The Road to the Illawarra – Kiama, Gerringong and Gerroa
Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 May

Two centuries ago, timber getters started cutting cedar from the dense forests of the Illawarra to ship to Sydney for the building of fine homes. As the land was cleared, dairying, the planting of cereal crops and tobacco, and quarrying of basalt gravel soon followed. Many heritage buildings still remain and, with the newly opened road, the area is an easy 90 minute drive from Sydney.

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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 

Wine Tasting and Lecture on Art-Deco Cinemas

Friday 7 May, 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Don Bank Museum, 6 Napier St, North Sydney

Enjoy wine tasting and light finger food as you learn about the restoration and conservation of Art deco cinemas by noted expert Paul Brennan. Live music by Steve White. Cost: $30.00. Bookings: essential (ticket application sheet) . P: 0404 292 208

Mother’s Day Open Weekend

May 8-9, 10am – 4pm
Eryldene Historic House & Garden, 17 McIntosh St Gordon

Celebrate this special weekend with your family at Eryldene’s renowned Mother’s Day Teas. Enjoy homemade delicacies, made from Mrs Waterhouse’s recipes, served on Royal Doulton china and set on hand embroidered table linen.
Delight in 50 years of Ikebana, Japan’s traditional floral art, in Australia and its special relationship with Eryldene and Janet Waterhouse. Ikebana Ikonobo teacher Helen Coleman, will create a display of Ikebana in the house with a demonstration on both days in the teahouse at 2pm.Eryldene’s traditional Mother’s Day Teas will be served between 10am – 4pm on both days and the Garden Café will also be open.
Cost: Entry only - adult $8, concession $6, child (6-15 years) $4, family $18
Celebratory Teas – members $20; non members $26, child (5-12 years) $10 includes entrance fee. Bookings: essential for Celebratory Mother’s Day Teas, contact Anne Davey.
P: (02) 9498 2271 or eryldene@eryldene.org.au.

Archibald and the cult of celebrity with Tom Thompson and Leslie Rice, Sydney

Sunday 9 May, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
S.H Ervin Gallery, Watson Road, Observatory Hill, The Rocks

"Archibald and the cult of celebrity" is the theme for S.H. Ervin Gallery's Public Program talk on Sunday 9 May. Guest Speaker Tom Thompson, writer, publisher, social historian and media commentator, was the subject of Garry Shead's 1993 Archibald winning portrait. Thompson is joined by exhibiting artist, Les Rice who won the 2007 Doug Moran Portrait Prize. Rice painted Melbourne identity, Mick Gatto for this year's Archibald Prize, selected for the 2010 Salon des Refuses. S.H Ervin Gallery, Watson Road, The Rocks.
Cost: $4.00 members, $7.00 adults. P: 02 9258 0173

Click here for more information about the S.H Ervin Gallery

Mother’s Day Open House

Sunday, 9 May
Miss Porter’s House, 434 King Street, Newcastle West

Surprise your mother and bring her to Everglades to enjoy a delicious home cooked lunch to celebrate Mother’s Day. The price includes a two course meal with tea/coffee and a sweet nibble, as well as a guided tour of the house and garden. BYOG. Cost: $35. Bookings: essential, contact Scott Pollock P: (02) 4784 1938 or evergladesgarden@bigpond.com.

Mother’s Day Lunch

Sunday, 9 May, 1.00pm - 4.00pm
Everglades House & Gardens, 37 Everglades Avenue, Leura

The Open Day will invite mothers and their families to celebrate Mother’s Day with a visit to the House that was the home of the widowed Florence Porter and her two daughters, Ella and Hazel, for most of their long lives. All three women were fine needle workers and some of their work will be on display. Cost: free to members, children and concession $5, adult $7. Enquiries: contact Roland Bannister. P: (02) 4967 4273 or rsbannister@gmail.com.

Open Day - celebrating the First Fleet setting sail

Saturday 15 May, 10.00am - 4.00pm
Woodford Academy, Great Western Highway, Woodford

In 1787 The First Fleet set sail for Australia. Dress up in colonial clothes or come as you are. Children’s activities from 11am till 2pm. Enjoy a guided tour and take in the ambience of the oldest group of buildings in the Blue Mountains. Enjoy a Devonshire Tea, and perhaps some colonial food. Cost: Entry and tour - adults and children $5, teas, food and drink for sale. Bookings: contact Marilyn Wright. P: (02) 4758 7809 or woodfordacad@gmail.com.

Jazz and Wine Festival

Saturday 15 May, 11.00am - 4.00pm
Norman Lindsay Gallery, Faulconbridge

The Friends of the Norman Lindsay Gallery present this popular afternoon event in the gardens of the Gallery. A picnic event where everyone receives a FREE etched wine glass to sample the premium wines from all over NSW on offer, entry to the Gallery and free parking are all included in the ticket price. This afternoon promises the best live jazz entertainment and the very popular no reserve auction. Bring along your friends and family, we promise you the best jazz and wine and the very vibrant fun auction. Cost: Entry, free parking and wine tasting - adults $30, members $25. Bookings: essential, contact Wendy Drew. P: 0417 415 356 or wendy.drew@bigpond.com.

Artist and sitter: Sinead Davies and Ken Rosewall, Sydney

Sunday 16 May, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
S.H Ervin Gallery, Watson Road, Observatory Hill, The Rocks

S.H. Ervin Gallery's Public Program guest talk for Sunday 16 May features artist, Sinead Davies and her portrait subject, Ken Rosewall, the Australian tennis legend. Davies will discuss her approach to portrait practice and Rosewall has generously made time to visit the Gallery to respond to the painting. A unqiue opportunity to learn more about portrait painting and  the experinece of being painted - from both the artist and sitter.
S.H Ervin Gallery, Watson Road, The Rocks.
Cost: $4.00 members, $7.00 adults. P: 02 9258 0173

Click here for more information about the S.H Ervin Gallery

Ghostly Night

Friday, 21 May, 7.00pm
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

Sydney Writers Festival Event: The Colony and Sydney Harbour with Grace Karskens and Ian Hoskins

Saturday 22 May
S.H Ervin Gallery, Watson Road, Observatory Hill, The Rocks

For 2010 Sydney Writers Festival -  S.H. Ervin Gallery and Sydney Observatory present an evening talk with historians, Dr. Grace Karskens, author, The Colony: A History of Early Sydney and Dr. Ian Hoskins, author, Sydney Harbour: A History. Sydney's early history is fascinating and important. We are fortunate to have two recent publications to better help understand and visualise the early growth and impact of white settlement on one of the greatest harbours and cities in the world. Begin at S.H. Ervin Gallery to view the 2010 Salon des Refuses with a glass of wine, guest talks and book-signings (publications discounted 10% on the night). Conclude the evening with a visit to Sydney Observatory for star gazing. Event tickets for sale from Sydney Observatory direct.  Please note due to site renovations parking will be limited at S.H. Ervin Gallery. Cost: $28.00 adults, $24.00 members. Bookings: essential P: 02 9921 3485

Click here for more information about the S.H Ervin Gallery

Private Treasures at Norman Lindsay Gallery

Saturday, 22 May, 7.00pm
Norman Lindsay Gallery, Faulconbridge

The Blue Mountains Branch and Friends of Norman Lindsay will be presenting a collection of family treasures and artworks. Delicious supper and a glass of wine included. Cost: $45. Bookings: essential, Diana Nelson. P: (02) 4757 1033 or BlueMtsNatTr@gmail.com

Sidney Nolan: the Gallipoli series

28 May - 27 June
S.H.Ervin Gallery

In May the S.H. Ervin Gallery will be presenting the travelling exhibition Sidney Nolan: the Gallipoli series from the Australian War Memorial. Sidney Nolan (1917–1992) was one of Australia’s most complex, innovative, and prolific artists. In 1978 Nolan presented the Gallipoli series to the Australian War Memorial. These 252 drawings and paintings, completed over a 20-year period, were donated in memory of his brother Raymond, a soldier who died in a tragic accident just before the end of the Second World War. Gallipoli was a theme to which Nolan constantly returned throughout his artistic career.

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Parramatta Lecture Series 2010 – ‘Clashing Visions - Macquarie & Bigge’ presented by Emeritus Professor Brian Fletcher

Saturday, 29 May, 10.30am - 11.30am
Northcott Conference and Function Centre, 1 Fennell Street, Parramatta

In the bicentennial year of Lachlan Macquaire’s governorship, The Friends of Old Government House will present a series of lectures on life in NSW during the Macquarie years 1810-1821. Professor Fletcher will talk on the conflicting views about the future of NSW held by John Thomas Bigge and Lachlan Macquarie. Cost: Members $10, non members $15 including lecture and morning tea. Bookings: P: (02) 9635 8149 or ogh@bigpond.com

Lola Wilkins, Curator Talk

Sunday 30 May, 3pm
S.H.Ervin Gallery

Lola Wilkins is exhibition curator and The Head of Art at the Australian War Memorial.
While observing the work from Nolan’s Gallipoli series, Wilkins will discuss themes of landscape, battle, the sea and Australian identity.

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Blue Mountains Coach Trip

May 30, 7.30am – 6.30pm
Coach departs Gordon Railway Station, Pacific Highway side at 7.30am, ample parking available

Join the After Hours committee on a luxury coach trip to the Blue Mountains, visiting National Trust properties. We will stop at Woodford Academy for Devonshire Tea plus a tour of the house, travel on to Leura for lunch and to explore Everglades House & Gardens. Finally, to Norman Lindsay Gallery for a walk through the house and gallery, as well as wine tasting of National Trust sponsored wines with some savoury snacks. Cost: $75. Bookings: Ticket Application Sheet. P: 0418 112 018, Ron Bottrill.

Day Tour to Cockatoo Island, Sydney

31 May, Monday, 9.30am

his interesting guided tour is being repeated due to popular demand. We will meet at Circular Quay Wharf No. 5 at 9.30am to catch the ferry to Cockatoo Island which departs at 9.50am promptly. The return ferry trip costs $10.40 or $2.50 for a day ticket if you have a seniors card.
The Sydney Harbour Trust’s guides will take us on a tour of Cockatoo Island for
1½ hours. Following the tour, we will enjoy a light lunch at the Muster Station Café before catching the return ferry to Circular Quay.
Cost: $40 plus ferry ticket
Bookings: Ticket Application Sheet
Tour Leader: Debbie Loughnan. P: (02) 9997 5949 or 0419 141933.