A fashion parade with a difference! This private collection of 'fashion from the ages' is one of the largest and most interesting ranges of iconic clothing to be seen in a very long time and is certainly not to be missed. Presented by the Friends of Cooma Cottage.

Cost: $25 includes entry and canapes.

Tickets: Helen Johnston (02) 6226 3665; Bimbi Turner (02) 6227 6182; or Corrine Chalmers (02) 6226 5482

Enjoy a winter Christmas in the beautiful bushland surrounds of Wirrimbirra. Traditional Christmas dinner, lots of fun and prizes, and Santa will be calling in.

Cost: $25 adults, $10 children under 13. Bookings Essential.

P: (02) 4684 1112

Richard Quilty's tour of the Channel Country of Queensland is not to be missed - the real outback with lots of surprises and people to meet. We travel by coach from Sydney via Narromine, Wilcannia and Cobar to the underground opal town of White Cliffs. Then on to Tibooburra and Birdsville, through the Channel Country towns of Bedourie, Boulia, Winton and Longreach, before settling in at Ray Station for two nights to explore this Durack-Tully property still owned by their descendants. We leave Queensland via Hungerford and travel home through Bourke.

Bookings: Richard Quilty 0418 201 677
Tour Leader: Carole McFadden (02) 9498 1612

Media: Acrylic on canvas. Suitable for 7-14 years old. Using simple objects and a still life as the starting point, children will develop a unique abstract composition and create their own expressive painting. Concepts such as colour, form, line, texture pattern and shape will be explored using acrylic on canvas.

Cost: $33 or $30 NT members. Bookings Essential.

P:(02) 9258 0122 or e-mail: evenables@nsw.nationaltrust.org.au 

Media: drawing and mixed media. Suitable for 5-12 years old. This fun art making workshop for children will observe the surrounds of Observatory Hill, Sydney Harbour and The Rocks. Children will participate in a series of art making and orienteering experiences to create their own unique aerial map. Stories about the historical significance of the site will also be presented.

Cost: $300 or $30 NT members. Bookings Essential.

P: (02) 9258 0122 or e-mail: evenables@nsw.nationaltrust.org.au

A special event for World Youth Day. Watch e-news for more information.

Bookings Essential: (02) 9258 0123

Eryldene's significant collection of camellias comes into bloom, providing a unique reference of living specimens. Enjoy the gardens of Eryldene at their best.

P: (02) 9498 2271

Media: collage and mixed media. Suitable for 5-12 years old.

Collage as an artistic medium was originally made famous by artists such as Matisse and Picasso. This workshop will explore the expressive medium of collage using recycled materials with an ecologically friendly theme. Children will investigate the aerial photographs of Richard Woldendorp to gain inspiration for images translated into textured mixed media artworks.

Cost: $33 or $30 NT members. Bookings Essential.

P: (02) 9258 0122 or e-mail: evenables@nsw.nationaltrust.org.au

Explore this 205-year-old Georgian mansion by candlelight and hear tales of strange incidents and psychic encounters in this property, which has so much to tell about Australia's past. Refreshments and supper included.

Cost: $25, due 14 days in advance.

Bookings: (02) 9635 8149 or 0415 187 402 or visit www.friendsofogh.com .

Cheques to: 'National Trust (NSW)', Friends of OGH, PO Box 431 Parramatta 2124

Join the Blue Mountains Branch on a whole day tour of the Hawkesbury Farm Gate Trail. Visit orchards, vegetable gardens and awinery, also the oldest church in NSW at Ebenezer and some beautiful stretches of the Hawkesbury River. Morning tea will be included. BYO lunch.

Cost: $40

Cheques made to NT Blue Mountains Branch sent to Diana Nelson, 4 Yanko Ave, Wentworth Falls, NSW 2782, with stamped self-addressed envelope.

P: Sarah Wray (02) 4739 6769

Geoff Swain will deliver a talk on life as a pupil at the Masonic School, Baulkham Hills, in the 1930s. Refreshments will be served. Organised by Vienna Cottage.

Cost: $12 or $10 concession.

P: (02) 9817 2510 or 9817 5632

Join the After Hours Committee for a Bush Christmas in July at the oldest timber house in North Sydney, once described as a marine villa - a rare example of an early timber slab house. Enjoy tales from our storyteller and poems from Robert our bush poet, learn the history of this most interesting house, participate in a short guided tour around the local area and indluge yourself with festive food and drink.

Cost: $35

Bookings: Ticket Application Sheet

P: Tony Bastow 0404 292 208 or Pat Barling 0414 702 677

The Garden Panel's invitation to this popular day of talks will not disappoint you. Firstly, you will be taken on a journey which seeks to demystify the secrets of spices and their ancient trade. You will then learn about the inspiration many Australian artists and writers have gained from their gardens before, finally, travelling to highlights of the Champagne district of France. All this, as well as enjoying morning tea and lunch

Programme:
9:30am - Morning tea/coffee
10am - Secrets of the Spice Trail - Ian Hemphill
11am - Under the spell of the Ages - Trisha Dixon
12:30pm - Lunch
1:30pm - Champagne - Not just Froth and Bubble - Roxanne Brand
3pm - Finish

Cost: Members $60, Friends $70
Bookings: Ticket Application Sheet
Enquiries: (02) 9968 1915