The National Trust was awarded the 2006 Harbour Week Award for Heritage aboard the historic Tall Ship James Craig on 3 March, heralding the start of Sydney Harbour Week. The award recognises the Trust’s comprehensive Survey of Harbourside and Ocean Pools of the Sydney Metropolitan Region. Originally written and published by EJE Landscape and Christa Ludlow in 1994 and recently updated, the survey identifies these pools as a significant part of Australia’s cultural landscape – a tangible symbol of our nation’s strong identity with swimming. To purchase a copy of the report, please go to http://www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/shop/index.htm For more details about Sydney Harbour Week go to www.sydneyharbourweek.com.au

The NSW Heritage Office has been brought under the Department of Planning in the recent governmental restructure by Premier Morris Iemma. The Heritage Office was originally the Heritage Branch of the Department of Planning and became an independent body in the 1990s. Although details of the restructure are still being discussed, it is hoped that the Office’s role is not diminished and that it continues to occupy the former Kings School building in Marist Place Parramatta and deliver the good service to heritage it does now. The Trust is taking a keen interest in these discussions.

Those who pass Observatory Hill will notice that the National Trust building is being restored in preparation for a long overdue new coat of paint. The work is being undertaken by the Department of Commerce with paints supplied by Porters Paints and professional expertise from fjmt, Steensen Varming, and IES: The Lighting Society and the Lighting Council of Australia. The Trust also thanks the members of the Architectural Advisory Committee for their comments about appropriate responses to the building and looks forward to further discussions about the grounds, interior and interpretation.

Entries have now closed for the prestigious 2006 National Trust Heritage Awards, and the entries will be on display from Monday 6 March 2006 in the National Trust Boardroom at Observatory Hill. Over 70 entries have been received with judging to take place prior to the Awards Presentation Luncheon at the Westin, Sydney, on Monday 3 April 2006.

For further details or to book your place at the lunch go to www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/events/heritageawards

Each year the S.H. Ervin Gallery guest selectors go behind the scenes to choose an alternative exhibition from the hundreds of portraiture and landscape works entered into the official prize show at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Now in its 15th year, the Salon des Refusés, sponsored by Holding Redlich, rivals the “official” show and stimulates popular debate on differing approaches in contemporary art.  Vote for the Holding Redlich People’s Choice Award and enjoy weekly talks by exhibiting artists every Sunday. Compare our selection and judge yourself!
Exhibition dates:  Saturday 25 March –  Sunday 14 May

Irish harpist/singer Claire Roche returns to Australia to give concerts to raise funds for several National Trust properties, starting with a St Patrick’s Day Dinner at Old Government House, Parramatta, on Friday March 17 at 7pm. Claire will also be performing at Grossman House, Maitland, Dundullimal Homestead, Dubbo, Miss Traill’s House, Bathurst, and Experiment Farm Cottage, Parramatta. Go to www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/

Our commitment to education continues with the sixth annual Norman Lindsay Festival of Children’s Literature, on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 March 2006 at the Norman Lindsay Gallery, Faulconbridge, in the Blue Mountains. Favourite children’s authors and illustrators such as Andrew Daddo, Kim Gamble and Emily Rodda will take part in workshops and talks bringing literature to life at the beautiful former residence of one of our most famous artists and writers. Go to www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/events/literaturefestival for further details.

This year’s Heritage Festival, Saturday 1 – Sunday 16 April 2006, has the theme ‘Industrial Heritage – Our Working Lives’. The decline of many of the skills and trades that have shaped our development will also be the focus of a special conference entitled ‘No Skills: No Future’ to be held in May, highlighting how our skills training is failing to provide for a number of specialist occupations. For more details see www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au/events/festival