National Trust NSW Magazine – October to December 2023

NATIONAL TRUST NEW SOUTH WALES

SAVING NORMAN LINDSAY’S STUDIO PERFECT PICNIC PLACES

GUNDAGAI CAFE RESTORATION

Welcome to the final edition of the National Trust NSW magazine for 2023. This issue includes evocative features about artist Norman Lindsay and his studio, in support of our fundraising appeal to save this special place; and the landmark Astor apartments in Sydney, celebrating their centenary this October. Take a nostalgic trip to regional NSW and one of Australia’s last surviving authentic Greek cafes at Gundagai. Reflect on the prize-winning Don’t Block the Rocks Campaign and community advocacy in action. With spring in full swing, be inspired to pack a picnic and explore our gardens. Plan ahead for Christmas with our new gift packs and calendar of special events.

National Trust (NSW) Observatory Hill, Millers Point, Sydney 2000 GPO Box 518, Sydney 2001

Telephone: (02) 9258 0123 nationaltrust.org.au/nsw

President: Kathryn Pitkin AM

CEO: Debbie Mills

Editor: Liz Harfull

Designer: Lauren Sutherland

Editorial Committee: David Burdon, Nick Corbett, Nicole Crabb, Susan Hunt, Debbie Mills, Anja Stride, Lisa Siberry, Leah Tasker, Jane Watters, Anne Weinman.

The National Trust New South Wales magazine is published by the National Trust of Australia (New South Wales). Published articles reflect the opinions of the authors and are not necessarily reflective of the views of the National Trust. This magazine is printed by Enviropress, a division of Bright Print Group, on paper that is independently certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), carbon neutral and made with 100% recycled postconsumer waste in a chlorine-free environment.

Norman Lindsay at Springwood, c. 1920–1948 (photo by Harold Cazneaux, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW).

New leases on life

BY KATHRYN PITKIN AM AND DEBBIE MILLS

Dear Members, Fittingly, given that spring is a time of renewal, restorations are bringing new life to some of our most loved places, thanks to your generous response to our fundraising appeals.

The ambitious rejuvenation of Everglades House has restored this Art Deco icon to its former glory. Painting, reconstruction of original furniture, and installing new art, electrics and light fittings are just some of the projects undertaken. It’s well worth a visit to enjoy this special place, including the new exhibition space completed with support from the Copland Foundation.

Works are also commencing to reinvigorate Australia’s oldest public building, Old Government House, and its historic barracks. Structural repairs, paint, lighting, furniture and a new education experience is making a world of difference to this landmark UNESCO-listed site.

One of the great discoveries of 2021, thanks to restoration works funded by your generous donations, was the 400-year-old Dutch Master painting Still Life. We’re pleased to share that you can see Still Life on display at the Art Gallery of NSW throughout 2023 and 2024.

Finally, in the new year we look forward to giving you a behindthe-scenes look at progress being made to restore the colonial bungalow Cooma Cottage, in Yass.

We hope to see you at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday 25 November to share the highlights of the past 12 months. People can attend either in person or online. We encourage you to take this opportunity to participate online if you can’t make it in person.

This is our final magazine edition for 2023 and we’d like to thank you for your ongoing generosity and support. It’s with your help that we can continue to bring heritage to life for future generations.

Best wishes,

Kathryn Pitkin AM, President Debbie Mills, CEO

YOU ARE INVITED TO THE National Trust (NSW)

Annual General Meeting

Saturday 25 November 2023, 3:30PM – 5PM S.H. Ervin Gallery, Observatory Hill, Millers Point, Sydney

Please join us to hear the Annual Report, Board of Directors election results, the National Trust Honours Awards, and a special guest presentation on the story behind the extraordinary restoration of Everglades House. Drinks and canapes will follow in the S.H. Ervin Gallery. For the full agenda see your AGM Notice.

RSVP

Participate in-person or online. RSVP online at 2023-agm.eventbrite.com.au

please email

National Trust News

Catch up on heritage and advocacy news from across the State. Read about exciting developments at two Blue Mountains properties, our new board members, the latest regional properties to join the National Trust Register and a heritage win at Parramatta.

GENERAL NEWS

Introducing our new board members

A big welcome to Mark Phibbs and Luton White, who have recently joined The National Trust (NSW) Board of Directors. Mark is a highly respected marketing professional and Vice President Global Campaign, Content and Industries Marketing at Cisco. Luton is an accomplished solicitor with a strong accounting and commercial background in banking and financial services. Their expertise will be invaluable for bringing marketing and financial perspectives to the National Trust’s mission to preserve heritage.

Stay at Norman Lindsay Gallery

If you’re looking for an art-inspired retreat in the Blue Mountains, book a stay at the beautiful new cottage accommodation at Norman Lindsay Gallery in Faulconbridge. Fitted with every amenity for a comfortable stay, this private, self-contained retreat is set in the grounds of the gallery, overlooking bushland. Unpack and unwind on the deck as you watch the sun set over the valley. To book visit nationaltrust.org.au/places/norman-lindsay-gallery/ cottage-stays

Donors view restoration progress

A group of members and donors recently witnessed firsthand the restoration work being undertaken at Everglades House & Gardens as a result of our 2022 appeal. The group viewed conservation of the historic Beale and Co. furniture and doors, as well as the large relief artwork and water fountain in the dining room. All work has been painstakingly carried out to heritage conservation standards and will be nearing completion soon. We can’t wait to share the stunning results.

New regional listings

Some exciting new regional listings have been added to the National Trust Register. Our latest addition is the Burraga Village and Copper Mine – a once thriving 19th century mining village in the Central West, known for its abundance of copper and Welsh smelting technology. Also joining the register are the Gosford Cenotaph – a prominent sandstone war memorial located on the Central Coast, designed by distinguished architect Gordon Keesing; and Girilambone General Cemetery – a remote 20th century graveyard, which is one of the few remaining markers of the now diminished village of Girilambone near Nyngan.

Wollongong Heritage Strategy

Wollongong City Council recently released its draft Heritage Strategy 2023-27. The document specifies nine broad strategies for heritage conservation and management throughout the region, with a particular focus on strengthening Aboriginal heritage, management of cultural landscapes and comprehensive community engagement. We look forward to seeing the implementation of this strategy over coming years as Wollongong continues to grow and change, and hope that it allows for the further identification and management of culturally significant places.

A win for Parramatta’s heritage

The City of Parramatta Council recently refused the proposal for a six-storey development atop MBC House at 188 Church Street, Parramatta. The proposed development at this heritage-listed site would have completely overwhelmed the existing historic building, burying it in a structure twice its size. The design would have also dramatically overpowered the heritage character of the area, blocking important view lines across Centenary Square and through to Parramatta Town Hall. We commend council on its decision.

Opposite from top

Mark Phibbs (left) and Luton White (National Trust image); cottage accommodation at Norman Lindsay Gallery (photo by Michael Kennedy); donors visiting Everglades House & Gardens (National Trust image).

From top

Burraga Copper Mine (National Trust image); Wollongong (photo by Siwawut, iStock.com); MBC House (National Trust image).

Conjuring the Magic of Lindsay’s Studio

BY MEG STEWART, AUTHOR AND FILMMAKER

In support of a new fundraising appeal for one of the nation’s most historically important creative spaces, Meg Stewart shares evocative childhood memories of the painting studio at Faulconbridge where famous artist Norman Lindsay wove magical spells with his paint brushes and pens, and tales of a mythical underwater island.

Thea Proctor kept a yellow bathtub in hers. The elegant, early modernist artist loved painting model Doreen Hubble with her creamy skin and red hair sitting or standing in the tub, so Doreen later told me. For the last 30 odd years of her life, Margaret Olley nested in the ‘Hat Factory’ in Duxford Street, Paddington, surrounding herself more and more with a mélange of eclectic still-life objects and bunches of flowers in every stage of bloom and decomposition. Studio, living space and subject matters were melded. Although, of course, they may often paint elsewhere, most artists crave a studio above all else. More than just a physical work space, a studio is the place where art is conjured from the imagination and becomes an entity. Even messy and paint-smeared, a studio is sacrosanct.

Life at Springwood

In Jane Lindsay’s memoir, Portrait of Pa , she described how, in the 1920s when she was growing up at Springwood (as the Lindsay house and grounds were usually referred to then), Norman, her father, seemed to be permanently sequestered in the painting studio. If called to lunch in the main house, he would bolt his food down as if he hadn’t a moment to lose and then scuttle off back to the studio, usually clutching a cup of tea minus the saucer. Along with the etching studio, the inconspicuous building to which he retreated was Springwood’s artistic core.

In the 1940s, the studio also became Norman’s living quarters. Thanks to his wife, Rose, the original exterior of home-made concrete blocks had been concealed with cream stucco and the interior walls were covered by bronzepainted hessian – another of her decorative touches. When Rose was temporarily away in America, a grown-up Jane kept Norman company and the studio in order.

Sumptuous oils were painted during this period. Model Rita Lee stayed at Springwood and posed in the studio each day for the central figure in Crete. Her young brother Harry stood for the boy in the composition. The studio cat of the day provided the leopard’s paws. Jane was the woman in a black dress sitting with her back to viewers and Norman drew his own face reflected in a mirror to represent a dark-haired man. The bull that featured in the work was not enticed into the studio, however.

During breaks from painting and long into the night, Norman tapped away at novels on his Underwood portable typewriter, set up on one of Rose’s Jacobean dining chairs with the back sawn off. According to Jane, he worked his way through the entire six chairs, adapting them to suit his needs. He also wrote countless letters in the studio, his cat of the day, the roly-poly, grey Fuzz Buzz, batting at his pen or knocking over bottles of ink to get his attention. Often the

Opposite Norman Lindsay’s studio today (photo by SGR Photo).

Above, clockwise from top left

Inside the studio (photo by Michael Kennedy); Norman Lindsay working at Springwood, 1931 (photo by Harold Cazneaux, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW); the artist’s original painting materials (photo by Michael Kennedy).

“A studio is the place where art is conjured from the imagination and becomes an entity.”

letters to my mother, Margaret Coen, were illustrated with his inimitable cat drawings. She and my father, Douglas Stewart, were regular house guests and among the chosen few always welcome in the studio. Norman was deeply encouraging of both their creative efforts. Each new poem by my father was greeted with enthusiasm. Every painting that my mother showed him resulted in an affirming critical response. In his Personal Memoir of Norman, my father wrote about the pleasure of their evenings in the studio. Firelight flickered on Norman’s austere bed in the corner and a faint rustling came from the waste paper basket where Fuzz Buzz was asleep. With the richness of Norman’s paintings, completed or in progress, around them, my mother read aloud from writers such as Dickens, Conrad and Balzac, a shaft of light from a silvery Aladdin lamp guided onto the page.

As a child in the early 1950s, what I loved best was the studio’s life-sized, lay figure with her stocking-covered limbs. Norman used the figure for reference when he was working on drapery. He preferred worn fabrics because they fell into better folds for painting. I dressed myself

and the lay figure in softly burnished velvet, satin and lacey remnants and invented stories to fit our costumes. Or I sat beside the adults on a footstool and listened to them talking about art and literature. Often the conversation turned to the legendary drowned island of Atlantis. Norman did most of the talking when it came to Atlantis, which made riveting, if slightly mystifying, listening. No-one else I knew even mentioned the underwater island. It was like a secret Springwood language. A magical place, indeed.

Save the Norman Lindsay Art Studio

The Norman Lindsay Art Studio is in urgent need of major repairs. We need to raise $160,000 to commence long overdue work on one of the nation’s most historically significant and intact creative spaces. Every donation from our generous members and supporters will help to preserve this magical space and its precious contents. Government funding accounts for around only 10% of our income, so we rely on donations to assist our conservation work. Please donate to the Norman Lindsay Art Studio Appeal at nationaltrust.org.au/donate-appeal-nsw

Help us bring back the magic

donate

“Even messy and paint-smeared, a studio is sacrosanct.”

Perfect Picnics

BY LISA SIBERRY, NATIONAL TRUST CONTENT SPECIALIST

Spring days call for overflowing picnic baskets and afternoons whiled away under the shade of a tree. Try these idyllic National Trust gardens for your next spring picnic.

Playwright William Somerset Maugham wrote that “there are few things so pleasant as a picnic lunch,” and who could disagree with the joys of a blanket tossed across the lawn and freshly-cut sandwiches eaten al fresco?

A quick look through the history books proves that people have been picnicking for centuries. The French aristocracy introduced the trend in the 18th century, although their picnics were indoor affairs. In 1801 the ‘Pic Nic Society’ formed in London, where members were required to bring a dish and six bottles of wine to enjoy alongside singing, gambling and a lavish theatre performance. By the late 19th century the

middle classes had latched onto the bucolic pleasures of eating outdoors. Even literature reflected the trend – Jane Austen depicted a rustic picnic in Emma (1815), and of course Joan Lindsay’s Picnic at Hanging Rock (1967) made for an unforgettable outing in the Australian bush.

Today, our picnic baskets are more likely to be filled with kombucha and gourmet cheeses, but a peaceful outdoor location, and a good smattering of sun and shade are also vital ingredients for the perfect picnic. You can find both in spades at the following National Trust gardens, which are filled with heritage trees, lush lawns and the added charm of a historic backdrop.

C lockwise from top

Dundullimal Homestead garden (photo by Barbara Scott); exploring Harper’s Mansion maze (photo by SGR Photo); picnicking at Saumarez Homstead (photo by LightCatcher Images); a tasty picnic snack (photo by SGR Photo); enjoying the gardens at Norman Lindsay Gallery (photo by SGR Photo); Miss Traill’s House garden (photo by Annie Stevens).

Opposite The White family picknicking at Saumarez Homestead at the turn of the 20th century (National Trust image).

Previous Page

Picnic at Retford Park (photo by SGR Photo).

Southern Highlands grandeur

Nestled in the green hills of Bowral is showstopping Retford Park. Former owner James Fairfax used this country residence to entertain guests and the grounds still convey a sense of fun, with their pink Italianate mansion, 1960s pool pavilion and an extensive collection of heritage oak trees that provide ideal canopies for picnickers. There’s an art trail for children and, for extra picnic points, you can bring your dog on a leash.

Not too far away is another charming picnic garden at Harper’s Mansion in Berrima. This has the added spectacle of one of Australia’s largest hedge mazes. The cool-climate garden is bursting with perennials and shady spots for lazing away the day. Only one hour away in Goulburn you’ll also find Riversdale, a Colonial Georgian home surrounded by gorgeous gardens that guarantee a peaceful day out.

Romance and roses

In the 19th century, the White family at Saumarez Homestead near Armidale often held family picnics around the farm and down by the local creek – sometimes bringing along a complete china tea set. In the Ladies Kitchen of the homestead, visitors can still see the family’s original portable fireless cooker, which used hot stones to keep picnic food warm. Sometimes, a cannister was even filled with cake batter and the cake left to bake in the cooker!

These days you can make your own modern picnic on the east lawn, which is bathed in dappled shade. While you’re there, tour the famous rose garden with its 600 heritage roses. For another romantic picnic location, explore Miss Traill’s House – a hidden heritage gem in Bathurst, with lovely lawns and a rear garden planted with older flower varieties. Picnic

on Sunday afternoons under the shade of the 1845 pear tree then take a guided tour of the house.

Views for days

There’s no need to be dainty about picnic crumbs at Dundullimal Homestead in Dubbo, where fresh country air and rural views are the highlights. The park-like grounds are fantastic for picnics, with the extra rustic charm of stables and outbuildings to explore. If you run out of food, make a second stop at the on-site cafe for Devonshire tea.

Views of another kind are on offer at Norman Lindsay Gallery in the Blue Mountains, where you can take in the whimsical nude statues by famous artist Norman Lindsay that are dotted around the grounds. The wisteria vine pops with blooms in spring, and there’s even a short scenic bushwalk with views of the Grose Valley to enjoy after a long lazy lunch. Happy picnicking!

Check National Trust opening hours and plan your visit at nationaltrust.org.au/places-nsw

The National Trust would like to thank the many volunteers who help care for these special places. We also thank you – our members. With your support we’ve been saving and maintaining much-loved heritage gardens since 1945.

Give the gift of adventure

National Trust membership opens the doors to more than 100 heritage places around Australia, and 1,000 places overseas. Purchase a gift membership online at nationaltrust.org.au/membership-nsw

Gundagai Cafe Tugs at the Heartstrings

BY LIZ HARFULL, COMMUNITY HISTORIAN AND AUTHOR

One of Australia’s last surviving authentic Greek cafes has been given new life, thanks to a sensitive restoration project that recently won a National Trust (NSW) Heritage Award. Liz Harfull steps inside the 1930s Hollywood-style glamour of the Niagara Cafe at Gundagai.

Even before they walked through the chrometrimmed front doors, worn back to brass by many hands, Luke Walton and Kym Fraser had a strong sense they were about to become the custodians of something special. The couple had been commuting between Melbourne and Sydney on a regular basis for years. They made the trip so often, they even thought about buying a house at Gundagai, roughly halfway. Then Luke heard that the Niagara Cafe was on the market.

The Greek cafe concept

Currently recognised as the oldest surviving continuously-run authentic Greek cafe in Australia, the Niagara epitomises part of the country’s cultural history that is fast disappearing. During the 20th century, Greek families opened countless cafes and milk bars in suburbs and regional towns, where they became an important part of social life. Peaking in popularity between the 1930s and 1960s, they had a distinctive style influenced by the architecture and food of their counterparts in the United States. Diners sat in booths to enjoy American-style ice cream sundaes, ‘spider’ soda drinks and milkshakes along with hamburgers, mixed grills and toasted sandwiches. The cafes were also noted for their warm hospitality, longer opening hours, prompt service and affordable prices.

Perhaps the epitome of the concept was Gundagai’s Niagara – marketed as Australia’s

‘wonder cafe’. The original business was an oyster saloon and fresh fish outlet established in 1902 further along the main street, which initially traded as the Comino Brothers. Originally from the Greek island of Kythera, the ‘oyster kings’ built an empire, farming their own leases, pioneering oyster saloons in Sydney and essentially franchising their name to other Greeks. In Gundagai, the enterprise was owned for at least some of its early years by another Kytherian, Strati Notaras, who offered customers “a snug meal in a snug room at all hours”.

The business moved to 142 Sheridan Street after fire destroyed the original premises in 1913. In January 1920, a different owner leased

Below

Nick, Tina and Denise Loukissas outside the Niagara Cafe in 1986 (image courtesy Leonard Janiszewski). Opposite from left The newly refurbished interior, showing the conserved original counter, mirrors and lettering; and the original rooftop neon sign, reinstated after careful restoration (images courtesy Luke Walton and Kym Fraser).

the site to the Castrission family, beginning an association that lasted for more than 60 years. By 1928, Victor and Jack Castrission had transformed it into the Niagara Cafe – a dining establishment that was “as cool as Niagara”, where patrons could sit under electric fans to enjoy “deluxe refreshments and delightful music”.

Art Deco revelation

The Niagara Cafe came into its own ten years later when the Castrissions bought the freehold. Announcing renovation plans, the Gundagai Independent declared they would give the town the most modern cafe in the State. When the new cafe opened in October 1938 it was a revelation – “elaborate without gaudiness, finished perfectly, even in every minor detail”. Influenced by the latest Californian trends, the Castrissions had chosen the Streamline Moderne form of American Art Deco, which became the architectural signature of Greek cafes across the country. The exterior boasted a cantilevered verandah and curvilinear windows with chrome-plated frames. Designed to seat 100 people, the interior featured walnut-veneer booths embracing tables topped with jade-coloured Carrara glass; and a long, sleek counter fronted with bands of chrome and black Carrara glass, standing before a wall of mirrors with concealed lighting. A canopy above carried the cafe’s name in large metal lettering. “It was like an oasis in the desert. It was a pleasure palace, and the locals loved it,” recalled Jack Castrission in

Greek Cafes & Milks Bars of Australia, published by documentary photographer Effy Alexakis and social historian Leonard Janiszewski after more than 30 years of in-depth research.

In 1983, the cafe was sold to another Greek family – Nick and Denise Loukissas, who later brought in their grown-up children, Tina and Tony, as partners. When illness made it difficult for the family to continue, it was put on the market in 2019. Kym and Luke purchased it 18 months later. “It just tugged at our heartstrings,” Luke admitted. “Although they were badly worn, a lot of the original features were still there, which is very rare. We saw the opportunity to restore something that is an iconic part of Australian history.”

The tabletops were too damaged to keep, but all the other key features remain in place after careful restoration. The couple had experience renovating residential properties and weren’t daunted by the challenge, although it proved greater than expected. The reinstated domed ceiling is a case in point. The original was destroyed by fire in the 1970s and never replaced. Kym and Luke didn’t know about it, until they found the charred remains in the roof space. However, Kym’s favourite feature is the iconic red neon sign fixed to the roof, which served as a beacon to hungry travellers. In complete disrepair, it was carefully removed and transported to Sydney for restoration. “When it’s on you can see it pretty much from everywhere in town, even on foggy days,” Kym said.

Visit Gundagai

Locals and travellers have embraced the revitalised Niagara Cafe since it reopened in June 2022. Plan a trip to Gundagai to experience this stunning example of heritage conservation. The Niagara Cafe, 142 Sheridan Street, Gundagai.

“It was like an oasis in the desert. It was a pleasure palace, and the locals loved it”

Community Advocacy in Action

BY BERNARD KELLY, FORMER PRESIDENT, MILLERS POINT COMMUNITY RESIDENT ACTION GROUP

Formed more than 50 years ago to save The Rocks from demolition, the Millers Point Community Resident Action Group has been recognised with a National Trust Heritage advocacy award after once again setting a benchmark for community advocacy. The group’s Don’t Block the Rocks campaign played a significant role in the withdrawal of controversial development plans for the Central Barangaroo project. Bernard Kelly reflects on the campaign and the importance of planning.

There’s no such thing as a secret in Sydney, particularly when it comes to property development and real estate. It was early 2021 when a consequential piece of paper “fell from the back of a truck” and landed in Millers Point. Undated and unattributed, it related to plans for what is known as the Central Barangaroo precinct – the final parcel of 20-plus hectares of public land to be developed at Barangaroo.

The information it contained was alarming, to say the least. A 21-storey residential tower was proposed. Where did that come from? Certainly not the concept plan approved in 2007, which was relatively low-rise, befitting its surrounds.

At stake were the Sydney Harbour foreshore, from Darling Harbour to Walsh Bay, the Millers Point Conservation Precinct, Sydney’s oldest residential suburb, and of course, the highest point in eastern Sydney – Observatory Hill. Beloved by locals and tourists alike, the favourite vantage point for New Year’s Eve fireworks, weddings, parties, sunsets, or just sitting and admiring the view. The proposed building heights along Hickson Road were also outrageous – upwards of 33% higher than the approved concept plan. All this on public land.

Were we surprised at the scale of over-development proposed?

No, not after the debacle of the Barangaroo South development, where there was modification after modification, and The Crown casino, the tallest building in Sydney. Were we ready to fight? Yes, and planning was key.

A working group was formed from among the community – multi-disciplinary, well-connected, motivated – to take up the fight on multiple fronts. Political, legal, urban planning, community partnerships with organisations such as the National Trust, and of course, media. Not just the traditional media of newspapers, television and radio but, critically, social media to energise and engage the broader Sydney and NSW population. A consultant was even engaged to produce realistic images of the proposal which had not been included in the planning documents. This drove our highly successful petition – 8,000 signatures and counting in just a few months.

We were on our way, however we knew it was going to be a long campaign. There was a lot of money being thrown at the development and we are merely a local community group. But the one thing you can rely on is that governments hate bad publicity, and the NSW Government was about to get plenty of it.

In August 2021, modified plans, known as Mod 9, were released publicly. Proposals for enormous buildings along Hickson Road were confirmed, along with overhangs, while Hickson Park was reduced to backyard dimensions. And then there was the 21-storey residential tower. Almost 900 submissions were received by the Department of Planning. More than 99% of them were objections.

Things moved quickly from there. The government’s own heritage advisers joined the fray and rightly trashed the Mod 9 proposal. On Saturday, 8 October 2022, we woke to news in the Sydney Morning Herald – front page no less. The Planning Minister said that Mod 9 “was not in the public interest”. The following week, the Premier Dominic Perrottet and former Prime Minister Paul Keating appeared together at Nawi Cove to proclaim a bright new day for the Central Barangaroo project. Mod 9 was dead.

The message is clear – the NSW Government must respect the context of this important part of Sydney. It is adjacent to Sydney Harbour, the high-value post-colonial Heritage precinct of Millers Point and Observatory Hill, one of Sydney’s natural wonders.

The fight isn’t over. In late July 2023 media reports suggested the revised masterplan would take on community concerns, but after everything that has gone before, the Action Group is still on alert.

Opposite

Central Barangaroo under construction (photo by zetter, iStock.com).

From top

Don’t Block the Rocks banner, September 2023 (National Trust image); today’s view from Observatory Hill, and an artist’s impression if the proposed development had gone ahead (courtesy Miller’s Point Community Resident Action Group).

*Written in collaboration with members of the Millers Point Community Resident Action Group Inc.

“A working group was formed from among the community – multi-disciplinary, well-connected, motivated .”

What’s On Calendar

Feel inspired as we spring into the new season. Join a unique tour, picnic in spectacular gardens bursting with blooms and browse our unmissable exhibitions. Mark the start of summer and the festive season with celebrations across our special places.

Event details are correct at the time of printing. To purchase tickets and check for venue updates visit nationaltrust.org.au/whats-on-nsw

FEARLESS: CONTEMPORARY INDIGENOUS WOMEN IN THE HASSALL MILSON COLLECTION

S. H. ERVIN GALLERY, OBSERVATORY HILL

UNTIL 29 OCTOBER, TUESDAY – SUNDAY, 11AM – 5PM

View powerful works by Indigenous women artists who have created their own dynamic visual language, informed by their connection to Country and culture. (Artwork: State of My Country by Emily Kngwarreye).

Tickets: Members free, adults $15, concession $12, family $42, children under five free

SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS BOTANICAL ART PRIZE AND EXHIBITION

WHITE COTTAGE GALLERY, RETFORD PARK, BOWRAL

UNTIL 29 OCTOBER, THURSDAY – SUNDAY, 10AM – 4PM

Browse this exhibition of works by some of Australia’s best botanical artists. Subjects include native and exotic flowers, fruit and vegetables.

Tickets: Free exhibition entry

EVERGLADES FLOWERFEST

EVERGLADES HOUSE & GARDENS, LEURA

UNTIL 30 OCTOBER, WEDNESAY – MONDAY, 10AM – 4PM

The spring gardens at Everglades House & Gardens are bursting with stunning floral displays. Immerse yourself in the beauty of rhododendrons, azaleas, bluebells, tulips, alyssum and pansies.

Tickets: Members free, adults $17, concession $15, family $49, children under five free

THE RIVER: BURRAMATTA TO COCKATOO

OLD GOVERNMENT HOUSE, PARRAMATTA

UNTIL 26 NOVEMBER, TUESDAY – SUNDAY, 10AM – 4PM

Don’t miss your chance to dive into the stories of the Parramatta River at this major exhibition, now in its final weeks, as you explore this World Heritage-listed property.

Tickets: Members free, adults $15, concession $12, family $42, children under five free

I AM ROSE

NORMAN LINDSAY GALLERY, FAULCONBRIDGE

UNTIL 8 JANUARY 2024, THURSDAY – MONDAY, 10AM – 4PM

Model, muse, mother, maker. This exhibition explores the woman behind the art of Norman Lindsay, through the juxtaposition of works by contemporary female artists.

Tickets: Members free, adults $17, concession $15, family $49, children under five free

IN FOCUS: THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF HAROLD CAZNEAUX

EVERGLADES HOUSE & GARDENS, LEURA

UNTIL 28 FEBRUARY 2024, WEDNESDAY – MONDAY, 10AM – 4PM

View a stunning exhibition of 1930s photographs taken of Everglades House & Gardens by celebrated photographer Harold Cazneaux.

Tickets: Members free, adults $17, concession $15, family $49, children under five free

OPEN DAYS AT MISS PORTER’S HOUSE

MISS PORTER’S HOUSE, NEWCASTLE WEST

8 OCTOBER & 12 NOVEMBER, 1PM – 4PM

In October, view a charming display of toys, books, memorabilia and photographs that paint a fascinating picture of childhood in the early twentieth century. In November, discover how the Porter family practised sustainability by learning how to skilfully mend and make do.

Tickets: Members free, adults $12, concession $10, family $34, children under five free

IMPRESSIONS

OF KATOOMBA URBAN EXHIBITION

BY ROMAN GRYG

EVERGLADES HOUSE & GARDENS, LEURA

8 – 29 OCTOBER, WEDNESDAY – SUNDAY, 11AM – 3PM

Browse a beautiful display of works that capture the ever-changing seasons, the character and the beauty of the urban streets, alleyways and buildings in and around Katoomba.

Tickets: Members free, adults $17, concession $15, family $49, children under five free

OPEN DAYS AT WOODFORD ACADEMY

WOODFORD ACADEMY, WOODFORD

21 OCTOBER & 18 NOVEMBER, 10AM – 4PM

In October, attend Woodford Academy’s very first poetry slam. Present your own poetry or help crown the champion, before viewing poetry books from the collection. In November, celebrate the lives of the men and boys of Woodford Academy, hosted in conjunction with Movember fundraisers.

Tickets: Members free, adults $12, concession $10, family $34, children under five free

SHOALHAVEN REGION CAR OBSERVATION RUN

SHOALHAVEN HEADS MEMORIAL PARK, SHOALHAVEN HEADS

22 OCTOBER, 10AM – 3PM

Air your best driving clothes and prepare for a delightful jaunt through the Shoalhaven region to see a series of significant landmarks. Afternoon tea and entry to Jervis Bay Maritime Museum included.

Tickets: Members $35, adult $35, family $85

COOMA COTTAGE AL FRESCO HIGH TEA

COOMA COTTAGE, YASS

25 OCTOBER, 11AM – 1PM

Take pleasure in the beauty of the Yass Valley as spring blossoms. Enjoy live acoustic music, a scrumptious high tea served under the shade of the historic picconia tree, and guided house tours.

Tickets: $50

CHURCH STREET SPRING FAIR: DISTILLATION OF SPRING

ST MARY’S ANGLICAN CHURCH AND GROSSMANN AND BROUGH HOUSES, MAITLAND

13 OCTOBER, 6PM – 9PM & 14 OCTOBER, 10AM – 3PM

Celebrate spring with an evening of music, seasonal food and locally distilled aperitifs and digestifs. The next day, make the most of Church Street’s historic tours, vintage displays, stalls and more!

Tickets: Friday evening $80, Saturday Fair house entry $5

GHOST NIGHT

OLD GOVERNMENT HOUSE, PARRAMATTA

20 OCTOBER & 17 NOVEMBER 2023, 7:30PM – 10:30PM

Hear tales of unusual happenings as you retrace the ghostly steps of those who once walked the candlelit corridors of Australia’s longest-standing public residence.

Tickets: Members $32, adults $35

SPRING HOUSE & GARDEN INSPECTIONS

VARIOUS SITES, WINGECARRIBEE SHIRE

25 OCTOBER, 10:30AM – 3:45PM

Inspect three beautiful properties in the height of spring, chosen for their beauty, difference and charm. Includes morning tea.

Tickets: Members and concession $75, adults $85

RIVERSDALE SPRING GARDEN PARTY AND FAIR

RIVERSDALE, GOULBURN

29 OCTOBER, 10AM – 2PM

Immerse yourself in the stunning garden at Riversdale Homestead and enjoy scrumptious eats, treats, local stalls, live music, horse-drawn carriage rides, traditional ploughing demonstrations and loads of family fun.

Tickets: Members free, adults $12, concession $10, family $34, children under five free

UNIQUE VIEWS EXHIBITION BY 4 IN ONE

EVERGLADES HOUSE & GARDENS, LEURA

2 – 26 NOVEMBER, WEDNESDAY – MONDAY, 10AM – 4PM

The Blue Mountains offers a rich trove of inspiring material. This new exhibition captures the unique artwork and interpretations of four family members across two generations.

Tickets: Members free, adults $17, concession $15, family $49, children under five free

ARTFUL DISPOSITION

RETFORD PARK, BOWRAL

2 NOVEMBER – 10 DECEMBER, THURSDAY – SUNDAY, 10AM – 4PM

Browse a new transformative exhibition by the Artists of the Round Yard – a tribute to the late James Fairfax and the history of this special place, set within historic buildings and adjoining garden spaces.

Tickets: Free entry to exhibition

ORANGE IN BLOOM: GARDEN WEEKEND ORANGE DISTRICT

3 – 5 NOVEMBER

Women’s Committee Inspections and Events

Don’t miss your chance to visit a variety of stunning private gardens, some of important historical significance, and all bursting with spring blooms. Ticket sales close 19 October.

Tickets: Two-day self-drive from $150, optional lunch $25 (tickets close 19 October); three-day coach journey from $995 (tickets close 12 October)

PORTIA GEACH MEMORIAL AWARD

S.H. ERVIN GALLERY, OBSERVATORY HILL

3 NOVEMBER – 17 DECEMBER, TUESDAY – SUNDAY, 11AM – 5PM

The Portia Geach Memorial Award is Australia’s most prestigious art prize for portraiture by women artists. View finalists’ works from across the country in this exceptional display.

Tickets: Members free, adults $15, concession $12, family $42, children under five free

HAWKESBURY HISTORY TOUR: DURHAM BOWES AND THE CHARISMATIC CONVICT RICHMOND

5 NOVEMBER, 9:30AM – 3PM

Join a tour of heritage-listed sites in the Hawkesbury. Visit a private residence seldom open to the public and learn about its original inhabitants, the remarkable Margaret Catchpole and much more.

Tickets: Members $50, concession $55, adult $60, family $140

2024 National Trust Desk Diary

Celebrate Australia’s built, natural and cultural heritage with the National Trust’s popular annual desk diary, featuring a different inspirational, appealing and sometimes offbeat image each week.

One diary $25, two for $40 or ten for $160, plus postage. To order, please email ntdeskdiary2024@gmail.com or phone 0416 039 235.

Photo: McCrossin’s Mill, Uralla, NSW by Jascelyn Taylor.

GOLDEN VALE SUNRISE NATURE WALK

GOLDEN VALE, SUTTON FOREST

5 & 12 NOVEMBER, 6AM – 8:30AM

Watch the sun rise over the spectacular landscapes surrounding Golden Vale. Tread through meadows and see an abundance of fauna as you meander along the river to the homestead for a light breakfast.

Tickets: $50

TOUR OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN SYDNEY

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, SYDNEY

8 NOVEMBER, 10:30AM – 1PM

Take a historic tour of Australia’s oldest botanic garden and scientific institution. After a private morning tea, view heritage plantings, trees and buildings, and hear the stories of this much-loved garden.

Tickets: Members $60, adults $85

BRANXTON HERITAGE WALK

BRANXTON, HUNTER VALLEY

11 NOVEMBER, 2PM – 5PM

Founded in 1848, Branxton retains vestiges of its early history of viticulture, agriculture and mining. Join a guided heritage walk through this small town, followed by afternoon tea at a local home.

Tickets: Members and concession $25, adults $28

LINDESAY AFTER DARK

LINDESAY, DARLING POINT

28 NOVEMBER, 6PM – 8PM

Uncover stories from the past at a unique after-dark tour of historic Lindesay. Enjoy wine and canapés in the garden before exploring this spectacular 1830s property as night falls.

Tickets: $35

ALL THINGS GREAT ARE SMALL

WHITE COTTAGE GALLERY, RETFORD PARK, BOWRAL

14 DECEMBER 2023 – 28 JANUARY 2024, THURSDAY – SUNDAY, 10PM – 4PM

Marvel at the fine detail and craftsmanship of this exquisite collection of miniatures. Appreciate the delicate brushwork and gem-like colours, and maybe even take one home!

Tickets: Free exhibition entry

2024 ART DECO FESTIVAL WALKING TOUR

NAPIER, NEW ZEALAND

13 – 15 FEBRUARY 2024

Heading to New Zealand in 2024? Join a series of fun and intimate, expert-led history and architecture walking tours of Napier. Daily morning tea included.

Tickets: Members $140, adult $150

Enquiries: Contact Fiona Reynolds via fionalesleyreynolds@gmail.com

Exclusive Member Offers

Enjoy these exclusive events, offered free as part of your National Trust membership. To book your tickets visit nationaltrust.org.au/whats-on-nsw

ARTFUL DISPOSITION EXHIBITION OPENING

WHITE COTTAGE GALLERY, RETFORD PARK, BOWRAL

4 NOVEMBER, 4PM – 6PM

Join the Artists of the Round Yard for drinks and canapés and an exclusive first look at their new major exhibition.

PORTIA GEACH EXHIBITION – MORNING TEA AND FLOOR TALK

S. H. ERVIN GALLERY, OBSERVATORY HILL

5 DECEMBER, 10AM – 11:30AM

Enjoy a special viewing of the Portia Geach Memorial exhibition and an insightful floor talk by Gallery Director Jane Watters, followed by morning tea.

ALL THINGS GREAT ARE SMALL EXHIBITION OPENING

WHITE COTTAGE GALLERY, RETFORD PARK, BOWRAL

16 DECEMBER, 4PM – 6PM

Celebrate with the ‘All Things Great Are Small’ artists at the official opening of this charming new exhibition. Drinks and canapés included.

Book your tickets or find out more at nationaltrust.org.au/whats-on-nsw

Have Yourself a Heritage Christmas

Our special places are the ideal spot to welcome the festive season with your loved ones. Step back in time to Christmases gone by as we dress Old Government House and Saumarez Homestead in Victorian-style splendour throughout December or join a special Christmas event.

Lindesay Christmas Gift Fair

Lindsay Avenue, DARLING POINT

16 – 18 NOVEMBER, 10AM – 4PM

Women’s Committee Inspections and Events

Held in beautiful heritage grounds overlooking Sydney Harbour, the Lindesay Christmas Gift Fair is the perfect place to find unique jewellery, clothing, gourmet foods and artisan gifts. Enjoy a bite to eat, relax in the stunning gardens, enter the draw to win some great raffle prizes and snap a special family photo with Santa on the Saturday.

Tickets: $5 at entrance. Free shuttle bus available from Edgecliff Station. Enquiries: lindesay@nationaltrust.com.au

VIENNA COTTAGE CHRISTMAS BOUTIQUE

VIENNA COTTAGE, HUNTERS HILL

24 NOVEMBER, 3PM – 8PM, 25 – 26 NOVEMBER, 10AM – 4PM

Find the perfect Christmas gift at heritage-listed Vienna Cottage. Choose from gourmet foods and hampers, handmade jewellery and accessories, Merino wraps and shawls, homewares and wines.

Tickets: Free

CHRISTMAS WITH THE PORTERS

MISS PORTER’S HOUSE, NEWCASTLE WEST

10 DECEMBER, 1PM – 4PM

Experience an Edwardian Christmas and see how the Porters celebrated with cards, recipes, decorations and toys.

Tickets: Members free, adults $12, concession $10, family $34, children under five free

CHRISTMAS AT WOODFORD ACADEMY

WOODFORD ACADEMY, WOODFORD

16 DECEMBER, 10AM – 4PM

Step back in time with a Victorian-era themed Christmas. Take a house tour and be sure to snap a special festive photo with your loved ones in the oldest building in the Blue Mountains.

Tickets: Members free, adults $12, concession $10, family $34, children under five free

Passionate about conserving art and cultural heritage

Australia’s leading team of fine arts conservators and heritage experts

Conservation services:

Paintings Paper Photographs Sculptures

Furniture Frames

Murals Textiles

Christmas Gift Guide

Be inspired by these special collections carefully curated by the National Trust to make your Christmas shopping easier. All ethically made and eco-friendly.

FOR BIRD LOVERS

FROM $60 FROM $38 CHOOSE FROM EVEN MORE GIFTS

Scratch activity set and 3D native animal of your choice $30, lift-and-flap advent calendar $40, or buy all three for just $70

FOR HISTORY LOVERS

Shop all products online at shop.nationaltrust.org.au/collections/gift-guide

FROM $75 FROM $55 FROM $30 ONLINE 21 October – December 2023

Commemorative coin and jigsaw puzzle $75, same coin and a book of your choice $75, or buy all three for $110 (save $10)

Book and brooch of your choice $55, leather gardening gloves $55, or buy all three for $100 (save $10)

Wall calendar by an Australian artist $38, Rose Lindsay print scarf $120, or buy both for $145 (save $13)

Book and brooch of your choice $60, eco-friendly umbrella $60, or buy all three for $110 (save $10)

The Astor’s First Century

BY DR JAN ROBERTS, NATIONAL TRUST LIFE MEMBER

One of Sydney’s most distinguished residential buildings, The Astor, celebrates its centenary this October. Author, publisher and former resident Dr Jan Roberts reflects on its fascinating history and some of the more famous occupants.

While many of Sydney’s heritage buildings have been demolished, the Grand Old Lady of 123–125 Macquarie Street remains intact as a symbol of the optimistic, roaring 1920s. The Astor was ‘born’ a century ago at a glittering rooftop party on 25 October 1923. It achieved some historic firsts, notably as Australia’s tallest residential building, the first of its type of concrete construction and our first experiment in co-operative housing. It remains a Company Title apartment block, with each shareholder having equal rights, despite differences in the flats’ sizes and values. The Astor is a living exercise in democracy with all the attendant human irritations.

The building is a chameleon – all things to all people. A symbol of wealth (the name says it all); a haven for business, academic and creative women; a magnet for bohemians and eccentrics; a favourite city home for the squattocracy and Macquarie Street medicos and lawyers; and an anachronism – “yesterday’s place for yesterday’s people”. Astor habitués match the building!

The instigators were former grazier John O’Brien (1867–1948) and his wife Cicely, who grew up in Phillip Street’s Water Police Station residence with her nine siblings. The couple sold Wyoming Station in the Riverina and moved to Sydney for a dramatic change of lifestyle. Influenced by new American ideas expressed in architecture and religion, they became enthusiastic believers in Christian Science.

In ‘CS’ circles they met the architects Donald Esplin and Stuart Mill Mould, who were among the first shareholders in The Astor. Letters reveal the client-architect relationship was often turbulent. Building 52 flats with a basement and rooftop, and dealing with demanding shareholders and prospective buyers and tenants, proved challenging. The O’Briens’ marriage broke up and they lived separately, not speaking, in The Astor for many years.

Like many of The Astor’s residents, the O’Briens were wealthy, older and childless. They chose to live in a home in the city instead of suburbia or the bush. The building had a restaurant, which provided a silent butler service to their kitchen. Staff and a live-in caretaker relieved them of domestic chores.

Although The Astor has no parking, cars could be garaged nearby. The incomparable position of the building with stunning views of Sydney Harbour and the Royal Botanic Garden compensated for board meeting dissent and personal squabbles!

The National Trust and The Astor began their long association because of S.H. ‘Harry’ Ervin (1881–1977), who owned Flat 2 on the 11th floor from 1926 until his death there in 1977. When Ervin’s sister married the successful wool broker Karl Lothringer, he took young Harry into his business. Years later their son Hans, a chartered accountant, helped Harry set up mechanisms to make bequests to the National Trust, which led to the establishment of the S.H. Ervin Gallery. Harry Ervin was not always in residence at The Astor. While the Sydney Harbour Bridge was being built, he leased his flat to Lawrence Ennis, who managed the project for Dorman Long & Co. The Scottish engineer was able to watch progress every day through a long telescope.

The ‘who’s who’ roll call of other Astor residents is a long one. The serious, the fun-loving, the scandalous, their names are written into history of one kind or another. Portia Geach, Ruby Rich, Barry Humphries, Jean Garling, Sir Roy and Lady McCaughey, Major Rubin, Sir Hugh and Lady Denison, Adele Weiss, Sir Tristan and Lady Antico, and Cate Blanchett. Even Captain De Groot, the infamous antique dealer who rode his horse through the assemblage to cut the harbour bridge ribbon before Premier Jack Lang, plays a part in the story.

The Astor was heritage listed by the National Trust in 1980. Her graceful survival was further assured by the adroit surgery of two exceptional chairs of The Astor board. Its first female leader, Ann Ryan, excised concrete cancer in the mid-1990s. More recently Trevor Scott solved long-term problems associated with the large windows. We salute them as we stroll down Macquarie Street and watch The Astor glide into her second century.

“The building is a chameleon – all things to all people.”

Opposite

Exterior of the Astor in 1979 (National Trust Archives).

From top

The bedroom in No. 2 on the 10th floor, c. 1938; the view from the apartment’s lounge (courtesy Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW); S.H. ‘Harry’ Ervin (National Trust archives).

Patrons, Corporate Members and Sponsors

The National Trust (NSW) acknowledges and appreciates the support we receive from these generous individuals and organisations

Patrons

G. Arnott

L & J Benaud

R Butler AM

J & L Calluaud

Emeritus Prof. D Carment AM

R Charley AO

J Church

J Farrell

P & R Flick

G & T Graham

B & J Hambrett

B Hayward

E Heard

T Heazlewood OAM

H Hewitt

C & B Hindmarsh

P Homel & L Taggart

A Johnson

Kimalo Foundation

L Marcroft & G Brunner

C Nadai & R Burge

D Paisley

P Poland OAM

Pratten Foundation

A Scott

Nell & Hermon Slade Trust

A Smith

C Sutherland

E Sydney-Jones

S Thomas

V Vargassoff

M Vellacott

C Wilkinson OAM

A & P White

B & G Windeyer

Dr J Yu AC

Multiple anonymous

Corporate Members

Allen Jack & Cottier Architects

Cox Architecture

Design 5 Architects

GML Heritage

Hector Abrahams Architects

Lucas, Stapleton, Johnson & Partners

Winten Property Group

Long Blackledge Architects

Corporate Partners

Art Gallery of NSW

International Conservation Services

Laithwaite’s Wine

Supporters

J Burnswoods

L Cox AO

J Curtis AM

Denbigh Foundation

S Devenish-Meares

R Frecker

J Permsew Foundation

I Kaiser

Mallam Family Fund

Maple-Brown Family Foundation

N Paton

S Pickles

David Sheedy Foundation

Dick & Pip Smith Foundation

T Strachan

R Sturrock

K Valder

S White OAM

J Woodward

S.H. Ervin Gallery Supporters

Allen & Unwin

Art Gallery of NSW

Holding Redlich

Margaret Olley Art Trust

National Trust Wine Service

Perpetual

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the opening of the National Trust’s Norman Lindsay Gallery, master printmakers Diana Davidson and Peter Stevens of Whaling Road Press have printed an etching from one of Lindsay’s drawings, using Rose Lindsay’s etching press.

Triumphal March is a stunning print that shows the delicate pen and ink Lindsay used during the 1920s. Don’t miss out, limited edition of 50 prints only.

PURCHASE ONLINE AT shop.nationaltrust.org.au