SUPPORT
Your Trust in Action The National Trust of Australia (NSW) continues to reach new heights thanks to our supporters who invest in the conservation, education, protection and celebration of our heritage.
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Your Trust in Action – 2020
FROM THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER As an independent organisation, the National Trust of Australia (NSW) relies on the generosity of our supporters to keep our heritage and its stories alive for future generations to enjoy.
The vision of the National Trust (NSW) is to bring the heritage of NSW to life for future generations.
Our work is supported by people who have remembered us in their will, our Patrons and Guardians, our Regular Giving donors, those who donate to our twice-yearly appeals and those who add a donation on top of their membership fees. It is our donors who help us create real change with their philanthropic spirit. As you’ll see in the 2021 edition of Your Trust in Action, with your support, we’ve made momentous leaps in protecting our loved houses, galleries and gardens as well as increasing awareness of our heritage to create lasting impact on our culture and communities across NSW. During the past 12 months, many people have been united by this shared passion for heritage, despite the challenges we’ve all faced. Whether you’ve given once this last year or many times, thank you for supporting heritage conservation and the vision of the National Trust (NSW).
Debbie Mills
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Your Trust in Action – 2021
The Growth of Philanthropy National Trust (NSW) fundraising income increased 19% in FY21.
3,244 1,661
Total income (bequests & fundraising): exceeded $4.3m
Gifts
Donors
4.2% Major Gifts
10
8
5.7% General Gifts
Gifts in Wills
Gifts from Foundations
5.9% Appeals
84.2% Bequests
Gifts of $10,000+
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Fundraising income: exceeded $680,000
FY20
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26.7% Major Gifts
FY21
37.4% Appeals
Gifts of $5,000+
13 24
FY20
FY21
35.9% General Gifts
Your Trust in Action – 2021
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The Power of Bequests We have achieved significant progress on a number of projects thanks to our generous Bequestors. Here is a selection of highlights from the last 12 months.
Brough House, Maitland.
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Your Trust in Action – 2021
A $1 million bequest, held in the National Trust Heritage Foundation, helps us look after our collection of over 60,000 paintings, furniture, household items and agricultural equipment. Through this bequest, we’ve been able to complete: • ongoing assessment and cataloguing of items in regional properties. • employment of a part-time staff member to assist with cataloguing, audits and collection care.
Gifts in Wills play a critical role in the maintenance and enhancement work needed to keep our properties safe and open, including: • carpentry repairs and repainting at Everglades House, Leura. • pruning of large Maiden Gum at Woodford Academy. The tree is on the council’s Significant Tree Register and is a landmark in the Woodford community.
• rigorous airing, cleaning and pest inspections of historic houses during COVID-19 lockdown periods.
• restoration and re-installation of leadlight windows at Miss Porter’s House, Newcastle. Both a bequest and money raised by volunteers helped reinstate these windows to their original location.
• completion of a 5-year project cataloguing, photographing and re-boxing 19th and 20th century garments.
• upgrading of gutters and stormwater pipes at Grossmann & Brough House, Maitland.
A bequest dedicated to vintage and veteran cars, powered a rally of over 100 pre-1931 vehicles at Dundullimal Homestead, Dubbo.
Miss Porter’s House, Newcastle.
Dundullimal Homestead, Dubbo.
Your Trust in Action – 2021
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75th Anniversary Celebrations To celebrate our 75th Anniversary, open days were held between February and May 2021 providing free access to house tours, exhibitions and gardens. The program was possible thanks to a large bequest and several sponsorships and grants.
20 Heritage places
165
4.6
Volunteers
Visitor experience/ satisfaction rating
3,800+ Visitors Live music at S.H. Ervin Gallery, Millers Point.
Volunteers at Lindesay House, Darling Point.
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Your Trust in Action – 2021
House tours at Saumarez Homestead, Armidale.
The Effect of Major Gifts A generous gift from a foundation recently saw conservation treatment commence on a rare mid-19th Century lady’s dress. The item dates from the 1840s making it our only dress from this period. Dress cleaning and repairs to delicate lace, ribbon, and rosettes on the bodice front will enhance our understanding of how people lived at Riversdale, Goulburn in the 19th century. International Conservation Services empowered 10 volunteers during a full day furniture conservation workshop at Retford Park, Bowral. Thanks to a pro bono arrangement, volunteers learnt how to best care for the prized furniture collection of James Fairfax AC. A sideboard and clock, both made by Fairfax’s grandfather David Wilson, are particularly special. Thanks to a group of mainly local donors, 37 solar panels were installed over two modern buildings at Saumarez Homestead, Armidale. Harnessing Australia’s abundant solar energy is a fantastic step towards sustainability at this rural property.
Solar panels installed at Saumarez Homestead.
S.H. ERVIN GALLERY This inner Sydney Gallery welcomed over 3,000 visitors in 5 weeks to view a celebration of the Papunya Tula art movement in the Northern Territory. The exhibition was made possible thanks to the generosity of private collectors who loaned rarely-seen works to the exhibition.
Cleaning and repairs to a rare mid-19th century dress.
Your Trust in Action – 2021
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The Impact of Appeals Twice yearly appeals are an opportunity for donors to support specific conservation, maintenance and education projects. RESCUE.REVIVE.REVEAL. ART CONSERVATION APPEAL As a direct result of this appeal, 36 historically significant artworks in our collection will be conserved. National Trust (NSW) properties will benefit from the project which is due for completion in 2022 and includes research into the art’s provenance, artist and story.
UNKNOWN, Still Life, 17th or 19th c., oil on oak, 570 x 770 mm.
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Your Trust in Action – 2021
One painting, an unframed, still-life from the Woodford Academy collection, was originally thought to be a 19th century work. Its date, however, is being re-assessed with chemical analysis due to its striking similarity to well-known Dutch master Willem Claesz. Heda (1594–1680). Conversations with local and international experts are ongoing as we hunt to find the artist and reveal the painting’s true story.
RAISING OUR VOICE FOR ADVOCACY APPEAL This appeal ensures that our independent voice will continue to be heard. Funds raised will also help us assist the community in its own advocacy efforts. The appeal directly funded our Independent Forum on the Review of the Heritage Act 1977 (NSW), a free event empowering participants to be heard in the review process by making unique and impactful submissions. A broad cross-section of attendees came together from heritage sector stalwarts and historic home owners to young professionals.
277
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650+
295
Attendees
Speakers
Times video footage viewed
Submissions to the legislative review
READY FOR RAIN APPEAL
NORMAN LINDSAY GALLERY APPEAL
Thanks to this appeal Dundullimal Homestead, Riversdale and Saumarez Homestead have increased their sustainability with new rainwater tanks, garden irrigation systems, guttering and storm water piping. Remaining appeal funds are being invested in long-term water management solutions.
Repairs funded by this appeal have been completed and include internal and external painting, carpentry, conservation of the tiled verandah and replacement of the café’s roof. This maintenance forms the groundwork to additional improvements planned for the Gallery.
Your Trust in Action – 2021
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Cooma Cottage, Yass.
The Importance of General Gifts A general gift is not tied to a specific project and is used where it is needed most. National Trust (NSW) Patrons, Guardians, Regular Giving donors and donations with membership renewal are all general in nature. Both Retford Park and Cooma Cottage took delivery of a fire trailer to assist in the event of a fire. A recent three-year grant of untied funds from a family foundation allowed us to complete necessary projects and repairs at several of our properties. Completed work included: • installation of pool fencing and two entrygates around the Guilford Bell-designed pool, pavilion and lily pool at Retford Park. • painting of picket fences at Cooma Cottage. • upgrade of the fire detection system at Norman Lindsay Gallery, Faulconbridge. 10
Your Trust in Action – 2021
General gifts support our education program. Last year, Old Government House, Parramatta, welcomed 1,475 students on tours. Of these students, 642 visited Experiment Farm Cottage, also at Parramatta.
The Year Ahead We will continue to monitor the NSW Government’s review of the Heritage Act 1977 (NSW) due to concerns that the legislation will be weakened and heritage resourcing in all tiers of government will be further reduced. Funds from our Raising our Voice for Advocacy Appeal will continue to support our advocacy team, including accelerating the digitisation of the National Trust (NSW)’s Heritage Register. Lady Mary Fitzroy’s collection of Walter Scott’s historic novels, including Ivanhoe, were acquired this year at auction. Married to Sir Charles Fitzroy, 10th Governor of NSW, Lady Mary died in a coach accident at Parramatta in 1847, a mere 16 months after her arrival in the colony. Conservation treatment of the book set will be funded by a bequest.
NORMAN LINDSAY GALLERY Thanks to a generous gift of $80,000 from a Life Member, Norman Lindsay’s garden and 1930s pool will be restored with improved accessibility for visitors to enjoy this special area of the large garden and bushland. A three-year family foundation grant will also enable an upgrade of the air-conditioning system to ensure a constant temperature and humidity for in the gallery. Gallery quality lighting will also be installed, as will CCTV for added security.
Ivanhoe, from Lady Mary Fitzroy’s collection.
Your Trust in Action – 2021
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Thank You The National Trust (NSW) is Australia’s oldest and largest independent conservation charity. Your ongoing support powers our vision, to bring the heritage of New South Wales to life for future generations.
Open day in the garden at Saumarez Homestead, Armidale. Cover: Retford Park, Bowral.
NATIONAL TRUST OF AUSTRALIA (NSW) Mail: PO Box 518, Sydney NSW 2001 Phone: (02) 9258 0131 Email: info@nationaltrust.com.au nationaltrust.org.au/donate-nsw @nationaltrustau @nationaltrustau @nationaltrustnsw
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Your Trust in Action – 2020