I am thrilled to be appointed the new Executive Director of the National Trust (NSW) and look forward to guiding the organisation toward a period of revitalisation and growth. I have a long standing interest in history and heritage preservation and over 25 years experience spanning the private, not for profit and local government sectors. Throughout my career I have been involved with many heritage conservation projects and most recently, as General Manager at Parramatta City Council, was instrumental in improving conservation zone protections in this most historically significant area of Sydney.

Today, like the time of the 70s Green Bans, heritage protection is under intensifying threat from development. The National Trust is the last remaining independent conservation advocacy organisation and it is my role to ensure the Trust stands strong and responsive to the challenges that lie ahead. First and foremost the National Trust is a member-based organisation. Listening to members, staff and volunteers will be a guiding principle for me. Over the next 3 months I plan to go on a regional tour to meet with Trust branch committees and property managers. I look forward to hearing first hand about local and regional issues and ensuring mechanisms are in place to unify all arms of the organisation.

I recognize the main tenets of the National Trust to be Advocacy, Conservation and Education; everything else we do should be in support of these goals. One of my first initiatives, in conjunction with the Board, will be the development of a Strategic Plan to ensure the vision and goals of the National Trust validate the membership’s firm belief in the organisation.

I look forward to my regional tour and getting in touch with the Trust’s grassroots. I really appreciate how local communities have enormous pride in their local history and I believe the National Trust can play a valuable role in conveying these stories.

John Neish
Executive Director

Enter the Trust’s “I love this place…” photographic competition, closing Sunday 31 August, and win $2000 cash or $1500 in cameras, with selected entries exhibited in Sydney on World Architecture Day, 6 October. Click here.

Public Program talk this Sunday, 3pm at S.H. Ervin Gallery – associate curator of Yin Yang: China in Australia, Joanna Capon. Click here.

Buy tickets in the new National Trust $2 Raffle and win a fabulous Botanica South Australia Wine & Roses tour valued at $3,390. Click here…

Conservation Issues

Catherine Hill Bay
Coal and Allied has lodged with the Australian Department of the Environment a referral under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act in regard to its residential subdivision and development proposal at Catherine Hill Bay. The EPBC Act required this referral as 13 vulnerable or endangered flora species, three endangered or vulnerable fauna species and three threatened flora species were recorded in the area proposed for development (including other development proposals at Gwandalan and Nord’s Wharf). The referral’s conclusion is that the total development is likely to have significant impacts on seven vulnerable or endangered flora species.
Public comment is sought by Friday 5th September and the details can be found at the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts website.

Blacksmith’s Workshop, Australian Technology Park, Eveleigh
There has been positive progress on the issue of the threatened eviction of the Blacksmith at Eveleigh. A twelve year lease has now been secured between the blacksmith (Wrought Artworks) and the Redfern Waterloo Authority. The National Trust had argued that Wrought Artworks should be allowed to operate on the site at a peppercorn rental because of the apprentice training and the care for the historic steam powered machinery. Guido Gouverneur will now rent the blacksmith’s workshop for half the commercial rate for the next four years.

Ku-ring-gai Urban Conservation Areas
The National Trust has categorically rejected Planning Minister Sartor’s claims, made on ABC Stateline’s 22 August feature on development in Ku-ring-gai, that the Trust makes ‘ambit claims’ on heritage listings and would heritage ‘list the whole state if they had half the chance’. The Trust’s 28 Urban Conservation Areas nomination is not an ambit claim but a result of rigorous and comprehensive study by heritage experts over many years. While the Trust has listed 130 places in Ku-ring-gai on its Register, Ku-ring-gai Council has more than 800 places listed on its Local Environmental Plan approved by previous planning ministers and Minister Sartor. Many Sydney councils have had heritage conservation areas listed for decades (Burwood – 18 from 1979, Strathfield – 9 from 1969, Ashfield – 20 from 1999). The Trust asks why there has been such discrimination against Ku-ring-gai when other council areas have been given proper protection for so many years.

Conservation Conference – Sense of Place
The Trust’s annual Conservation Conference on the theme “Sense of Place” will be held on Monday 22 September 2008 at the Trust Centre. Speakers include a psychiatrist talking about their special places. Speakers will include  Jack Mundey,  Legislative Council member  Henry Tsang (talking about the heritage of the Chinese community) and the key note speaker will be Silma  Ihram, an Australian pioneer of Muslim education, and a campaigner for racial tolerance. For further information and to register, contact Mara Barnes on 02925 80163 or mbarnes@nsw.nationaltrust.org.au

Spring into The Complete Home Show
The National Trust and the Master Builders Association will be joining forces at the “Spring into The Complete Home Show” to offer visitors  information on  renovation of period homes. Visitors will be privy to  expert advice on specific trades such as plastering, painting and joinery. Trust experts will be on  hand to  answer questions on property conservation and Classification by the Trust. The show will be held at the Royal Hall of Industries and the Hordern Pavilion, Moore Park, Sydney, from Friday 12th to Sunday 14th September from 10am till 5pm, for more information visit the website – www.thecompletehomeshow.com.au

Events, Exhibitions & Travel

“I Love this Place…” Photo Competition – HURRY, CLOSES MIDNIGHT THIS SUNDAY 31 AUGUST!
The Trust (NSW), supported by the NSW Architects Registration Board and radio partner ABC Local Radio, invites Australians to pick up their cameras and enter the national “I love this place …” photographic competition. Win $2,000 cash or, for the runner up, $1,500 worth of cameras from Georges. Send us a digital image of a built environment anywhere in Australia that has a special place in your heart, with up to 100 words completing the sentence “I love this place because…”. The longlist of best entries will be exhibited at Customs House, Circular Quay, Sydney, on World Architecture Day, 6 October 2008.
 Click here to see some of the entries so far.
 Entries close midnight Sunday 31 August 2008. Click here for more.

Yin Yang: China In Australia – S.H. Ervin Gallery exhibition until 28 September
Yin Yang: China in Australia celebrates Australia’s dynamic cultural heritage and reinforces the National Trust’s core mission to embrace Australia’s multi-cultural society. This timely examination of the engagement between China and Australia demonstrates where the influences of Chinese culture have played in the history of Australians, in their everyday life and aesthetically in art. The exhibition presents unique and rare objects from public & private collections and important works of art from Ian Fairweather, Margaret Preston and William Hardy Wilson. The experiences of Chinese life proved to be defining moments for all three artists following their travels there. A full colour exhibition catalogue featuring essays by James Broadbent, Joanna Capon, Zeny Edwards, Kylie Kwong, Helen O’Neill, Peter Valder & Jane Watters is available from the S.H. Ervin Gallery book shop for $35. Mail orders welcome.

Image: Jiawei Shen Counterpoint 1995

Yin-Yang: China in Australia – Public Program Guest Talks – Sundays, 3pm
Sunday 31 August:  Joanna Capon Exhibition floor talk with Yin Yang associate curator, Joanna Capon. Capon will pay particular interest to renowned artist, Ian Fairweather.
Sunday 07 September:  Writer Mark Mordue with artists Tom Langlands & Jasper Knight, discuss their time spent in China with the Red Gate Gallery Studio Residency Program.
Sunday 14 September: Tim Johnson in conversation with Ian Milliss Exhibiting artist Tim Johnson will discuss his influences from music to Buddhism to animation in conversation with artist Ian Milliss.  Visit our website for up-dates and more details.

Image: IAN FAIRWEATHER Chinese Mountain (1933)  Collection: Art Gallery of New South Wales © Ian Fairweather/ DACS. Licensed by VISCOPY, Sydney 2008

Florence Broadhurst Studio Tour: Signature Print – Thursday 4 September, 2pm
Visit Signature Prints showroom and studio, Unit 2/3 Hayes Road, Rosebery, and learn about the remarkable Florence Broadhurst and see the hand-printed process of the Broadhurst wallpapers and fabric from the Broadhurst archive. Cost: $45/ $40 National Trust members (includes tour and afternoon tea). Bookings: 02 9258 0122 or email shervingallery@nsw.nationaltrust.org.au Limited numbers.

Native Plant Sale at Wirrimbirra Sanctuary – Saturday 6 September
Visit Wirrimbirra Sanctuary, 3105 Remembrance Drive, Bargo for lots of bargains. Plants include Lilli pillies, callistemon, lemon myrtle and more. There will be 20% off most stock. Visit wirrimbirra.com.au for more information.

Bumper Book Sale at Woodford Academy – Saturday 6 September, 12pm – 4pm
Books, tapes, CDs, white elephant stall, jams and preserves, and a sausage sizzle to sustain you while you browse the books. 90-95 Great Western Highway, Woodford. P: 02 4784 1938.

Millers Point Festival –Saturday 6 September, 10am – 5pm
Come along to the inaugural Millers Point Festival and help celebrate the history, heritage and diversity of Millers Point, Sydney. Observatory Hill Park will be hosting a picnic on the hill with all day entertainment, dog zone, a program of History Talks at the Fort Street School and Historic Walks of the Millers Point area. A Photographic Competition Exhibition will be on display in the National Trust building and there will be a number of open days and additional activities happening at various other venues. For more information visit millerspointfestival.org.au or contact the festival office P: 02 9247 3211.

Vov Dylan and his Orchestra – Friday 12 September, 7.30pm
A spectacular classical evening including dinner, wines and champagne, hosted by Lachlan’s Restaurant at Old Government House, Parramatta. Vov Dylan’s 13 piece orchestra on stage in Lachlan’s silk lined marquee, featuring an all star line-up of musicians – multi Mo Award winner Ross Maio, celebrated piano vocalist John Watson and Milko Foucalt-Larche. Cost: $125 per guest or $880 a table of 8. Bookings: 02 9687 2662 or visit their website.

S.H Ervin Gallery Spring Book Fair – Saturday 13 September, 10am – 4pm
Come along to the annual S.H. Ervin Gallery Book Fair which features thousands of books available at bargain prices. There will be something for everyone in the family so come and enjoy the fair and pick up a treasure! Browse our selection of pre-loved art books, art catalogues, fiction, non-fiction, travel & lifestyle books plus some great antiquarian titles. The gallery is still accepting donations of books. P: 02 9258 0173.

Life on a Colonial Farm – Saturday 13 September, 12.30pm – 2pm
Transport yourself back in time at Experiment Farm Cottage, Harris Park and meet convict James Ruse. Learn about his farming experiment and join him for a tour of the property. Dress up, plant corn and play yesteryear games in the gardens. Enjoy a fun tour and learn about Surgeon John Harris who bought the property in 1793 and built the colonial bungalow still standing today. Cost: $10 per child. Bookings: 02 9635 8149.

An Evening of Gilbert and Sullivan – Saturday 13 September, 7pm
The Very Small Opera Company has gathered highlights of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas to illustrate the foibles, fables and absurdities of etiquette in 18th century England.  Performances are held in the beautifully restored rooms of Old Government House. This fun musical evening includes pre-concert drinks and a candlelit tour of Old Government House. Hosted by Friends of Old Government House. Cost: $48 / $43 FOGH and NT members Bookings: www.friendsofogh.com  or 02 9635 8149.

‘Craft & Games’ and ‘Slates and Chamberpots’ at OGH – Sunday 14 September
To celebrate History Week, take your children to fun zone by the waters edge at Old Government House, Parramatta to experience educational yesteryear activities. Children can make paper fans, hats, masks, design cards, peg dolls and play games. These activities are free and will be run all day from 10am – 3.30pm.
‘Slates and Chamberpots’ activities will also be run at 12.30pm, allowing children to experience old school days in a recreated 1800s classroom, followed by a house tour. Cost: $15 per adult / NT members $10, with one accompanying child free, extra children 5-12 years $5. P: 02 9635 8149.

Mahratta Open House and Garden – Sunday 14 September, 10am – 3pm
A wonderful opportunity to explore this art deco gem in the middle of Sydney. Mahratta is located at the corner of Fox Valley Road and Pacific Highway, Warrawee, and features a Paul Sorenson designed garden. Guided tours of the house and garden will be held – visit www.practicalphilosophy.org.au for more information. Cost: entry, $10 or $5 for National Trust members. Guided house tour, $10. Funds raised will be used by the custodians, the School of Philosophy, for the upkeep of the garden.

A Day of Photography at Everglades Gardens – Thursday 18 September, 10.15am – 3pm
A wonderful opportunity for novice photographers of all ages to join with others in learning the basic skills required to take good photos.  Everglades Gardens are at their peak in September and October, there are 13 acres beautifully landscaped garden to explore and photograph. Places are limited. Cost: $45 – includes morning tea and light lunch. Bookings: Everglades Gardens 02 4784 1938, Elizabeth Reyswood 0418 206 899 or Sandy Luxford 02 4784 2280.

Cirquinox comes to Norman Lindsay Gallery – Sunday 21 September, 10am – 4pm
Cirquinox, the annual Blue Mountains Circus Festival, will be celebrated at Norman Lindsay Gallery. Cirquinox features aerial acts, stage shows, roving performers, a circus play space, face painting, circus stalls and refreshments. Cost: Adults $15, Child / Concession $9 (includes all shows). There will be a shuttle trolley bus service from Springwood Station for a gold coin donation. Bookings: 02 4751 1067 or nlg@hermes.net.au.

Veil between Two Worlds National Trust concerts by Harpist, Claire Roche – October
Well-known Irish harpist/singer Claire Roche has strung together another musical tour of Australia that will see her play at four National Trust properties. Her Veil between Two Worlds tour will include popular Irish ballads and dance tunes, songs sung in Gaelic, poems by WB Yeats set to music and Roche’s original songs for harp. Concerts will be held at the following venues:

• Old Government House, Parramatta – Friday 3 October and Saturday 4 October, 7.30pm. Candlelit concerts and supper. Tickets: $72, $68 National Trust members, supper included. P: 02 9635 8149 or ogh@bigpond.com to book.
• Everglades Gardens, Leura – Friday 10 October, 6pm. Cost: $30, $25 National Trust members. Tickets: 02 4784 1938. Refreshments available.
• Holy Trinity Church, Brisbane Street, Dubbo (for Dundullimal Homestead) – Sunday 12 October, 2pm. Afternoon tea included. Tickets: $25. P: 02 6884 9984
• Miss Traill’s House and Garden, Bathurst – Monday 13 October, 6pm. Cost: $30, $25 National Trust members. Tickets available from Books Plus & ABC Centre, 157 Howick Street 02 6331 5994 or at the gate on the night.

Spring School Holiday Art Workshops: 3 – 10 October
Enrol your little ones in a series of children’s workshops to coincide with the Portia Geach Memorial Award at the National Trust S.H. Ervin Gallery, Observatory Hill, Sydney. Classes include:

• Self portraits: drawing from the reflection – Friday 3 October
• Expressive portrait painting with acrylics – Wednesday 8 October
• Telling a story through a portrait – Thursday 9 October
• Painting a Miniature – Friday 10 October

Cost for each workshop: $33 or $30 for National Trust members. Visit our website for more information. Bookings: 02 9258 0122 or evenables@nsw.nationaltrust.org.au

Special Member Promotions & Announcements

New National Trust Raffle – Win a Botanica South Australia Wine & Roses tour
Purchase your tickets for the new National Trust $2 Raffle for your chance to win a Botanica South Australian Wine and Roses tour for two people valued at $3,390. Other prizes include an overnight stay at Norman Lindsay Cottage, a mixed case of Australian wines from the National Trust Wine Service, 1 year subscription to Vogue Living and Vogue Entertaining + Travel magazines, and Agatha Christie’s Poirot series 1 DVD box set. Click here for more information. To purchase your tickets call 02 9258 0123 or download an order form.
Ticket purchaser must be 18 years or over.

Jazz up your weekend at The Westin Sydney
Reconnect with friends and family over a leisurely Sunday Brunch with live jazz at The Westin Sydney from $299 per night*. Your renewing experience will include: overnight accommodation in your Heavenly bed®, Sunday Brunch in Mosaic Restaurant and a late check out of 3pm.  For further information or to make a reservation, please visit westin.com.au or call 1800 656 535 (toll free) or 02 8223 1111 and quote BRUNCH.
*Terms and conditions apply. Valid on Saturday night only until 30 September 2008.

Save $10 when you join the Gallery and see ‘The Lost Buddhas’
The Art Gallery of New South Wales would like to introduce you to one of the most vibrant cultural membership organisations in Australia, and give you an insider’s view of the Gallery. As a National Trust member you can join the Gallery and save $10 on your membership.* Gallery membership includes a whole range of exciting benefits - click here to view.  And if that’s not enough, you’ll also receive a free ticket to the The Lost Buddhas – an impressive display of 35 of the best preserved and most exquisite sculptures from the Qingzhou discoveries centring on those from the sixth century. Call 02 9225 1878 and quote privilege code ‘NATT01’.  For more information on Gallery membership visit their website.

Free ticket offer subject to terms & conditions. Non-refundable, non-transferable nor redeemable for cash or other goods or services. *Excludes Student memberships. Not valid for membership renewal. ** Conditions apply. Offer ends 22.11.08.

Songs from the Movies: Crime Time – special offer for National Trust members
Clive James will host Symphony at the Movies – Crime Time, featuring some of the most spine-tingling moments in the history of cinema music including classic James Bond and Basic Instinct. The performances will be held at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall on Thursday 11, Friday 12 and Saturday 13 September, at 8pm. The Sydney Symphony would like to extend a special offer to all National Trust staff and members – call the booking line on 02 8215 4600 and quote code 1408 and you will receive adult tickets at concession prices!*. Tickets start from $35. Click here for more information.
*A, B & C Reserves only. Booking fee may apply, not valid in conjunction with any other offer. Offer ends at 5pm Wednesday 3 September.

Door-to-Door volunteers needed in your local area
The National Trust is looking for volunteers to spread the word about the great benefits of membership, in your local area. If you are passionate about the National Trust and can spare just one hour a week, please call us now. Training and materials will be provided. To find out more please call Janene on 02 9258 0155 or email jgontier@nsw.nationaltrust.org.au.

Trust Student Interns
The Trust is continuing a long-standing tradition of internships for young overseas students visiting Australia to train in a range of areas relating to heritage conservation. Currently we have two Dutch students working on a  variety of Marketing and Communications projects and two Japanese students producing a Japanese language tourism brochure and booklet on the historic Rocks and Millers Point areas.

Image: Dionne Nevan, Hori Hirofumi and Haruka Hasegawa.

Join our Bushcare projects at Ahimsa & Stella James House
The National Trust is establishing new Bushcare groups on two of its properties to help care for weedy areas. Ahimsa was donated to the National Trust in 1970 by Marie Byles, to ensure the preservation of the bushland as a sanctuary for future generations. It is located in Cheltenham and adjoins the Lane Cove National Park. Stella James House on Plateau Rd Avalon, opposite Palmgrove Park, overlooks some open forest of Pittwater Spotted Gum Forest. This type of bushland is listed as an endangered ecological community because only a very few small patches are left in the Sydney region. These Bushcare projects will help maintain the resilience of the native vegetation at these bushland properties. The groups meet once a month and an experienced supervisor guides the volunteers. To join a bushcare group, please contact Diana or Elisabeth 02 9258 0157 or 02 9258 0176. 

Apology
The citation in National Trust (NSW) Magazine, Winter 2008 edition, of the book A Setting for Justice: Building for the Supreme Court of NSW, as Highly Commended in the National Trust (NSW) Heritage Awards 2008, should have included the name of the book’s author, Rosemary Annable. The National Trust (NSW) apologises for the omission. Dr Rosemary Annable is a consultant historian who has worked for over 20 years in the field of heritage studies. She is a Fellow and past President of the Royal Australian Historical Society. The book is the first detailed history of the three heritage buildings that comprise the King Street Courts and house the Supreme Court of NSW. In the words of barrister, David Ash, in his review in the Law Society Journal, April 2008,  'What Annable and the Attorney-General's Department have given us is a beautifully produced, illustrated compendium, not only of what was but of what might have been.'