Committed to Heritage

BY KATHRYN PITKIN AM, PRESIDENT

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