As I write this message I have just learned of the death of Nancy-Bird Walton AO OBE. As many of you will know she was named a National Trust Living Treasure in 1997. Our sympathies go to her family and friends and I am sure our thoughts will be with them during her State funeral and beyond.
Another National Trust Living Treasure, Dr Margaret Olley AC AO, opened Timeless: The art of Cressida Campbell at the S.H. Ervin Gallery on Tuesday 13 January, launching the 2009 exhibition program. It was a wonderful night attended by many distinguished guests, including our Patron Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC, CVO.
2009 is already promising to be a year full of change and action. This edition of e-news clearly shows how busy we all are. Our advocacy campaign for Eveleigh Railway Workshop seems to be edging nearer to a positive resolution but our work is not over for both Ku-ring-gai Town Centre’s Draft Local Environmental Plan and Kurnell Sand Mining, to name just a couple. The latter is likely to be a major story on the ABC 7.30 Report on Australia Day, featuring Graham Quint as the National Trust spokesman. Add to this our free entry day to many of our properties on Australia Day, the launch of our State-wide EnergyAustralia National Trust Heritage Awards and our Heritage Festival in April and you can see we shall continue to be busy for some time yet.
Behind the scenes I am planning to wrap up my initial tour of our branches, committees and properties in February, my next visits will be to Wentworth and Broken Hill. The information I’ve gleaned has been invaluable in shaping the future of the organisation and I will keep you informed on progress as it becomes available.
So thank you for your continued hard work and keep the stories coming in so we can all keep up to date on all our wonderful efforts.
John Neish
Executive Director.
UPCOMING EVENTS
January
26 Jan - Australia Day celebrations at National Trust properties – free entry for all
8 Feb - Opera in The Courtyard at Old Government House, Parramatta
S.H. ERVIN GALLERY
Until 22 Feb - Timeless: The art of Cressida Campbell
To see all upcoming events or to make a booking visit our website
| IN BRIEF | |
| ADVOCACY | |
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| Eveleigh Railway Workshops A recent National Trust meeting with the Office of Rail Heritage has confirmed some significant progress in the Trust’s campaign to have the historic workshops, their collections and associated specialised traditional skills recognised and conserved. Read more |
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MCA Building Re-Development, Circular Quay |
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Kurnell Sand Mining The National Trust had given evidence at a Land & Environment Court hearing into an extension of sand mining at Kurnell. Sand mining was intended by the NSW Government to be phased out by 2010. Recent media reports have claimed that sand mining on an adjoining site may be dredging beyond approved limits. Read more |
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Hartley Valley Landscape The National Trust and the Blue Mountains and Lithgow Regional Committees are examining proposals by the Roads and Traffic Authority to re-route the Great Western Highway between Mt Victoria and Lithgow. Read more Image: Hartley Valley from air 2007 |
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| CONSERVATION | |
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National Trust Restoration Appeals |
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| EDUCATION | |
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| 2009 National Trust Heritage Festival – Saturday 4 April to Sunday 19 April The National Trust invites you to celebrate Australia’s natural and cultural heritage, with over 400 community-hosted events to be held across NSW. Read more |
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| Organic Gardening Workshops at Norman Lindsay Gallery The National Trust is conducting a series of one day gardening workshops at the Norman Lindsay Gallery in the Blue Mountains. Read more |
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| REGIONAL ROUND UP | |
| Committees, Friends, Branches, if you would like to submit news and stories from your local region please email the details to staleski@nsw.nationaltrust.org.au |
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| Riverina Regional Committee oppose the demolition of the Hampden Bridge, Wagga Wagga | |
| After recently inspecting the current site conditions of Hampden Bridge over the Murrumbidgee River at Wagga Wagga, Riverina Regional Committee Chairperson, Noel Thompson, has sent a letter to Wagga Wagga council formally listing their objections and recommendations. Read more |
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| Miss Porter’s House celebrates its centenary in 2009 |
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| When newly-weds Herbert Porter and his bride Florence Jolly moved into their new home at 434 King Street Newcastle, in 1909, little would they have imagined that their house would, one hundred years later, be a National Trust House. Read more. |
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| Changes to the Vienna Cottage Committee for 2009 | |
The National Trust Vienna Cottage Committee held an afternoon tea in December for four of its stalwart members who retired from the committee last year. Image: seated l-r Francis Drury, Sheila Swain AM, Marie Johnston, Bob van de Vegt, standing l-r Michael Lehany, Carol Percival, John Birch AM. |
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| Blue Mountains Branch holds delightful ‘Gala Private Collections Night’ at Everglades | |
The art deco residence at Everglades Gardens was the scene for a recent showing of some beautiful contributions from the private collections of Blue Mountains Branch Members.
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| Friends of Cooma Cottage to hold AGM | |
| The Annual General Meeting for the Friends of Cooma Cottage will be held on Saturday 7 February. Read more. |
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| EVENTS & TOURS | |
Australia Day celebrations at National Trust properties – free entry for all Bring along your family and friends and celebrate Australia Day at your local National Trust property with free entry on Australia Day. Read more |
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| Timeless: The art of Cressida Campbell – until 22 February at S.H. Ervin Gallery The work of Cressida Campbell is renowned for its depiction of subtle beauty in the everyday and commonplace. Read more Image: Cressida Campbell, Plums with Indian Cloth 2004, Woodblock Print, 58.5 x 62.5cm. Private collection © the artist. Licensed by Viscopy. |
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| Opera in The Courtyard at Old Government House, Parramatta – Sunday 8 February The Very Small Opera Company will present an evening of arias from Carmen by Bizet, followed by a selection of well-known opera highlights. Read more |
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Reliance Evening Cruise – 14 and 28 February |
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In Recital – Nadia Piave and Gino Pengue – Friday 20 and Saturday 21 February Image: Nadia Piave and Gino Pengue |
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Reptile Day at Wirrimbirra Sanctuary, Bargo – Sunday 22 February, 10am – 3pm |
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A Ghostly Night at Old Government House, Parramatta Park – Friday 27 February, 8pm |
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Bellevue Hill Day House Inspection – Tuesday 10 March |
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Wahroonga Day House Inspection – Tuesday 7 April |
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| REGIONAL NSW |
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| Cancellation of the Boutique Weekend at Mudgee A notice went into the last National Trust Magazine (NSW) advising of a boutique weekend in Mudgee in autumn. The Central West Women’s Committee regrets to inform you that this weekend has been cancelled. We apologise for any inconvenience. |
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Valentine's Night at Everglades House and Garden – Saturday 14 February |
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| Blue Mountains Branch presents ‘Tales of the Swag’ – Saturday 21 February Des Kelly, a great entertainer from Gulgong will be presenting ‘Tales of the Swag’ at the Woodford Academy. Read more. |
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| Summer Art at Saumarez Homestead: Friday 27 February – Sunday 15 March An art show/competition will be on display, coordinated by the Armidale Art Groups and Saumarez Homestead. Read more. |
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Jazz in the Garden at Norman Lindsay Gallery –Saturday 28 February, 5pm (gates open 4pm) |
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Norman Lindsay Festival of Children’s Literature at Norman Lindsay Gallery: Saturday 28 – Sunday 29 March |
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| OVERSEAS National Trust Way tour – Highlights of Vietnam: from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh with optional extension to Cambodia – 25 March – 10 April Discover Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage on this tour that visits World Heritage sites, museums, peaceful pagodas, grand royal tombs, temples of the remarkable but little known Cham Kingdom, as well as places of great natural beauty. Read more. |
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National Trust Way tour of Tuscany, 19 May – 1 June
Explore a different part of Tuscany each day on this popular tour, with highlights including small hilltop villages, gardens, villas and markets. Read more. |
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| PROMOTIONS & ANNOUNCEMENTS | |
| Members and friends can now WIN an amazing 11 day adventure through Ireland valued at $12,000! Introduce a new member, buy a gift membership or join the National Trust of Australia (NSW) for your chance to enter this amazing Ireland holiday draw. Read more. |
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The National Trust invites you to a complimentary screening of Dean Spanley at Roseville Cinemas – 19 February Starring 8-time Academy Award nominee Peter O'Toole, Jeremy Northam, Sam Neill and Bryan Brown. Dean Spanley is a whimsical and poignant tale of a father and son, and their encounters with an eccentric stranger. Read more. |
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| conserving our heritage for the future |  |
Bonhams
& Goodman Official valuers to the Trust |
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| The National Trust of Australia (NSW) National Trust Centre, Observatory Hill, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia |
Telephone: (02) 9258 0123 Fax: (02) 9251 1110 E-mail: info@nsw.nationaltrust.org.au |
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