesting than the “official” exhibition. The criteria for works selected are quality, diversity, humour and experimentation and they cover such themes as contemporary art practices, different approaches to portraiture and artists’ responses to the landscape. Vote for your favourite art work in the Holding Redlich People’s Choice Award. Click here for more information on Salon des Refusés.

Image Right: Esther Erlich Curious & Curiouser – Marieke Hardy

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