National Trust NSW Magazine – January to March 2024

NATIONAL TRUST NEW SOUTH WALES JANUARY – MARCH 2024

IN THIS ISSUE E VERGL ADES HOUSE TRANSFORMATION RE VE ALED THE BL ACK DRESS THROUGHOUT HISTORY RE THINKING ABORIGINAL CULTURAL HERITAGE

CONTENTS

Inside After a major fundraising appeal in 2022, it’s our pleasure to reveal the recently restored Everglades House in our first issue of 2024. A dedicated team of specialist conservators worked on this project for many months; see the stunning pictures and read the inside story by National Trust Senior Curator Craig McPherson on page 6. Elsewhere in this issue, enjoy a preview of a forthcoming exhibition at Old Government House on the colour black in fashion (page 10) and celebrate some of the exceptional women from the National Trust’s past on page 13. You’ll also find an insightful interview with Aboriginal cultural heritage expert Paul Knight (page 16) and much more.

Vision Kathryn Pitkin AM and Debbie Mills

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Update National Trust News

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Conserve The Restoration of Everglades House

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Explore Back to Black: A History of Fashion’s Most Dramatic Colour

10

Reflect The Remarkable Women of the National Trust

13

Protect The Landscape is Our Heritage

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Calendar January - March 2024

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Member Moments Out and About With the National Trust

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At Everglades House, this large relief artwork and water fountain by the Danish-born sculptor Otto Steen was carefully restored to ensure its ongoing preservation.

Caroline Kyi was one of the conservators who worked to stabilise original sections of paint and infill areas of lost paint (photography

by SGR Photo).

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: Michelle Bateman Designer: Lauren Sutherland Editorial Committee: David Burdon, Nick Corbett, Nicole Crabb, Susan Hunt, Debbie Mills, Lisa Siberry, Anja Stride, 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.

VISION

New beginnings

BY KATHRYN PITKIN AM AND DEBBIE MILLS

Dear Members, We were delighted to meet so many of you at this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). A real highlight was the presentation on the extraordinary Everglades House restoration, made possible thanks to wonderful donor support.

The National Trust (NSW) Board for 2024 was also announced at the AGM and we’re pleased to introduce our new board member, Suzette Meade. Congratulations to both the newly appointed and reappointed members; we look forward to working with all board members throughout the year.

A special mention and thank you to our retiring board members, Clive Lucas OBE and Kylie Winkworth. We’re extremely thankful for Clive’s wealth of knowledge in architectural conservation and that he will continue as our honorary architect. We are also grateful for Kylie’s valuable contribution to collections and advocacy.

We are embarking on the final year in the 2019 – 2024 Strategic Plan. Consultation with our staff, volunteers, branches and committees to develop the 2025 – 2029 Strategic Plan will soon be underway. As the oldest independent conservation organisation in Australia, the Strategic Plan ensures we

continue to honour the vision of Annie Wyatt and our founding members, while remaining relevant, financially sustainable and able to deliver our vision of bringing heritage to life.

The new year also brings new faces. Welcome to our new Magazine Editor, Michelle Bateman, and thank you to Andrew Sedger and Liz Harfull who have done a wonderful job as editors over the past few years. This year we’re looking forward to three bumper magazine editions, each jam-packed with stories on what you’ve told us you like to hear about: history, heritage and environmental conservation.

Thank you for your support and enjoy the current edition of the magazine.

Best wishes,

Kathryn Pitkin AM, President

Debbie Mills, CEO

We welcome our 2024 Board of Directors, from left: Mr David Pratt (in office to Nov 2025); Ms Kathryn Pitkin AM (in office to Nov 2025); Mr Mark Phibbs (in office to Nov 2024); Ms Debbie Mills, CEO; Mr Luton White (in office to Nov 2024); Ms Suzette Meade (in office to Nov 2025); Mr David Collingridge (in office to Nov 2025); Ms Caroline Mackaness (in office to Nov 2025); Mr Bruce Pettman (in office to Nov 2024). Not pictured: Ms Lisa Newell (in office to Nov 2024); Ms Susan Hunt (in office to Nov 2024); Mr William Oates (in office to Nov 2024).

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Update

National Trust News Stay current on the latest heritage and advocacy news from across the State. Read about native bushland restoration in western Sydney, the winner of the 2023 Portia Geach Memorial Award, a positive outcome for the Ultimo Powerhouse Museum and much more.

GENERAL NEWS

Restoring bushland in Sydney’s west The National Trust has been working with CanterburyBankstown Council to protect a large area of native bushland in Sydney’s west. Known as the Lansdowne Biobank, the 10-hectare area of bushland includes a remnant of Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark forest and is home to a range of critically endangered plants. Our bushland management team has applied innovative planting techniques and constant care to help restore this precious site, which is now showing encouraging signs of rejuvenation.

Indigenous heritage update At the recent International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) conference in Sydney, global heritage experts joined the Blue Mountains community in calling for the area’s Indigenous cultural heritage to be formally recognised as part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing.

In 2000, the Greater Blue Mountains was added to the World Heritage List for its natural significance, however the area’s Indigenous cultural heritage was not included in the listing.

We’ll keep you updated with future progress.

2023 Portia Geach Memorial Award Congratulations to artist Kate Stevens, winner of the 2023 Portia Geach Memorial Award for The Whistleblower, her powerful portrait of former military lawyer David McBride.

The $30,000 award is Australia’s most prestigious art prize for portraiture by women artists and this is the second time Stevens has taken the honour. When awarding Stevens the prize on 2 November, the judges noted: “The painting confidently demonstrates the artist’s painterly skills as well as evident empathy with her subject.”

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Update

ADVOCACY NEWS

$250m investment in conservation After many years of campaigning, the National Trust welcomes the news that the NSW Government will be investing $250 million into a heritage revitalisation of the Ultimo Powerhouse Museum, rather than an unnecessary redevelopment proposal. We hope that a new direction will see the Sulman Award-winning Wran Building saved from demolition, and that the museum will once again showcase all aspects of its incredible collection. The Powerhouse, both in its architectural prowess and museum collection, deserves to be conserved and celebrated with integrity.

Outcomes from the ICOMOS GA2023 Australia ICOMOS hosted the triennial General Assembly of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) in early September, supported by the National Trust as a partner. This significant event brought together more than 1,300 heritage professionals from across the world to share ideas and strategies. The National Trust hosted meetings at Observatory Hill, provided tours at our properties and presented papers, while a National Trust-sponsored lecture saw the Sydney Town Hall filled to capacity to discuss Aboriginal heritage.

Willow Grove’s final chapter The NSW Government has accepted the advice of the National Trust and others that the reconstruction of historic Willow Grove would be a poor heritage outcome.

The building, which was demolished to make way for the new Powerhouse Parramatta, had been partially salvaged for reconstruction at an unidentified new location. With the announcement that reconstruction will not proceed, the National Trust has called for an investment in Parramatta’s existing heritage, including the renewal of the Roxy Theatre.

Opposite from top The Lansdowne Biobank in Sydney’s west (National Trust image); views across the Blue Mountains (photography by xiSerge, pixabay.com); The Whistleblower

by Kate Stevens, winner of the 2023 Portia Geach Memorial Award.

From top Ultimo Powerhouse Museum (photography by Ruben Ramos, alamy.com); the National Trust-sponsored lecture at Sydney Town Hall (National Trust image); Willow Grove (photography by Stephen Dwyer, alamy.com).

Want more news and updates?

Get our latest news, events and special offers delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up to our e-newsletter at nationaltrust.org.au/enews-nsw

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CONSERVE

The Restoration of Everglades House

BY CRAIG MCPHERSON, NATIONAL TRUST SENIOR CURATOR

One of the most significant restoration projects undertaken by the National Trust in recent years, Everglades House in the Blue Mountains has been restored to its former glory as a shining example of Art Deco architecture and interiors. The National Trust’s Senior Curator, Craig McPherson, reflects on the 12-month process of bringing Everglades House back to life.

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National Trust (NSW)

Even before the National Trust took over the management of Everglades House in 1962, many of the original 1930s features were already missing and the clarity of the home’s original design intent had been lost.

In order to begin the painstaking conservation work needed, the National Trust conducted extensive research to understand the original materials and design from the 1930s. This also allowed our project team – who represent a range of heritage trades and specialist conservators in furniture, sculpture, textiles and artworks – to authentically reconstruct key missing elements that had been lost to time.

The National Trust was fortunate that Everglades House had received quite a bit of media coverage when it was completed in 1936.

Nestled in the picturesque Blue Mountains of New South Wales, on Dharug and Gundungurra Country, the property was purchased in 1933

by Henri and Una Van de Velde, who brought a modern and cosmopolitan style to the growing township of Leura. The Van de Veldes collaborated with Paul Sorensen, a Danishborn horticulturalist and landscape designer, to create the European-style formal gardens with native bushland and modernist influences.

Designed as a weekender for the Van de Veldes, Everglades House was immediately featured in The Home and The Australian Home Beautiful magazines as a stunning example of modern design with Art Deco influences.

In its 1 April 1938 edition, the latter publication referred to Everglades House as, “Something simple and boldly planned, modern in feeling and equipment yet in full harmony with its mountain setting.”

Also informing the conservation project was a stunning set of original photographs held by the National Trust taken by the celebrated Australian photographer Harold Cazneaux.

Some of Cazneaux’s original archival photos were rediscovered during the project and were invaluable in guiding the reconstruction of furniture details as closely as possible to the original Art Deco design.

Colour in harmony The interiors of the house were repainted as part of the project, guided by a detailed historic paint analysis of the original finishes.

The original paint schemes included the use of coloured glazes stippled over a base colour to provide texture and light throughout the house. During the project, details of the

‘Art in the architecture of today is based on dignified simplicity and glamour of line.’

The Home, December 1936 original colour schemes – hidden behind architraves and furnishings – were further revealed, which informed the final colour schemes for the house.

The original colours are also reflected in the large relief artwork and water fountain in the dining room by the Danish-born sculptor, Otto Steen. As one of the National Trust’s largest pieces of sculpture, it required special attention to ensure its ongoing preservation.

The mural was cleaned and carefully restored over a number of weeks, which included two conservators stabilising original sections of paint where it had become dislodged and delicately infilling missing areas of lost paint.

Opposite Refreshed carpets, walls and rug hangings recreate the original style of the home (photography

by SGR Photo).

Above Expert cabinet maker Ian Thomson restored the historic Beale and Co furniture and in some cases reconstructed new furnishings to match the period (photography by SGR Photo).

Made-to-order An original 1930s sideboard, settee and cocktail cabinet in the living room of the house are some of the few remaining pieces of original furniture, which were made by Beale and Co, Australia’s largest piano manufacturer in the 1930s. After the completion of the house, Everglades House featured in advertisements for the company to showcase Beale and Co’s superior craftsmanship. After 90 years, however, these significant pieces were in need of some repairs and had been overcoated with a lime paint, which was obscuring the original timber finish. Through careful investigation and testing January – March 2024

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‘Yet the whole of the building and planning have been carried out with a controlled and orderly genius which has left not the smallest detail to chance.’

over the years. Unable to locate anything suitable in Australia, the National Trust sourced them from the USA. Delays in these small elements due to supply and overseas shipping all added to the complexity of conserving an historic place using authentic materials.

The Australian Home Beautiful, 1 April 1938

Conservation works were also undertaken to repair the original light fittings throughout the house, including a small fragile upstairs fabric bedroom light fitting. The project also included reconstruction of missing light fittings in the bathrooms, living room and sunroom, based on analysis of original fittings throughout the house. This required zooming in to the smallest details of fittings shown in historic photos, and developing 3D-rendered models to document the new designs.

of suitable techniques, the later paint finish was removed to expose the beautiful Queensland maple veneer underneath, bringing a subtle glow and warmth back to the living room space.

Highlighting the collection

A major part of the project was to then reconstruct other missing Beale and Co furnishings – as these were all customdesigned and bespoke to the house, it was impossible to find existing replicas to furnish the space. As such, a new settee and bracket for a wall-mounted clock in the entrance foyer were reconstructed, welcoming visitors to the home and immediately setting the scene for the interior design. A further bedroom suite was also reconstructed for one of the upstairs guest bedrooms using original furnishing plans and photographs held by the National Trust to guide the design. Selecting suitable Queensland maple veneer to try to replicate the original patterns and form of the furniture was particularly important. The overall architectural effect is one of a play of elegant streamlined forms to provide a total work of art.

Two new exhibition spaces have been created in former bedrooms to highlight the incredible collections and archival material relating to the place. This included works to conserve the collection of objects, including an original portrait of Henri Van de Velde which had suffered damage over the years. An historic photogravure print found in the attic has been conserved and reframed for display in the house. An original statue of Huckleberry Finn was formerly located in the gardens, but is now too fragile for reinstatement outside. The statue has been cleaned and is now mounted for display as part of the new exhibition spaces.

To coincide with the re-opening of the house, the Dick and Pip Smith Foundation has funded a special exhibition of Harold Cazneaux photographs, titled In Focus, which is now on show in Everglades House.

A soft touch

The Everglades House conservation project was completed with the generous support of National Trust donors and members, the Copland Foundation, and the Dick and Pip Smith Foundation. It allows Everglades House to shine again as one of the country’s significant house museums, with a beautifully restored house to match its stunning natural surrounds and spectacular gardens.

The finishing touches for the project included reconstruction of the soft furnishings throughout the house with new curtains, upholstered bench seats and bed spreads. Fabrics were sourced to closely match those depicted in the original archival photographs, alongside some authentic fabrics of the Art Deco period, which were added to match the colours and textures of the house, providing an overall authentic sense of place.

The magazine article in The Australian Home Beautiful also provided lavish descriptions that helped guide the conservation work carried out by the National Trust. “All the floors are covered with a plain rust-coloured pile carpet sprinkled with Persian rugs, one or two of which hang on the walls,” the magazine chronicled, “while upholstery and curtains are in neutral tones with touches in the bedrooms of rose and green.”

New curtains for the project were made by volunteers from the National Trust’s soft furnishing group, which included hours of hand-stitching hundreds of brass curtain rings. To recreate the original interiors, rugs from the National Trust collection were selected based on those seen scattered throughout the house in the original images, and have now been restored and hung.

Let there be light One of the smallest details – but also one of the most challenging for the project – was the sourcing of suitable Bakelite switches and light plates which had been replaced

Plan your visit See the stunning restoration of Everglades House & Gardens for yourself. Located at 37 Everglades Avenue, Leura NSW, Everglades is open Wednesday – Monday, from 10am – 4pm, with the last entry at 3pm.

In Focus, the exhibition of photography by Harold Cazneaux, is on display until 28 February 2024.

For details, visit nationaltrust.org.au/places-nsw

Opposite, clockwise from top left An exhibition of Harold Cazneaux photographs is now on show; conservators Caroline Kyi and Karina Acton from One Conservation carefully cleaned and repaired the mural; original plans guided the design of this upstairs bedroom; the original entrance foyer; a stunning reconstruction of the bench and clock in the foyer; National Trust Senior Curator Craig McPherson (photography by SGR Photo; archival photography by Harold Cazneaux, National Trust Archives).

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EXPLORE

Back to Black: A History of Fashion’s Most Dramatic Colour

BY LORINDA CRAMER, DRESS HISTORIAN

Favoured by royalty, rockstars and rebels, the colour black has had a surprisingly vibrant history. With a new exhibition of black in fashion opening at Old Government House this March, historian Lorinda Cramer examines the meaning and history of this mercurial hue.

Few colours so readily evoke contradictory meanings as black. It can signal passion or conservatism; rebellion or authority. Black is full of drama. It is also subtle, used to blend in rather than stand out. Depending on the context, it gestures to glamour or grief, subversion or uniformity. But black wasn’t always instilled with these meanings – at least not simultaneously. I’ve been thinking about black and its colourful history for the upcoming exhibition, Back to Black, opening at Old Government House in March.

Black was worn in the ancient world and for centuries to follow, however before the invention of synthetic dyes it was largely donned by those who could afford the costly cloth. From Roman mourners and austere Benedictine monks, a luxurious black was later adopted by Europe’s wealthiest, usually royalty. Its popularity rose, fell, then rose again in the years to come.

Black was difficult to produce using only natural materials from vegetable or animal sources.

A time-consuming series of dyes was applied to darken cloth to a deep blue-black. The production of a synthetic black dye in the late 1850s was highly prized – more stable, long-lasting and easier to apply than natural alternatives. As a 10

National Trust (NSW)

‘The simple, if not minimalist, lines of the little black dress were revolutionary, crossing day and evening wear.’

Opposite Costume consultant Lucy Francis and Anna Ridley, National Trust Curator Parramatta Properties, prepare the exhibition (photography by Jenni Carter).

Left The linearity of this coat is in contrast with its shawl collar and asymmetric buttons (photography by Jenni Carter).

Over page A dress from around 1910 combines black chiffon over vibrant blue silk (photography by Jenni Carter).

result, black became available to the masses. Servants might wear black uniforms, paired with crisp white aprons and caps.

So might professional men when they donned a black frock or morning coat, with black trousers and a top hat.

From those sleek lines, black gowns of the 1930s and 40s gave way in the postwar period to a dramatic silhouette introduced by Christian Dior. Dubbed the New Look, its full skirt was an exciting shift from the cloth restrictions imposed during World War II.

The colour of mourning

Black continued to attract wearers in the second half of the 20th century as youth subcultures flourished. Rockers, punks, goths and other groups embraced black’s subversive power, wearing it as leather, denim or PVC. Beneath clothing, underwear was also shifting from conventional white, as more alluring black lace lingerie became available. Black continues to hold a place in many wardrobes today, as underwear, outerwear or accessories.

At the same time, elaborate Victorian-era mourning rituals solidified. Queen Victoria wore black from 1861 to mourn her husband, Prince Alfred. She continued to dress in black throughout the next 40 years until her own death, to express her profound loss.

Widows followed Queen Victoria’s lead, guided by etiquette around stages or degrees of bereavement that moved from full to ordinary to half mourning. Lustreless black fabrics were adopted for full mourning, unadorned but for crape trim, recognised by its crimped, stiffened appearance.

Others mourning loved ones were not as bound to the same intense display of grief as widows. Nevertheless, special sections for mourning wear developed in drapery and department stores to cater to the need for black clothes for men, women and children. They offered crape trim for bonnets and arm bands, together with a range of black cloth, jewellery and accessories.

Black in fashion Black had begun to appear elsewhere too, including as elegant evening gowns. In the 1920s, as hemlines rose and silhouettes straightened, knee-length black dresses appeared at nightspots. They glittered with beads and sequins and were animated by feathers and fringes. Coco Chanel’s little black dress first made its mark that decade and endures as a fashion staple today. The simple, if not minimalist, lines of the little black dress were revolutionary, crossing day and evening wear.

From wardrobe to museum My interest in black’s fashionable twists and turns was sparked as I examined the National Trust’s dress collection in order to write a significance assessment – a document that captures why and how the collection is important. As I eagerly opened each archival box, peeling back layers of tissue paper to examine the contents, the dramatic shade appeared again and again. Black hats, shoes, fans, purses and aprons were plentiful. So were black gowns, coats and other items of dress – some worn for everyday and others for special occasions.

The Back to Black exhibition then developed to bring together these rich, lush, gorgeous examples of black clothes and accessories into a curated display that could be enjoyed by the public. The capes, or mantles as they were called in the 19th and 20th centuries, captured my attention. Some are made of black velvet and others of silk satin. One is quilted for warmth. Most are trimmed, though this ranges from tassels, lace and beads to feathers. Many are eye-catching, including those selected for the exhibition.

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So are the elegant gowns that drip with beads and sequins. One, made around 1910, combines black chiffon over a vibrant blue silk satin skirt beneath – a flash of brilliance before the onset of war reduced clothing to basic, utilitarian styles.

Another gown, worn following the war in the 1920s, returns to riotous style. The beads and feathers of this knee-length gown were made to shimmer and shiver as its wearer danced. A third example, made by celebrated Parisian couturier Pierre Balmain with glamorous beaded shoulder straps, reflects his opulent style that developed after World War II. The absence of colour allows these distinct details to shine, capturing some of the many nuances and contradictions of this elegant and timeless hue.

The Back to Black exhibition features dresses from the collections at Old Government House, Grossmann House, Miss Porter’s House and the National Trust general collection.

Visit the exhibition Back to Black opens at Old Government House, Parramatta, on 15 March. A special members’ morning tea viewing will be held in April – see page 21. Check opening hours and plan your visit at nationaltrust.org.au/nsw

SHOP

Enjoy the Splendour of Retford Park EXPLORE THE COLLECTION

Experience the lavish beauty of Retford Park in your home with one of these artistic prints by acclaimed Southern Highlands artist Desmond Freeman. Each captures a unique view of the elegant Victorian Italianate mansion and estate that was once the home of James Fairfax AC. Choose from four archival pigment prints. Each is printed on 100% acid-free rag paper and is available in either A4 ($125) or A3 ($205) size. Prints sold separately.

Purchase online at shop.nationaltrust.org.au

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National Trust (NSW)

REFLECT

The Remarkable Women of the National Trust

BY MICHELLE BATEMAN, EDITOR, THE NATIONAL TRUST (NSW) MAGAZINE

Behind many of the National Trust’s properties are a cohort of equally remarkable women who once called these places home.

From passionate conservationists to self-taught artists, we look back at their stories in celebration of Women’s History Month in March.

Clockwise from top left Marie Byles; Mary White; Florence Porter; Emily Twynam (National Trust images).

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‘Countless inspiring women have lived in, worked at and helped protect our heritage buildings and environment.’

Marie Byles of Ahimsa A trailblazer in so many ways, Marie was the first woman in NSW to practise as a solicitor, after she graduated from the University of Sydney in 1924. She went on to found two law firms of her own, often employing other women seeking a career in law.

Marie’s other great passion was the environment, fostered from a young age by her parents and a childhood spent living in Sydney’s Palm Beach. A keen bushwalker and mountain climber, Marie’s adventurous spirit took her around the world, including climbing expeditions of New Zealand’s Mount Cook and Mount Sansato in Tibet. In turn, this kindled an interest in Buddhism and she was a founding member of the Buddhist Society of NSW. When she built her own home, Ahimsa, in the bushlands of Cheltenham, Sydney, Marie also designed it as a place for groups to meet and practice yoga and meditation.

This combination of legal and environmental credentials made Marie the ideal choice to act as the consulting solicitor for drafting the Constitution of the National Trust. A passionate advocate, she bequeathed Ahimsa to the National Trust in 1979. We continue to care for the property and its surrounding bushland, however it is not currently open to the public.

Opposite from top Mary White’s former home, Saumarez Homestead, is visited by thousands of visitors each year (photography

by LightCatcher Images); Miss Porter’s House contains many personal family objects owned by the three generations of Porter women (photography by SGR Photo).

Mary White of Saumarez Homestead The eldest daughter in a family of seven children, Mary took her household responsibilities seriously. Like her sisters Doris and Elsie, she never married and lived her entire life at Saumarez Homestead in

Women throughout the decades Over the past 100 years, countless inspiring women have lived in, worked at and helped protect our heritage buildings and environment. Journey through the decades and learn more about their stories.

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Armidale. She was, however, well travelled and spent many months abroad in the 1930s and 40s. Her records of these trips remain at Saumarez Homestead.

With a well-developed social conscience, Mary understood the problems faced by women living in isolated rural areas with no real support. She established the Northern Tablelands Branch of the Country Women’s Association in Armidale in 1926 and led the CWA delegation to the Country Women of the World Conference in London just before the outbreak of World War II. In 1947, a year before her death, Mary represented NSW at the International Women’s Conference held in Amsterdam.

Mary’s other interest lay in promoting education opportunities for young women in the region. An early pupil at the newly formed New England Girls’ School, she would go on to become a member of the Advisory Council of the New England University College when it formed in 1939. The university’s first college for women is named for her – the Mary White College opened in 1958 and remains today as her memorial.

Emily Twynam of Riversdale Inherently creative, Emily was a self-taught artist who imbued Riversdale, her Goulburn home and gardens, with beauty and grace.

Wife to NSW Surveyor-General Edward Twynam and a mother of six, it wasn’t until Emily was approaching her fifties that she took up art, filling countless sketchbooks with illustrations of the flora and fauna she saw around the property.

1910s

1930s

A passionate historian, Ida Louisa Lee was elected an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Australian Historical Society in 1918.

She was also the aunt of Ida Traill, owner of Miss Traill’s House.

Ida Traill acquired her Bathurst home in 1937, later bequeathing the house and its contents to the National Trust. The house museum remains a fascinating window on 20th century life in rural NSW.

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She was equally an accomplished carver – turning out ornate picture frames, sculptures and furniture – and her needlework and embroidery won several prizes, including at the Chicago International Exhibition of 1893.

The Twynam family remained at Riversdale until 1967 when it was acquired by the National Trust, and Emily’s work continues to draw admiration at the property. Her sketchbooks are considered a rare example of 19th century botanical artwork in the Goulburn region, while the garden in which Emily and her daughters planted roses, peonies, lavender and lilac have been restored to their former beauty.

Florence Porter of Miss Porter’s House The matriarch of Miss Porter’s House in Newcastle, Florence moved into the newly constructed Edwardian terrace as a young bride in 1910. After welcoming daughters Ella and Hazel in 1911 and 1914 respectively, Florence sadly lost her husband to the influenza epidemic of 1919 and would never remarry. Ella and Hazel remained in the family home for their entire lives, eventually becoming breadwinners themselves and supporting Florence until her death at the age of 91.

While they faced their share of challenges, particularly during the depression, the trio of Porter women were widely admired for their creativity, drawing on their resilience and a spirit of ‘making do’ to mend shoes and furniture and upcycle household textiles into clothing. Examples of their elegant textiles, knitting, embroidery and stencilled fabric are displayed throughout the home.

Travel back in time Visit the homes of these remarkable women. Saumarez Homestead, Riversdale and Miss Porter’s House are all open for the public to explore. Opening hours vary during the summer. Plan your visit at nationaltrust.org.au/places-nsw

1940s

1960s

1970s

1990s

A long-time campaigner for bushland conservation, Annie Wyatt founded the National Trust (NSW) in 1945. Off the back of her pioneering efforts, branches subsequently opened in each Australian state and territory.

Wife and muse to artist Norman Lindsay, Rose Lindsay was instrumental in the conservation of his work.

In the 1960s, she compiled hundreds of early illustrations and wrote memoirs of their lives together.

The first female president of the National Trust (NSW), Cherry Jackaman was elected in 1977, holding the position until 1981. She had previously been active as a fundraiser on the National Trust’s Women’s Committee.

Hazel Porter bequeathed Miss Porter’s House and its contents to the National Trust in 1997, providing a comprehensive survey of Newcastle life spanning almost the entirety of the 20th century.

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PROTECT

The Landscape is Our Heritage

BY PAUL KNIGHT, ABORIGINAL CULTURAL HERITAGE EXPERT

Aboriginal cultural heritage expert, Paul Knight delivered an insightful keynote presentation at the 2023 National Trust election forum, encouraging a new approach to considering Aboriginal cultural heritage.

Here, the Dharawal and Yuin man shares his views on the importance of landscape and place in Aboriginal culture.

When we talk about preserving heritage, the first thing many people think of is objects or buildings. What does heritage mean to you?

Heritage to me is all about stories – the stories of place, the stories of people, the way we interact with that and the identities that are formed around it. It’s not about the objects, it’s about the relationship that we have with a place.

In your speech at the National Trust forum, you spoke about the relationality between heritage sites and how the significance of an individual site lies in its connection with other sites around it. Can you explain what you mean by this?

In Aboriginal cultural heritage, we usually look at specific objects, and it’s very much from an archeological perspective. This actually loses the more important context of landscape, the values that sit across it and the relationship we have with those places. The relationship we have with the place tells us who we are and where we’re from. Country is what determines who we are, we are beholden to Country.

Country, if you like, is the boss and we’re just the custodians looking after that place. This then gives us the obligations that we have in looking after Country.

Inevitably, what we do is to look at Aboriginal cultural heritage in specific locations rather than taking in the full landscape. However, 16

when we evaluate a site, we must think about its connection to all the other sites around it. One story in one part of a place is almost always connected to another part, so if you destroy the connection between those places, you actually destroy the whole landscape. You can’t just remove one bit, once you’ve done that, you’ve destroyed that connectivity. Once you transform an area by putting, for example, a massive residential subdivision over the top of it, you’ve changed that context.

Can you share an example of a heritage-rich Australian landscape that has been lost in this way?

The reality is there are many, because wherever a development takes place, you are effectively destroying an Aboriginal connection to that place because you’re overlaying that landscape with a different story. While you still may be able to interpret the story in the changed landscape, the context has been destroyed.

In a similar way, if you relocate a heritage building, you take it out of its context and it doesn’t make sense. Everywhere you look, that’s basically happened to Aboriginal cultural heritage because as soon as you change the landform, you change the story. As soon as you clear the landscape, you actually remove that relationship to the land through the vegetation that existed and the biodiversity, because that’s all part of the story and place.

National Trust (NSW)

Opposite Researchers and heritage experts studying Aboriginal heritage in Sydney’s Woollahra area. In 2021, Woollahra Council engaged Coast History & Heritage in consultation with La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council to undertake a detailed study of the Woollahra LGA to identify places of Aboriginal heritage significance. The study won a 2022 National Trust Heritage Award.

As a broader community, how can we start to think about heritage in different terms?

It’s a very good question and I’ve just started working on a new framework to do that, one I’ve borrowed from environmental impact policy. There are four key areas: living in, living with, living from and living as. ‘Living in’ considers the place you’re living in and how that’s framed. ‘Living with’ is the relationship you have with that place. How does it form your identity? How does it build that relationship and that connection for you, which is usually spiritual in many respects. It’s that feeling of, “oh yeah, I’m home”. ‘Living from’ refers to the sustenance you gain from living in a place and the way the place you’re in enables you to survive in the way you want to. It could be that the food you get from a particular area becomes part of the relationship you have with that place.

Lastly, and most importantly for me is ‘living as’. That’s really about having a broader recognition of the other biodiversity, if you like, that’s in the landscape with you and the relationship that you have, not only with the physical place but also the other living organisms within that area. If you can think about landscape in that context, it actually gives you a very different view of how to look at the value of a place and what it means to us all as human beings. If you remove any one of those four key areas, it’s not the same story.

The reality is you can’t remove Aboriginal cultural heritage from landscape. It’s one and the same and it goes back to the fact that we’re custodians of Country and therefore our culture and our connection to a place. The real culture is Country, it’s not ours.

How might you apply this approach to a specific area or site?

For me, one way of doing this would be to talk to Aboriginal people about the values and the important context of landscape for them in a particular area. In many cases, some of the stories may be lost, but what are the things that they want to bring back? What are the things that they want all people living in that area to consider as they walk through the landscape? We can then look at ways to build triggers back into that landscape to say, these are the values and the behaviours we expect.

A particular mountain will tell us we need to behave in a certain way; a creek will tell us we need to behave in a different way.

It would start by considering what needs to be protected to ensure that the stories, the understanding and the values from Country have a wider significance to us all as people living in that space, regardless of whether you’re Aboriginal or not.

Advocating for heritage reform The former chief executive of the Illawarra Shoalhaven LALC, Paul Knight is the Chair of the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee and a Member of the NSW Heritage Council. Paul has appeared as a witness for the Federal Parliamentary Inquiry into the destruction of Aboriginal heritage at Juukan Gorge and NSW Parliamentary Inquiries into Aboriginal cultural heritage law reform. Paul is a passionate advocate for Aboriginal cultural heritage reform and Aboriginalled identification and protection of cultural heritage.

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Calendar

What’s On The longer days of summer present more opportunity to immerse yourself in unique heritage experiences around the state. Join a free and exclusive member event, browse an array of exceptional exhibitions and enjoy live performances, intriguing tours, special open days and so much more.

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

IN FOCUS: THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF HAROLD CAZNEAUX EVERGLADES HOUSE & GARDENS, LEURA UNTIL 28 FEBRUARY, 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

ALL THINGS GREAT ARE SMALL WHITE COTTAGE GALLERY, RETFORD PARK, BOWRAL UNTIL 28 JANUARY, THURSDAY – SUNDAY, 10AM – 4PM Marvel at the fine detail and craftsmanship of this exquisite collection of miniature artworks and craft pieces. Appreciate the delicate brushwork and gem-like colours – and maybe even take one home!

(Pictured: Mischief by Regina Brewster).

Tickets: Free exhibition entry

I AM ROSE NORMAN LINDSAY GALLERY, FAULCONBRIDGE UNTIL 5 FEBRUARY, THURSDAY – MONDAY, 10AM – 4PM

ANN THOMSON EXHIBITION S. H. ERVIN GALLERY, OBSERVATORY HILL 2 JANUARY – 3 MARCH, TUESDAY – SUNDAY, 11AM – 5PM

Model, muse, mother, maker: I Am Rose explores the woman behind the art of Norman Lindsay, and presents rarely seen photographs on loan from Lindsay’s family.

Ann Thomson is one of Australia’s leading artists, known for her colourful expressionist paintings and use of unconventional materials.

View this vibrant exhibition of Ann’s works from the past 20 years.

(Pictured: Orion 2014 by Ann Thomson).

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

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

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Calendar GROSSMANN & BROUGH OPEN DAY GROSSMANN & BROUGH HOUSES, MAITLAND 11 FEBRUARY, 10AM – 3PM Take a house tour; browse special displays, including a showcase of Brough House’s time as the Hostel for Maitland Girls High School; view weaving demonstrations; shop local produce and textile items, and more.

Tickets: Grossmann House: Members free, adults $12, concession $10, family $34, children under five free Brough House: Free, donations welcome

LEURA SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL EVERGLADES HOUSE & GARDENS, LEURA 6 – 21 JANUARY, FRIDAY – SUNDAY, VARIOUS TIMES The Leura Shakespeare Festival returns for its 15th season with Timon of Athens, staged by the Sport for Jove Theatre Company in a spectacular garden setting.

Tickets and enquiries: visit sportforjove.com.au

NAPIER WALKING TOUR

WEST OF WONDERLAND

NAPIER, NEW ZEALAND 13 – 15 FEBRUARY

EVERGLADES HOUSE & GARDENS, LEURA 6 – 29 JANUARY, WEDNESDAY – MONDAY, 10AM – 4PM Immerse yourself in a display of fantastical, nonsensical imagery, sculptures and installations inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Outside, flamingo croquet and large chess awaits!

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

Heading to New Zealand next month? Join a series of fun and informative, expert-led history and architecture walking tours of Napier while you’re there. Daily morning tea included.

Tickets: Members $140, adults $150 Enquiries: Contact Fiona Reynolds via fionalesleyreynolds@gmail.com

OPEN DAYS AT MISS PORTER’S HOUSE MISS PORTER’S HOUSE, NEWCASTLE WEST 26 JANUARY, 11 FEBRUARY & 10 MARCH, 1PM – 4PM

ENTRIES NOW OPEN

On Australia Day, step back in time with displays of early 20th century Australiana memorabilia, news clippings, photographs, and items handcrafted by the Porter women. In February, see household objects, from the everyday to the curious, each an interesting example of societal change. In March, marvel at the making and mending of yesteryear as you browse displays of homemade clothing and textiles, some more than 110 years old.

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

DOLTONE HOUSE, 17 MAY 2024 Entries for the 30th annual National Trust (NSW) Heritage Awards are now open.

LINDESAY AFTER DARK LINDESAY, DARLING POINT 30 JANUARY & 19 MARCH, 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

National Trust (NSW) 2024 Heritage Awards The awards celebrate outstanding practice in the field of heritage and showcase excellence across several award categories. We welcome nominations for projects that have promoted, protected or preserved heritage in New South Wales since April 2023.

Entries close Wednesday 6 March 2024. To find out more visit nationaltrust.org.au/heritage-awards-nsw

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

January – March 2024

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Calendar

GHOST NIGHT OLD GOVERNMENT HOUSE, PARRAMATTA 16 FEBRUARY & 15 MARCH, 7:30PM – 10:30PM

COOMA COTTAGE HIGH TEA

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.

COOMA COTTAGE, YASS 6 MARCH, 11AM – 1PM

Tickets: Members $32, adults $35

Celebrate the change in season and revel in the beauty of the Yass Valley in autumn. Enjoy live acoustic music, a scrumptious high tea and guided house tours.

OPEN DAYS AT WOODFORD ACADEMY

Tickets: $50

WOODFORD ACADEMY, WOODFORD 17 FEBRUARY & 16 MARCH, 10AM – 4PM In February, hear a talk from Artist in Residence, Adrianne Richards, who will use ceramics to reflect on the nature of collecting, and the objects, laden with human connection, in the property’s collection.

In March, uncover the diverse, tragic and inspiring stories of the women of Woodford Academy as part of Women’s History Month.

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

HISTORIC LURLINE STREET TOUR LURLINE STREET, KATOOMBA 10 MARCH, 2:30PM – 5PM Join a guided walk along Katoomba’s historic Lurline Street, the gateway to the Three Sisters, and enjoy afternoon tea at Shelton-Lea, a 1920s Californian bungalow.

Tickets: Members $35, adults and concession $40

RICHNESS AND BEAUTY

BACK TO BLACK

EVERGLADES HOUSE & GARDENS, LEURA 2 – 24 MARCH, THURSDAY – SUNDAY, 11AM – 3PM

OLD GOVERNMENT HOUSE, PARRAMATTA 15 MARCH – 10 NOVEMBER, THURSDAY – SUNDAY, TIMES VARY

View stunning displays of traditional Japanese embroidery, lace and quilt-making, plus daily demonstrations by three local artists. Purchase a piece of work or enter the raffle to win one!

View a unique display of collection items as you explore the different meanings of black in fashion across the past century, from formal wear to the chic elegance of the little black dress.

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

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

New holiday accommodation For a unique getaway steeped in Australian cultural history, book a stay at Norman Lindsay Cottage. Located in the peaceful gardens of Norman Lindsay Gallery, this self-contained retreat has recently been refurbished and is the perfect base for exploring the Blue Mountains. Every stay at a National Trust property contributes towards our vital conservation work across NSW. Visit nationaltrust.org.au/places/norman-lindsay-gallery

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Calendar FRESH ARTS TIMELESS EXHIBITION DUNDULLIMAL HOMESTEAD, DUBBO 16 MARCH – 29 APRIL, FRIDAY, SATURDAY & MONDAY, 11AM – 3PM

Exclusive Member Events

Browse Timeless, a special 20th anniversary exhibition celebrating the Fresh Arts artist initiative. The exhibition showcases works by 35 artists – including potters, fabric artists, sculptors, photographers and painters – each with a different style or medium.

Enjoy these exclusive events, offered free as part of your National Trust membership. To book your tickets email membership@nationaltrust.com.au

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

ANN THOMSON EXHIBITION – TOUR AND MORNING TEA

HERITAGE TRADES TRAIL OPEN WEEKEND

S. H. ERVIN GALLERY, OBSERVATORY HILL 8 FEBRUARY, 10AM – 11:30AM

MISS TRAILL’S HOUSE, BATHURST 16 – 17 MARCH, 10AM – 4PM Following your visit to the Bathurst Heritage Trades Trail, hop aboard a free bus headed for a special open weekend at Miss Traill’s House.

Tour the house, picnic in the garden and enjoy lawn games.

Tickets: Heritage Trades Trail ticketholders: Members free, adults and concession $5, family $10, children under five free Regular visitors: Members free, adults $12, concession $10, family $34, children under five free

Enjoy a special viewing of the Ann Thomson exhibition and an insightful floor talk by Gallery Director Jane Watters, followed by morning tea in the sunlit café next door.

BACK TO BLACK – TOUR AND MORNING TEA OLD GOVERNMENT HOUSE, PARRAMATTA 11 APRIL, 10:30AM – 12PM Enjoy an exclusive tour led by an expert guide to learn about the development of the exhibition and the exciting discoveries made along the way. Afterwards, enjoy morning tea in the courtyard.

BRIDGE DAY LINDESAY HOUSE, DARLING POINT 25 MARCH, 10AM – 4PM Women’s Committee Events and Inspections Grab a playing partner and enjoy a fun day of bridge, hosted in historic surrounds. Morning tea, lunch and a glass of wine will be served overlooking the garden and the sparkling Sydney Harbour.

Tickets: $120 per pair

SAVE THE DATE SAVE THE DATE

Australian Heritage Festival

BRAIDWOOD COUNTRY WEEKEND

18 APRIL – 19 MAY

BRAIDWOOD, 4 – 5 MAY Women’s Committee Events and Inspections

The Australian Heritage Festival is the country’s largest community-driven celebration of heritage. Returning with the theme Connections, the festival brings the nation together to explore, discover and celebrate our country’s natural, cultural, Indigenous and built heritage.

Join this unmissable house and gardens tour of historic Braidwood. Inspect a number of significant properties including Mt Elrington (1827), Nithsdale (1839) and Bedervale (1842, pictured), designed by John Verge with much of its original furniture still in place.

Tickets: Members $165, friends $195

Community groups are invited to register heritage walks, talks, exhibitions, fairs, open days and more as part of the festivities.

Visit australianheritagefestival.org.au for more details.

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

January – March 2024

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MEMBER MOMENTS

Out and About With the National Trust

BY NICOLE CRABB, NATIONAL TRUST DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AND MEMBERSHIP

National Trust members enjoy a range of benefits, from exclusive previews of our places to fascinating talks by renowned experts. Go behind the scenes to discover the events our members have been enjoying over recent months.

Help us keep the magic alive The Norman Lindsay Art Studio was the focus of our 2023 Christmas appeal. Important conservation work has restored the original pool and landscaped surrounds, and now the original art studio is in urgent need of major repairs.

The Studio is where much of Norman’s inspiring artistic legacy was created, including The Magic Pudding, and it remains one of the nation’s most historically significant intact creative spaces.

We hope our community of members and supporters will help us raise $160,000 to make the vital repairs needed to the Studio.

First look at Everglades House The generosity of our members was crucial to returning Leura’s Everglades House to its Art Deco glory days. Off the back of our 2022 appeal, we raised over $210,000 to carry out vital repairs and maintenance work (read the full story of its restoration on page 6).

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National Trust (NSW)

In return, patrons and donors enjoyed a special tour and lunch on 10 October, where they saw firsthand the extent of the conservation work done, including conserving the famous Otto Steen dining room relief, restoring bespoke furniture, replacing windows and repairing the magnificent bathrooms.

Opposite from top Members and donors enjoyed morning tea at the Norman Lindsay Art Studio, the focus of our 2023 Christmas appeal (photography

by SGR Photo).

From top Dick and Pip Smith at Everglades House. A special exhibition of photographs by Dick Smith’s grandfather, Harold Cazneaux, was made possible by the Dick and Pip Smith Foundation (photography by SGR Photo); the Fearless exhibition of works by Indigenous women artists at the S.H. Ervin Gallery (photography

by Adrian Gerbers).

Members also toured a new exhibition space featuring a stunning display of 1930s photographs of Everglades House & Gardens

by Harold Cazneaux. Commissioned by the home’s original owners, Henri and Una Van De Velde, the photographs were published in interiors magazines of the time and capture the Van de Veldes’ celebrated sense of style.

A Fearless floor talk At the S.H. Ervin Gallery exhibition Fearless: Contemporary Indigenous Women in the Hassall Milson Collection, members enjoyed an exclusive floor talk by Gallery Director Jane Watters, followed by a delicious morning tea in the Trust Café.

The S.H. Ervin Gallery will host another members’ floor talk and morning tea on 8 February, this time for an exhibition by artist Ann Thomson. For details, visit nationaltrust.org.au/whats-on-nsw

See more for free Travelling interstate or overseas? Enjoy free entry into more than 1,000 heritage destinations across 60-plus countries with your National Trust membership.

To find out more, visit nationaltrust.org.au/ international-places

Planning a special event?

The National Trust has a range of stunning heritage venues across Sydney and regional New South Wales that are available to hire for weddings, birthdays and other events. Make it an occasion to remember, while supporting the future of National Trust places.

Visit nationaltrust.org.au/venues-nsw Photography by Waymark Productions

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THANK YOU

Patrons, Corporate Members and Sponsors The National Trust (NSW) acknowledges and appreciates the support we receive from these generous individuals and organisations Gold Patrons G Arnott J & L Calluaud J Church P & R Flick H Hewitt C & B Hindmarsh Kimalo Foundation C Sutherland E Sydney-Jones S Thomas M Vellacott C Wilkinson OAM Multiple anonymous Silver Patrons R Butler AM Emeritus Prof D Carment AM T Heazlewood OAM P Homel & L Taggart L Marcroft & G Brunner Pratten Foundation

Neil & Hermon Slade Trust Multiple anonymous Bronze Patrons L & J Benaud R Charley AO J Farrell G & T Graham B & J Hambrett B Hayward E Heard A Johnson C Nadai & R Burge D Paisley P Poland OAM A Scott A Smith V Vargassoff 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 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

Bodiam Castle, UK

See the best of the UK for free Did you know that as a National Trust (NSW) member you can enjoy free entry to over 500 of the UK’s most amazing places including Chartwell, Sir Winston Churchill’s home for over 40 years and Hill Top, the beloved Lake District home of Beatrix Potter? To make your holiday even easier, you can also get free parking at most National Trust UK properties.

To find out more, visit nationaltrust.org.au/international-places