The National Trust is delighted to invite you and your guests to the exclusive National Trust Members’ and Guests’ Evening on Tuesday 20 June, 5.30pm – 7pm, at the S H Ervin Gallery, Observatory Hill, The Rocks, for a viewing of the exhibition ‘Encounters with country: landscapes of Ray Crooke’ (parking is available on site). This is a great social opportunity to introduce your friends to the National Trust, meet new members, or join the Trust. You will enter the draw to win a prize during the evening, enjoy fine live music from a string trio, and sample superb wine generously supplied by Tamburlaine and delicious finger food from the National Trust cafe. If you are not a member please do come along – a discount on membership will be offered for that evening only. Entry is free. Please RSVP on (02) 9258 0137 by 19 June. www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au

A stay in the cottage at the Trust’s Norman Lindsay Gallery in Faulconbridge is a great way to be inspired by the unique, exhilarating setting that was Lindsay’s “muse”. We are delighted to announce the imminent development of short-stay accommodation at two more of our beautiful heritage properties. The State Government’s Heritage Incentives Program will help fund conservation work to the c.1833 Jack Haynes’ Cottage in the grounds of the Saumarez Homestead at Armidale, and the c.1870 Shepherd’s Cottage at Cooma Cottage, providing members with the opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere of these historic estates by staying over for a period of your choosing. To book Norman Lindsay Gallery click here. Watch this space for the opening of other short stay accommodation including Haynes’ and Shepherd’s Cottages.

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement of a proposed inquiry into nuclear power generation in Australia, the Trust was disappointed to hear the Canberra Institute suggesting that the Jervis Bay (Murrays Beach) site proposed for a nuclear plant in 1969 should be revived as a potential location. The Institute argues that the site is Commonwealth land near a military base and would not require ‘any environmental impact statements’. Whatever major power generation options are finally chosen for our future needs, the Trust believes that there must be proper environmental impact assessment, particularly in very sensitive coastal sites such as Jervis Bay.

Encounters with country: landscapes of Ray Crooke, is an atmospheric exhibition that explores and celebrates Crooke's lasting achievement with the Australian landscape.  While Ray Crooke, (b.1922), is widely known for his paintings of island life in the Torres Strait, and the islands of Fiji, this remains an incomplete picture of this artist's oeuvre. Equal to his finest island paintings are Crooke's impressive landscape paintings and studies of remote Australia. At the National Trust S H Ervin Gallery, Observatory Hill until 25 June.

“… an artist with an original and distinctive vision … an astute observer of light and landscape.” John McDonald in the Sydney Morning Herald, 27 May 2006
www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au

Old Government House at Parramatta is again offering a unique experience for kids aged 5 – 12 these school holidays, to take part in activities and crafts that occupied servants and children in 19th century colonial Australia.  These include making scones, lemonade and candlesticks, a range of other craft activities, and old-style games rounded off with afternoon tea. Sessions run Monday 3 July and Wednesday 12 July, from 12.30pm – 2.30pm. Cost is $15 per child, book on 9635 8149. www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au

It’s the largest mediaeval themed pantomime on Earth: eight acres, 16 mythical lands and 1008 colourful characters. The fun is at the Winter Magic Quest, Everglades Gardens, Leura, on Sunday, June 25 from 10.30 am to 1.00 pm with a world music dance party following from 1 pm to 3 pm. This unique extravaganza of music, dance, theatre, circus, fire twirling and food fair at perhaps the Trust’s most magical property also includes a Kids Paint-In in the Nursery Terrace marquee. There’s a prize for the Most Magically Attired, so dress up on the day! Entry is $10, National Trust members $8, family ticket $35. For more information call 02 4784 1938 or see  www.evergladesgardens.info

Don’t forget to book your ticket for the 2006 Heritage Lecture, presented by Clive James, at the State Theatre, Market St, Sydney on Tuesday 27 June 2006 at 7.30pm.  Clive will bring his unique brand of wit and erudition to the subject of postwar Australian painters such as Brett Whiteley, Margaret Olley, Jeffrey Smart and John Olsen, peppering his talk with personal anecdotes.  Tickets are available from Ticketmaster on 1300 136166 or www.ticketmaster.com.au

Why conservation skills are disappearing, what can be done to reactivate training in these areas and how traditional materials can be used creatively in modern applications will be tackled at the Annual Conservation Conference, on 16 and 17 June.  Join us for presentations from leading experts in the areas of conservation craft skills and traditional building techniques to discover how we can keep these skills alive in Australia.  If you miss Friday, do come on Saturday. Pay at the door or call the Trust on 02 9258 0123. For further information and pricing see  www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/

School Holiday Workshops at the S.H.Ervin Gallery
Two workshops at the S.H.Ervin Gallery these holidays will give children and young adults a unique exposure to techniques in drawing and photography.  Bookings are essential – contact Eleanor Venables on 9258 0122 or evenables@nsw.nationaltrust.org.au.  For further details see www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au