National Trust of Australia (NSW) - Annual Report 2017/18

NOVEMBER 2018 – FEBRUARY 2019

THE NATIONAL TRUST OF AUSTRALIA (NEW SOUTH WALES)

ANNUAL REPORT 2017/18 A year of advancing the conservation and protection of built, cultural and natural heritage in Australia.

National Trust of Australia (NSW) ABN: 82 491 958 802 National Trust of Australia (NSW) Heritage Foundation Limited ABN: 44 162 905 106 National Trust of Australia (NSW) Heritage Foundation Trust ABN: 31 297 247 781 National Trust of Australia (NSW) Heritage Foundation Ancillary Fund ABN: 41 217 401 179

The National Trust of Australia (NSW) is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission 9

NATIONAL TRUST (NSW) MAGAZINE

From the President 3

BRIAN POWYER

Dear Members,

My presidency at the National Trust (NSW) commenced at the midpoint of our 2017/18 financial year, but I have been a dedicated member for more than 30 years. For me, the past year has brought to light the purpose, energy and enduring vision of the National Trust in so many ways.

As we look to the future we can be assured that our strategy and overall approach are now vested in the capable hands of our Chief Executive Officer, Debbie Mills.

In the year since Debbie commenced at the National Trust (NSW), she has focused our efforts, built a leadership team with the requisite specialist skills, innovative and fresh approaches, and qualities that will shape our strategy and drive the organisation to a bright future.

Our advocacy efforts have been influential in providing commentary on heritage issues in the national, city metropolitan and regional media, and consultation to industry and government at all levels via submission and representation through our branches.

In 2017/18 we attracted many thousands of people to the Australian Heritage Festival and celebrated heritage through our National Trust Awards. These big events provide us with an opportunity to shine a light on heritage and broaden the number of people hearing our story, while our ongoing initiatives provide enrichment and enjoyment to enthusiasts and discoverers of heritage throughout the year.

Our vision to celebrate heritage in the built environment and connect communities with knowledge of our diverse

histories has been realised through a rich public program of events, exhibitions and places to visit and explore. We simply couldn’t do this without the leadership, staff and extraordinary teams of volunteers throughout the state.

As we move to the future we will need to embrace change to reflect the world around us so that we connect with, inspire and capture the imaginations of younger appreciators of heritage. We also need to work with industries and institutions to continue to build the thought leadership, talents and professionalism within the field of conservation in architecture and construction, landscape management, arts and culture, history and education.

Our engagement will increasingly transform. We will continue to tell our stories in print and voice, but we will also captivate new audiences and shape our story in the virtual world and through technology, entice digital explorers to come and see their history for real. As an educator, I am so aware of the need to adapt, refresh and reinvigorate how we tell stories - without losing the essence of the story being told. It is this opportunity that we look forward to as we embark on another year at the National Trust.

On behalf of the National Trust of Australia in New South Wales - I acknowledge everyone’s efforts and thank you for your time, passion and dedication to carrying forward the vision of Annie Wyatt.

OUR VISION

OUR MISSION

To be trusted as a leading guardian of Australia’s built, cultural and natural heritage, and defender of our sense of place and belonging in a changing world.

Advocate for the conservation of our built, cultural and natural heritage by engaging with the community and government.

Conserve and protect our built, cultural and natural heritage by example, advice and support.

Educate and engage the community by telling our stories in ways that awaken a sense of place and belonging.

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NOVEMBER 2018 – FEBRUARY 2019

HIGHLIGHTS

CONSERVING OUR NATURAL HERITAGE BUSH MANAGEMENT SERVICES 328 PROJECTS

LUCAS HEIGHTS

The National Trust (NSW) Bush Management Services (BMS) has worked on 328 natural restoration projects during the 2017/18 financial year. These projects have included bush regeneration, native species planting and erosion control for 29 local councils, and a number of private landowners, across greater Sydney. Total revenue generated for the National Trust (NSW) was $2,284m, with an operating surplus of over $300k.

The National Trust (NSW)’s BMS undertook restoration and rehabilitation works for Sutherland Shire Council within the Lucas Heights Conservation Area. As a result of unauthorised 4WD use in the area, there has been a negative impact on native vegetation and soil. The National Trust (NSW) BMS has implemented erosion control measures – using Coir matting and brush matting techniques – to improve the ecological conditions for native flora to thrive again in stable soil conditions. Within four weeks of the completed work, germination of young native trees and shrubs has been identified.

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NSW NATIONAL TRUST MAGAZINE

HIGHLIGHTS

HERITAGE PROPERTIES AND EVENTS CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY WITH HERITAGE OUR VISITORS

FESTIVALS

In the last financial year, 143,748 people visited 18 National Trust (NSW) heritage properties ranging from house museums to galleries and gardens. Visitation not only increases income for the National Trust of Australia, but drives value to the domestic and international cultural tourism sector across Australia.

The National Trust was selected by the Australian Government to coordinate the Australian Heritage Festival nationally from 18 April – 20 May 2018. The theme this year was My Culture, My Story and 1,253 events were held nationally attracting over 441,000 people. Digitally, the Festival engaged a community of 80,958 people to celebrate heritage.

The National Trust Awards were hosted again this year, recognising best practice conservation and innovative projects.

S.H. ERVIN GALLERY The S.H. Ervin Gallery attracted 23,350 visitors to exhibitions which included the ever-popular Salon des Refusés and Portia Geach Memorial Award. ‘Trust our Women: Women Artists at the S.H. Ervin Gallery, celebrated the Gallery’s 40 years of supporting Australian women artists.

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A number of properties, including Everglades House and Gardens, Leura and Miss Traill’s House in Bathurst, linked with annual regional garden festivals to significantly boost visitation and revenue. Retford Park, Bowral, generated $9,000 over three days as part of the Southern Highlands Festival.

CONSERVATION

NOVEMBER 2018 – FEBRUARY 2019

$69K Old Government House, Parramatta. A grant of $69,000 from the Australian Government’s Department of Environment and Energy has enabled the National Trust to update the 2001 Conservation Management Plan for Old Government House, Parramatta, and develop an Interpretation Plan for this World Heritage Listed Site.

1,500 Volunteers worked in collaboration with Rebecca Pinchin, Manager, Collections to meticulously catalogue and document 1,500 items in the collections at Golden Vale and Retford Park.

$53K Everglades House and Gardens, always a highlight of the Leura Spring Festival, this year achieved a $53k operating surplus as 6,387 visitors were attracted to the property to enjoy its Art Deco tearooms, National Trust shop and spectacular gardens. The Friends of Everglades raised an additional $8,000 from food and beverage.

For details of grants, bequests and other funding please see page 16.

CAPITAL WORKS: RIVERSDALE Under the guidance of Clive Lucas OBE, Honorary National Trust Conservation Architect, the National Trust has undertaken much-needed structural, conservation and interpretation works to Riversdale in Goulburn. The project was made possible by a grant from the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, and Mrs Jenny Smith, who donated $50,000 to the conservation of Riversdale and $50,000 to the Heritage Foundation.

CAPITAL WORKS: COOMA COTTAGE A private bequest allowed the extensive conservation of Cooma Cottage, the final home of legendary explorer, Hamilton Hume. Employing the specialist skills and traditional trades of plasterers, carpenters, joiners, masons and painters from around the state, the scope of works included external lime washing and painting, new rainwater management features including gutters and downpipes, joinery and masonry repairs, and plasterwork both internally and externally.

CELEBRATING INDIGENOUS HERITAGE

TOURS, WEEKENDS AND MUCH MORE

Twenty one artworks travelled to five National Trust (NSW) sites as part of the Where’s Your Country? Schools Reconciliation Challenge 2017, led by the New South Wales Reconciliation Council. The exhibition was hosted at Saumarez Homestead, Tomago House, Dundullimal Homestead, Everglades and Cooma Cottage.

A busy year for the Women’s Committee included six Looking at Architecture tours, two country weekends, a garden seminar and the highly popular Lindesay Fair. The National Trust (NSW) Tours Committee coordinated trips to international cultural destinations, and arranged day tours to local and regional places of interest. More than 360 people enjoyed the opportunity to appreciate heritage at home and around the world.

WORLD HERITAGE LISTED SITE Old Government House, Parramatta, has positioned itself as a focus for exciting exhibitions exploring our history, and fundamental shifts in cultural, social and artistic achievements and awareness since the early days of the colony. Georgian Glass featured the Havelberg collection dating from 1700–1840, donated to the National Trust. Tales from the East examined the connections between India and Australia.

HERITAGE ONLINE The National Trust (NSW) is increasing the profile, understanding and awareness of conservation and advocacy, and the places, people and artefacts that collectively tell the story of our heritage. The National Trust (NSW) website attracted just over 131,000 pageviews this financial year and we increased our Facebook followership from 6,720 in the previous year, to 7,533. We also have a Twitter followership of 3,603 people.

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NATIONAL TRUST PEOPLE NATIONAL TRUST BOARD

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM

as at 30 June 2017

as at 30 June 2018

Brian Powyer President Susan Hunt Deputy President Neil Wykes OAM Treasurer Debbie Mills CEO The Hon Garry Downes AM Kate Dezarnaulds Meredith Hutton Alan Kerr Elaine Lawson OAM Dr Clive Lucas OBE Keith Parsons John Richardson Ian Stephenson

Debbie Mills CEO Richard Silink Deputy CEO Tara Cheesman Director, Development, Membership, Philanthropy and Bequests Graham Quint Director, Conservation Gaetano Sanacore Director, Bushland Management Services Soma Somavarman Director, Finance & Governance Lyndal Stuart Director, Marketing & Communications Anne Weinman Director, People

NB: Elaine Lawson resigned on 4 August 2018

55 +45A

OUR DIVERSITY

55%

45%

■ Female 55% ■ Male 45%

The Board, National Trust of Australia (NSW) From left: The Hon Garry Downes AM, Alan Kerr, Debbie Mills, Brian Powyer, Clive Lucas OBE, Susan Hunt, Ian Stephenson, Kate Dezarnaulds, Keith Parsons, Neil Wykes OAM, Meredith Hutton and John Richardson

BOARD COMMITTEES, TASKFORCES AND TECHNICAL COMMITTEES The National Trust (NSW)’s Board Committees, Taskforces and Technical Committees provide the organisation voluntary service to the National Trust (NSW), comprising an array of skills and expertise, and endless dedication NATIONAL TRUST (NSW) BOARD COMMITTEES AND TASKFORCES Collections Committee Editorial Committee Education Committee Finance Audit & Risk Management (FARM) Committee Marketing & Fundraising Committee Properties Committee Trust Honours Committee Conservation Policies Taskforce Butler Bequest Committee

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TECHNICAL COMMITTEES Built Heritage Conservation Committee Cemeteries Committee Industrial Heritage Conservation Committee Landscape Heritage Conservation Committee

TRUST BRANCHES AND COMMITTEES Bathurst & District Branch Blue Mountains Branch Broken Hill & District Branch Central West Women’s Committee

NATIONAL TRUST PEOPLE WE THANK OUR WONDERFUL VOLUNTEERS NATIONAL TRUST (NSW) 2017 HONOURS Over 2,000 people throughout the state volunteer their time and expertise to support the National Trust (NSW). Without the dedication of these people, we could not achieve our vision or mission as an organisation.

National Trust (NSW)volunteers who received Awards for outstanding contributions to the Trust are listed below. The Awards were presented by Dr Clive Lucas OBE.

HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP Robert (Bob) Clark – Built Heritage Conservation Committee Graham Edds – Norman Lindsay Advisory Committee

MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD James Whitelock – photographer Spencer Harvey OAM – Miss Traill’s House and Garden Jaki Wallbank – S.H. Ervin Gallery Alan Hyland – S.H. Ervin Gallery Shirley Seale – Norman Lindsay Gallery Cherry Franklin – Saumarez Homestead

TRUST COMMENDATIONS Thomas Thorpe – S.H. Ervin Gallery Birgitta Sandstrom – Everglades House John Harrison – Everglades House Suzanne Ell – Vienna Cottage Marlene Arditto – Vienna Cottage Dolores Whalan – Everglades House Carol Payne – Women’s Committee Derek Fletcher – Miss Traill’s House and Garden Arnold Vink – Lindesay Management Committee Jillian Goodwin – Killara Shop Mary Dunham – Old Government House and Experiment Farm Cottage Margaretha O’Shaughnessy – Everglades House

STAFF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD Rolando Ramos – Lindesay Caretaker

HONOURS COMMITTEE DISCRETIONARY AWARD Brian Scarsbrick AM

VOLUNTARY SERVICE AWARD Anne Higham – Built Heritage Conservation Committee Rose Cavallaro – Norman Lindsay Gallery Howard Williams – Norman Lindsay Gallery Penelope Young – Miss Porter’s House Pamela Wyles OAM – Women’s Committee Margaret Fletcher – Miss Traill’s House Holly McNamee – Grossmann House Pauline Abbey – Cooma Cottage

Images from the top: Debbie Mills (CEO), Joanna and Arnold Vink Anne Higham and Jennifer McMonnies Robert Clark with Dr Clive Lucas OBE Debbie Mills (CEO) and Richard Silink (Dep CEO)

with specialist and expert advice on heritage issues. Our Branches and Regional Committees provide invaluable and commitment. Thank you.

Central West Open House Weekend Committee Cooma Cottage Management Committee Far South Coast Branch Friends of Everglades Friends of Grossmann & Brough House Friends of Norman Lindsay Gallery Friends of Old Government House & Experiment Farm Cottage Friends of Sir Henry Parkes Memorial School of Arts Friends of Tomago House

Gulgong Mudgee Rylstone Branch Harpers Mansion Management Committee Hawkesbury Branch Hunter Regional Committee Illawarra Shoalhaven Branch Lachlan Branch Lindesay Management Committee Lithgow Branch Miss Porter’s House Management Committee Miss Traill’s House Management Committee Norman Lindsay Gallery Advisory Committee

Parramatta Branch Saumarez Homestead Advisory Committee S.H. Ervin Gallery Advisory Committee Southern Highlands Branch Tours Committee Vienna Cottage Management Committee Wentworth Branch Women’s Committee Woodford Academy Management Committee

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2530+33+ 37 12+11983A 2840+32+ 8 15+11865A NATIONAL TRUST (NSW) FINANCIAL REPORT 2017/18

■ OPERATING INCOME ■ OPERATING EXPENSES ■ NET RESULT/SURPLUS

$9.9m

$11.5m

$9.7m

$8.3m

$7.6m

$2.3m

FY 2018

FY 2017

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

$7.6m

$9.9m

INCOME ■ Bushland Management 30% ■ Visitation 12% ■ Enterprises -rental and venue hire 11% ■ Fundraising and Event 9% ■ Membership 9% ■ Merchandising 9% ■ Donations 9% ■ Grant 8% ■ Others 3%

EXPENSES ■ Employee and Related 40% ■ Other Expenses 15% ■ Bushland Management 15% ■ Repairs & Maintenance 11% ■ Property Operating 8% ■ Fundraising and Event 6% ■ Merchandising 5%

The results presented on these pages are for The National Trust of Australia (New South Wales) together with the National Trust of Australia (NSW) Heritage Foundation Limited, being the Trustee company for the National Trust of Australia (NSW) Heritage Foundation Trust and National Trust of Australia (NSW) Heritage Foundation Ancillary Fund. These entities form the consolidated entity. The full details of the Audited Financial Statements for financial year 2018 can be found at nationaltrust.org.au/about-us-nsw/.

The consolidated entity achieved a surplus of $11,591m compared to $2,353m in the 2016/17 financial year. A significant contribution to the overall surplus was $8m cash and $4m in collections generously received from the estate of the late James Fairfax AC as part of the gift of Retford Park.

The operating loss before unrealised gains and losses on investments and bequests was $943k compared to $815k in the 2016/17 financial year.

A new Business Plan was implemented for the National Trust in 2018. In 2019 a Strategic Plan will be developed for the next three years, which will include focus on establishing a platform to enable the Trust to improve its financial sustainability, reducing the operating losses over the next three years.

There were a number of financial highlights during 2018 including: • Our revenue continues to be significantly driven and supported by our membership revenue and the many members, volunteers and visitors who support the National Trust by continuing their membership, visiting our properties and attending our events.

THANK YOU FROM THE NATIONAL TRUST (NSW) HOW WE ARE FUNDED

THE WOMEN’S COMMITTEE

The National Trust is a not-for profit-organisation and is reliant on the generous support received from members, donors, patrons, sponsors and governments grants. The Trust gratefully acknowledges the support that has been provided during the 2018 financial year. For a full list of acknowledgements of our Patrons and organisational supporters, please refer to the back cover of this magazine.

The Women’s Committee based at Lindesay is at the core of the National Trust’s spirit. Through this committee’s tireless efforts in organising the annual National Trust Desk Diary, the Lindesay Christmas Fair, six ‘Looking at Architecture’ house inspection days a year and country weekends, members of the National Trust continue to enjoy exclusive benefits and the organisation benefits from the fundraising and championship of our brand to new and loyal audiences.

LOYAL MEMBERS AND VOLUNTEERS We could not have achieved so many positive outcomes without the ongoing support of over 22,000 individual members, the dedication and hard work of more than 2,000 volunteers, and the many members who have supported our appeals and campaigns. This has contributed to the ongoing work of the National Trust, including our advocacy and the care and protection of our Heritage sites and collections.

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• Our Bush Management Services income increased to $2,284m as a result of successfully winning a number of new tenders for conservation and restoration of natural areas throughout Sydney.

• Our donors generously increased their financial support, providing $679k in donations.

• Visitation income increased to $915k from $852k in the 2017 financial year, driven by some outstanding results at Everglades House and S.H. Ervin Gallery.

• Function and event income performed very well, which was supported by the new program of events at Retford Park as well as the wonderful achievements of the Women’s Committee based at Lindesay.

• Eleven of the National Trust (NSW)’s 19 house museums balanced or improved their operating budgets to generate a surplus in the 2017/18 financial year. Others are in the process of improving.

• Grants were received for the total of $580k, many of which were able to support our repairs, maintenance and capital works including significant work being undertaken at Cooma Cottage and Riversdale.

• Operating a tax-deductible Restoration and Appeal system to facilitate fundraising for conserving churches including organs, graveyards and other community owned places and items of Heritage.

• The National Trust of Australia (NSW) Heritage Foundation Ancillary Fund increased in value over $8m, with the significant donation from the estate of the late James Fairfax AC.

FY 2018 $000’s

FY2017 $000’s

INCOME Bushland Management Income Conservation Services Donations Enterprises (including rental and venue hire income) Fundraising and Event Income Grant Revenue Membership Merchandising Visitation Sponsorship Total Income

2,284 211 679 849 711 580 670 676 915 55 7,631

2,157 258 452 1,432 761 997 703 654 852 20 8,286

EXPENSES Bushland Management Cost of Merchandising Employee and Related Fundraising and Event Expenses Legal Fees Heritage Consultancy Fees Other Office Expenses Postage and Printing Property Operating Repairs & Maintenance Other Expenses Total Expenses

1,514 474 3,964 559 72 122 670 291 769 1,104 405 9,945

1,381 503 3,607 712 74 157 483 285 621 1,566 308 9,696

(2,314)

(1,410)

1,371 (943)

596 (815)

Net Operating Result Investment Income Net Operating Result After Investment income Bequests Profit on Sale of long term leasing of property – Ludovic Blackwood Sanctuary Gain/(Loss) on Revaluation of Investment Market value adjustment – Brown Furniture Collections Gift – Retford Park Donation Gift – Retford Park Collections Non-Operating Income

465

2

0 441 (477) 8,000 4,106 12,535

440 726 0 2,000 0 3,168

Surplus/(Deficit) for the year (per accounts)

11,592

2,353

GRANTS, SPONSORSHIP AND DONATIONS The S.H. Ervin Gallery has benefited from the support of a Community Heritage Grant from the National Library of Australia; a donation from Jolimont Foundation for Intrepid Women; exhibition sponsorship from Holding Redlich for the Salon des Refusés (its 20th year of support).

We are grateful to the Australian Government Department of Environment and Energy and the NSW Office of the Environment and Heritage for grants received, particularly for the Australian Heritage Festival and National Trust Heritage Awards. We are also grateful to the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development and NSW Government – Family and Community Services for Community Building Partnerships for grants received.

The National Trust (NSW) was also fortunate to be the recipient of grants from a number of Councils including Maitland, Lithgow City, Blue Mountains, Wingecarribee Shire and City of Armidale. We were also supported with grants from Museums and Galleries NSW, National Library of Australian and The Copeland Foundation.

BEQUESTS Thank you to the many members and their families who chose to make a final gift to the National Trust and leave a bequest, including gifts from the estates of Ms Carr, Mrs Finlayson, Miss Esson, Ms Hadden, Ms Kulakowski, Ms Giblin and Ms Randle. The S.H. Ervin Gallery also received a bequest from an original gallery volunteer, Heather King.

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NATIONAL TRUST (NSW) MAGAZINE

HIGHLIGHTS ADVOCACY

CAMPAIGNING TO PROTECT HERITAGE CHINESE GARDEN OF FRIENDSHIP

MUDGEE REGENT THEATRE

The National Trust is pleased to support the nomination to list the Chinese Garden of Friendship in Darling Harbour, Sydney, on the State Heritage Register. The garden was listed on the National Trust Register in March 2013 following extensive consultation with Sydney’s Chinese community. It is an authentic Chinese garden, designed in China and constructed by Chinese artisans. It has great social value for the Chinese community of Sydney, and enhances the relationship between New South Wales and the Guangdong and Shanghai Governments. The garden has historical significance, involving the Australian-Chinese Community Association and local architect Henry Tsang in its development as part of the 1988 Australian Bicentennial Celebrations. The garden is established near the area first settled by Chinese migrants in the mid 1850s.

Listed on the National Trust Register in 1996 and built to the designs of architect, George Newton Kenworthy in 1935, the Mudgee Regent Theatre is a surviving example of an Art Deco regional theatre – one of the finest and most intact examples of its kind. Kenworthy, together with Norman Eli White, was responsible for some our most-loved early to mid-20th Century theatre buildings including the State Theatre, Sydney; the Cremorne Hayden Orpheum, Sydney (much altered) and the Civic Theatre, Newcastle. The Mudgee Regent Theatre is located at a main intersection in the heart of the town, indicating the importance of the cinema for this regional centre, and it continues to hold significance for its community. The National Trust has nominated the theatre for listing on the State Heritage Register and opposes its redevelopment.

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CAMPAIGNING Sixty one advocacy campaigns were underway in 2017/18 – of those, 25 are longstanding and 36 are in response to immediate conservation issues. Our conservation team (directed by Graham Quint), branches and committees across New South Wales collectively made 13 submissions to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, 34 submissions to Local Government Authorities and 70 submissions to government agencies and ministers. We distributed 1,083 notifications to property owners and conducted regular correspondence with the Heritage Division of NSW Environment and Heritage.

GOVERNMENT & INDUSTRY The National Trust (NSW) consults government development agencies and infrastructure, development, construction, engineering and architectural companies regarding the recognition, conservation and preservation of the built and natural heritage as vital components of major development and renewal projects. In that vein we have commenced meaningful conversations with Mirvac in the past year. The National Trust was also part of the Environmental Roundtable with the Greater Sydney Commission on the development of an Advisory Paper for the Draft Greater Sydney Region Plan and District Plans, culminating in Objective 13 of the Greater Sydney Plan.

RECOGNITION OF HERITAGE Maintaining the National Trust Register is a key component of our conservation work, as is developing and regularly reviewing 27 policies on matters ranging from built heritage to cemeteries, biodiversity conservation, to historic and industrial archaeology, trees and urban bushland management - and so much more. Our Register often informs and guides decisions to place sites on the State Heritage Register. We have in the past year supported the successful listing of St John’s Anglican Church in Camden, and supported the nomination of the Chinese Garden of Friendship, Darling Harbour and the Mudgee Regent Theatre.

ST JOHNS ANGLICAN CHURCH Consecrated in 1849, this church in Camden is recognised for its fine windows, 1861 organ and choir gallery built to Edmund Blacket’s design, and its clock and bells dedicated in 1897 as a gift from Elizabeth MacarthurOnslow of Camden Park. The National Trust listed the church on its Register in 1949. It is described on Camden Council’s Heritage List as being of national significance, because it plays a key role in the picturesque landscape planning of the Camden Park Estate. After 69 years of campaigning to have the Church listed on the State Heritage Register, the listing has been approved by the NSW Heritage Minister, Gabrielle Upton.

It was formally gazetted on Friday, 24 August 2018.

St Johns Anglican Church, Camden. Photography: Eric Sierins

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From the CEO 3

DEBBIE MILLS

To our valued members and supporters I like numbers. Everyone who works with me knows this.

I am particularly liking this number 314,241 which we recorded in our 2017/18 financial year. That’s the total number of people the National Trust of Australia (NSW) has engaged with on cultural, natural and built heritage and conservation in the past 12 months. Who are these people?

They are the people who work with tireless dedication at the Trust; our Board Directors, branch members and committees - all of them volunteers. They give their time in so many ways – and the Trust would not function without them, or without our members.

The number includes people who visit our properties, come to our events and exhibitions, our festivals, and read our online information. They have a connection to heritage and the mission and vision of our organisation.

It’s a great number, and I am grateful to each and every person it represents.

Our endurance, relevance and voice, and financial sustainability have never been more important as we adapt to swiftly changing times. In the midst of change, focus is vital and that is why we have an 18-month plan with the following strategic priorities:

• Be the voice of reason: strengthen our advocacy as we continue in our mission to protect our heritage.

• Build financial sustainability: we perform well in many areas, and our non-operating income ensures the National Trust shows a surplus.

However we continue to make operating losses, and must focus on improving our revenue streams and business operations to ensure our long term financial sustainability.

• Value and support our people: including our staff, 2,000 plus volunteers and over 22,000 members.

We want to nurture your talent, ensure that you feel valued, and maintain and grow your support for the future.

• Engage and educate: through high quality events and cultural heritage programs that entice curious young minds and passionate mature minds, and which attract tourism.

• Improve our operational efficiency: by streamlining and improving our processes, harnessing technology and utilising our limited resources efficiently.

• Celebrate our properties and collections: by protecting them and sharing their stories with the community.

I hope you have enjoyed reading the highlights of our 2017/18 financial year. I look forward to leading the National Trust as we evolve for the future.

Thank you

CELEBRATING A LIFE DEVOTED TO HERITAGE DR PHILIP RASMUSSEN OAM BDS The National Trust (NSW) wishes to honour the memory of Dr Philip Rasmussen who sadly passed away on 23 September 2018. Dr Rasmussen joined the National Trust on 6 April 1945 and maintained his membership for the rest of his life. His mother, Clara Elisabeth Rasmussen, was the great grand-daughter of Thomas West, to whom Governor Macquarie granted 108 acres of land in Rushcutters Bay. She signed her son Philip up to the National Trust on the day it came into being. Philip Rasmussen was the third person to hold a receipt for payment of his membership fees, with only his mother and Annie Wyatt preceding him.

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Dr Rasmussen was an avid supporter of the S.H. Ervin Gallery – elected as Vice Chair of the Friends of the Gallery in its first year. He was one of the original Guardians of the Gallery and supported its refurbishments. In 1983 Philip Rasmussen was elected Councillor of the Trust and served for eight years. He went on to become a member of the Conservation Foundation, the Executive Council and was the inaugural Chair of the Education Committee. Philip Rasmussen shared his enthusiasm for the National Trust with his wife Lois to whom we extend our sympathies and all our thoughts. The National Trust (NSW) is forever grateful for the service and commitment of such a devoted member.