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Your Trust in Action Welcome to the 2022/23 Impact Report
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Your Trust in Action
Bringing heritage to life From the Chief Executive Officer
After the challenges of the previous few years, it was with a real sense of enthusiasm and relief that in 2022/23 the National Trust (NSW) was able to reopen and welcome members and visitors back to our much-loved gardens, galleries and house museums. With this return to normality, we were able to renew our focus on our dual core purposes of conservation and advocacy. As you will see in this 2022/23 Impact Report, it has certainly been a productive year on both fronts, due largely to the generosity of like-minded members, donors, trusts, foundations and bequestors.
Without you, our mission to protect places of historical and cultural significance for future generations to enjoy would not be achieved. Important conservation projects, like the one recently finished at Everglades House & Gardens, would not have been undertaken, nor would much of the repair and maintenance work we were able to complete. We remain inspired by our donors and supporters and sincerely thank you all. I hope you enjoy this report and reading about some of this year’s achievements.
Debbie Mills
‘Without you, our mission to protect places of historical and cultural significance for future generations to enjoy would not be achieved.’ 2
Your Trust in Action
Thank you for your support The remarkable generosity of members, donors, trusts, foundations and bequestors, helped us look after our state’s special places and protect them for future generations to enjoy.
3,095 Gifts
1,608 Donors
10% Patron donations Dog day at pet-friendly Retford Park
Total Income (Bequests and Donations): exceeded $1.7 million
Donations: exceeded $1 million 46% Appeals
61% Donations
3% Regular Giving
39% Bequests
11% Patrons 28% Major Gifts
12% General Gifts
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The impact of major gifts For the 2022/23 financial year, Major Gifts made a substantial contribution to our overall fundraising revenue with over $290,000 received. These gifts funded both operational expenses and important projects at many of our special places.
A generous gift from the Copland Foundation funded the Yellow Dress Project. This project solved the mystery behind several oddly-shaped pieces of 18th century yellow silk damask found at Old Government House. A team from the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) investigated the dress and created two dresses to best illustrate its past stretching back 270 years. The Yellow Dress Project is now on regular display throughout New South Wales.
NIDA students Jasmin Gray (left) with the replica dress made to the 1740 version and Lucy Francis with the original silk restored to the 1770 version (photo by Jacquie Manning)
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Your Trust in Action
Another major gift was used to reimagine the cottage gardens at Experiment Farm Cottage. The long overdue work means visitors can now enjoy the gardens as they were originally planned. Work will soon start on improvements to the gravel pathways. Thanks to an $80,000 gift, work was also completed on the 1916 bush pool at Norman Lindsay Gallery. The building of pathways to make the pool more accessible was also finalised, allowing visitors easy access to this magical part of the property. At historic Cooma Cottage in Yass, a generous gift from a supporter will fund a new roof on the Coachman’s Cottage. Plans have been drawn, building quotes are in and work will soon begin. A major research project, funded by the J. Permsew Foundation, has been completed. The comprehensive report has documented our large textile collection found at Old Government House, Grossman House, Riversdale and Saumarez Homestead and identified items that need conservation. The David Sheedy Foundation generously funded an Archives Scholarship that provided a part-time role at the National Trust Centre for an emerging archivist.
$290,000+ Received
From Top: Experiment Farm Cottage (photo by SGR Photo); Coachman’s Cottage at Cooma Cottage; David Sheedy Foundation Scholarship recipient Althea Rodericks.
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The power of appeals Our twice yearly appeals are an opportunity for donors to support a specific project. This year, the focus of our appeals were Cooma Cottage and Old Government House. Conservation work at Everglades House is almost finished thanks to funds raised in our 2022 Everglades House appeal.
THE RESTORATION OF EVERGLADES HOUSE The rejuvenation of art deco icon, Everglades House, is almost complete, thanks to over $215,000 raised in our fundraising appeal. The work has been painstakingly conducted to heritage standards and the results are spectacular. These updates will once again allow Everglades House & Gardens to shine as one of the country’s most significant house museums, with a beautifully restored house to match its stunning gardens and natural surrounds. We encourage everyone who helped restore Everglades House to visit and see the results.
$215,000+ Raised from the appeal 6
Your Trust in Action
Works completed include: •C onservation of historic Beale and Co. furniture and doors •R eplacement of non-original Perspex infills with glass windows •R epairing of 20 original lights and reinstatement of Bakelite switches •R estoration of large relief artwork and water fountain •R epainting of house interior • I nstallation of curtains and carpets •C reation of new exhibition spaces •U pgrades to bathroom fittings, tiles, cabinets and mirrors.
We encourage everyone who helped restore Everglades House to visit and see the results.
Restoration of large relief artwork and water fountain
Repainting of house interior
Conservation of historic Beale and Co. furniture (photos by SGR Photo)
Your Trust in Action
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Cooma Cottage (photo by SGR Photo)
CONSERVING COOMA COTTAGE Our 2022 Cooma Cottage appeal raised more than $159,000 towards important conservation work at Hamilton Hume’s historic home in Yass. Work to commence in the New Year includes repairing shutters, painting and lime washing of walls, the upgrade of electrical and communication circuits, and ensuring all roofs are watertight. Funds from the appeal have already allowed us to purchase Hamilton Hume’s original chest of drawers from an auction in Melbourne.
$159,000+ Raised from the appeal
Old Government House kitchen (photo by SGR Photo)
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR OLDEST HOUSE
$273,000+ Raised from the appeal 8
Your Trust in Action
The recent Old Government House appeal resonated strongly with members and supporters and was our most popular appeal ever. In the end, we raised over $273,000. These funds will be used to breathe new life into this important World Heritage listed site. Already, we have obtained a detailed conservation report on the damaged brick fireplaces and received the necessary approvals. Work will soon begin repairing structural damage, interior and exterior painting and installing new lighting in the Barracks area. In the Main House, a bakery and servants’ hall will be recreated in their original locations.
The importance of bequests Gifts in Wills continue to play a critical role in the ongoing conservation work necessary to keep heritage properties, museums and gardens open. In 2022/23, Gifts in Wills contributed over $670,000 or 39% of our total donation and bequest income. A number of projects have been made possible thanks to the generosity of bequests made by life-long members. These gifts help ensure the future of our conservation and advocacy work. Thanks to a generous bequest held in the National Trust Heritage Foundation, we can continue to look after our collection of over 60,000 items, including paintings, furniture, household items and agricultural equipment.
The Portia Geach Memorial Award was established by the Will of the late Florence Kate Geach in memory of her sister, Portia Geach. The Award is managed by the National Trust on behalf of Perpetual Trustees. Winner 2022 Portia Geach Memorial Award, Kindred spirits by Lynn Savery.
A bequest dedicated to vintage and veteran cars has allowed us to support various vintage car events around New South Wales.
2022 National Model T Ford Rally at Dundullimal Homestead, Dubbo (photo by Model T Ford Club of Australia (NSW) Inc)
$670,000+ Contributed from bequests Your Trust in Action
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More highlights from 2022/23 Thanks to members and supporters, our advocacy, conservation and maintenance work continued to be well supported.
In the lead up to the NSW State election, the National Trust called on candidates to consider and commit to heritage conservation if elected. All major parties made statements relating to heritage.
the wooden sculpture of the geese in the Pavilion and the ceramic turtle was completed. At Brough House, a donation sponsored our Artist in Residence Program for several years to come.
Meanwhile, a generous three-year grant has allowed us to carry out vital work at a number of our heritage destinations including heavy pruning and weeding at Everglades House & Gardens, digitisation of the archives and collection at Saumarez Homestead, and the completion of the Significance Assessment for the James Fairfax Collection at Retford Park.
Another generous donation will go directly towards the gardens at Lindesay to ensure they remain at the high standard always enjoyed by so many visitors.
At Retford Park, cleaning of the statues of the dogs, as well as the repairs to
A generous three-year grant has allowed us to carry out vital work at a number of our special heritage places.
Cleaning of statues at Retford Park
Artist in Residence, Vicki Cornish
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Your Trust in Action
The year ahead For the National Trust, the next 12 months promises to be a busy and exciting time.
Thanks to the generosity of our members, this year we plan to: •C ommence conservation work at Cooma Cottage including the Coachman’s Cottage •C ontinue repairs and maintenance at Old Government House •B egin conservation work on dress items identified in our textile report*, which includes those in Old Government House, Saumarez Homestead, Miss Porter’s House and Miss Trail’s House collections •C ommence work on re-grading the driveway, fixing fencing, and reinstating a picket fence at Riversdale •R estoration of historic textiles that feature in the entry hall at Retford Park •B ring the fountains at Everglades House back to their original working condition.
*Significant Assessment of the Dress Collection Report
From top: Saumarez Homestead (photo by LightCatcher Images); Restoring the Otto Steen relief at Everglades House (photo by SGR Photo).
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Thank you We appreciate the support we receive from the following: PATRONS
SUPPORTERS
G Arnott
L Marcroft & G Brunner
J Burnswoods
L & J Benaud
C Nadai & R Burge
L Cox AO
R Butler AM
D Paisley
J Curtis AM
J & L Calluaud
P Poland OAM
Denbigh Foundation
Emeritus Prof. D Carment AM
Pratten Foundation
S Devenish-Meares
R Charley AO
A Scott
R Frecker
J Church
Nell & Hermon Slade Trust
J Permsew Foundation
J Farrell
A Smith
I Kaiser
P & R Flick
C Sutherland
Mallam Family Fund
G & T Graham
E Sydney-Jones
Maple-Brown Family Foundation
B & J Hambrett
S Thomas
N Paton
B Hayward
V Vargassoff
S Pickles
E Heard
M Vellacott
David Sheedy Foundation
T Heazlewood OAM
C Wilkinson OAM
Dick & Pip Smith Foundation
H Hewitt
A & P White
T Strachan
C & B Hindmarsh
B & G Windeyer
R Sturrock
P Homel & L Taggart
Dr J Yu AC
K Valder
A Johnson
Multiple anonymous
S White OAM
Kimalo Foundation
J Woodward
To discuss supporting the National Trust (NSW) please contact our Philanthropy Manager, Lorelle Yee, on (02) 9258 0154 or email lyee@nationaltrust.com.au @nationaltrustau
@nationaltrustnsw
@nationaltrustau
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the places in which we live, work and play. We recognise and respect the enduring relationship they have with their lands and waters, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
Cover: Old Government house (photo by Michael Kennedy)
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Your Trust in Action