I am delighted to report that thanks to the support of our wonderful guests, donors and sponsors, the Trust’s gala fundraising dinner on 23 May at Government House, generously hosted by the Governor of NSW and Trust Patron Professor Marie Bashir, was a success. Heartfelt thanks to all who helped us raise $120,000 for our new Sustainability Program. For more, please see the item on the dinner below. Also last week we launched our winter appeal, likewise in focussing on the Sustainability Program. The Trust has an advantage over other conservation groups in that we have a portfolio of wonderful heritage properties at which we have the opportunity, with support, to demonstrate green living principles. We want to raise funds to continue to campaign for the environment, and to make our properties community showcases of sustainability. We would very much appreciate your support. For more click here, and see the item below.

Tina Jackson
Executive Director
tjackson@nsw.nationaltrust.org.au

Hurry, Last Chance to Win $12,000 Holiday - very high odds of winning!
Raffle closes Friday 8 June
Don’t miss out on your chance to enter the National Trust Raffle. For just $5 you could be exploring outback Queensland. Click here to order your tickets now or call 02 9258 0123.

Time Capsule – deadline extended
Due to popular demand, the deadline for return of Message to the Future Cards for the National Trust Time Capsule has been extended beyond the original closing date of 31 May. The new closing date and date for burial of the capsule are to be confirmed. Click here to learn more about the project, to read messages from Trust Living Treasures, or to buy cards ($5 each or special offer $20 for a family pack of 5 until 30 June).

Trades Skills Training – Historic Cinemas
The National Trust has been concerned at the serious skills shortages in traditional trades. There is also a severe shortage of projectionists able to operate the older ‘change-over’ 35 mm projection systems still sometimes used in historic cinemas. The Trust has been approached with an opportunity for on-site training by a skilled projectionist in Sydney’s last surviving historic single-screen cinema. Former projectionists wanting ‘top-up’ training or others interested in learning this unique disappearing skill please contact Graham Quint at the National Trust Centre on 9258 0179.

Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Workers' Cottages
The National Trust is examining the historic significance of the Snowy Hydro Workers’ Cottages at Talbingo with a view to their listing on the Trust Register. The cottages were moved from site to site as various projects progressed and Talbingo was their final siting. While the power stations, dams, pipelines and other major infrastructure stand as a testament to these workers it is also vital that a now rare example of their accommodation is conserved.

Sustainability Program Fundraising Dinner
The Governor of NSW, Professor Marie Bashir launched the Trust’s new Sustainability Program at Government House on 23 May. 100 guests enjoyed food and wine and a recital by pianist Ambre Hammond. The evening raised $120,000. Virginia Trioli of 702 ABC Radio MC’d, and Tim Goodman, CEO of Bonhams & Goodman auctioned sustainability themed items, such as a solar house conversion and lunch with Tim Flannery. Our thanks to our generous guests, sponsors and donors. 
For more on the fundraising dinner please click here.
For information on our Sustainability Program please click here.

Cultural Context Conference – 15 June, Trust Centre Observatory Hill
This conference looks at the role of culture in the historic environment and our sense of place. The 2007 Trust Heritage Festival theme was Places in Context: Natural and Cultural Landscapes, highlighting the importance of the environment, both physical and cultural, to conservation battles in recent years. On one level context is simply how much of a building’s ‘surroundings’ need to be protected beyond the immediate curtilage. On another level it is the collection of things that make a place ‘feel’ a particular way, including architecture, food and language. For the speakers’ list please click here.  Cost: $155 members, $180 non members.
For bookings please call Mara on 02 9258 0161.

Christmas in June with the After Hours Committee – 24 June
Join the After Hours Committee and the Ryde Historical Society for Christmas in June celebrations. Enjoy a tour of Willandra – a grand colonial two storey Georgian House overlooking the Parramatta River, then indulge with food and drinks. Cost: $25 per person. For bookings please call 0404 292 208 or 0414 702 677, or email patricia.barling@zimmer.com.

Christmas in July – 7 July
The National Trust’s Wirrimbirra Sanctuary in Bargo, will be holding Christmas celebrations in a native bushland setting with Santa. The evening will commence at 6.30pm. Cost: $25 adults, $10 children under 13. Bookings are essential – please call 02 4684 1112. For more information about Wirrimbirra Sanctuary please visit www.wirrimbirra.com.au

National Trust Photography Competition
The 4th annual National Trust (NSW) Photography Competition, which closed on 18 May, encouraged entrants to capture natural and cultural landscapes under the theme ‘Lens Across the Land’.  Some excellent entries were received, and will be on display at regional properties through June, with the winning photograph, runner up and people’s choice from each coming to the National Trust Centre for the judging of a State winner. Photographs can be viewed at the National Trust Café from 17 to 19 August. The State winner receives a $1500 gift voucher from Georges Electronics, with the winning image reproduced on a postcard. For further information see www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au
Image right: You'll be sorry James Ghata, 2006 winner

Everglades Gatehouse Competition
The National Trust will be launching an architectural ideas competition to design a ‘gatehouse’ interpretation and ticketing area in the gardens of Everglades, Leura, in late July. The new building will also contain toilets for the disabled and a shop. The competition will be held over a limited period of time and in conjunction with an Architecture Workshop with students from the University of Sydney. The competition will explore the role of a new building within the beautiful Sorensen garden and its relationship to Henry Van de Velde’s house as well as modern requirements of security and controlled access to the site. It is hoped that following the competition a way will be found to develop the winning entry and make the design a reality, adding another layer of history to this extraordinary site.

Explore the world with your National Trust membership card
With the northern summer just around the corner, the National Trust would like to remind you that membership benefits include free entry to more than 800 castles, stately homes, museums and gardens overseas. Flash your National Trust membership card in Britain, for instance, and you won’t need to get your wallet out at more than 430 historic places of interest. Plus you will also go into the draw to win a $12,000 luxury European holiday.
Call 02 9258 0156 today or click here to join online.

Tax Deductible Appeals
The National Trust conducts Appeals in support of local organisations for the conservation of buildings classified by the National Trust to enable the achievement of the objectives of the National Trust. Also, the Kick Start program, managed by the NSW Heritage Office in conjunction with the National Trust provides funding to the groups running tax deductible fund raising appeals for major heritage projects. For details, contact David Child, Conservation Appeals Officer, on 02 9258 0169 Tuesday and Thursday or email dchild@nsw.nationaltrust.org.au. For the regulations on setting up an Appeal please click here.

National Trust requires Bush Regeneration staff
The National Trust runs a successful bush regeneration business which employs staff to work in teams throughout Sydney to restore degraded bushland for various Councils, National Parks etc. See the Bushland Management section of the Trust’s website for our profile. We are currently recruiting staff. If you would like casual work as a bush regenerator, we invite you to apply. For more information please go to our advertisement on www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au

Telling tales
The Museums and Properties Department and the Australian Storytellers Guild (NSW) have joined forces to help train Trust volunteers in the traditional art of storytelling. Currently 10 students are receiving training with the Guild’s Jo Henwood. Funding is being sought to launch the program at individual properties later in the year. Living history programs for school groups operate successfully at Old Government House and Experiment Farm, and the Trust is keen to expand the program to general visitors, and to assist volunteers bring alive distant events, personalities and artefacts. Further information from Vivien Ward on 02 9362 1383.

Donate to the National Trust and help preserve our heritage for future generations.
For details of our latest appeal, click here.
To leave a gift to the National Trust in your will please call 02 9258 0182 or click here for further information.

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