NATIONAL TRUST NEW SOUTH WALES JANUARY – MARCH 2022 MAGAZINE
IN THIS ISSUE OCE AN BATHS THE ATRICAL HISTORIES ARTISANS IN EXILE
CONTENTS
Inside Welcome to our first edition of the National Trust New South Wales Magazine for 2022. Celebrate summer with a feature on NSW's precious and iconic ocean baths. Explore theatrical history by delving into the digital archives from the Metro Minerva. Learn about the conservation and restoration work made possible by our generous donors and supporters. Keep up to date with the latest news and advocacy to protect heritage in our state. We hope you enjoy this edition, and we look forward to sharing more stories with you throughout the year.
Adaptability for the Future Neil Wykes OAM and Debbie Mills
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Update National Trust News
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Protect Living on the Edge
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Conserve The Show Must Go On
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Reflect Your Trust in Action
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Explore Making Good
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Old Government House 2022 Calendar
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Calendar January to March 2022
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Member Moments In Conversation with Brad Wilson
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National Trust (NSW)
Cover image Wylie's Baths at Coogee is a dynamic tidal pool with a natural rock bottom. Built in 1907, it's a 'living pool' and home to octopus, fish, sea urchins and other marine life. Read about the history of NSW's ocean pools and baths and why we need to protect them on page 6. (Photo by Nicole Larkin)
National Trust (NSW) Observatory Hill, Millers Point, Sydney 2000 GPO Box 518, Sydney 2001 Telephone: (02) 9258 0123 Fax: (02) 9251 1110 nationaltrust.org.au/nsw President: Mr Neil Wykes OAM CEO: Debbie Mills Editor: Andrew Sedger Designer: Lauren Sutherland Editorial Committee: David Burdon, Nick Corbett, Nicole Crabb, Debbie Mills, Susan Hunt, 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 post-consumer waste in a chlorine-free environment.
VISION
Adaptability for the Future BY NEIL WYKES OAM AND DEBBIE MILLS
Dear Members, We have great pleasure in introducing the recently elected 2022 Board of Directors. It is a privilege to serve this wonderful organisation, and we look forward to working together to achieve the National Trust’s vision. Exciting projects are progressing across our properties, collections and archives, ensuring fresh experiences for generations to come. Visitors across NSW will soon enjoy 36 significant artworks, which are currently being beautifully restored. The generous response to the recent Conversation Art Appeal has made this work possible. Planning is also underway to breathe new life into our much loved heritage gardens at Norman Lindsay Gallery, Tomago House and Vienna Cottage. The current Garden Appeal is helping to ensure future generations can enjoy these majestic gardens. Our dedicated volunteers have been celebrated in a number of recent media articles. Congratulations to the National Trust state finalists in the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards 2021 – Marie Kennedy from Riversdale and the Deloitte Impact Day Team. For the first time in the National Trust’s history, our significant collection of books, manuscripts, magazines and submissions are accessible online through eHive and Trove. With thanks to our Archivist and volunteers for digitising the collection and making it available to all. This year we are proposing a revision of the National Trust (NSW) Rules. While the Rules have served the National Trust well, it’s been decades since they were comprehensively reviewed. The revision responds to the changing world and helps us adapt and thrive well into the future. View the revised Rules at nationaltrust.org.au/nsw/rules. Please reach out with questions to rules@nationaltrust.com.au or attend one of the online Q&A sessions. We wish everyone a safe summer and a bright 2022. Best wishes,
Neil Wykes OAM, President
Election Results We welcome our 2022 Board of Directors. Mr Neil Wykes OAM, President Ms Susan Hunt, Deputy President Mr David Pratt, Treasurer Mr David Collingridge (newly elected) Dr Elizabeth Farrelly (continuing) Ms Fenella Kernebone (continuing) Dr Clive Lucas OBE (re-elected) Ms Caroline Mackaness (re-elected) Ms Debbie Mills, CEO (continuing) Ms Kathryn Pitkin AM (re-elected) Mr John Richardson (continuing) Mr Ian Stephenson (continuing) Ms Kylie Winkworth (newly elected)
Q&A Sessions Revision of the National Trust Rules Members are invited to a special online Q&A session about the revised Rules. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions and hear from Debbie Mills, Chief Executive Officer and Robert Elliott, Secretary of the Trust. 12noon–1pm, 23 February 2022, (online) 5–6pm, 2 March 2022, (online) RSVP to Aly McAuliffe stating your preferred session amcauliffe@nationaltrust.com.au
Debbie Mills, CEO January – March 2021
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Update
National Trust News Catch up on the latest advocacy to protect heritage in New South Wales, including our input into the review of the Heritage Act and our position on the City of Sydney's planning proposal for Oxford Street.
GENERAL NEWS
IN MEMORY
Vale Dr Jacqui Goddard The National Trust were very saddened by the sudden passing of Dr Jacqui Goddard, a stalwart member of the National Trust and its Conservation Director from 2001 to 2007. Jacqui was an expert conservation architect, advocate, educator and mentor, for whom respect and affection were mixed in abundance - like the ingredients of her fine baking. Not one to suffer foolishness or mediocracy, Jacqui was a warm and generous teacher and advisor to fellow practitioners, and afterwards students and government. Trained at UNSW and afterwards working in heritage conservation practices in Sydney, Jacqui travelled to Scotland (her alternative spiritual home) and worked with Law & Dunbar-Naismith Architects as an Australian on first-name terms with her often-titled, castleowning clients. Her interest in traditional construction, particularly lime mortars and renders, became an enduring passion. As Conservation Director, Jacqui was the National Trust’s nominee on the NSW Heritage Council and also chaired its Archaeological Advisory Panel and Technical and Materials Group. Subsequently, she worked for the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Sydney Water and ecumenically taught conservation skills at UTS, UNSW and the University of Sydney, where she obtained her PhD in 2018. Jacqui had so much still to do and, as ever, so much to give. The world of cultural heritage is much the poorer for her loss, and her family and friends face the absence of her smile, wit, and warm counsel. Bob Moore
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Volunteers Awarded The National Trust is delighted that our volunteers have been recognised in the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards 2021. Marie Kennedy won the NSW Southern Inland Senior Volunteer of the Year award and was a state finalist for her work making sure Riversdale can be enjoyed by future generations. The Deloitte Impact Day team were state finalists for the Corporate Volunteer of the Year award category for producing a short video on what it means to have a diverse and inclusive workplace on behalf of the National Trust. The Awards are the largest celebration of volunteering in Australia.
National Trust (NSW)
Update
ADVOCACY NEWS
NSW Heritage Act Review The National Trust has advocated strongly before and during the Upper House’s review of the Heritage Act 1977 (NSW). Following our community forum on 9 June 2021, over 300 submissions were made to the Standing Committee, sending a clear message to the members undertaking the review. The Chair, Peter Poulos MLC, noted in his foreword to the review that while many of the Heritage Act's provisions and controls are still workable, on a more fundamental level, some of the concepts and assumptions implicit in the Act no longer reflect the way we think about heritage and contemporary conservation practice. The National Trust welcome the recommendations to: • increase resources for Heritage NSW • renew the NSW Heritage Grants program • mandate that at any given time, there is always a majority of members on the Heritage Council of NSW with qualifications, experience and expertise in relevant heritage disciplines. Above all, the National Trust supports Recommendation 1, that any legislative reform of the Heritage Act has as its guiding principles the need to protect, conserve and celebrate the State’s heritage. Thank you to all National Trust members who contributed to the review process. We now look forward to the Government's response to the review, due in April 2022.
Oxford Street at Risk 240
The National Trust is very concerned about the City of Sydney’s Planning proposal for an ‘Oxford Street Creative and Cultural Precinct’. The development would see floor space added to the top of existing heritage buildings along Oxford Street between Sydney’s Hyde Park and Paddington. Several Heritage Conservation areas characterised by many Edwardian and Victorian buildings of varying ages, heights and styles would be at risk. The National Trust has made a detailed submission objecting to this proposal.
OXFORD STREET URBAN DESIGN STUDY
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Deloitte Impact Day team at the 2021 Volunteer of the Year Awards ceremony. (L-R) Michelle Thompson, Louise Farrelly and Trevor Richard (photo supplied).
@nationaltrustau @nationaltrustnsw
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Proposed additions to buildings in Oxford Street (image from Oxford Street Urban Design Study prepared for the City of Sydney).
January – March 2021
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PROTECT
Living on the Edge BY NICOLE LARKIN
NSW’s ocean pools are an amazing asset and legacy, an iconic collection of recreational infrastructure running the entire length of our coast. But these special places are under threat. Along with the natural ravages of time and tide, ocean pools are increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
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National Trust (NSW)
Opposite Bogey Hole at Newcastle, Australia’s oldest ocean pool (photo by Nicole Larkin). Left Bronte Baths c1930 (photo by Sam Hood).
“Poised as they are at the very edge of our shores, ocean pools are at the forefront of coastal impacts.”
Ocean pools are a deeply Australian phenomenon enjoyed by generations of swimmers, sunbakers and sightseers. NSW, in particular, has a greater concentration of ocean pools than anywhere in the world, with 60 pools between Yamba in the north and Eden in the south. In fact, if you count all saltwater swimming enclosures, such as harbour pools, netted enclosures and wharf structures, the state has about 120 ocean and harbour pools. The next closest is South Africa, with 80 saltwater enclosures nationally.
opportunity to build ocean pools to attract residents and grow their rate base. A second wave of ocean pools was built in the 1920s when the government rolled out public works projects to provide jobs and support to the community. Of all the post-war and depression-era projects, ocean pools were among the most optimistic and idealistic. The result is a legacy of unique recreational assets of great social significance and natural beauty distributed along NSW’s 2,100 kilometres of coast.
NSW’s preponderance of ocean pools reveals our deep affinity with coastal spaces and landscapes. With more than 85% of us living within 50 kilometres of the coast, it’s not hard to see why ocean pools have become such an iconic and well-loved feature. They embody many of the values we associate with the coast and the complex factors that converge there.
Today, many ocean pools are in a fragile state due to their age, construction and location, where they bear the full brunt of the elements. On top of this, climate change is making matters worse. Severe weather, including more frequent and intense east coast lows and coastal flooding, will accelerate the weakening and erosion of ocean pool structures. Poised as they are at the very edge of our shores, ocean pools are at the forefront of coastal impacts. They are, in a sense, the canary in the coal mine.
Ocean pools provide a tangible link between land and sea, allowing us to connect closely with the open coast. Sitting in the intertidal zone, they are exposed to currents and waves. Like natural rock pools, they fill and drain with the tides, retaining part of the sea, along with fish, crabs, jellyfish and other marine creatures. Ocean pools are designed and constructed for simplicity – just enough to create a protected space to swim. In some cases, pools are no more than one wall built along a rock platform. A long and optimistic history Our fascination with coastal places is not new. For millennia the coast has been a focus of habitation and activity. And while our ocean pools are, of course, post-colonial structures, some of them were certainly built on places of indigenous significance. The pool at The Entrance was listed as a state heritage item because it was known to Aboriginal people as a natural saltwater fish trap. It’s likely that other ocean pools along the NSW coast also had their beginnings as fish traps. The main catalyst for ocean pool building was the introduction of the Municipal Baths Act of 1896, which empowered local councils to provide public baths. Many councils took this
Precious but vulnerable
In 1994, the National Trust commissioned a survey of Sydney’s ocean and harbour pools, which led to five being recognised on the state heritage register. Others, however, remain unlisted. The National Trust report emphasised that the heritage significance of saltwater pools primarily lay in their continued function as places of recreation and exercise, rather than just their fabric. Critically, the survey also recognised the significance of pools as a group, similar to the way that lighthouses up and down the coast are recognised not only as important individual items but also part of a broader network. We should consider NSW’s ocean pools as a true string of pearls along our coast, and as the threats continue to mount, we need to ensure these amazing public assets are conserved, protected, and in some cases revived for future generations to enjoy. Nicole Larkin is a Sydney-based architect with a deep interest in the ocean pools of NSW. She is working with the National Trust's Landscape Committee to help protect these precious places.
January – March 2021
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CONSERVE
The Show Must Go On BY JAMES BOSANQUET, ARCHIVES & LIBRARY MANAGER
What does a pot of rouge, a Noel Coward programme and the designs for Hoyts in George St have in common? They’re all part of a special collection of images, props, listings, plans and correspondence that the National Trust is slowly and carefully digitising to preserve and celebrate our state’s theatrical history. Here we explore items and stories from one of Australia’s most prestigious heritage theatres – the Minerva. Tough but glamorous beginning The Minerva had a shaky start when it opened its doors in Potts Point in 1939. It was born during the sly grog era when razor gangs ran Kings Cross. Competition between venues was intense, and audiences were low. But the Minerva persisted, putting on live theatre – particularly comedies and dramas – through the War Years. Noel Coward was a popular choice. In 1940, the witty and sophisticated British actor and writer attended the opening of his play Design For Living at the Minerva. Coward’s popularity was such that the Sydney Morning Herald likened the scene to “an episode from a Royal tour”.
it the Metro Theatre. In 1969 Harry M Miller brought Hair to the Metro at a time when obscenity laws censored rock stars and performers, such as Joe Cocker. Hair was contentious for onstage nudity and casual use of obscenities. But Miller encouraged the controversy: “No sane person could possibly find offence in Hair,” he told the Herald. The production ran for two years. In 1976 the National Trust recognised the Metro Minerva as the epitome of the ‘Moderne’ expressionist-inspired designs of the late 1930s and added it to its heritage register. But not everyone was happy, and our archival
The Minerva featured many other famous plays of the 1940s – Gaslight, Of Mice and Men, Reunion in Vienna and Good Morning, Bill. It also put on productions by JC Williamson, the dominant theatrical agency in Australia at the time. The National Trust collection includes many original show programmes from the Minerva’s early live theatre years. JC Williamson’s programmes, in particular, are great fun – glossy and gossipy, they brought a touch of glamour to audiences. The collection also includes photos of matinee stars as well as advertisements of the day, such as for Mercolized Wax, Elizabeth Arden ‘permanent’ wave cream and music lessons for your ‘gifted’ child. Hairy times at the Metro The Minerva continued to show live theatre until 1950, when MGM bought it and renamed 8
National Trust (NSW)
Right from top left Program from Good Morning, Bill, Minerva Theatre; The production Hair ran at the Metro Minerva from 1969-1971 (photo c.1970, National Trust; Marie Ney program, Minerva Theatre; Montage of programs, Minerva Theatre (images by Yemaya and Rani). Opposite Metro Minerva (via Metro Minerva Theatre Action Group).
collection includes stormy correspondence about the decision. “It was not constructed as a cinema, but as a live theatre venue ... As owners of the building, we do not want the property classified”, says a letter to the National Trust in 1976. The letter was forwarded with an internal memo: “When you get a chance in the New Year, would you be good enough to let me have your comments”. Beneath the memo, the National Trust’s David Sheedy replied in careful copperplate: “Alright – so it was built as a theatre! ... If Mr Stretton can show me a better example of this type of theatre I may consider withdrawing the submission.” By 1977 the Metro Minerva had stopped trading and briefly became a food stall fair. A memo held in our collection reveals a meeting in 1979 to discuss turning the property into a shopping centre. A note underneath reads, “she [unnamed] claims it has never made any money!” However, the National Trust worked to ensure the site remained substantially intact. The Metro Minerva was subsequently sold to Kennedy-Miller as a film studio, which produced a string of local and international blockbuster movies, including Mad Max, The Dismissal, Bodyline, Babe and Happy Feet. A lively future? Theatre brings the past alive in ways other heritage cannot. Theatre gives its audience a shared emotional experience. The Minerva is more than ZigZig Art Deco, concealed lighting and chrome balustrades. It is alive with a rich history and the fight to conserve our past. The archive collection that the National Trust is digitising protects the drama-comedies of the past and offers current and future generations the opportunity to stay connected with this important part of our history. Although it was granted State Heritage listing in 2021, the future of the Minerva is still uncertain. With much current talk about re-establishing a theatre district, it is hoped the Minerva can once again have a starring role.
Conserving your photos at home Paper-based objects like documents and photos can often show evidence of damage from storage, handling and pests. A common problem is 'foxing', which appears as little brown spots and is a type of mould. To prolong the life of your photos, store them away from direct light and only handle the edges. Make sure people wash their hands if they want to handle them. Ideally, you should store photos between sheets of acid-proof tissue paper or in sleeves that are polyester and acid-proof. Avoid using adhesives or sticky tape as this can cause damage. If you are digitising photos, choose a high-resolution format and be choosy. Printing digital photographs and storing them in an album by event and year remains a great way of displaying images for guests and quickly locating pictures. There are plenty of digital services that allow you to upload from your phone or computer and assemble a book that you can have delivered.
January – March 2021
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REFLECT
Your Trust in Action BY JESSIE BODOR, PHILANTHROPY MANAGER
The philanthropic spirit of our supporters helps the National Trust create real change. Three special projects have been completed recently across New South Wales, made possible by the generous support of foundations, donors and gifts in wills.
Wrought elegance restored Sometimes a ‘hidden’ treasure is hiding in plain sight, such as the art deco wrought ironwork staircase, gates and handrails at Everglades House & Gardens in Leura. Completed in 1936, this distinctive feature beautifully connects house, garden and bushland, forming a stylish and seamless transition from building to nature. Elegant curls ascend the house’s central staircase while the balustrades at the lookout over Gordon Falls create a border for the area with a pattern of a mountain landscape, billowing clouds and rays of sunlight. A local blacksmith is believed to have crafted this work to the design of Paul Sorensen. But the balustrades needed attention to restore them to their former beauty. Old paint and rust were carefully removed across the intricate ironwork, which was treated with a protective coating and repainted in black, its original colour. Now, they are once again a striking feature of the lookout and continue to delight visitors as they wander through these spectacular gardens. This kind of conservation work is critical to ensure that Everglades remains faithful to the vision of both Paul Sorensen and Henry van de Velde.
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National Trust (NSW)
Opposite Railings at Everglades Lookout (photo by Guy McIrath). Left from top Miss Porter's House Windows (photo by Jean Bridges); The front of white dress before treatment (photo by International Conservation Services).
their fundraising helped bring an important part of bringing the Edwardian house's story back to life. The funding also provided for protective window covers for when the building is not open. The windows are now a permanent and fascinating feature of the fernery, reflecting not only sunlight but the desire of a working Newcastle family to decorate their home. An exquisite and delicate delight Two sisters with a passion for textiles recently transformed a nineteenth-century lady’s dress through a donation from The J Permsew Foundation, a vehicle they established for their philanthropy.
This work was made possible by a sizeable bequest, which also paid for carpentry repairs and window frame painting of Everglades House. Bequests held in the National Trust Heritage Foundation provide ongoing revenue. A gift managed this way creates a long-term legacy, allowing the National Trust to continue its essential work. Through a glass brightly When the dedicated group of volunteers caring for Miss Porter’s House found two stained glass leadlight windows wrapped in newspaper from 1978, they knew they had uncovered something special. Crafted in the nineteenth century and thought to be repurposed from a civic building, each window displays a coat of arms surrounded by delicately painted leaves and flowers. One panel shows the royal arms of the United Kingdom, and the other is the pre-Federation arms of Australia and motto, Advance Australia. The arms depict the Southern Cross dividing the four industrial backbones of the nation’s early economic growth – wool, shipping, mining and farming. Although the Porters were fastidious record keepers, there is no record of the stunning windows. A family portrait photo from circa 1912 is the only reference to the windows in their original location in a wall of the fernery, that we have. When the windows were rediscovered, reinstalling them was the best way to restore the house’s integrity as planned by its original owners. Miss Porter’s House volunteers held dinners and talks to raise funds to have the windows cleaned, repaired, conserved and reinstalled by specialists. In combination with a gift in a will,
The dress is typical of the period between 1845 and 1855 and represents a fascinating turning point in the history of fashion when Queen Victoria wore a white dress to her marriage to Prince Albert in 1840. Up to this point, brides typically wore their ‘best dress’, often a practical garment of robust fabrics in colours that concealed marks and stains. But after the royal wedding, white became the norm as women aspired to look like the young Queen. Given the date of this piece, it is very likely that it was a wedding dress, though its wearer’s identity remains unknown. It is made of fine white gauze (an ultra-lightweight sheer form of cotton muslin), lace and ribbons. Floral patterns of bluebells and other flowers decorate the skirt. Conservation experts took great care when restoring the delicate garment, first giving it a gentle, thorough rinse and wash to remove stains and yellowing, then carefully repairing by hand damaged sections of lace, ribbon and rosettes on the bodice. The bright, intact and crease-free dress is now on display at Riversdale in Goulburn, where it not only delights visitors, but also enhances their understanding of life at the property almost two centuries ago. Helen Brown, one of the sisters funding the treatment, believes that early European textiles like this dress are important pieces of Australia’s social history and should be conserved: “A good deal of attention is paid to physical structures, but it seems little funding is available to conserve some of the more ephemeral objects.”
MAKE YOUR MARK Join our giving community and donate online today at nationaltrust.org.au/donate-nsw. If you want to be involved in upcoming projects contact Jessie Bodor, Philanthropy Manager on (02) 9258 0131 or jbodor@nationaltrust.com.au
January – March 2021
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EXPLORE
Making Good ANNA RIDLEY, CURATOR, OLD GOVERNMENT HOUSE
A new exhibition, Making Good: Convict artisans in exile, celebrates the lives of convicts and their impact on the colony through their crafts. It explores how those forcibly banished to the antipodes used their skills and acumen to become independent businesspeople who furnished their masters’ homes. This is the first time these stories have been told in detail at the very place responsible for controlling the colony and the lives of convicts, Old Government House.
We may think of convicts as petty criminals, but the truth is many were competent artisans, such as potters, silversmiths, cabinetmakers, artists, lacemakers, and clockmakers. Before being transported for their crimes, these convicts were usually apprenticed in their trade in England and carried their skills to the young colony, which found ways to make good use of them. Governor John Hunter tasked James Bloodsworth, a master bricklayer and builder, to build the central block of Old Government House in 1799. James, a First Fleeter sentenced for stealing poultry, taught his fellow convicts how to make bricks and set up a brick kiln on the edge of the river below the house. A later Governor, Lachlan Macquarie, instructed convict architect Francis Greenway to design the house’s front portico and had other convicts craft the timber and roof shingles for the extension. Ticket to freedom and prosperity Although convicts’ lives were under strict control, those who worked hard could reap the rewards when their time was done. Some were given land grants and became highly respected members of the community. By the Macquarie period, skilled convicts were often allowed to work for themselves after completing their tasks for their assigned masters. Many were able to establish businesses, which prospered further when they were pardoned and could be their own masters. One such enterprising convict was clockmaker, James Oatley, who arrived in Sydney in 1817 and was able to set up his own business. By 1819 he was appointed Keeper of the Town Clocks and was so successful he was able to purchase land on his pardon in 1821. 12
But not all skilled convicts had such a straightforward path to independence. When Cabinetmaker William Temple arrived in the colony in 1814, he was soon in trouble for absconding from work and stealing boat parts to make an escape. William was sent to the coal mines for a time before Macquarie employed him as a cabinetmaker at Government House in Sydney. There, he partnered with the newly arrived carver, John Webster, to make a pair of ceremonial chairs for the Governor. Despite Temple’s earlier transgressions, Macquarie must have been pleased with their work as he granted pardons to both craftsmen soon after they completed the chairs. The Making Good: Convict artisans in exile exhibition includes one of only three Temple and Webster’s chairs in existence today. Modelled on the Macquarie chairs, this one was made for Thomas Hobbes Scott, secretary to Commissioner Thomas Bigge. Temple and Webster must have worked quickly on the Scott chair, as it was made between late 1820 and February 1821 when Scott departed the colony. The chair is part of the St James Church Sydney collection, and its owners have generously loaned it to this exhibition. Asking bigger questions The exhibition will also ask larger questions of the colony and the role of convict artisans in transforming a place of exile into a genteel settlement with a thriving economy. In an exciting first for Old Government House, artist Kenneth Lambert has developed a contemporary video and sound installation to accompany the exhibition. Kenneth’s work, which will sit in its own space, is a response to a convict-made
National Trust (NSW)
Right clockwise from top Old Government House (photo by Eddy Summers); Artist’s response to a convictmade bed for the exhibition (by Kenneth Lambert); Oatley clock No 9 was made in 1821, and now resides at Old Government House (photo by Eddy Summers). Over page Old Government House dining room, sideboard attributed to Laurence Butler c1810, private lender (photo by Mark Bowyer).
bed. Kenneth was inspired by Midnight Oil's protest song, Beds are Burning, and the work will examine the question: “How did the occupants of the bed sleep at night in a colony that was systematically displacing and traumatising aboriginal people in service of the British Empire?” Old Government House is part of the World Heritage-listed Australian Convict Sites because of its role in determining the fate of so many convicts. It’s fitting that the property is now helping to tell the stories of those who, bereft of family and exiled from their home, produced and sold exquisite wares to gain their freedom.
VISIT Making Good: Convict artisans in exile opens on 5 March 2022 at Old Government House in Parramatta and runs until 27 November. See the next page for upcoming events. Pre-book tickets via Eventbrite, visit nationaltrust.org.au/event/making-goodconvict-artisans-in-exile
January – March 2021
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Calendar
Old Government House 2022
Old Government House at Parramatta has assembled a fantastic program of events to celebrate convict artisans in the early years of the colony.
MAKING GOOD – MEMBERS VIEWING 10 MARCH, 10AM – 12PM Join Anna Ridley, Old Government House Curator, for this exclusive members-only event. View Making Good: Convict Artisans in Exile and hear firsthand about the development of the exhibition and the many exciting discoveries that accompanied it. Afterwards, enjoy a lovely morning tea in the courtyard and reflect on the stories of the skilled convicts connected to Old Government House. Tickets: Free, members only Visit nationaltrust.org.au/whats-on-nsw
MAKING GOOD: CONVICT ARTISANS IN EXILE
MAKING GOOD – CURATOR'S TOUR
5 MARCH – 27 NOVEMBER, TUESDAY – SUNDAY, 10AM – 4PM Explore the lives of convict artisans who used their ingenuity, skill, perseverance, and entrepreneurship to transform their place of exile into a thriving modern settlement. From convict love tokens to beautifully detailed silverware, this exhibition tells their stories through a range of expertly crafted objects, including furniture, clocks, art and pottery, as well as textiles made at the Parramatta Female Factory. Also on display is an exciting multimedia artwork created by a Western Sydney artist, Kenneth Lambert, exploring the convict labour system, industry, and the impact of colonisation on Indigenous Australians. Tickets: Members free, general admission $15, family $35, concession $10, children under five free Visit nationaltrust.org.au/whats-on-nsw
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24 MARCH – 24 NOVEMBER, FOURTH THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH, 2PM – 3PM Old Government House Curator, Anna Ridley, will take you deeper into the lives of the early Australian artisans featured in Making Good: Convict Artisans in Exile. Explore the lives of James Oatley, Laurence Butler, Alexander Hart, Joseph Lycett, and James Bloodsworth. Discover how their works contributed to the colony’s growth and the development of a rich decorative arts history. This tour will appeal to anyone with a thirst to learn more about the process of exhibition creation and the remarkable stories uncovered along the way. Tickets: Members $10, general admission $25, families $45, concession $20, children under five free Visit nationaltrust.org.au/whats-on-nsw
National Trust (NSW)
Old Government House – 2022
GHOST NIGHT 18 MARCH, 7:30PM – 10:30PM What’s that chill in the air? Take a ghostly tour through the candlelit corridors and rooms of Australia’s longest-standing public residence – if you dare! Learn of our colonial past as you retrace the steps of those who once walked the halls of World Heritage-listed Old Government House and hear tales of the unusual happenings that took place there. Tickets: Members $32, general admission $35 Visit nationaltrust.org.au/whats-on-nsw
SPOON CARVING WORKSHOP 7 MAY, 10AM – 4PM Spend a satisfying hands-on Saturday crafting your very own wooden spoon in Nordic Edge’s guided workshop. You’ll learn the process of selecting sustainable materials before trying your hand at axe work, carving and whittling. You’ll leave with your own spoon as well as all the skills to continue your journey as a spoonsmith! You can also view some of the fine woodworking pieces created by convict artisans in the Making Good exhibition on display upstairs. Tickets: $249. Spaces strictly limited. Visit nationaltrust.org.au/whats-on-nsw
ART IN THE PARK – STILL LIFE PAINTING 2 APRIL, 10AM – 2PM Join the Parramatta Art Society at Old Government House for a unique workshop combining art and history. Using items from the Old Government House collection that aren’t usually on display, curators will arrange a special composition for you to capture on canvas. Enjoy a practical demonstration of basic drawing techniques before moving on to sketching and painting your artwork. At lunch, view some of the works created by convict artisans on display in the Making Good exhibition upstairs. Tickets: Members $70, general admission $90, concession $80. Spaces strictly limited. Visit nationaltrust.org.au/whats-on-nsw
CHALK AND SHADOW ART FOR KIDS 9 – 24 APRIL, TUESDAY – SUNDAY, 10AM – 4PM One of the mysteries of Old Government House is the identities of the convicts who built it. While we know some of their names, no portraits or images of them have survived. To honour these early artisans, children are invited to create their own portraits using their shadow outlines and chalk. Afterwards, families can enjoy the Making Good exhibition and learn more about the lives of convict artisans. This is a great day out for families, parents and grandparents searching for Easter school holiday fun with a historical twist. Tickets: Members free, general admission adults $15, families $35, concession $10, children under five free Visit nationaltrust.org.au/whats-on-nsw
CLAY PIPE WORKSHOP – DISCOVERING LOCAL CLAY 4 JUNE, 10AM – 4PM Archaeological digs in Parramatta have uncovered many clay smoking pipes, a popular accessory among all social classes in the early colony. Now you can make your own using historical techniques in this exclusive workshop from Parramatta Clay and Arts. All the materials to help you mould and decorate your handmade creation are provided. Afterwards, explore the convict-made pottery on display in the Making Good exhibition. Tickets: Members $45, general admission $65, family $205, concession $55. Spaces strictly limited. Visit nationaltrust.org.au/whats-on-nsw
January – March 2021
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Calendar
Calendar With more than 30 National Trust events dotted around the state, now is the perfect time to discover what’s on.
DISCOVER SOMETHING NEW Did you know that Saumarez Homestead is now open every week? Start planning your next trip to Armidale and visit the heritage jewel of New England. Indulge your senses in the picturesque gardens surrounding the Homestead. From early summer to late autumn, the extensive gardens are alive with a vibrant display of flowering shrubs and trees. Join a House Tour and experience a time capsule of family life in the two-storey mansion.
Whether it's stunning exhibitions, hands-on workshops, festivals, markets, lectures, open days or tours – there truly is something in the calendar for all to enjoy over the months to come.
Saumarez Homestead, Armidale: Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays, 10AM – 4PM House Tours on Sundays only.
Event details and opening times are correct at the time of printing. Pease check nationaltrust.org.au/whats-on-nsw for updates or changes.
To learn more and book tickets, visit nationaltrust.org.au/places/saumarez-homestead
X POLLINATION RETFORD PARK, BOWRAL 5 NOVEMBER – 7 FEBRUARY 2022, FRIDAY – MONDAY, 10AM – 4PM In its simplest meaning, x pollination is the joining together of two different things: genetic constitutions, cultures, or the cross-fertilisation of ideas. In this exhibition, the Artists of the Round Yard, a creative group based at Retford Park, share their unique interpretations of x pollination. Some works are inspired by nature, and others by the connections between people. Tickets: Members free, general admission $15, concession $10, family $35 Visit nationaltrust.org.au/whats-on-nsw
IN THE PICTURE: CHILDREN’S BOOK ILLUSTRATORS NORMAN LINDSAY GALLERY 16 SEPTEMBER – 30 JANUARY 2022, THURSDAY – SUNDAY, 10AM – 4PM See a splendid selection of artwork from 10 contemporary children's book illustrators on display alongside classic children’s illustrations by Norman Lindsay, Pixie O’Harris, Ruby Lindsay and Percy Lindsay. Featured artists include Anna Pignataro, Liz Anelli, Tania McCartney, Jules Faber, Aura Parker, Kirrilli Lonergan, Donna Rawlins and Penelope Prately. Selected works and prints for sale. Tickets: Members free, general admission $17, concession/children $15 Visit nationaltrust.org.au/whats-on-nsw
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THE DOCTOR WILL SEE YOU NOW DUNDULLIMAL HOMESTEAD, DUBBO 5 NOVEMBER – 31 JANUARY 2022, FRIDAY – MONDAY, 11AM – 3PM MISS TRAILL’S HOUSE, BATHURST 20 FEBRUARY – 24 APRIL, SUNDAYS, 12PM – 3:30PM This travelling exhibition explores the perilous and fascinating history of health in the early colony. Learn how those venturing to Australia in the 1800s sought medical attention and supplies, how women dealt with childbirth in the bush, and how quack doctors were able to concoct and distribute ‘miracle elixirs’. Tickets: Members free, general admission $10, concession $8, family $25 Visit nationaltrust.org.au/whats-on-nsw
National Trust (NSW)
Calendar
LIFE DRAWING SUMMER SCHOOL NORMAN LINDSAY GALLERY, FAULCONBRIDGE 7 – 9 JANUARY, 9AM – 1 PM Join professional artist and drawing tutor, Anthony Cahill, in this popular three-day life drawing workshop at the iconic Norman Lindsay Gallery. The workshop is suitable for beginners and advanced artists and includes models, easels, tuition by Anthony, and morning tea. Tickets: Members $220, general admission $240 Visit nationaltrust.org.au/whats-on-nsw
NO TIME TO SPARE PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBIT ANNIE WYATT ROOM, NATIONAL TRUST CENTRE, MILLERS POINT 27 NOVEMBER – 31 MARCH 2022, TUESDAY – FRIDAY, 11AM – 5PM These 20 powerful images highlight our heritage under threat. Come and see what we stand to lose and leave inspired to make a difference. The exhibition makes a call for better outcomes for a more beautiful and layered future - one entwined with the past, not built over it. Featuring stunning photographs of wildlife, timber bridges, public assets, civic places, farmland, airspace and more. Image: Parramatta War Memorial. © Paola Talbert. Tickets: Free Visit nationaltrust.org.au/whats-on-nsw
LEURA SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL EVERGLADES HOUSE & GARDENS, LEURA 8 JANUARY – 23 JANUARY
DESTINATION SYDNEY: THE NATURAL WORLD
Tickets, bookings and enquiries: visit sportforjove.com.au
S.H. ERVIN GALLERY, OBSERVATORY HILL 4 JANUARY – 20 MARCH, TUESDAY – SUNDAY, 11AM – 5PM S. H. Ervin Gallery, Manly Art Gallery & Museum and Mosman Art Gallery are collaborating again to present the work of nine important Australian artists all connected by the organic forms of nature and their concerns for the environment. Sydney is a city blessed with an extraordinary natural environment. But since the nineteenth century, the city’s beauty has been defined mainly by the gaze of male artists. This exhibition reconsiders this legacy by exploring the work of women artists, including Bronwyn Oliver, Juz Kitson and Jennifer Keeler-Milne. These women offer a refreshing perspective on the art of Sydney. Tickets: Members $4, general admission $12, concession $10, children under five free Visit nationaltrust.org.au/whats-on-nsw
Share another joyous summer of storytelling in one of the world’s best outdoor theatres – the beautiful Sorensen-designed gardens at Everglades. The Leura Shakespeare Festival, now in its thirteenth season, is presented by acclaimed theatre company Sport for Jove. “Come, sit down, every mother’s child, and rehearse your parts.’’
EIGHT HUNDRED METRES (AND UP) EVERGLADES HOUSE & GARDENS, LEURA 9 – 30 JANUARY, WEDNESDAY – MONDAY, 11AM – 3PM This exhibition is a collaboration of three artists from the Blue Mountains and the Southern Highlands. Katoomba photographer Tracy Ponich, Bowral painter Leanne Booth, and Mittagong metal artist Mark Kelly shared special places in their region to create a beautiful series of highly distinctive miniprojects. Inspired by beautiful vistas, misty rainforest floors, and little-known and rarely visited places. Tickets: Members free, general admission $15, family $35, concession $10, children under five free Visit nationaltrust.org.au/whats-on-nsw
January – March 2021
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Calendar
BOTANICALS EXPERIMENT FARM COTTAGE, HARRIS PARK 5 FEBRUARY – 17 APRIL, FIRST AND THIRD SATURDAY & SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH, 10:30AM – 3:30PM Accompanied by stunning floral arrangements, this delightful display of floral-patterned ceramics from our colonial past offers a fascinating glimpse into early settlers’ connection to the natural environment. Delight in the history of the periodfurnished 1835 cottage while experiencing the fine china, ceramics and flowers gone wild.
AUSTRALIA DAY AT MISS PORTER’S
Tickets: Members free, general admission $10, family $25, concession $8, children under five free Visit nationaltrust.org.au/whats-on-nsw
MISS PORTER’S HOUSE, NEWCASTLE WEST 26 JANUARY, 1PM – 4PM What was home life really like in early twentieth-century Australia? Find out for yourself through the special displays of Australiana and household memorabilia on show in the Porter home. See rare radio program and movie review scrapbooks, news clippings and photographs, the handiwork of the Porter women, and more. Tickets: Members free, general admission $10, concession $8, family $25, children under five free Visit nationaltrust.org.au/whats-on-nsw
COMING SOON
National Trust (NSW) Heritage Awards 2022 DOLTONE HOUSE, 13 MAY 2022 Entries for the National Trust (NSW) Heritage Awards open this February. 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 March 2021. Entries close 15 March 2022. To find out more visit nationaltrust.org.au/heritage-awards-nsw
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MYTHS, LEGENDS AND GODS: LINDSAY AND HIS WORLD NORMAN LINDSAY GALLERY, FAULCONBRIDGE 10 FEBRUARY – 30 MAY, THURSDAY – SUNDAY, 10AM – 4PM Even as a child, Norman Lindsay gained great pleasure from reading adventure stories, legends and ancient myths. This exhibition features artworks and sculptures inspired by Lindsay’s fascination with fantastical creatures such as nymphs, fauns, satyrs, centaurs, sphinx and sirens. See how Lindsay’s world merged with the world of gods, legends and mythology. Tickets: Members free, general admission $17, family $45, concession $15, children under five free Visit nationaltrust.org.au/whats-on-nsw
GROSSMANN & BROUGH OPEN DAYS GROSSMANN & BROUGH HOUSES, MAITLAND 13 FEBRUARY, 13 MARCH, 10AM – 3PM Tour historic Grossmann House for a peek at life in a Victorian townhouse of the 1870s. Inspect the gardens and delight in the seasonal bloom of the spectacular heritage rose garden. A small bric-a-brac stall will also be available to browse. Brough House will open with a fascinating display from the Maitland Girls High School Oral History Project, which explores the other life of Grossmann and Brough Houses as Maitland Girls High School and the Hostel for the country girls, and provides a rich source of information about education in the early and mid-twentieth century. Grossmann House tickets: Members free, general admission $10, family $25, concession $8, children under five free Brough House tickets: Small entrance fee charged separately at the door. Visit nationaltrust.org.au/whats-on-nsw
National Trust (NSW)
Calendar
MISS PORTER’S EVERYDAY OBJECTS
NATIVE BEE WORKSHOP
MISS PORTER’S HOUSE, NEWCASTLE WEST 13 FEBRUARY, 1PM – 4PM
RETFORD PARK, BOWRAL 25 FEBRUARY, 9:30AM – 11:30AM
Find out what an egg has to do with darning, why irons are SAD and how trees fit into shoes! Uncover the secrets of everyday objects used by the Porter family in early twentieth century.
Want to help tackle one of the greatest challenges of our time – declining biodiversity? Sylvia Cornwell, proudly known as ‘The Mad Bee Lady’, has kept honeybees for 40 years and will show you how to make your very own ‘native bee hotel’ and increase your backyard’s biodiversity. Enjoy a delicious morning tea and finish with a tour of the Retford Park garden.
Tickets: Members free, general admission $10, concession $8, family $25, children under five free Visit nationaltrust.org.au/whats-on-nsw
Tickets: Members $55, general admission $65, concession $60 Visit nationaltrust.org.au/whats-on-nsw
GARROORIGANG AND RIVERSDALE GOULBURN VISIT
ART AT THE ACADEMY: YVETTE HAMILTON WOODFORD ACADEMY, BLUE MOUNTAINS 19 FEBRUARY, 1PM – 2PM
26 FEBRUARY, 10AM – 3:30PM
Hear about Woodford Academy’s rich astronomical past in this fascinating presentation by the new Artist in Residence, Yvette Hamilton. Delve into the history of observations of the Transit of Venus from the property in 1874 and explore the significance and value of the Blue Mountains’ light-pollution-free ‘dark skies’.
Enjoy exclusive talks, tours and teas at two of Goulburn’s colonial properties, Garroorigang and Riversdale. Explore their fine collections, outbuildings and historic gardens. Learn how these properties – both built as Inns before becoming family homes – are managed today. Entry to the Goulburn 200 exhibition and morning/afternoon tea at the properties included.
Tickets: Members free, general admission $10, concession $8, children under five free Visit nationaltrust.org.au/whats-on-nsw
Tickets: Members $60, general admission $70, families $150, children under five free Visit nationaltrust.org.au/whats-on-nsw
Australian Heritage Festival 2022 REGISTER NOW! The Australian Heritage Festival, set to run throughout April and May, returns with a new theme: Curiosity. The festival will bring the nation together to explore, discover and celebrate our country’s natural, cultural and built heritage. Join in and help make this year’s event one to remember. Community groups are invited to register heritage walks, talks, exhibitions, fairs, open days and more. Visit australianheritagefestival.org.au
January – March 2021
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Calendar
LOCAL GROUND
JAZZ IN THE GARDEN WITH KATE WOOLFE BIG BAD SWING BAND
EVERGLADES HOUSE & GARDENS, LEURA 6 – 27 MARCH, WEDNESDAY – MONDAY, 11AM – 3PM
NORMAN LINDSAY GALLERY, FAULCONBRIDGE 26 FEBRUARY, 6PM – 9PM Treat yourself to a very special evening under the summer stars at Norman Lindsay Gallery with the Kate Woolfe Big Bad Swing Band. The playlist is the familiar and revisited, a rendering of vintage jazz and modern classics in lounge style. Bring a picnic and some friends and get ready to swing the night away. Tickets: Members $30, general admission $35, concession $30 Visit nationaltrust.org.au/whats-on-nsw
This joint exhibition of paintings by Springwood artists Bron and Tim Newman challenges preconceived ways of viewing the natural landscape, making way for new possibilities and appreciation. Enjoy the artists’ different responses to the same landscape and the resulting interplay between the two styles, techniques and materials. Tickets: Members free, general admission adults $15, family $35, concession $10, children under five free Visit nationaltrust.org.au/whats-on-nsw
SPONSORED
Members Offer We’re delighted to bring National Trust members this very special offer from Laithwaites, our official wine partner. They’re the go-to place to discover the best wines from small estates and family-owned wineries and they offer incredible quality and value in every glass. Today, enjoy 3 FREE bottles of Gold-medal Cox Family Wines Hilltops Shiraz (together worth $90) with these 12 delicious reds, perfect for dinner, drinks and barbecues over summer. Worth $264, they’re yours for just $139.99 – you SAVE $124. Plus enjoy FREE DELIVERY too. At a low $11.67 a bottle – plus those 3 FREE Shiraz – it really pays to be a National Trust member. Mixed and All Whites selections are also available. T&C’s apply. STOCKS ARE LIMITED, SO DON’T MISS OUT. ORDER NOW!
Call 1300 763 403 quoting ‘6525002’ or visit nationaltrustwineservice.com.au/6525002
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National Trust (NSW)
Calendar
ANNUAL HERITAGE LECTURE KILLING SYDNEY VIENNA COTTAGE, HUNTERS HILL 6 MARCH, 2PM – 4:30PM Join Dr Elizabeth Farrelly as she talks about her recently published book, Killing Sydney. Challenging us to fight for our city’s soul, Elizabeth brings her unique perspective as an architectural writer and former city councillor to a burning question for our times: how will we live in the future? The talk will be preceded by a musical performance on the historic Bevington Organ, and light refreshments will be provided. Tickets: $25 at trybooking.com. Bookings and enquiries: jabirch@bigpond.com or (02) 9816 1794
HOMEMADE BY THE PORTERS MISS PORTER’S HOUSE, NEWCASTLE WEST 13 MARCH, 1PM – 4PM Marvel at the making and mending of yesteryear at Miss Porter’s House. See exquisite crochet, lace, embroidered household linens and clothing made by Florence Porter and her daughters between 1910 and 1997. Free children’s activity is also available on the day. Tickets: Members free, general admission $10, concession $8, family $25, children under five free Visit nationaltrust.org.au/whats-on-nsw
UNDER WESTERN SKIES DUNDULLIMAL HOMESTEAD, DUBBO 19 MARCH, 2PM – 9:30PM Every great music city needs a great music festival! Proudly brought to you by the Songwriters & Original Musicians Association Dubbo Inc (SOMAD) and supported by the National Trust, Under Western Skies returns to the parklands surrounding beautiful Dundullimal Homestead for an outdoor festival combining music and heritage. Enjoy live and original music, craft beer, a variety of food offerings and activities for the kids. Tickets, bookings and enquiries: uwsfest.com
WOODFORD ACADEMY HARVEST FESTIVAL WOODFORD ACADEMY, BLUE MOUNTAINS 19 MARCH, 10AM – 3 PM Enjoy live music, seasonal food, children’s games and stalls selling local produce, homemade jams and preserves, plants and more at Woodford Academy’s annual harvest festival. Come and celebrate the Blue Mountain’s long history of selfsustainability, artisan wares and produce on the grounds of the region’s oldest building. Tickets: Free admission Visit nationaltrust.org.au/whats-on-nsw
AUTUMN HARVEST: WEAVING WITH NATURE
TEA CONCERT AT DUNDULLIMAL
RETFORD PARK, BOWRAL 16 MARCH, 10AM – 4 PM Learn how to weave and style beautiful objects for your home under the expert tutelage of Coty Farquhar, creative director, stylist and founder of Styling Magazine Australia. This full-day masterclass includes a private tour of Retford Park house and autumnal gardens, morning tea, a warming harvest-themed lunch and a drink on the iconic front verandah. Tickets: Members $500, general admission $550, concession $520 Visit nationaltrust.org.au/whats-on-nsw
DUNDULLIMAL HOMESTEAD, DUBBO 27 MARCH, 4PM – 6PM In the cool of a late March afternoon, enjoy a historical recreation of the Tea Concerts Dundullimal staged in the 1890s. Step back in time as you experience the splendour of a gentle piano recital based on sheet music from the 1880s, an engaging heritage talk and some very fine High Tea. Tickets: Members $20, general admission $25, concession $20, family $65 Visit nationaltrust.org.au/whats-on-nsw
January – March 2021
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Tours
National Trust Way Holiday Tours National Trust (NSW) guided holiday tours take you to special heritage places around the world to experience different cultures, environments and histories in comfort and style.
NORFOLK ISLAND 24 APRIL – 1 MAY 2022
MAY GIBBS’ NUTCOTE 3 MARCH, 11AM – 1PM Best known today for the iconic Australian children’s story, ‘The Complete Adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie’, May Gibbs was one of Australia’s foremost children’s authors and illustrators. This tour visits May’s beautiful harbourside house Nutcote, built at Neutral Bay in 1925 and the place she called home for 44 years, and her delightful cottage garden featuring both native and exotic trees and shrubs. Tickets: Members $50, general admission $55 (includes morning tea) Enquiries: Jill Bunning, Tour Leader, 0439 321 164 Visit nationaltrust.org.au/tours-nsw
Bookings: David Smith, Travel on Capri, 1800 679 066 Enquiries: Jill Bunning, Tour Leader, 0439 321 164 Visit nationaltrust.org.au/holiday-tours-nsw
TASMANIA 4 – 15 NOVEMBER 2022
CARISBROOK HOUSE Step back in time at Carisbrook, an 1884 heritage-listed former private residence and now house museum in Lane Cove. The house and garden provide a unique glimpse into Victorian-era living on the North Shore before electricity and plumbing. Enjoy inspecting the single-storey sandstone house and its collection of period furnishings, as well as the extensive Carisbrook Collection curated by the Lane Cove Historical Society Inc., before enjoying a spot of morning tea.
Tasmania offers a wonderful showcase of Australia’s natural, built and cultural heritage. Flying into Launceston and out of Hobart, this tour offers an unforgettable experience of nature, food, wine, art and heritage all in one. Visit Launceston and the Tamar Valley before enjoying historic villages and homes in the Evandale and Longford areas. Next, head to the west coast and the town of Strahan for a cruise down the Gordon River and a ride on the West Coast Wilderness railway. Finish the tour with a stop at Saturday’s Salamanca Markets and MONA in historic Hobart.
Tickets: Members $50, general admission adults $55 Enquiries: Mary Goldsack – marygoldsack@optusnet.com.au Visit nationaltrust.org.au/tours-nsw
Bookings: David Smith, Travel on Capri, 1800 679 066 Enquiries: Jill Bunning, Tour Leader, 0439 321 164 Visit nationaltrust.org.au/holiday-tours-nsw
29 MARCH, 10:30AM – 12PM
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Described by Captain Cook as ‘paradise’, this tour explores the colourful history of Norfolk Island, a tiny island off the coast of Australia often recognised by its breathtaking jagged vertical cliffs and namesake pine trees. You’ll visit various museums on the island as well as the Cyclorama and the historic Norfolk Island cemetery. Meet the locals, enjoy a swim, stroll through the National Park or take in the stunning views from the World Heritage-listed Kingston and Arthur’s Vale Historic Area.
National Trust (NSW)
MEMBER MOMENTS
In Conversation WITH BRAD WILSON
NSW’s Black Summer bushfires took a significant toll on the Australian Wildlife Sanctuary. But thanks to the support of the National Trust and others, it’s building back stronger than ever. For more than 55 years, the sanctuary at Bargo, a small town about 100km southwest of Sydney, has been a steadfast advocate for the natural environment, cultural heritage and community education. Conservationist Dr Thistle (Harris) Stead established the David G. Stead Memorial Wildlife Foundation of Australia, and gifted the sanctuary to the National Trust (NSW) in 1965. The Foundation continued to manage the property until 2019. Today, the sanctuary managed by the Australian Wildlife Sanctuary (AWS), contains beautiful gardens, water features and animal enclosures. It runs a successful breeding program for endangered species and outreach and education programs for young and old alike. But in December 2019, the sanctuary’s very existence was in doubt when the Green Wattle Creek fire tore through the surrounding area and destroyed a large part of the property. Managing Director, Brad Wilson, remembers the day well. “I was trapped just down the road from the sanctuary between two fire fronts with other people for hours. A fire truck pulled up, and a man jumped out, walked over to me and handed me his helmet and said, ‘This looks like a job for you!’ At the time, I wondered if he wanted me to jump in the truck and start fighting fires? But then I looked in the helmet and saw a baby possum and realised what he meant”. Brad says that the moment will stay in my mind forever. “Even during all of the frantic and dangerous work, this firefighter gave this little animal hope of survival. That is an amazing person.” The little possum was cared for, raised and released back into the bush. Unfortunately, the fire devoured 95 per cent of the sanctuary including nine buildings and most of the infrastructure. “Living through a bushfire that impacted so many people very badly, then the rebuilding and recovery effort that follows was like a rollercoaster ride - many ups, many downs and occasionally being thrown upside down.” Brad and the team have slowly rebuilt this precious sanctuary with support from the National Trust and generous donations
from the community. Their perseverance and dedication have brought life back to the sanctuary and given it a bright and exciting future. “Together in partnership with the National Trust, we are going to provide one of the best sanctuaries in Australia. It will be a place for the community to come together and share our passion for wildlife and the environment.” The sanctuary is currently closed for redevelopment. Brad looks forward to re-opening the sanctuary and introducing the public to some of his favourite animals. “Terry the Tawny Frogmouth is one not to be missed. He’s not an owl but looks like one and has the most endearing personality. He greets me every day with his low-tone ‘oom’ call and always enjoys a cuddle inside my jacket. Our two resident ring-tailed possums, Ringo and Sandy, are always up for a snuggle and a treat. Holly and Eddy, our two rescued emus, have the cheekiest personalities and a love for everything shiny and dangly. They will be sure to put a smile on your face.”
Above: Brad and family at the Australian Wildlife Sanctuary.
VISIT BARGO With such exciting development at the Australian Wildlife Sanctuary, there will be multiple reasons to visit Bargo. In the area, picturesque bushwalks are a must-see, such as the Bargo River Canyon Track and the Potholes to Bargo River Reserve. The NSW Rail Museum, located in Thirlmere is a stone’s throw from the sanctuary and home to a significant rail heritage collection, including over 100 rolling stock items associated with the history of the railways in NSW. Check when the Australian Wildlife Sanctuary is reopening on their website, visit australianwildlifesanctuary.com.au
January – March 2021
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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 Patrons
Corporate Members
Supporters
J Calluaud
Allen Jack & Cottier Architects
J Church
L Calluaud
Cox Architecture
The Corella Fund
Emeritus Professor D Carment AM
Design 5 Architects
The J Permsew Foundation
GML Heritage
K Eadie
Hector Abrahams Architects
I Kaiser
M Eadie
Lucas, Stapleton, Johnson & Partners
P Flick R Flick A Hayward B Hayward H Hewitt P Homel The Kimalo Foundation The Nell & Hermon Slade Trust The Pratten Foundation C Sutherland L Taggart Anonymous (7)
Melgrand Winten Property Group Wollongong City Council
S.H. Ervin Gallery Supporters
I McIntosh
Art Gallery of NSW
S McIntosh N Paton
Corporate Partners Campervan & Motorhome Club of Australia
P Wade
K Valder
International Conservation Services
R Wade
Laithwaite’s Wine People
C Wilkinson OAM
Museums & Galleries NSW Safewill
Sydney’s Ultimate Swimming Guide From lap pools to ocean pools, harbour pools to waterfalls, Sydney is arguably the best major city in Australia for swimming, if not the world! and Places We Swim Sydney covers the very best of the city's famous and hidden swimming spots. With destinations ranging from neighbourhood city pools to gorges that feel like the outback, Places We Swim Sydney is a celebration of not just these magnificent swimming locations, but of the diverse landscapes and water-loving communities that make up Sydney.
Proudly supported by the NSW Government through the Heritage Council NSW
The Maple-Brown Family Foundation
S Pickles
SHOP
PURCHASE YOUR COPY ONLINE shop.nationaltrust.org.au
The Mallam Family Fund
Australian Heritage Festival and National Trust Heritage Awards
S White OAM
Allen & Unwin Holding Redlich Margaret Olley Art Trust National Trust Wine Service Perpetual
