Creative Friends Performance

Friday 9 April, 6.30pm – 9pm
Norman Lindsay Gallery, Faulconbridge

This event will recreate the inspirational atmosphere enjoyed by Norman Lindsay and his ‘creative friends’. Hear Meg Stewart, author and daughter of Douglas and Margaret Stewart, and actor John Derum in a performance which will introduce you to the characters of Norman and Rose Lindsay and many of their friends and guests. Supper included in the gallery. Cost: members $30, non-members $40. Bookings: essential. P: (02) 4751 1067 or info@normanlindsay.com.au

Heritage Week Open Weekend - ‘The Making of our Nation’

Saturday 10 April, 10am – 4pm
Eryldene Historic House & Garden, 17 McIntosh Street Gordon

Enjoy the beautiful gardens of Eryldene with early Camellia sesanquas in bloom. Tours of the house will be available and a second-hand book stall selling titles of interest, from Governor Macquarie and Professor Waterhouse, architecture, landscape design, history, biography and travel. Sunday High Tea served from 2pm, bookings essential. Cost: House entry – adults $8, children $4. Sunday High Tea – adults $18, children $10, not including entrance fee. P: (02) 9498 2271 or eryldene@eryldene.org.au

‘Links to the Past’ –Miniature Historic House Interiors exhibition

Saturday 10 April and Sunday 11 April, 10.30am – 4pm
Tomago House, 421 Tomago Road, Tomago

The Hunter Miniatures Group presents an exhibition of historic miniature house interiors ‘Links to the Past’. There will also be food and drinks for sale. Cost: members and concession $5, non-members $6. P: (02) 4930 1471, Fay Woolley.

Lindesay Garden Party

Saturday 10 April, 10am – 3pm
Part of the National Trust Heritage Festival, Organised by the Lindesay Management Committee

Celebrate Lindesay’s newly restored garden with scrumptious high tea served all day. As well as guidance in the garden, Jill Wran will give an opening address at 10.30am. Test your croquet skills, learn to construct a Japanese bamboo fence, and watch a maypole dance. There will be a plant clinic, garden stalls and tours of the house every hour. Bring your hats and boaters and enjoy the day. Bookings essential. Cost includes high tea and a glass of sparkling wine.

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Exhibition of Needlework Boxes and Tools in the age of Mrs Macquarie

Sunday 11 and Saturday 17 April, 2pm – 4pm
Vienna Cottage, Hunters Hill

An exhibition on the needlework boxes and tools, dating from the time of Mrs Macquarie. These tools are on loan from Marlene Ardito who has been collecting these items since 1978. Cost: members free, non-members $4. P: (02) 9816 1794 or jabirch@bigpond.com.

Talk on Needlework Boxes and Tools in the age of Mrs Macquarie

Sunday 11 April, 2pm – 4pm
Hunters Hill RSL Hall, 56 Alexandra Street, Hunters Hill

Please join the Vienna Cottage committee for a talk on needlework boxes and tools which would have been in use at the time of Mrs Macquarie. Marlene Ardito will be our guest speaker, who has been collecting these items since 1978. Refreshments are included. Cost: $10. P: (02) 9816 1794 or jabirch@bigpond.com

Petersham Promenade

Sunday 11 April, 1.30pm – 4.30pm
Meet at Petersham Town Hall, Crystal Street, Petersham at 1.15pm

Join the After Hours committee and local Historical Society for an interesting stroll around the prestigious suburb of Petersham. Look into the historic past of this suburb, stroll past churches, schools, Miller’s Old Taverners Hill Brewery, sporting sites, terrace residences, and note the Portuguese influence of this diverse suburb. We will end our walk with a delicious afternoon tea. Cost: $30. Bookings: Ticket Application Sheet. P: 0418 112 018, Ron Bottrill.

Queens Park Day - Looking at Architecture with the National Trust Womens Committee

Tuesday 13 April, 10.30am - 12.30pm or 1pm - 3pm

With Centennial Park, Queens Park forms the great open greenspace that has defined and enhanced the City of Sydney since the early days of the colony when this vast open space was set aside to protect the water supply for Sydney town. Lying to the east of Centennial Park, the suburb of Queens Park is ideally situated within a few minutes of the CBD, the ocean front at Bondi Beach and the travel hub that is Mascot. Bookings: Ticket Application Sheet

Ghostly Night

Friday 16 April, 7.50pm
Old Government House, Parramatta Park

The Governors and their households left Parramatta in 1855, but their presence still haunts Old Government House. Explore this 210 year old Georgian mansion by candlelight, hear strange tales from the site’s long history, revisit the scene of a tragic accident and witness places within the house where psychics have had ghostly encounters. Reflect on your own experiences over supper and wine. Cost: $28. Bookings: Peter Crittenden. P: 0415 187 402 or www.friendsofogh.com

Local History Talks and Lunch

Saturday 17 April, 10am – 4pm
Woodford Academy, Great Western Highway, Woodford

Members of the Springwood Family History group will share their local knowledge with us. Lunch will be served upstairs, then learn about life in the Royal Household Guards. Between 11am and 1pm there will be a small exhibition paying tribute to the boys of Woodford Academy who volunteered for service during World War I. Cost: adults $25, children $10. Bookings: essential, Marilyn Wright. P: (02) 4758 7809 or woodfordacad@gmail.com.

National Trust Classic Cavalcade

Sunday 18 April, 7.30am – 4pm
Starting at Old Government House, Parramatta and finishing at Riversdale, Goulburn

The National Trust and NRMA Motoring & Services have joined forces to celebrate Governor Macquarie’s bicentenary in a unique and exciting way. Vintage and veteran cars will travel from Old Government House, along the roads that Macquarie built, until they reach Riversdale where they will be on display at a Vintage Fair for all the family! P: (02) 9258 0129.

National Trust Vintage Fair

Sunday 18 April, 11am – 5pm
Riversdale, Goulburn

Vintage frocks, live music, food and wine, and a spectacular display of classic cars will be on offer at the National Trust Vintage Fair. Part of the National Trust Heritage Festival, the Vintage Fair will celebrate the theme of this year’s Festival “The Making of Our Nation” with an exciting line-up of live entertainment, displays and stalls. NRMA will present a display of over 50 vintage and veteran cars driven from Old Government House, Parramatta along the roads that Macquarie built which will arrive at Riversdale at 11am. Riversdale will also be open for viewing. The historic National Trust property was built as a coaching inn and residence in the 1840s and is the only surviving building of the ‘Old Township’ as sited by Governor Macquarie.

Cost: $15.00 adult, $10 NRMA and National Trust members, kids under 12 free

House Inspections in the Southern Highlands (postponed from 2009)

Thursday 22 April, 10.30am – 4pm
Meet at Chelsea Park, 589 Moss Vale Road, Burradoo

Join the Southern Highlands Branch Committee as we visit wonderful art deco and inter-war homes in the Southern Highlands. Maps and information on all homes will be distributed and morning tea served at Chelsea Park. Tickets will not be issued but all names will be checked on arrival. Cost: members $30, non-members $40. Bookings: payment should be sent to Southern Highlands Branch National Trust (NSW), PO Box 491 Bowral NSW 2576 with your name, member no. and phone no. P: (02) 4861 5753 Sue Maude.

Historic Farm Day

Saturday 24 April, 10am -3.30pm
Saumarez Homestead, Armidale

Saumarez Homestead celebrates the golden age of farming in the New England area. This festival brings together crafts, displays and stalls of bygone times amongst the magnificent farm buildings of the late 1800s. Entertaining, educational and fun - the festival will delight both young and old. Cost: Free event. P: (02) 6772 3616.

Heritage Festival Family Funday

Saturday 24 April, 10am – 4pm
Woodford Academy, Great Western Highway, Woodford

Race your Cobb & Co carriage from Sydney town to Woodford Inn. Manoeuvre your steam train through the obstacle course. Join in some games from colonial days. Enjoy a colonial picnic or sit inside and use your craft skills in colonial day activities. Cost: family $25. P: (02) 4758 7809, Marilyn Wright or woodfordacad@gmail.com.

Cox’s Road Walk

Saturday 24 April, 9.30am – 4pm
Meet at Mt York Carpark

During Heritage Week, join the members of the Blue Mountains Branch walking on the historic Cox’s Road from Mt York to Hartley Vale. You may return by bus or walk back. A delicious picnic lunch is included. This is a downhill walk with some steep terrain. Good walking shoes are recommended. The walk will be accompanied by a commentary. Cost: adults $25, children $10. Bookings: essential, Rhona Leach. P: (02) 4757 2424 or BlueMtsNatTr@gmail.com

Art and History Tour to Windsor and Richmond - National Trust Way Day Tour

Tuesday, April 27, 9am
Meet the Coach at Gordon Railway Station

Join the National Trust Tours committee to visit the historic Macquarie towns of Windsor and Richmond. Enjoy morning tea with artists at their studio on Richmond; visit 1817 St Matthews Anglican Church in Windsor, designed by Francis Greenway; as well as the Old Court House, Ebenezer Church 1809 and the Macquarie School House 1819. Cost: $75 includes morning tea and lunch. Bookings: Ticket Application Sheet. Tour leader: Lorraine Collins. P: (02) 9985 7479.

New England Autumn Tour

Friday 30 April – Monday 3 May
Departs from Katoomba 8.30am Friday, returns 4.30pm Monday

Visit New England in autumn. Learn about the history of the region and enjoy heritage tours of Tamworth, Armidale and Nundle. Visit historic houses including Calala, Saumarez and Boolaminda, as well as Arrowfield Winery. Beginning in Katoomba, this tour will make a stop at Hornsby to pick up passengers. Includes accommodation, meals and morning and afternoon tea. Bookings: Diana Nelson. P: (02) 4757 1033 or BlueMtsNatTr@gmail.com for enquiries and itinerary.

Coach Tour Illawarra Weekend

30 April, 1 and 2 May

Coach departs Friday 30 April, 10.30am corner York and Margaret Streets, Sydney. Returns Sunday 2 May approximately 5pm.
Cost covers accommodation at Kiama Terrace Motor Lodge, Kiama (02) 4233 1100, two dinners, B&B two nights, two lunches and inspection tickets. (NB. All cancellations must be made three weeks prior to departure.)

Cost: Twin share Members $465
_____Friends $490
_____Single Members $565
_____Friends $590
Enquiries for coach only: Virginia Pearson-Smith (02) 9519-2343. (Friday, 30 April only) mobile 0419 146 265.

Bookings: Ticket Application Sheet

Baby Boomers & Retirees Lifestyle Expo

Friday 30th April, 12pm – 6pm
Saturday 1 May, 10am – 5pm
Sunday 2 May, 10am – 5pm
Seminar - Sunday 2nd May, 11:15am
Sydney Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour

The National Trust will be conducting a seminar at he Baby Boomers and Retirees Lifestyle Expo this weekend. On Sunday 2nd May at 11:15am, come by to hear all about the National Trust - what we do and how you can help.

The Expo will cater for all lifestyle savvy baby boomers with finance, travel, food and wine, house and garden, health and well-being represented. Enjoy the Expo’s hospitality and we trust that you will leave this event having gleaned knowledge to further your quest to become healthier, wealthier and wiser. Wealthy not only in the financial sense, but more importantly in spirit, with a vitality and attitude that better prepares you for the lifestyle challenges of the 21st century. The expo is open Friday 30th April 12pm to 6pm; Saturday 1st May & Sunday 2nd May 10am to 5pm. To celebrate the inaugural Expo in Sydney, Entry is FREE for all visitors. Visit www.babyboomerslifestyleexpo.com.au