2013 -2014
National Trust of South Australia
www.nationaltrust.org.au/sa
Annual Report
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National Trust of South Australia
Despite the ongoing lack of government funding, the Trust enjoyed a very successful 2013/14 Financial Year with over 100,000 visits to our magnificent facilities and around 120,000 hours donated by our truly wonderful army of passionate volunteers. When we look back at the financial difficulties we faced and the program of reform we embarked upon, we can be immensely proud of our achievements. Yes, it has been a difficult and challenging period in our history, but one that others will look back on in time and appreciate the hard work done by all. It is immensely pleasing to note that we finished the year in a stronger and much healthier position, and we reiterate our sincere thanks to all those who made this so. As members will recall, last year we made a conscious decision to never again use the sales of property or bequests to fund current operations. Our strategy was to invest these funds and derive income from term deposits, shares and bonds. We have honoured this commitment to you, and seen our investment portfolio more than triple in size to $1.7M. This is expected to grow further as we further rationalise our property portfolio and benefit from a number of other bequests that are in the pipeline. Our target is to accumulate an investment portfolio of $5M which will be safely locked away to provide the income necessary to fund the Trust’s day to day operations. Eric Heapy CEO
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Having finally put the financial crisis behind us, we have been able to focus on delivering programs relating to our core mission. The Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee is well on the way to putting our Register of Classified Places online. It will pursue that goal in conjunction with a larger project of getting all listed heritage places – national, state and local – onto a single online register that can be called up from any number of locations with laptops, smart phones and tablets. When completed the comprehensive South Australian register will partly fill the gap left when the Commonwealth Register of the National Estate closed down. The next objective for that committee is to revive the historic towns’ project that began in the late 1970s with fifty studies of urban conservation zones across the state. On the local level the Trust has completed work for the Onkaparinga and Adelaide City Councils which enables visitors to access information about particular places and heritage trails on their smartphones and tablets. This means they can plan their own walks and proceed at their own pace. In years to come the Trust hopes to replicate these programs for every historic city and town in our state. Dr Darren Peacock has played a central role in developing these new tools. His combination of museum and IT skills are helping to reshape the Trust for the digital age. Imagine if every visitor to a particular town and region began their explorations at one of our National Trust branches. We would then be able to marry the local museum experience to a total heritage places package. This will be good for our branches, good for tourism and a big step towards a
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broader public understanding of our State’s special history. The Trust continued to sponsor public forums on heritage issues and advocacy campaigns. In the lead up to the state election and local government elections candidates were asked to state their positions on the issues that matter most to us. We have taken special interest in the state government’s sale of Fort Largs and Z-Ward at Glenside. A new website, Heritage Watch, will develop and expand on the awareness campaign formerly known as Heritage at Risk. The never-ending work of preserving the 137 odd properties in our care goes on, but with a new emphasis on realizing the commercial potential of the stately homes we own or manage, including Ayers House, Stangate House, Collingrove and Beaumont House. Business plans are being prepared for each of these properties. Beaumont House has been the focus of special effort, thanks to generous donors who have contributed to the repair and restoration of buildings and gardens. An immediate challenge is raising the level of care for our nature reserves. This is an area of operations that cannot hope to pay its own way, but one we cannot afford to neglect. One part-time natural heritage officer is not enough, but we lack the resources to do more just now. Better links to business and local government are needed. Our Civic Partnerships with local councils are growing, thanks in part to the heritage workshops we are running in conjunction with the Local Government Association and the Heritage Council. We have also been making contact with historic South Australian businesses whose record of continuity and social responsibility make them candidates for recognition as National Trust Corporate Icons. Finally, I would like to pay tribute to the stupendous leadership of Eric Heapy who retires at the end of 2014 after five tumultuous years as Chief Executive Officer. Eric has cleaned up our finances, overseen
the development of an effective strategic plan, regularised relations with our branches and been a caring employer of staff. He has built a sound platform for a new era of National Trust programs across the board. Prof Norman Etherington AM President
Key Outcomes Governance The NTSA Governance Manual was launched during the year following a draft being circulated to branches for comment. Along with a number of improvements to Trust practices, the manual brings together but simplifies many of the requirements outlined in our existing operational requirements. The second phase of the governance project will be the development of a new set of NTSA Rules which, together with the Governance Manual, will eliminate the need for By-Laws. These new Rules are being presented to members at the Annual General Meeting for approval. Systems and Technology Following a review of our information technology systems it was identified that much of our hardware had exceeded its serviceable life and our operating platform would no longer be supported by Microsoft given its age. During the year, equipment was progressively replaced and new software was acquired to ensure the State Office could continue to function. Further work will be undertaken early in the new Financial Year.
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National Trust of South Australia National Trust Partnership Program Each year, along with other National Trusts from around Australia, the NTSA receives funding from the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. These funds are utilised on a number of pre-determined heritage related programs. For the NTSA, these included: Heritage Festival The Festival commenced with Australian Heritage Week from April 13-21 and ran through to May 31. In South Australia the Festival coincides with SA History month during May. Supported by many NTSA branches, there were hundreds of activities and events enjoyed at heritage places and museums including talks, walks, exhibitions and demonstrations Some of the highlights include: The annual Hahndorf Pioneer Women’s Walk from Hahndorf to Beaumont House on May 18 which retraced the journeys made by the women and girls of the pioneer German settlement to carry their farm produce to markets in Adelaide. This commemorative walk/run was first re-enacted by the National Trust in 1980. Fire Engines from across the state also made their way to Beaumont House the following weekend (Sunday May 25 ) for a spectacular rally event. The Willunga Courthouse and Police Station provided a demonstration of dry stone walling techniques as a stone fence was erected on the site. This event also included the development of the Willunga Walks mobile app providing self-guided tours of heritage sites in the town of Willunga for mobile phones and tablet devices. This initiative was funded through the Commonwealth Government’s Your Community Heritage program. Ayers House provided an exhibition entitled “Everything but the Kitchen Sink”. Installed throughout the House until the end of May this
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exhibition reflected on the word ‘Journey’ by asking the question – what does this word mean to you? Significant Trees Work on this project has been underway over a period of three years to enable the establishment of a National Trust Register of Significant Trees. Agreement was reached with all Trusts from around Australia on a national methodology for the recognition and registration of significant trees and for communicating the significance of these trees to the public. The National Trusts of Australia Register of Significant Trees is now available at www.TrustTrees.org.au and contains around two and a half thousand records. The new Register was promoted in the August 2013 edition of the national magazine Trust News. The Register is a website designed so that it works well across all platforms – Android and iphones, tablets, laptops and desktops. NTSA’s Significant Tree Committee invested hundreds of volunteer hours to migrate and update our existing records into the new online Register and we thank the members sincerely for all their hard work. The new Register includes a public nomination facility to enable any individual or organization to nominate trees. Education Programs NTSA is one of the key Trusts involved in the development and implementation of Australian Curriculum education programs, with the generic theme of ‘valuing heritage’, linked to National Trust places. Darren Peacock represented NTSA at a National Education Workshop funded from the National Trust Partnership Program. We continued to develop our school education programs and events in 2013/14. In November we ran an education planning workshop with representatives from a range of NTSA branches,
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collection management, key performance indicators for measuring acceptable conservation standards that are consistently maintained against formalized benchmarks. Other outcomes included the establishment of a list of National Trust properties of potential national significance. Trust News Magazine An allocation of funding is provided to NTSA annually to assist with meeting the costs of producing the Trust News magazine.
NTSA CEO Eric Heapy presents awards to students at Willunga Primary School recognising their participation in video production at the Bassett Schoolroom. Photo: NTSA
The magazine aims to increase the knowledge, awareness, understanding and commitment to conservation and interpretation of cultural heritage (natural, Aboriginal, historic) for National Trust members, potential members, stakeholders and the community.
National Trust Victoria, as well as local teachers and curriculum experts to discuss program design and delivery for heritage-based learning experiences.
Further work is underway to move Trust News from a hardcopy publication to a leading online heritage publication.
We continued development work on new school program initiatives at Willunga and Gawler and for the City of Adelaide. In February we presented at the annual SASOSE teachers conference and hosted a day excursion for teachers to Willunga to test drive the new Willunga Walks mobile app. Throughout the year, we hosted 10 intern placements from the Universities of Adelaide and South Australia. Property and Collection Management The purpose of this project was to develop a standardised planning framework for property management and collection management, suitable for the range of sites and collections managed by the National Trusts across Australia. NTSA participated in a two day workshop in conjunction with other National Trust staff which resulted in the development of common planning frameworks for property management and
Built Asset Management The Year 2013 - 2014 has seen extensive work in the Built Asset area of NTSA. Following the itemising of all the properties under the care and control of the National Trust of SA a review of all the 130 properties was carried out. As a result, Wellington Courthouse was sold to new owners who have carried out much needed additions and alterations to make it a restaurant, bed and breakfast and functions venue, as well as maintaining the museum with the collections made available on loan from NTSA. This is an outstanding example of the NTSA passing a property on to a new owner who will continue the ethos of the NTSA. Properties that will continue under the ownership or care of the NTSA need to be assessed with a view to increasing their viability, so that funding can be used to maintain the buildings more effectively.
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National Trust of South Australia collections and contents valuation including visitor and volunteer data. A Firearms Audit and data-base was also commenced during the year for all firearms held by the Branches. Built Asset Manager Mario Russo Natural Heritage and Environment
Wellington Courthouse Photo: NTSA
This can be done through adaptive reuse, value adding or improving revenue of the existing use. All NTSA properties that are being leased are being placed on a data-base to ensure that tracking is easily carried out, and these properties are slowly having their leases upgraded to new standard format leases. This ensures better documentation and consistency of content, with each lease being adapted to individual special conditions as required. Work also commenced to ensure all NTSA buildings meet with the requirements under various Government Acts, Codes and Australian Standards and Regulations, such as asbestos register review, fire requirements, and Disability Access issues (including mobility, hearing and visual). Preparation of Building Maintenance Management Plans for all NTSA properties will be carried out, to ensure that maintenance issues are identified and then prioritised. This will allow for better grants targeting, as well as a maintenance priority schedule. Given rising insurance costs, improved insurance requirements for NTSA Assets are also being examined, especially with a view to becoming more cost effective. However this will require better
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Visitors enjoying “Life at Lenger Reserve� fossil walk Photo: J Pedler
Despite a year of extreme weather across the state, NTSA volunteers managed to keep working effectively to maintain our Natural Heritage Reserves; making obvious the value of planning and strategic management work on our reserves. In October Roachdale Reserve near Kersbrook held a very successful NTSA Open Day, inviting the public in to enjoy wildflowers, guided walks, displays and special activities for children. By the end of spring/ early summer, late rainfall in high rainfall areas in the Mt Lofty Ranges (MLR), made extra fire-break and fuel reduction work necessary on Roachdale, Malcolm Wicks, Watiparinga and Engelbrook. With a view to long term strategic management, NTSA utilized the services of Roachdale Reserve Officer, Steve Krieger for this work, and the Roachdale
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Reserve Management Committee purchased a rideon mower that can be used for future mowing work on MLR reserves. Amid very high temperatures on January 15th, a thunderstorm generated thousands of lightning strikes resulting in hundreds of fires across the state. While none were on MLR reserves, a strike did result in a fire burning into Margaret Dowling Reserve near Renmark. Thankfully over two days, local firefighters brought the fire under control but it burnt a substantial area of Red Gum and Black Box Woodland, and remained alight for many days while fires raged nearby and across the state. Many thanks to long-time Renmark Branch volunteer John Steed, who monitored the fire ground for outbreaks and reported daily, alerting the CFS as needed. In the days after the fire, John, Max Burr and Heather Everingham provided invaluable support: liaising with local services, inspecting the site with the NHO, erecting warning signs re the danger of falling trees and limbs and later a buffer fence to exclude visitors from burnt areas along the Murray River edge. As in previous years, small NRM and NVC grant funding from a variety of sources allowed NTSA volunteers to maximize the benefit of their weed control work with supplementary contractor work in particularly difficult areas. Three grants were used in reserve Management Planning, on Fraser, Roachdale and Wilabalangaloo reserves. NTSA has now entered into 3-year Work Plan Funding on four MLR reserves with Natural Resources AMLR region. With the work of volunteers and NTSA counted as in-kind contributions, carefully planned contractor weed control work is organized by regional NRM officers and carried out each year with funding of $3,000-$5,000/year. NTSA and volunteers are very grateful to NR AMLR for the opportunity to participate in these programs and are delighted with the effectiveness of this planned funding in supporting biodiversity conservation on our reserves. We can only hope this worthy program survives the SA budget cuts. NTSA was successful in receiving a fourth year of HOLDEN Landcare funding for post-fire habitat
recovery work and community Engelbrook. Substantial work has been accomplished under this funding in combination with the dedicated work of Engelbrook volunteers. NTSA would particularly like to thank Holden and Landcare Australia for this valuable support. Mid Murray Local Action Planning (MMLAP) successfully applied for major funding (State NRM Community grant) for Lenger Reserve, near Mannum, to support NTSA weed and rabbit control and engage community interest in the habitat it provides. Over the year, much was achieved through this grant including major Onion Weed control, rabbit warren mapping and fumigation, fence repairs, trail signage and publicity through ABC Riverland radio. Success culminated with the ‘Life at Lenger’ open day/evening in early April. The joint NTSA-MMLAP workshop centred on the natural habitat, plants and animals found on and near Lenger. Interested local visitors mixed with others from as far away as Gawler and heard longtime Lenger volunteers, Len Phillips and Melville Liddle, paint a picture of the European history of the reserve before it was gifted to the National Trust in 1978. They detailed the countless hours of hard work volunteers have put in since to preserve the hut and rehabilitate the formerly grazed natural vegetation while controlling the advance of invasive weed and rabbit populations. The fantastic rehabilitation progress so far was brought to life with guided walks by Field Naturalist Society SA members and the NHO. Peter Matejcic, Janet Pedler and Graham Medlin focused attention on native vegetation, reptiles, birds and mammals found on the reserve as well as the ancient seacreature fossils found in the earthen banks and cracks and crevices that also shelter nocturnal animals such as bats, possums and owls. In the shade of the Lenger Hut, Graham Medlin took the group on a natural history journey back in time to habitat once provided by the River corridor. With a stunning display of sub-fossil bones found in Barn Owl pellets, Graham explained how Owl
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National Trust of South Australia pellets (regurgitated bones, skulls, fur and feathers from their prey) effectively represent what creatures were present when the owls were hunting and can be accurately dated. Visitors examined the results of one such pellet collection from a nearby River Murray cave. It contained no less than 15 species of small mammals that are now extinct, two of which are only known elsewhere from a handful of sightings or specimens during early settlement.
vehicles to a large and appreciative group of visitors to the grounds of Beaumont House. As well as vehicles from the Burra Branch there were some from other organisations (the City Charles Sturt’s fire appliance and the SA Fire Chief’s beautifully restored 1960s Jaguar) The proceeds of this event also contributed to replacing the Collingrove curtains.
Staying on into dusk and early evening, adults and children were shown two live bats by Dennis Matthews and Aimee Linke (MMLAP) who demonstrated how they were captured in harp nets set earlier. Later under a star-lit sky, a spotlight tour along the edge of Saunders Creek looked for nocturnal creatures and recorded high frequency bat calls using AnaBat technology. The work done under this grant and the partnership built with MMLAP have been enormously valuable to NTSA and we sincerely thank MMLAP for their wonderful work, as well as DEWNR for this funding. Janet Pedler Natural Heritage Officer
A Community Heritage Grant enabled Artlab to undertake restoration on another of the highly significant maps at Collingrove.
NTSA Collections During the year the Collections Committee has received a steady stream of enquiries from members requesting information on historical items and offers of donations of unwanted items. Generally these items were advertised to Branches. Two generous collections were donated to the Trust: a collection of furniture and some lovely Royal Doulton porcelain. These were sold and the proceeds put towards replacement of the badly deteriorating curtains in the drawing room at Collingrove. A generous donation from the Susanne Collins Angas Memorial Fund was also received to help cover this expense. A fire engine rally showcased some very attractive
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Fire engines from Burra at Fire Engine Rally Photo: S Scheiffers
A donation of more than 350 photographs of many of the buildings designed by Edmund Wright have been scanned and added to the State Office collection. The rollout of Mosaic continues slowly in branches with volunteers meticulously recording their collections onto the database which will eventually document the whole National Trust collection. As a complement to this is the listing of items in branches with a value of over $5,000, as required for the audit process, and to enable the Trust to have a record of the most valuable items in our collections. Sue Scheiffers Vice President, Collections
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Ayers House Museum at night Photo: Courtesy Ayers House Museum
Ayers House Museum The past year has seen Ayers House Museum strengthen its position in the tourism market as a must visit destination in Adelaide. In addition, important progress has been made in ensuring that the collection is interpreted in the appropriate manner with increased focus on the conservation and restoration of key, highly significant items. Some important milestones for the year include: • Working in conjunction with Adelaide Haunted Horizons, Ayers House Museum has successfully introduced Ghost Investigation Tours. Building relationships with other tourism operators is important in maintaining a prominent position in the industry. • Continuing to build on the success of Adelaide Fringe 2014, by delivering a varied program across multiple genres. The result was an increase in the record visitor numbers experienced during February and March 2013 (2,631 combined totals; an increase of 15%). • Introducing Package tours enabling visitors to see Ayers House and the Old Adelaide Treasury building remain popular. This venture brings in a broad range of new visitors with 85% reporting that they had not previously heard of Ayers House Museum.
Maintaining the integrity of the collection housed at Ayers House is also of the utmost importance. The collections team, lead by Head Curator (Dorothy Woodley) and Costume Curator (Madeleine Seys) have been working extremely hard in a number of key areas, including: • Extensive work has been undertaken to ensure that the display presented at Ayers House Museum is relevant to the period and interesting for the visitor. The staff are very proud that at present 90% of the NTSA footprint is utilised for Museum interpretation 98% of the time. Of the remaining footprint 50% is utilised for its intended purpose 50% of the year. This allows for a greater portion of the magnificent collection to be rotated through the Museum displays. • The guest wing (upstairs) has been successfully arranged to allow for the introduction of a Ladies Dressing Room, which in turn has enabled the Curatorial Team to display a rotation of items from the Costume Collection throughout the year. We are excitedly awaiting the return of the Gouger Epergne following extensive restoration work that has been completed. The project funded by History SA’s Community Museums Program funding has enabled long overdue work to be completed including a sound statement of significance on the piece. There are a number of key items that will also be receiving treatment in the coming years. Ayers House continues to engage well through electronic media with significant growth experienced following the implementation of a Social Media plan. Ayers House Museum also received a Certificate of Merit from TripAdvisor in 2014 ranking 19 out of 94 sites to visit in Adelaide. The team at Ayers House Museum are looking forward to exploring the period of the Returned Soldiers and Sailors Association (1914 – 1926) in conjunction with significant commemorations in the year ahead.
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National Trust of South Australia
His Excellency Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce and Stephen Yarwood the Adelaide Lord Mayor at the opening of the Adelaide City Explorer. Photo: NTSA
Heritage Debate
Events The Adelaide City Explorer, created in partnership with the Adelaide City Council and supported by the Commonwealth Government through the National Trusts Partnership Program, was launched at Ayers House on 16th April 2014. The mobile digital guide themed walking trails cover between 10 and 20 sites and are GPS enabled with live directions via Google Maps. The first eight trails include more than 100 stories for vistors to explore in the Adelaide City area. More trails are in development. With the new free WiFi networks across the city area due for completion this year, information about the city’s heritage will be very accessible to the visitor. Ongoing development of this mobile digital guide will enable check-in offers for explorers to visit businesses located in heritage buldings and trails specifically designed for school groups.
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Speaker Prof Norman Etherington AM President NTSA. Photo: NTSA
The Ultimate Debate ‘Does Heritage Really Matter?’ was held at Rymill House on 16th April 2014. MC for the evening was comedian Marty Felds. During the dinner a number of high profile guest speakers gave presentations. A debate on heritage was eagerly awaited at the end of the evening. Those speaking against the question were Mr Paul Davies, Heritage Architect, Michael Roder MC, Barrister, and Hon Patrick Conlon, former Minister for Transport and Infrastructure. Those for heritage were Vickie Chapman MP, Deputy State Liberal leader, Vincent Ciccarello, CEO Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and our own Professor Norman Etherington, President of NTSA. A lively debate ensued with the victory presented to the those speaking for heritage. Christmas Party The Trust decided to reinstate the annual Christmas Party in 2013, after deciding to cancel it in 2012 due to the financial problems we faced. It turned out to be a popular and successful party with many patrons and our Patron-in-Chief, His Excellency Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce and Mrs Liz Scarce also attending.
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Open Gardens Australia On 29th September 2013 Beaumont House took part in the Open Gardens Australia scheme by opening up the garden to the public. Tours of the house were available and a number of stalls were set up on the marquee courtyard. Bank SA generously loaned their marquee for the day, although the weather stayed fine. The Scotch College Band was a huge success and the day attracted so many visitors that the Trust plans to open again next year for Open Gardens Australia.
Patrons Helen Greenslade, The Hon. Rod Matheson AM QC, Pamela Wall OAM. Photo: NTSA
Patron Dinner On August 27th 2013 a dinner was held at Ayers House to thank patrons for their generous support. The patron program has proved very successful with 42 patrons pledging to donate significant sums to the Trust as a one-off or annually. Music was provided by the Vivente Quartet and food by Ayers House Functions. Fire damage to north side of Beaumont House garden. Photo: NTSA
Fire Damages Beaumont House garden Fire broke out in the garden beds behind the car park of Beaumont House during a day of extreme fire danger on Saturday 8th February 2014.
The Scotch College Band playing at Open Garden Day. Photo: NTSA
With the temperature up to 43 degrees and hot northerly winds, our aviary volunteer Jillian was spraying the finches with water to keep them cool when she smelt smoke and saw flames leap over the water tank and ignite trees and grass in the garden. She immediately called the Fire Brigade, who responded quickly and put out the fire.
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National Trust of South Australia Members of the Burnside Branch kindly volunteered to roster themselves at the House for the rest of the day and Jill spent the night just in case of a flare up. Her prompt actions meant that a small area of the garden has been scorched, green bins melted down, but the rest of the garden was spared. Foul play / a firebug was suspected.
Grants • Holden Landcare Australia – Fire recovery • DEWNR / Natural Resources Adelaide & Mount Lofty Ranges • DEWNR State NRM Grants • Natural Resources AMLR Community Group Action Program • Natural Resources SAMDB Volunteer Grant • Native Vegetation Council of SA – Heritage Agreement Grant Scheme • History Trust of South Australia • National Library of Australia
Our Patron -in - Chief His Excellency Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce AC CSC RANR Governor of South Australia
Inaugural Patrons 2013 Sir George Kingston Patron $5,000 and above Mrs. Joan Beer Cavill Power Products Pty Ltd Prof Norman Etherington AM and Prof Peggy Brock Mrs. Anne Jolly Mr Hugh MacLachlan & Mrs. Fiona MacLachlan OAM The Hon. Rod Matheson AM QC & Mrs. Leonie Matheson Mr H. Edwin Michell Dr Patricia A Michell
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Inaugural Patrons 2013 continued Mrs. Susan Morgan Mr Robert (Bob) Piper AO & Mrs. Margaret Piper Pitcher Partners Lady Porter Mrs. Eve Shannon-Cullity Mr Ian Wall OAM Mrs. Pamela Wall OAM Mrs. Marion W Wells Edmund Wright Patron $3,000 - $4,999 Mr Alastair & Mrs. Janet Angas Mrs. Margaret Bennett Mrs. Rosemary de Meyrick Mrs. Skye McGregor Mr Antony & Mrs. Mary Lou Simpson Colonel William Light Patron $1,500 - $2,999 Mr Michael Abbott AO QC His Honour Judge Michael Boylan QC & Mrs. Deborah Morgan Mr Clive Brooks Mrs. Kali Hunter Constantine Mr Robin & Mrs. Helen Greenslade Mr Richard Harvey AM & Mrs. Cecily Harvey Mr Chris Hughes Mr Anthony Hurl The Hon. Dr Diana Laidlaw AM Mrs. Margaret Lee Mr Skip & Mrs. Lilly Lipman Mr Ian H Lloyd Mr John P Maddern Mr Peter Morgan The Hon. Dr. Kemeri Murray AO Mr John Phillips Mrs. M P Schroder Mrs. Sue Tweddell Mr Cedric Wells OAM Mr R J Whitington QC Mrs. Pamela Yule
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Our Members
Our Branches
The National Trust is a member based not - forprofit organisation and our members play a crucial role in protecting and caring for heritage. Our sincere thanks to all our Branches for providing ways of involving members, while caring for regional heritage.
Adelaide Inner Suburbs Adrossan Auburn Beachport Barmera Burnside Burra Ceduna CYP Clare Cleve Coromandel Valley Gawler Goolwa Hahndorf Jamestown Kadina Keith Kingscote KI Kingston SE Moonta Mount Barker Mount Gambier Mount Lofty Naracoorte Overland Corner Penneshaw KI Penola Port Elliot Port of Adelaide Port Pirie Renmark Robe Strathalbyn Streaky Bay Tea Tree Gully Tumby Bay Victor Harbor Waikerie Willunga
Your Staff 2013-2014 State Office Mr Eric Heapy (Chief Executive Officer) Mr Darren Peacock (Executive Officer) Ms Helen Cartmel (Executive Administrator) Ms Ellen Martin (Finance Manager) Ms Janet Pedler ( Natural Heritage Officer) Mr Mario Russo (Built Asset Manager) Ms Joseanne Visentin (Senior Admin Officer) Ayers House Museum Ms Janine Hook (AH Manager /Volunteer Coordinator) Ms Jessica Sanderson (Part-time Assistant) Your Committees NTSA Council Executive Committee Audit, Finance & Governance Ayers House Advisory Beaumont House Garden Collections Collingrove Advisory Communications Cultural Heritage Natural Heritage Significant Tree Roachdale Advisory Watiparinga Management Regions & Branches
Around the Branches Ardrossan Branch
Inaugural committee of the new Ardrossan Branch of the National Trust taken at the AGM on 10th July 2013.From L-R Barbara Lodge ( minute sec ), Derek Cheesman ( publicity officer ), Edith Henderson, Rodney Dutschke, Marjory Mitchell, Avian Pink (sec ), Robert Nichols (vice chairperson ), Freda Pink (chairperson ), Jan Hill (treasurer ), Graham Sandercock, Kath Mason, Barbara Frances ( curator ). Photo: courtesy Ardrossan Branch
In 2013 the new Ardrossan Branch was formed.
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National Trust of South Australia Much work has been done on grouping & reorganising displays, new electronic equipment, printing of a new brochure, cataloguing & raising funds for our new horse sculpture “Neddy “. More about him next year. Kadina Branch
centuries of costumes and accessories, 91 year old Helen Hughes. Ms Hughes opened the National Costume Collection in Lobethal in the Adelaide Hills in 1996 with a small group of volunteers until its closure in 2011 when Ms Hughes decided it was time to find a new home. The present display has 70 costumes and accessories dating from the first settlement of Australia through to the 20th century.
An important achievement this year was the completion of “Sowing the Seed”. This display interprets the cultivating process, the innovation in methods and machinery that enabled broadacre cereal farming in dry areas. Yorke Peninsula played a key role in this history which is the museum’s prime focus. The significant dryland farming machinery collection is now arranged in themes ready for further interpretation. The Farm Shed Museum continues to progress despite challenges such as fire safety requirements and changes to the visitor centre (our entrance) by local council.
Helen Hughes Collection Photo: Courtesy Millicent Branch
National 1 & 2 cylinder Veteran Vehicle Rally The 2014 National 1 & 2 Cylinder Veteran Vehicle Rally took place on May 7th, with about 90 entries. The rally was made up of machines with one or two cylinders dating from 1896 – 1919, including 17 motorcycles. T-Class Steam Locomotive Century Milestone The museum’s largest and probably the most popular exhibit turned 100 on June 2nd 2014. It is known as T-224 and has been on display since 1972. Built in Queensland, the locomotive hauled ore from Broken Hill to the Port Pirie smelters for much of its working life.
Sowing the Seed display Photo: Courtesy Kadina Branch
Millicent Branch
Naracoorte Branch
Costume Collection Opening On May 2nd 2014 the Helen Hughes Costume Collection was officially opened at the Millicent Museum. National Trust members and invited guests gathered at the old Millicent Primary School, along with the former custodian of over two
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History Expo History came to the people in Naracoorte during History Month. On both May 14th and 16th the Naracoorte Branch of the National Trust of SA held a History Expo in a vacant shop in the main street. Some interesting articles from the Trust’s stored
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collection were displayed as well as documents, photographs, books and maps. Members of the public were encouraged to bring their photographs, which were scanned on the spot and the information added to the steadily growing photographic collection. The days were very successful and the Trust acknowledges the assistance given to the History Expo by the Naracoorte Lucindale Council. DVD Launch Two DVD’s were launched during History Month at The Sheep’s Back Museum. Firstly, a DVD of former Chairman of the Naracoorte Branch, Sandy Schinckel, demonstrating blade shearing whilst wearing the pants and moccasins he made for himself from wheat bags when he began shearing as a fifteen year old more than seventy years ago. The second DVD explains to visitors unable to manage the stairs the content of the two upper floors of the museum display. A local woman, who is confined to a wheelchair, accepted our invitation to tour the museum site and help us to make it a more complete experience for those who have physical limitations.
History Expo diplays Photo: Courtesy of Naracoorte Branch
Port Elliot Branch Port Elliot Branch had a busy 2013-2014 year. In addition to the highly successful traditional Christmas Dinner, the Branch hosted ten meetings with Guest Speakers including Richard Kleinig, Bert Brittain, Anthony Presgrave, Lorraine Pomery, Resthaven staff regarding their new development, the Fleurieu Male Choir for entertainment and opportunities for members and friends to “Show and Tell” with their intriguing historical treasures. During History Month the Branch created two ongoing displays of souvenir china featuring Port Elliot and Davey Ware from Port Elliot Art Pottery which have proven very popular. Shop sales and ticket sales on behalf of SteamRanger at the Port Elliot Railway Station increased with more steam train services running. A new initiative has been making a Facebook page for the Port Elliot Railway Station. The Branch has been working closely with Alexandrina Council on a historical plaques project. New brochures featuring a map, history walks and details of local buildings and points of interest were also published by the Branch.
Souvenir China dispay Photo: Courtesy of Port Elliot Branch
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National Trust of South Australia Your Councillors
(Left to right) Top row: Second row: Third row: Fourth row: Fifth row:
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Prof Norman Etherington AM, Sue Scheiffers, Brian McMillan David Beaumont OAM, Robyn Wight, Chris Perriam, Dr Nigel Ridgway Dr Darren Peacock, Peter Langhans, George Hobbs, Bob Green Marilyn Tucker, Richard Stewart, Glennys Carse, Donald Currie Paul Marsson
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NTSA Councillors attendance at Council Meetings July 2013 to July 2014 (Total of 6) Name
July 2013 to December 2013 (4)
January 2014 to July 2014 (2)
Prof Norman Etherington AM (President)
3
2
Mrs Sue Sue Scheiffers - Vice President (Eyre Peninsula)
4
2
Mr Brian McMillan - Vice President ( Southern & Hills)
4
2
Mr George Hobbs
4
2
Mr Chris Perriam
4
2
Mr Peter Langhan (from end of Nov 2012)
2
2
Mr Richard Stewart (Riverland)
2
2
Mrs Robyn Wight
2
1
Mr David Beaumont OAM
2
0
Mrs Glennys Carse (Yorke Peninsula)
4
2
Mrs Marilyn Tucker (Central Region)
3
1
Mr Don Currie (SE Region)
3
1
Dr Nigel Ridgway
4
0
Mr Paul Marsson (Mid North)
1
0
Mr Bob Green ( until October 2013)
1
n/a
Mr Darren Peacock (until October 2013)
1
n/a
Portfolio Holders attendance at Executive Committee Meetings July 2013 - June 2014 (Total of 11) Name
July 2013 to December 2013 (5)
January 2014 to July 2014 (6)
Prof Norman Etherington AM (President)
4
5
Mrs Sue Scheiffers
5
5
Mr Brian McMillan
5
4
Mr David Beaumont OAM
5
3
Mrs Marilyn Tucker
5
5
Mr Darren Peacock (until 20.9.13)
3
n/a
Mr Bob Green (until 20.9.13)
3
n/a
Mrs Glennys Carse (from 31.10.13)
2
4
Mr Chris Perriam (from 31.10.13)
2
5
*Front Cover: Dead Man’s Penny Photo: S.Scheiffers
www.nationaltrust.org.au/sa
17
Principal Partner
Civic Partners Adelaide City Council City of Charles Sturt Sponsors
18
www.nationaltrust.org.au/sa