National Trust NSW Magazine – April to June 2023

Welcome to our second edition of the National Trust New South Wales magazine for 2023. This issue includes a special feature on some of the most significant trees that call National Trust gardens home – find out which trees our head gardeners and property managers pick as their standouts and why. Discover the joys of combining heritage and the great outdoors on three of the best heritage-themed walks in New South Wales. Learn what life was like for servants and staff at Old Government House. Read about the recent additions to the growing National Trust Register. And fill your schedule with special exhibitions, tours, talks, workshops, food fairs, ceremonies, demonstrations, dinners and more as the country's largest community-driven heritage event, the Australian Heritage Festival, returns for another year.

The Norm Harris bridge on the Goobarragandra River is part of the Hume and Hovell Track, a 426-kilometre walk that starts at the National Trust’s Cooma Cottage near Yass (image courtesy humeandhovelltrack.com.au).

National Trust (NSW) Observatory Hill, Millers Point, Sydney 2000 GPO Box 518, Sydney 2001

Telephone: (02) 9258 0123 nationaltrust.org.au/nsw

President: Ms Kathryn Pitkin AM

CEO: Debbie Mills

Editor: Andrew Sedger

Designer: Lauren Sutherland

Editorial Committee: David Burdon, Nick Corbett, Nicole Crabb, Susan Hunt, Debbie Mills, Anja Stride, Lisa Siberry, Leah Tasker, Jane Watters, Anne Weinman.

The National Trust New South Wales magazine is published by the National Trust of Australia (New South Wales). Published articles reflect the opinions of the authors and are not necessarily reflective of the views of the National Trust. This magazine is printed by Enviropress, a division of Bright Print Group, on paper that is independently certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), carbon neutral and made with 100% recycled post-consumer waste in a chlorine-free environment.

Committed to Heritage

BY KATHRYN PITKIN AM, PRESIDENT

Dear Members,

It’s an honour to be elected as the new National Trust President. I’m truly grateful to follow in the footsteps of our most recent presidents, Neil Wykes OAM and Brian Powyer OAM, who have both made invaluable contributions. I look forward to building on their legacies.

For those I haven’t yet met, a bit about my background. A significant part of my career involved working as an educator in the fields of English, history and communications across regional NSW with the NSW Department of Education, TAFE NSW and Charles Sturt University.

Since 2009, I’ve held a range of positions at the National Trust property Miss Porter’s House, including Executive Committee member and Management Committee Chair and Treasurer. I’m also a current active member of the National Trust Hunter Branch. An appreciation for our volunteers and the work they do led me to join the National Trust (NSW) Board and the Finance Audit and Risk Management Committee in 2019.

Having been involved with the National Trust for a long time, I believe in the Trust’s vision and objectives, and am committed to the good governance of organisations, especially those handling public money, thereby ensuring we are fulfilling our responsibilities to our members, donors and supporters.

Looking to the year ahead at the National Trust, we are busy planning the annual Australian Heritage Festival. The theme for this year’s program is ‘Shared Stories’ and I hope you will join us across April and May to enjoy the exciting selection of activities planned. The festival is a wonderful event designed to spark interest and wonder, investigation and learning about the world around us. It brings heritage to life for everyone and is an opportunity to engage communities in every state, linking heritage across the country.

A highlight of the program will be the 29th annual National Trust (NSW) Heritage Awards on Friday, 12 May. We are proud to lead this highly anticipated celebration of outstanding heritage practice, acknowledging the hard work and dedication of individuals, community groups and organisations working on projects big and small.

I look forward to taking on the new role of President and enjoying this year’s Heritage Festival with you. Thank you for your ongoing support.

Best wishes,

Kathryn Pitkin AM, President

National Trust News

Catch up on the latest heritage and advocacy news from across the State. Read about the inspiring restorations at Miss Porter's House, Norman Lindsay Gallery and Cooma Cottage. Stay current with the National Trust's advocacy on Warragamba Dam, the protection of significant trees and the audit of heritage oversight in New South Wales.

GENERAL NEWS

Miss Porter’s House restored

We’re delighted to announce the exterior of Miss Porter’s House in Newcastle has been restored to its former glory. For the first time in 50 years, all of the intricate verandah ironwork is in place, and the restoration team has fixed the verandah flooring so the space can now be accessed by visitors. The house's bullnose roof has also been replaced. Miss Porter’s House was built by the Porter family in 1909 and has been in the National Trust’s care since 1997. We like to think the original Porter family would be proud of the results.

Progress at Norman Lindsay Gallery

Thanks to a generous member donation, the rejuvenation of the pool area at Norman Lindsay Gallery is well underway. The stonemason has re-instated the original walking track and the National Trust's Bush Management Team has cleared the stone terraces, which now look like they did when Lindsay built the pool in 1920. Member donations to the landscape appeal have also funded the removal of dying vegetation to make way for new shrubs and trees, breathing fresh new life into the gallery's gardens.

Cooma Cottage rejuvenation

This April marks 150 years since the death of Australianborn explorer Hamilton Hume at Cooma Cottage near Yass. Best known for opening up the first overland route from Sydney to Port Philip, Hume bought the property and 100 surrounding acres in 1840. Thanks to our generous members and donors, the National Trust has recently raised $150,000 to restore the historic homestead. Work will soon commence to replace the roof on the Coachman’s cottage, restore wooden shutters, paint and repair walls and install new lighting.

Warragamba Dam update

The National Trust has lodged a submission to WaterNSW's Preferred Infrastructure report on the proposal to raise the Warragamba Dam wall. The report does not adequately consider the project's entire heritage and environmental impacts, which would irreversibly diminish the natural and cultural values of the Blue Mountains. The National Trust has recognised the extraordinary significance of the Blue Mountains since the early 1970s, listing various parts of the Blue Mountains as Landscape Conservation Areas, and we will continue to fight to protect this special place.

Protecting significant trees

This year the National Trust has formed a Significant Trees Working Group to assess New South Wales tree nominations to the national register, Trust Trees. The register is an organic list that constantly evolves as some trees die or require removal and new trees are registered. It currently features more than 2,500 significant Australian trees. The register helps raise awareness about the significance of these trees and contributes to their protection.

Audit of heritage in NSW

The Audit Office of NSW is currently conducting an audit to assess how effectively the Department of Planning and Environment (Heritage NSW) is overseeing and administering heritage assets of State significance. The National Trust has been briefed on the audit and has prepared a detailed submission. This is a significant audit and has the potential to lead to improved heritage outcomes for the State. We look forward to reading the findings, which are scheduled to be tabled in June.

Opposite from top

The restored verandah at Miss Porter’s House; new stonework at Norman Lindsay Gallery; Cooma Cottage. (National Trust images). From top

Warragamba Dam (Image courtesy of Blue Mountains City Council); date palm and strangler fig in Elkington Park, Balmain (National Trust image); State heritage-listed Parramatta Female Factory (National Trust image).

Behind the Scenes of Old Government House

BY ADIBA RAHMAN, HERITAGE CONSULTANT

Built on the lands of the Dhurag people, Old Government House is a World Heritage-listed site best known as the country residence of the colony’s first ten governors. As Australia’s oldest public building, it was both home and workplace for countless staff with fascinating histories.

The longest residents of Old Government House, and perhaps the best known, were Governor Lachlan Macquarie and his wife, Elizabeth. When they sailed for New South Wales in 1809, they were accompanied by an eclectic mix of servants to make life more orderly and comfortable at the elegant Georgian house.

Among them were Hector and George Jarvis, who Macquarie purchased as young boys from a slave market in India, while he was stationed there with the British Army. Although little is known of Hector, George was granted his full freedom and served as the governor’s personal assistant for the rest of his life. He was an important and respected member of the household staff and developed a close bond with his employer.

In 1820, George married Mary Jelly, a convict recently assigned to the Macquaries as a chambermaid. Mary would have been responsible for lighting and keeping fires going to warm the

rooms, heating water for bathing, filling and emptying hip baths, emptying chamber-pots, changing the bed linen and making the beds. On cold winter evenings, she would place bedwarmers between the sheets to ensure the Macquaries’ comfort, and during the day she would adjust the multiple layers of curtains and shutters to maintain a comfortable level of light.

George and Mary accompanied the Macquaries back to Scotland in 1822. George was present at Macquarie’s death in 1824, dying himself six months later. Mary stayed in Elizabeth’s employ and was also present at her deathbed 11 years later.

Another servant who came to Sydney with the Macquaries was Mrs Ovens, the appropriately-named cook. Working in the hot and often stressful environs of the kitchen, she would prepare daily meals for the family and elaborate spreads of multiple dishes for guests, making the most of fresh dairy

produce, meat and vegetables from the Parramatta district. One guest in 1810 reported sitting down to a “too small” dinner for seventeen, comprising soup, boiled turkey, roast beef, fricassee, curried duck, kidneys and tongue, stewed oysters, wild duck, vegetables, tartlets and jellies. One likes to hope that while not occupied in the kitchen, Mrs Ovens would be outside the dining room enjoying Mrs Macquarie’s cello or piano playing – after the meal as she helped tidy up.

While the kitchen was Mrs Ovens’s domain, the household was run with military precision by the butler, Robert Fopp, and the housekeeper, Jemima Fisher. Mr Fopp was another servant who came to the colony with the governor. He had his own “office”, known as the butler’s pantry, which was situated beneath the stairs in the central block of the house. One of his primary duties involved greeting visitors and showing them into the governor’s office or the family’s receiving rooms. He even had his own bell to summon the other staff members – the bells are in a row in the south corridor leading to the staff quarters of the house.

Like Mary Jelly, Mrs Fisher was a convict assigned to work at Old Government House. Then Jemima Bolton, she arrived in the colony aged 34, after being sentenced to transportation for stealing clothing. She married another assigned convict the following year and stayed on as housekeeper. In this senior capacity, she would have been responsible for working with Mrs Macquarie to maintain the house and supervise the maids. One of the maids, ex-convict Elizabeth Berry, was first employed at the house in about 1803. Elizabeth was married to Governor King’s orderly, Sergeant Charles Whalan, in a ceremony held in the drawing room, with King giving the bride away.

Charles himself was another former convict. He was initially employed as a clerk in government stores because he could both read and write. A trusted and loyal aid to three governors, he seized and broke John Macarthur’s sword when he threatened Governor Bligh during one of their notorious clashes. Macquarie appointed him sergeant of his bodyguard of light horse.

Charles retired when the Macquaries left and took up land granted to him at Prospect. In a reference written before his departure, Macquarie described him as “peculiarly correct, honest, honourable and faithful, never having had one occasion to find fault with him, or in the least degree to censure his conduct …” Charles was laid to rest in a vault at St John’s Cemetery in Parramatta in 1839; a hearse was used for the first time in New South Wales to transport his body.

While important decisions were being made by various governors residing at Old Government House, and the place was no doubt a bustle of constant activity, it was the staff who kept things running smoothly behind the scenes. Their stories are equally important in capturing the life of this historic site.

Help bring the history of Old Government House to life

The National Trust is embarking on important restoration works to future-proof Old Government House, and we need your help. The bakery and servants’ hall will be recreated, the Barracks needs repainting, and a new state-of-the-art education room will be installed. Please get involved and donate at nationaltrust.org.au/donate-nsw

Opposite

Old Government House, where a large staff kept things running smoothly behind the scenes (photo by Michael Kennedy).

From left

The kitchen and domain of household cook Mrs Ovens, who was responsible for preparing meals (photo by SGR Photo); one of the bedrooms, which chambermaids such as Mary Jelly would have looked after (photo by Michael Kennedy).

The Beauty of Trees

BY LIZ HARFULL, AUTHOR AND COMMUNITY HISTORIAN

With World Environment Day approaching on 5 June, it’s time to reflect on some of the significant trees that call National Trust gardens home. Our team of head gardeners and property managers share their favourites.

A famous poem by American author Joyce Kilmer begins with the line: ‘I think that I will never see, a poem lovely as a tree’. Written more than a century ago, the poem praises the beauty of trees while highlighting the improbability of mankind ever creating a work of art that could match it.

After years of research by around 150 scientists from around the world, it was calculated only last year that there are around 73,000 different tree species on the planet. Some of the rarest and most unusual have found their way into historic gardens in New South Wales, where they are admired for their beauty by visitors, and nurtured by National Trust gardeners and volunteers.

The living fossil

Amongst the most unusual is a Japanese umbrella pine (Sciadopitys verticillata) found at the acclaimed Everglades House & Gardens at Leura in the Blue Mountains, on the lands of the Dharug and Gundungurra people. Established in the 1930s, the mountain retreat was built for Belgian-born merchant and textile manufacturer Henri van de Velde.

The Moderne-style garden was designed by Danish-born horticulturalist and landscape designer, Paul Sorensen, who is widely admired for his work between the two world wars, with Everglades House & Gardens today considered the finest

(NSW)

garden from the inter-war period in Australia. “He loved his trees and he used them really, really well,” says head gardener Simon Cooper.

No records remain to explain exactly where the umbrella pine was sourced, but its size indicates that it is at least 80 years old so it was likely amongst the original plantings. The tree fascinates Simon because it’s a living fossil – the sole surviving member of the Sciadopityaceae family. The oldest known fossils of the species date from the late Cretaceous period, meaning it has changed little in around 100 million years.

One of relatively few documented Japanese umbrella trees in Australia, the Everglades House & Gardens’s specimen is tucked away in the upper Alpine terrace off the main path,

where it enjoys morning sun while being protected from the afternoon heat. “Not many people know about it, but if people ask whether we have any special trees, it’s one of the first that I tell them about,” says Simon. “Compared with the other conifers in the garden you would think that it is only young because of its height. Ours is probably about 12 or 14 metres tall, but they only grow about 15 centimetres a year.”

Simon is also drawn to a striking example of the endangered giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum). Around 30 metres tall, it is a relative sapling for the species which can live for thousands of years, and average 85 metres in height with a six to eight-metre diameter, leading to it often being described as the most massive tree on earth. Unlike the common redwood, there are fewer than 80,000 left in the world, a precarious situation made worse after major wildfires swept through its native habitat in California.

Planted on the Conifer Terrace, the tree is one of the first things visitors notice when they enter the property. “It is directly behind our display beds, which you see as soon as you start walking down the driveway. You cannot miss it,” Simon says.

Like the umbrella pine, the tree is healthy and requires very little attention. Agapanthus have been removed to keep the ground around its base clear, but it doesn’t need additional water or fertiliser, especially given that it sends out feeder roots to the nearby tulip beds, which are richly fed.

A marker in time

When it comes to dramatic first impressions, it’s hard to go past another ancient conifer species that graces the grounds of Retford Park near Bowral in the Southern Highlands. Averaging up to 35 metres tall with a distinctive dome-shaped crown, the bunya pine ( Araucaria bidwillii ) was often planted by pastoralists as a marker to help guide people to their homesteads. The magnificent specimen at Retford Park most likely dates to 1887, when the gracious Italianate-style residence was built on the land of the Gundungurra people by merchant and stockbreeder, Samuel Hordern and his wife, Jane. The Hordern family established the major Sydney department store, Anthony Hordern & Sons.

“I think what takes people by surprise when they first approach is how wide it is. We measured it quite recently and it’s 5.7 metres

Opposite

The bunya pine pictured far right, at Retford Park (photo by SGR Photo).

Above

The giant sequoia at Everglades House & Gardens (photo by Simon Cooper).

in circumference. I often see people just standing there and admiring it,” says head gardener Keith Hunter. Despite suffering a little damage during storms last year, the tree is healthy. “One of the neighbouring pin oaks trees had a significant snap-out which damaged the bunya slightly, but it has opened up a lot more light and we are already starting to see new growth on that side.”

An important task at Retford Park is collecting the pine’s enormous cones before they fall. The species is native to Queensland and Indigenous Australians have eaten the nuts for millennia, but the cones grow up to 35 centimetres in diameter and weigh up to 10 kilograms, making them a serious hazard should they fall on anyone’s head.

Exploring underneath another prominent species on the property poses no such risks – in fact it is encouraged. In the main parkland near the house is a collection of oaks. They reflect Hordern’s passion for the

genus – a budding oak features in the family company's coat of arms, with the motto “while I live I’ll grow”. The collection includes two sprawling deciduous Algerian oaks (Quercus canariensis). “They are really spectacular trees. They have a beautiful, broad, swooping canopy that reaches all the way down to the ground and spreads out over 30 metres,” Keith says.

Requiring little extra care, the trees benefit from the park’s automated irrigation system, and a drainage system that removes excess water. Spot checks are made after big storms to see if there are any damaged limbs or movement in the root plates. “We recently had a consulting arborist come through and assess all the trees on site, and the feedback was excellent. The trees are in good condition.”

The tree of life

The stand-out tree at Golden Vale homestead near Sutton Forest in the Southern Highlands is more of a mystery. As the National Trust’s General Manager for volunteer properties, Nick Corbett loves visiting the Cyprus that shelters the house from the afternoon sun, but no-one is exactly certain of the species.

“It can be quite difficult to distinguish between different species of Cyprus because they often share similar leaf structure. It was thought to be a Nookta cypress but based on the cones, we think it is more likely a Mediterranean species,” he says.

A two-storey Georgian sandstone homestead, Golden Vale was built by gentleman grazier Edward Carter in the late 1860s for his wife, Mary Ann, and their expanding family. It replaced a brick house built by emancipated convict Thomas Wilmott in 1841. In a beautiful setting at the foot of Mount Gingenbullen, a significant site for the Gundungurra people, Carter’s new residence originally overlooked an open Capability Brown-style landscape, dotted with large trees. The Cyprus was planted in a separate garden section bound by a picket fence, on the south-west side of the house, and was already a reasonable size in a photo taken in 1872.

In good health today despite losing a branch during a storm last year, the tree is now one of the oldest on the property. “We call it the Tree of Life because there are a number of peacocks and guinea fowl in the garden, and every night they fly up into its branches to nest in safety.”

Above

The Cyprus (right) at Golden Vale and a local peacock in foreground (National Trust image).

Opposite from top

One of the Algerian oaks at Retford Park (National Trust image); Ginkgo biloba , sometimes known as a maidenhair tree, at Saumarez Homestead (photo by Jarrad Stevenson).

“We call it the Tree

of Life

because

there are a number of peacocks and guinea fowl in the garden, and every night they fly

up

into its

branches to nest in safety.”

An autumn showstopper

The showstopping tree at Saumarez Homestead near Armidale is a Ginkgo biloba , sometimes known as a maidenhair tree, which transforms in autumn from dark green to glorious gold. Planted in the front garden on the south side of the house around the turn of the twentieth century, it is thought to be one of the largest ginkgos in Australia.

Saumarez Homestead was the home of the White family for 110 years. The garden was planned to complement their grand Edwardian mansion, built between 1888 and 1906. While the design was based on English concepts, it incorporates many exotic trees and shrubs from around the world. Manager Jarrad Stevenson is particularly fascinated by the way some of the selections reflect exotic Chinoiserie influences in the house.

The Ginkgo species originates in China and is capable of living for a thousand years. Another living fossil, it is the sole surviving species from the Ginkgoales order which first appeared more than 290 million years ago. The species is dioecious, which means it has separate sexes. It was only recently confirmed that the main Saumarez specimen is male, although the property is lucky enough to have a smaller female tree too, which means seedlings can be nurtured for sale in the onsite shop.

Another favourite tree in the two-hectare garden is a Chinese elm (Ulmus parvifolia), which has provided the backdrop for many wedding ceremonies hosted at the property. “Incredibly, this tree has survived for well over a hundred years, despite its main trunk splitting in two during a major storm in the 1980s, and then again in 2010. One of Australia’s leading tree surgeons, Alex Bicknell, expertly managed to chain together the split main trunks, and the canopy was reduced to save this giant gem,” says Jarrad.

Caring for the trees at Saumarez Homestead has not always been easy, especially during the most recent drought when a local plumber saved the day, delivering 10,000 litres of water in his truck to help keep the garden alive. Thanks to donations from a 2021 drought appeal fund, the team also repaired and installed more water tanks on the grounds. “We have gone from one extreme to the other in the past couple of years but with this additional water the trees have coped well,” Jarrad says.

Expanding the National Trust’s Register

BY CHARLOTTE ANLEZARK, CONSERVATION OFFICER

An outback cemetery, a navigational obelisk and post-war housing built for refinery employees are among the latest items to be added to the National Trust Register, reflecting the ever-growing diversity of heritage sites now listed in New South Wales.

The National Trust has prepared close to 12,000 heritage listings since establishing its register in 1967. They range from lone graves to expansive landscape conservation areas, individual houses to whole streets and industrial complexes. The aim is to expand the register of culturally significant items every year, focusing particularly on evolving contemporary heritage or items endangered by development or environmental risks.

The purpose of listing an item is first and foremost for its protection. The main threats to heritage in 2023 are demolition and neglect, insensitive development and environmental risks such as climate change. Listing an item with the National Trust serves as an early, non-statutory warning that it should be conserved, and has often led to legislated heritage protection by gathering important evidence for the historical record, which is ready to hand when challenges arise. Listing can aid campaigns to save items from destruction, encourage adaptive reuse, or attract funding for appropriate conservation.

Here are some recent additions that reflect the diversity of culturally significant places across our State.

Gold Commissioner’s House, Sofala

The Gold Commissioner’s House is located in the historic village of Sofala, often described as Australia’s oldest surviving goldrush town. On the banks of the Turon River near Bathurst, the town exploded into existence after gold was discovered in 1851. Both home and workplace for the local gold commissioner, the Victorian-style house was built the same year, making it

one of the first buildings in the village. A two-storey dwelling constructed of local stringybark, it features twelve-pane windows and remains substantially intact after more than 170 years, adding significantly to the heritage streetscape of the village.

Dromore Cemetery

One of five cemeteries added to the register in 2022, the Dromore Cemetery comprises just one burial. The grave may initially appear quite humble, but its lone white marble headstone serves as an important marker for early European history in the remote Central Darling Shire and one of the first commercial enterprises on the Wilcannia-Ivanhoe stock route. Located 100 metres off the Cobb Highway, about 80 kilometres from Ivanhoe, the gravestone identifies the burial place of Charles Hillier. It is also the only tangible reminder of a store and post office branch that once stood nearby, at a watering point on the stock route known as Twelve-Mile Tank. Sent by his employer to establish the business, Charles had been there less than three months when he died in September 1880, at the age of 62. His grave is the earliest recorded European burial site in the area. Given its isolated location, those who grieved Charles’s death must have gone to substantial lengths to give him a proper memorial.

Sydney Navigation Obelisks

The listing of six obelisks in the Eastern Suburbs and Lower North Shore provides a rare insight into the history of navigation at the entrance to Sydney Harbour. While contemporary travellers can use satellite navigation systems and the later lighthouses to guide their journeys, the captains and crews of ships entering the harbour in the 1800s had no such luxury, with the treacherous headlands bringing many to grief. Constructed between 1830 and the late 1850s, the obelisks at East Parsley Bay, West Parsley Bay, Green Point, Obelisk Bay and North Head were developed to guide ships safely into the harbour and prevent them being wrecked along the Sow and Pigs Reef on the eastern side of the main shipping channel between Middle Head and South Head.

Harry Seidler Houses, Kurnell

A small group of modernist houses are an example of the more contemporary listings now found on the register. Located at the site of the former Australian Oil Refinery in Kurnell, the six houses are seminal early works of the distinguished architect Harry Seidler. With the transport industry booming after the Second World War, Caltex made a controversial purchase of swampland in Kurnell, clearing native vegetation to construct an oil refinery. Seidler was commissioned to design a group of dwellings as part of the industrial complex to allow technical staff to be housed on site. The National Trust listing card notes that the earlymodern houses would have been considered daring and futuristic when they were built in 1955, reflecting the bold character of midcentury design. The low-scale group displays the architect’s keen interest in simple, open floorplans and flat- roofed forms, using a limited palette of materials and large areas of glass to create spatial continuity between the interior and exterior.

Is your property eligible for listing?

If you would like to research a listed property, help update the information for your property, or suggest a property for future listing, contact the National Trust’s advocacy team at advocacy@nationaltrust.com.au

If you own a house or building in NSW that is listed by the National Trust, you can apply for a plaque to denote your home's heritage status. Contact the National Trust’s archives team at archives@ nationaltrust.com.au

Opposite

The Gold Commissioner's House, Sofala (photo by Genevieve Vallee, alamy.com).

Above from top

One of the Seidler Houses in Kurnell, now used as a recycle station (photo by Sean Johnson); Sydney Harbour navigation obelisk, c 1935 (photo by E.W. Searle, courtesy National Library of Australia); Dromore Cemetery (photo by Lee Squires).

Walking with Heritage

Whether you fancy a short stroll or a far longer trek that tests your stamina over many kilometres, there are a myriad of choices for people keen to make the most of the balmy autumn days that lie ahead. Three of the State’s best long-distance walking trails encompass both stunning scenery and heritage places, ranging from some of Australia’s oldest architecture to a simple tradesman’s cottage. Whatever path you choose, make sure to do your homework first and plan head.

Hume and Hovell Track

The Hume and Hovel Track is often described as one of the State’s best kept secrets. The 426-kilometre route starts at the National Trust’s Cooma Cottage, home of Australianborn explorer Hamilton Hume, who reputedly fell in love with the location when he camped there during his expedition to Port Phillip in 1824. After initially missing out on selecting the site for his own pastoral ventures, he later purchased the land and cottage, expanding the complex of buildings visitors see today.

From Cooma Cottage, the track follows as closely as possible the route Hume and William Hovell took to Albury. Tackling the entire distance demands a commitment of 18 to 26 days, incorporating both easy and strenuous stretches that embrace stunning countryside views, as well as forests and wetlands.

If completing the full track isn’t an option, the first section covers about 72 kilometres. Graded easy for the entire length, it takes about 25 hours to complete, making it suitable for a long-weekend ramble, with rest and

campsites conveniently spaced along the way. The route passes through the beautiful Burrinjuck Nature Reserve. Hikers cross Lake Burrinjuck by boat before resuming the trail near Cathedral Rocks. Bookings are absolutely essential for the boat service which does not operate every day.

This section of the walk ends at the Fitzpatrick Trackhead, named after James Fitzpatrick, one of six convict servants who accompanied Hume and Hovell on their expedition. Transported from Ireland for an offence under the Insurrection Act, he was given a Ticket of Leave because of his contribution.

To plan your adventure visit humeandhovelltrack.com.au. For more information about Cooma Cottage visit nationaltrust.org.au/places/cooma-cottage

As the cooler weather approaches, now is an ideal time to hit the trail and discover some New South Wales walks that combine heritage and the great outdoors.

Below

Micalong Creek, Tumut, on the Hume and Hovell Track (image courtesy humeandhovelltrack.com.au).

Great North Walk

Stretching from Sydney to the Hunter Valley and Newcastle, the Great North Walk offers outdoor enthusiasts very different prospects, encompassing both urban streets and potential wildlife encounters. The 250-kilometre route was created in 1988 to celebrate Australia’s bicentenary. The full walk incorporates challenging elements, and takes between eight and 14 days to complete, however there are plenty of easy one-day options.

Completing the first section from Sydney's CBD to Boronia Park offers the perfect opportunity to visit the National Trust’s Vienna Cottage, and absorb the old-world charm of Woolwich and Hunter’s Hill on Sydney’s North Shore. Six kilometres one way, this walk is rated easy to moderate and takes only a few hours if you are not tempted by one of the area’s many popular bakeries and cafés.

Walkers begin their adventure at Macquarie Place and the obelisk which served as the original “zero mile” marker for principal roads built in New South Wales for almost 200 years. Then comes a ferry ride across beautiful Sydney Harbour to Woolwich Wharf where the trail picks up again, passing through historic streets almost to the front door of Vienna Cottage.

Built in 1871, this humble artisan’s cottage has a slate roof, four rooms and a detached kitchen and laundry at the back. It was originally the home of a German shoemaker, John Jacob Hillman, his Irish wife, Ann, and their five children. The cottage remained in the family for more than a century, retaining much of its original character, which has been carefully conserved by the National Trust to provide a rare example of a tradesman’s home in the late nineteenth century. Originally run as a dairy, the property incorporated a productive orchard that is now a small park and also open to the public.

For more information about the walk visit thegreatnorthwalk. com/track . For details about Vienna Cottage and its opening hours go to nationaltrust.org.au/places/vienna-cottage

Great West Walk

Another trail that combines iconic urban landscapes and spectacular scenery is the Great West Walk. Stretching from Parramatta to Katoomba, this relatively new trail opened in 2019. Despite its mostly urban setting, the eastern half of the route provides surprising reminders of the farming and grazing that once occupied land in western Sydney, and passes through protected Cumberland Plain woodland, precious public parklands and local river systems. An 80-kilometre extension added in 2022 takes in spectacular locations in the Blue Mountains, with most walkers preferring to descend from Katoomba to Emu Plains rather than walk up the thousand-metre elevation.

Some of Australia’s oldest architecture features among the highlights of the Great West Walk, including Old Government House and the Dairy Cottage precinct at Parramatta. Closer to the other end of the trail is Woodford Academy, built on the lands of the Dharug and Gundungurra people. The oldest complex of colonial buildings in the Blue Mountains, the National Trust property began life as an inn in the 1830s. Its multi-layered history includes years as a gentleman’s country retreat, guest house, and an exclusive school, which operated from 1907 to 1936. Today, the property regularly hosts an innovative program of art events, performances and talks.

To check opening hours visit nationaltrust.org.au/places/ woodford-academy. For more details about the walk visit greatwestwalk.com.au

Above from top Knapsack Viaduct on the Great West Walk; The Great West Walk view over Centennial Glen (images courtesy Blue Mountains Council).

Ready, set... festival!

Hold on to your hats heritage enthusiasts! The Australian Heritage Festival, the country's largest community-driven heritage event, returns with an incredibly diverse program of events to celebrate our State’s natural, cultural, Indigenous, living and built heritage from 10 April – 14 May 2023.

View the full program of events at nationaltrust.org.au/ahf/nsw

Event details are correct at the time of printing. Please check the Australian Heritage Festival website or the National Trust website for updates and to purchase tickets.

THE RIVER: BURRAMATTA TO COCKATOO

OLD GOVERNMENT HOUSE, PARRAMATTA

UNTIL 26 NOVEMBER, TUESDAY – SUNDAY, 10AM – 4PM

This exhibition uncovers centuries of use of the Parramatta River, beginning with the Burramattagal people. Discover stories of colonisation, industrialisation, conservation and recreation through time, and reflect upon your own connection to the river as you explore this World Heritage-listed property.

Tickets: Members free, adults $15, concession $12, family $42, children under five free

MOMENT IN TIME EXHIBITION

CORNEY’S GARAGE, HARTLEY HISTORIC SITE

1 APRIL – 28 MAY, TUESDAY – SUNDAY, 10AM – 4PM

(CLOSED 1PM – 1:30PM)

The Moment in Time Exhibition captures a snapshot of the history of the Hartley Valley. The First Nations people who called it home and the explorers, the road makers and some of the early settlers are all part of the story the exhibition tells.

Tickets: Adults gold coin donation, children under five free

EASTER FUN AT MISS PORTER'S MISS

PORTER’S HOUSE, NEWCASTLE WEST

9 – 10 APRIL, 1PM – 4PM

Step back in time with displays of the past and get competitive in a special golden egg hunt at Miss Porter's House this Easter.

Tickets: Members free, adults $12, concession $10, family $34, children under five free

MURDER ON SYDNEY HARBOUR: 200 YEARS OF BLOOD IN THE WATER

WOOLLAHRA HOTEL

11 APRIL, 7PM – 8:30PM

Despite being one of the world’s most beautiful and recognisable locations, Sydney Harbour’s wharves, coves, points and bays have also been places of horrific crimes. Wine in hand, hear the evidence as the harbour’s dark secrets are revealed.

Tickets: Members $25, adults $30

FAIRY ESCAPADES

RETFORD PARK, BOWRAL

14 APRIL, 10:30AM & 12:30PM

Enjoy an enchanting theatre performance travelling through hidden nooks of the property’s stunning gardens with Fairy Lilly and other mischievous creatures.

Tickets: $20, children under three free

RIVERSDALE REMINISCENCE

RIVERSDALE, GOULBURN

15 APRIL, 10:30AM – 12:30PM

See how history informs the present at Riversdale. Learn how letters between sisters guide new plantings and how oral histories shared by Twynam descendants help bring flavour and personality to this muchloved heritage property. Morning tea included.

Tickets: Members $25, adults $30, concession $27, family $78, children under five free

UNVEILING THE SHAPE OF THE VINTAGE BRIDE

DUNDULLIMAL HOMESTEAD, DUBBO

15 – 16 APRIL, 10:30AM – 4PM

Browse an incredible exhibition of bridal fashions from 1860 to 1960. Hear from two guest speakers and enjoy morning tea at Dundullimal Homestead.

Tickets: Members and concession $25, adults $30, children under five free

FAMILY TOUR OF THE RIVER: BURRAMATTA TO COCKATOO

OLD GOVERNMENT HOUSE, PARRAMATTA

11 – 20 APRIL, TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS, 11AM – 12PM

Bring the children on this special family tour of Old Government House’s new exhibition, led by Curator Anna Ridley. Explore the history of the Parramatta River over centuries of use for transport, food, fun and Indigenous culture.

Tickets: Members free, adults $15, concession $12, family $42, children under five free

SKETCHING IN NATURE WITH FAYE

EVERGLADES HOUSE & GARDENS, LEURA

13 APRIL – 13 MAY, VARIOUS DAYS & TIMES

LAST CHANCE TO BOOK

GLORIOUS GARDENS IN THE SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS

WILSON

Learn the techniques and skills needed to capture the raw, natural beauty of Everglades House & Gardens overlooking World Heritagelisted wilderness. Half and full-day workshops available. A delicious Devonshire Tea is included.

Tickets: Half day from $80, full day from $170

SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS COUNTRY GARDENS

15 – 16 APRIL

Brought to you by The Women's Committee

Explore stunning cool-climate gardens of great diversity and charm in the Moss Vale and Bowral districts, some opening to visitors for the very first time. There’s also the option to enjoy evening drinks at Retford Park.

Tickets: Self-drive from $150 and optional drinks package $35

MAYFIELD HERITAGE WALK

HIGHLAND ESTATE, MAYFIELD

16 APRIL, 2PM – 5:30PM

Enjoy a captivating walk around the high end of the Newcastle suburb of Mayfield – known in the 1880s and 1890s as the “Toorak of Newcastle”.

Tickets: Members and concession $25, adults $28

YARRAMALONG HERITAGE MULTI ARTS EXPO

YARRAMALONG OLD SCHOOL

16 APRIL, 10AM – 5PM

Uncover Yarramalong's natural, cultural and Indigenous stories. Explore historic buildings, browse curated local art and enjoy musical and cultural entertainment as well as a selection of fine food, beverages and craftwork.

Tickets: Entry by donation

COMMEMORATING HAMILTON HUME COOMA COTTAGE, YASS

19 APRIL, 10AM – 4PM

Visit the home of Australian-born explorer, Hamilton Hume, on the 150th anniversary of his death. Hear stories of his life and retrace his footsteps as you explore Cooma Cottage. Go in the raffle draw to win a rare Picconia excelsa tree, cultivated from cuttings at the property.

Tickets: Members free, adults $12, concession $10, family $34, children under five free

GHOST NIGHT

OLD GOVERNMENT HOUSE, PARRAMATTA

21 APRIL, 19 MAY, 16 JUNE, 7:30PM – 10:30PM

With more than 200 years of history, Old Government House is no stranger to eerie encounters. Learn about our colonial past as you retrace the steps of those who walked its corridors – if you dare!

Tickets: Members $32, adults $35

UNDER ONE SKY – NSW SCHOOLS

RECONCILIATION CHALLENGE EXHIBITION

DUNDULLIMAL HOMESTEAD, DUBBO

17 APRIL – 20 MAY, MONDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY, 11AM – 3PM

EVERGLADES HOUSE & GARDENS, LEURA

26 MAY – 24 JULY, WEDNESDAY – MONDAY, 10AM – 4PM

The Schools Reconciliation Challenge exhibition showcases a powerful selection of stunning artworks and writing by school students inspired by First Nations peoples’ understanding of Country. (Artwork: The Only Ones Holding On by Ayda Haureliuk, Maribyrnong Primary School).

Tickets: Prices vary

LINDESAY AFTER DARK

LINDESAY, DARLING POINT

19 APRIL, 6PM – 8PM

Ever wished that walls could talk? Uncover the stories of the past at a special after-dark tour of historic Lindesay. Enjoy a glass of wine and canapés in the garden overlooking Sydney Harbour before exploring this spectacular 1830s property as night falls.

Tickets: $35

SUTHERLAND SHIRE CITIZENS’ HERITAGE FESTIVAL 2023

VARIOUS VENUES AND TIMES ACROSS SUTHERLAND SHIRE

22 APRIL – 18 MAY

This popular festival offers a colourful array of locally-run events. Take a ride on a vintage bus, trace your family history, join a guided walking tour, board the oldest commuter ferry, enjoy live performances and exhibitions, witness historic working machinery and more.

Tickets: Prices vary

TRAVELS WITH MARY – ART DECO TREASURES FROM THE SUITCASES

EVERGLADES HOUSE & GARDENS, LEURA

UNTIL 23 APRIL, WEDNESDAY – MONDAY, 10AM – 4PM

View a stunning collection of original Art Deco travel posters from the 1930s and 40s, on display alongside other memorabilia from Saumarez Homestead descendant Mary White's overseas travels.

Tickets: Members free, adults $17, concession $15, family $49, children under five free

THE ART OF ROBYN ROSS VIENNA COTTAGE, HUNTERS HILL

28 – 30 APRIL, TIMES VARY

View a diverse and eclectic exhibition of works inspired by the people and nature of historic Hunter’s Hill, Australia’s oldest garden suburb, by local artist Robyn Ross.

Tickets: Free

Heritage Recipe

MRS ROSS'S SUGAR BUNS

BURTON AUTOMOTIVE HUNTER VALLEY STEAMFEST

MAITLAND

29 – 30 APRIL

One of Australia’s premier festivals of steam, Steamfest offers an impressive assembly of steam trains, live music, mini steam train and vintage diesel rides, family-friendly activities, vintage machinery, market stalls, car displays and more.

Tickets: Free

STORIES FROM MAYS HILL CEMETERY

PARRAMATTA

29 APRIL, 2PM – 4PM

Join this guided tour to unearth the remarkable and sometimes terrible stories of the people buried at Mays Hill since the 1830s, including explorers, soldiers, sailing captains, nobility, murderers and more!

Tickets: Members $12, adults $15, concession $12

SHELDON FOREST WALK

TURRAMURRA

30 APRIL, 10AM – 12PM

Led by Angus M. Robinson, one of Australia’s leading geotourism proponents, this gentle guided walk will provide magnificent insights into one of Ku-ring-gai’s rarest and most important urban forests.

Tickets: Free

RICHMOND BEFORE THE 1850s

RICHMOND

2 MAY, 9:30AM – 12PM

Led by conservation architect Graham Edds and Hawkesbury historian Jan Barkley-Jack, this tour takes you to some of Richmond's most unique pre-1850s cottages and churches to uncover their stories.

Tickets: Members $15, adults $20, concession $18, family $45, children under five free

Similar to a rock cake, these small buns are a classic for Easter or any afternoon tea. The recipe comes from a hand-written card kept in the original kitchen at Saumarez Homestead in Armidale, and is part of a collection gathered by Mary White. An important figure in the history of the Country Women's Association, whose members are celebrated for their baking, Mary was a founding member of the Armidale branch. Her cards often recorded the name of the person who gave her the recipe. While we may never know exactly who Mrs Ross was, her sugar buns live on as a quick, inexpensive treat to enjoy with a cup of tea.

INGREDIENTS

60g unsalted butter, softened

1 cup (220g) caster sugar

2 eggs

3 cups (450g) plain flour

4 teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

½ cup milk

1 cup currants

2 tablespoons raw or demerara sugar

METHOD

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C and line a baking tray with baking paper.

2. Cream butter and sugar with electric beater or by hand until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time.

3. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add to the butter mixture in several lots, alternating with the milk, and stir with a wooden spoon or knife until combined to form a moist, sticky dough. If it looks a bit dry, add a little more milk. Using a knife, mix in the currants.

4. Place large heaped dessertspoonfuls of the mixture on the tray, spaced about 5 centimetres apart, and sprinkle with the raw sugar. Bake for 15 minutes, or until golden.

Makes about 15 buns.

Tip: This recipe is very sweet for modern tastes so you might want to reduce the amount of caster sugar. Mrs Ross also suggested using sultanas and mixed peel as well as currants.

2023 SALON DES REFUSÉS

S.H. ERVIN GALLERY, OBSERVATORY HILL

6 MAY – 23 JULY, TUESDAY – SUNDAY, 11AM – 5PM

The Salon des Refusés is the ‘alternative’ selection of entries to the annual Archibald and Wynne prizes. Browse contemporary works, different approaches to portraiture and responses to landscape, each selected for quality, diversity, humour and experimentation.

(Artwork: The sisters (in black after Hugh Ramsey) Allegra Spender and Bianca Spender by Zoe Young).

Tickets: Members free, adults $15, concession $12, family $42, children under five free

Timber trivets

A stylish way to protect your tabletops from hot pots and dishes.

These beautiful trivets are made in Australia from sustainably-sourced local timbers, including myrtle, blackwood, jarrah and Tasmanian oak. Crafted in the shape of well-known native flora and fauna, each trivet reflects the unique colour and grain of natural wood. Sealed for protection to repel stains and resist heat.

BUY ONLINE AT shop.nationaltrust.org.au

ARMORY 1897

ARMORY VISITORS CENTRE, SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK

6 MAY, 10AM – 11:30AM

Travel back in time to when Newington Armory was the major naval depot on the east coast of Australia. Hear stories of another era and tour iconic Armory buildings, including the old Gunpowder Magazine with lamplight tunnels and fascinating museum displays.

Tickets: Adults $20, concession $17, children $17

BOTANICALS AT RIVERSDALE

RIVERSDALE, GOULBURN

UNTIL 7 MAY, FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH, 10AM – 2PM

This exhibition celebrates the joy of Riversdale’s impressive gardens. Browse the beautiful nature-inspired artworks of former resident Emily Rose Twynam and delight in elaborate floral displays.

Tickets: Members free, adults $12, concession $10, family $34, children under five free

BUTCHER BOATS AND COLONIAL RATIONS

HAWKESBURY DUCK MUSEUM, SPENCER

7 MAY, 9:30AM – 12:30PM

Explore the story of food on the banks of the Hawkesbury River. Sip native tea, hear stories of the early colonial menu, walk alongside remnants of the great routes from Sydney to the Hunter, learn to identify native Indigenous ingredients and visit sites crucial to the historical transportation of food.

Tickets: Members $55, adults $65, children $30

NATIONAL TRUST (NSW) HERITAGE AWARDS

DOLTONE HOUSE, PYRMONT

12 MAY, 11:30AM – 3PM

The 29th annual Heritage Awards is a unique chance to unite the sector in celebration of our State’s diverse heritage projects, innovation and achievements. Guests can look forward to an exciting speaker line-up, networking opportunities and a delicious three-course meal.

Tickets: From $155

HERITAGE 101

OLD COURT HOUSE, WOLLONGONG

13 MAY, 9AM – 2PM

Interested in maintaining the existing character of your suburb? Concerned about the loss of local heritage? This one-day seminar covers important aspects of heritage advocacy and conservation that will leave you feeling enlightened and inspired. Morning and afternoon tea is included.

Tickets: $15

MOTHER’S DAY DELIGHTS AT GROSSMANN HOUSE

GROSSMANN HOUSE, MAITLAND

14 MAY, 10:30AM – 3PM

For a special Mother’s Day treat, take an intriguing tour through historic Grossmann House and enjoy a suitably styled offering of Victorian-esque homemade delectables in the garden.

Tickets: Members $30, adults $35, concession $33

WEST HEAD WORLD WAR II GUN EMPLACEMENTS

KU-RING-GAI CHASE NATIONAL PARK

7 MAY, 9AM – 11AM

Join a National Parks and Wildlife Service volunteer guide and unravel the mysteries and history of the gun emplacements that were inaccessible to the public until 2014. Stunning wildflowers and resident soaring sea eagles will keep you going as you conquer the walk. Not for the faint-hearted!

Tickets: Adults $15, concession $10, family $40, children $10

THE MAGIC OF MOTHER’S DAY

MISS PORTER’S HOUSE, NEWCASTLE WEST

14 MAY, 1PM – 4PM

Treat mum to a slice of history and enjoy a special display of memorabilia from three generations of remarkable Porter women. Afterwards, visit the market stall and check out our free children’s activity.

Tickets: Members free, adults $12, concession $10, family $34, children under five free

OPERA AT DUNDULLIMAL

DUNDULLIMAL HOMESTEAD, DUBBO

21 MAY, 12:30PM – 4PM

Pack a picnic and get ready to revel in a delightful afternoon of operatic magic from around the world, presented by Macquarie Conservatorium and performed outdoors in the beautiful gardens of historic Dundullimal.

Tickets: Members and concession $25, adults $30, family $60, student $7, group $25pp

NORMAN LINDSAY’S LEGACY

NORMAN LINDSAY GALLERY, FAULCONBRIDGE

UNTIL 29 MAY, THURSDAY – MONDAY, 10AM – 4PM

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Norman Lindsay Gallery with a visit to our special exhibition featuring an array of fine works loaned from public and private collections.

Tickets: Members free, adults $17, concession $15, family $49, children under five free

MISS PORTER’S FASHIONS

MISS PORTER’S HOUSE, NEWCASTLE WEST

11 JUNE, 1PM – 4PM

The Porter women were prolific producers of fabulous clothing and household textiles. A century of stylish and changing fashions is captured in striking Edwardian studio photos, homemade clothing and charming accessories.

Tickets: Members free, adults $12, concession $10, family $34, children under five free

GROSSMANN HOUSE'S MAITLAND HERITAGE FEST CELEBRATIONS

GROSSMANN HOUSE, MAITLAND

18 JUNE, 10AM – 3PM

See the historic Church Street precinct come alive. As part of the celebrations, join a tour of Grossmann House and enjoy refreshments in the garden before visiting neighbouring Brough House to view a fascinating art exhibition and the Fibre Maker’s Space.

Tickets: Members free (donations appreciated), adults and concession $5, children under five free

ENJOY VIVID FROM SYDNEY HARBOUR

KING STREET WHARF, SYDNEY

31 MAY, 7PM – 10PM

See the spectacular light festival from iconic Sydney Harbour during a three-hour private charter cruise aboard the Starship Aqua. Includes petit canapés, a sit-down three-course dinner and drinks.

Tickets: $130

VICKI CORNISH ARTIST IN RESIDENCE EXHIBITION

BROUGH HOUSE, MAITLAND

3 JUNE – 16 JULY, WEEKENDS, 10AM – 3PM

Inspired by an extensive historical collection of textiles and soft furnishings, as well as Grossmann and Brough houses and their gardens, Artist-in-Residence Vicki Cornish will display her site-specific works for you to view.

Tickets: Free, but donations gratefully accepted

SAVE THE DATE – ORANGE IN BLOOM

ORANGE, 4 – 5 NOVEMBER

Brought to you by The Women's Committee

Visit an array of spectacular private town and country gardens, during the height of their spring glory, around Orange in Central West NSW, renowned for its temperate climate and rich basalt soil. Enquiries: lindesay@nationaltrust.com.au

For those who wish to keep the festivities going, an array of open days, exhibitions, performances and more are on offer throughout the rest of May and June.

Making a Bigger Difference

Behind every heritage property, gallery, museum and garden, there is our family of Patrons who share the National Trust’s commitment to heritage by generously contributing to our conservation and advocacy work. Emeritus Professor David Carment AM tells us about his experiences in the National Trust (NSW) Patron Program.

What attracted you to the Patron Program?

I joined the Patron Program because I saw it as an opportunity to deepen my involvement with the National Trust (NSW). As a professor of history I’ve always been fascinated by heritage, and I have an innate sense of always wanting to know more. Being a Patron means I can go to exclusive events and tours with people who share my passion for history, heritage and the arts, and learn more than I otherwise could. I enjoy the social aspect of the program immensely and love getting out and about and meeting new people.

What tours and events stand out?

Over the past few years I’ve been on some wonderful tours. One of my favourites was the Heart of Country: Arnhem Land Barks exhibition held at the S.H. Ervin Gallery. My many years working in and travelling around the Northern Territory have given me a strong appreciation of Indigenous art, and I found this exhibition breathtaking.

Another tour that sticks in my mind was visiting the International Conservation Services (ICS) office in Sydney and learning about art conservation through a thrilling talk by founder Julian Bickersteth. It’s opportunities like this that I particularly cherish.

Of course, there’s the added bonus of being able to contribute to the National Trust’s much-needed maintenance and repair work. I’m very much of the opinion that if the National Trust doesn’t protect our heritage, who will? That’s why I’m more than happy to make a financial commitment as a Patron.

Do you have an affiliation to any one National Trust property?

I’ve always been keen on Woodford Academy. My grandfather, Tom Sulman, was a student at Woodford over one hundred years ago. Back then, the boys were encouraged to leave their mark on the world, starting with engraving their names in their desks. In fact, you can still see his name on one of the desks today.

What property is next on your list to visit?

I’m looking forward to visiting Old Government House, Parramatta where we’ll see the new exhibition, The River: Burramatta to Cockatoo

Clockwise from top left Emeritus Professor David Carment AM (photo by David Carment); Students' names carved into the original school desks at Woodford Academy (National Trust images).

Patrons, Corporate Members and Sponsors

The National Trust (NSW) acknowledges and appreciates the support we receive from these generous individuals and organisations

Patrons

G Arnott

R Butler OAM

J & L Calluaud

Emeritus Professor

D Carment AM

J Church

K & M Eadie

P & R Flick

A & B Hayward

T Heazlewood OAM

H Hewitt

P Homel & L Taggart

C Nadai

The Kimalo Foundation

The Nell & Hermon Slade Trust

The Pratten Foundation

C Sutherland

S Thomas

M Vellacott

C Wilkinson OAM

Anonymous (6)

Corporate Members

Allen Jack & Cottier Architects

Cox Architecture Design 5 Architects

GML Heritage

Hector Abrahams Architects

Lucas, Stapleton, Johnson & Partners

Melgrand

Sydney Metro

Winten Property Group

Wollongong City Council

Corporate Partners

Art Gallery of NSW

International Conservation Services

Laithwaite’s Wine People

Museums & Galleries NSW

Safewill

Supporters

L Cox AO

The Denbigh Foundation

D Foster

R Frecker

The J Permsew Foundation

I Kaiser

The Mallam Family Fund

The Maple-Brown Family Foundation

N Paton

S Pickles

David Sheedy Foundation

T Strachan

R Sturrock

K Valder

P & R Wade

S White OAM

S.H. Ervin Gallery Supporters

Allen & Unwin

Art Gallery of NSW

Holding Redlich

Margaret Olley Art Trust

National Trust Wine Service

Perpetual