Help us achieve our mission to protect and conserve our treasured heritage today and for future generations, while remaining an independent, non-government community advocate.

Alternatively to make a donation by post or phone please click here.

Current Appeals

Help protect our Nation’s leading artworks and objects most in need of conservation by giving today!

With the help of generous supporters through the years, the National Trust has acquired a substantial collection of objects and artworks. Our mission is to care for them for people to enjoy now and in the future.

• Over 60,000 beautiful, varied, historic and fascinating objects
• The best representation of Norman Lindsay’s work in a number of mediums
• One of the most important collections of colonial furniture in Australia

Many objects that highlight our nation’s heritage are in our care. We are committed to protecting them so that future generations are not deprived of this rich legacy. But this requires a constant process of conservation.

One example of how you can help conserve some of our priceless artwork

The National Trust (NSW) owns 17 of Conrad Marten’s works depicting early Sydney and NSW. including watercolours and lithographs. It has been 30 years since some of these treasured items have been on public display. Prior to being shown again they require cleaning and stabilising. With each item costing approx $2,500 to conserve, this conservation project will require about $42,000 to complete. As a direct result of your generosity the National Trust will conserve and display part of this important collection in 2010 at the S.H. Ervin Gallery. Please join us today in assisting to complete this project.

Conrad Martens

Conrad Martens (1801–1878), landscape painter and lithographer, was Australia's most prominent colonial artist. Born in England, he received his training in landscape painting from Copley Fielding, the most fashionable teacher of the time. In 1833 he joined the hydrographical survey voyage of the HMS Beagle as official artist and became associated with a group of scientists including Charles Darwin. After leaving the Beagle at Valparaiso in 1834, he sailed for Tahiti and then onto Sydney, where he stayed for the rest of his life. Martens was fascinated with Sydney Harbour, sketching its foreshores on numerous occasions. With introductions to the gentry of Sydney, Martens rapidly built up a clientele of the colony's social elite. He painted watercolours and oils of their estates and landscape views, particularly of Sydney, the harbour and architecture.

Age and time can take their toll

Many objects such as textiles and paintings become fragile after exposure to the air, to dust or to light over time. Without ongoing care, they may become  damaged and the public can no longer enjoy them.

We’re doing all we can to protect the history you love

Our collection management strategy is reviewed periodically to carefully document and catalogue the collection. We aim to ensure that each treasured object is cared for on an ongoing basis.

Will you help us make sure the heritage you care about is not lost forever?

Please think how much our history means to you. Then I hope you will join the Trust in helping to protect our heritage for your enjoyment and for future generations.

If our unique objects  are not conserved, there is every chance they will be lost to the public. Please do not let this happen. Please make a gift today.

How to donate:

• Your contribution (wholly tax deductible) will go directly to the conservation appeal
• Simply call (02) 9258 0156 (9am - 5pm, Mon - Fri) with credit card details, or
• Donate online where you will receive an instant receipt
• Or to make a donation by post please click here.

Thank you sincerely for helping us to protect our Australian heritage through advocacy, conservation and education.

Yours sincerely

John Neish
Executive Director
 Your tax deductible donation will be used to conserveupgrade the S.H. Ervin Gallery for future generations to enjoy. Please send your donation today.

Or to make a donation by post or phone please click here.

To make a donation by fax or post, please download a donation form by clicking here and mail or fax it back to The National Trust with your cheque/money order or your credit card details.

Alternately, you can also call us on (02) 9258 0156, and we will take your donation over the phone.

• *Other country donations are processed in Australian Dollars. Use a currency converter to help you calculate the approximate value of any foreign currency donation.
  
  
• Tax deductible? Individuals who make donations to The National Trust may be entitled to claim a rebate. Companies who make donations to The National Trust may be entitled to a deduction for income tax purposes. The amount and eligibility to claim a rebate or deduction will depend on certain criteria being satisfied.