2024/2025 Impact Report

The Impact of Giving

From the Chief Executive Officer

Heritage endures because of you. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, the National Trust of Australia (NSW) continues to protect and celebrate the natural, cultural, and built heritage that defines our state.

Unlike many organisations, the National Trust receives no ongoing government funding, our supporters are the lifeblood of our work. Your support helps sustain over 30 historic properties, 60,000 collection items, and enables us to care for thousands of hectares of bushland across NSW.

This year, your generosity helped achieve major advocacy wins including:

• Central Barangaroo – Planned building sizes were reduced, protecting iconic harbour views from Observatory Hill.

• MBC House, Parramatta – An obtrusive development was rejected, preserving Centenary Square’s historic vista.

• Newcastle Ocean Baths – Now listed on the State Heritage Register following years of advocacy.

• Central Precinct Rezoning – Plans for towers over Central Station’s platforms were abandoned, helping protect the site’s heritage setting.

With 25 major advocacy submissions and 19 new listings on the National Trust Heritage Register in 2024/25, your impact is clear — together, we are shaping the future of heritage in NSW.

In this Impact Report, you will see how your support has made a real difference — helping protect and advocate for the heritage that shapes our shared history.

Debbie Mills, CEO The National Trust of Australia (NSW

Your impact at a glance

In 2024/25 the remarkable generosity of members, donors, bequestors, trusts and foundations helped us care for and protect the heritage of NSW now and into the future.

$2.8M+

Donations and Bequests

1,600+

Donors

The Impact of Leaving a Lasting Legacy

Gifts in Wills continue to play a critical role in the work of the National Trust and are vital to our long-term financial sustainability.

Named after Annie Wyatt, who founded the National Trust in 1945, the Annie Wyatt Bequest Circle (AWBC) is a group of like-minded individuals who bring heritage to life, now and into the future by leaving an impactful legacy through a gift in their will. These gifts ensure the National Trust can continue to protect our natural, built and cultural heritage.

A total of $1.7M in bequests income was received this year, a considerable increase from the previous year. We are extremely grateful to those who have made lasting contributions, helping us carry out essential conservation work to protect heritage for future generations.

‘I have always believed heritage should be experienced and enjoyed by everyone. By supporting the National Trust, I hope to help protect these remarkable places so that their stories continue long into the future.’

Heather B, Annie Wyatt Bequest Circle member

$1.7M

Received

The Impact of our Patron Program

The Patron Program brings together philanthropic supporters who share a passion for celebrating heritage and sustaining conservation and advocacy across NSW.

Patrons play an essential role in strengthening the financial sustainability of the National Trust and enabling essential maintenance and repairs across many of our places.

This year the Patron Program raised $174,000 in critical untied funds. This support was extended through further donations by our Patrons.

Received $174,000+

‘We’ve been members of the National Trust for over 30 years, recognising the need to protect our shared history from forces that seek to erase it.

Australia’s rich Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, along with our more recent history, is often undervalued.

The National Trust has been crucial in preserving heritage for future generations.’

Colin and Barbara H, Platinum Patrons

The Impact of Philanthropy

Philanthropy continues to be one of the most powerful forces driving the preservation of heritage across New South Wales. Through the generosity of our major donors, the National Trust conserves and celebrates the places, collections, and stories that define the cultural landscape of our state.

Major gifts contributed significantly to our fundraising revenue, with over $234,000 received. These vital funds supported both planned and urgent conservation works across our places.

A remarkable example of this impact is the generous gift from the J. Permsew Foundation. This gift enabled the conservation of items from the National Trust’s historic dress collection, plus the Back to Black and Fashionable Silhouettes exhibitions at Old Government House and regional properties.

‘The National Trust must continue to be a passionate and effective voice for, and custodian of, heritage. Thanks to your support we are well-positioned to achieve this in the coming years.’

Debbie

Mills, CEO, National Trust (NSW)

This partnership has made it possible to:

• Preserve and share Australia’s textile heritage.

• Engage new and returning audiences.

• Strengthen cultural access across regional NSW.

• Deepen research into the significance and provenance of our collections.

Major donors like the J. Permsew Foundation continue to make a profound difference. Untied philanthropic investment ensures we can direct funds where they are needed most, sustaining our places, restoring our vulnerable collections, and enriching the experiences of all who visit.

Received $234,000+

‘We’re proud to have played a part in conserving the beautiful garments displayed in the Back to Black and Fashionable Silhouettes exhibitions and sharing them with communities across NSW. It’s inspiring to see textile heritage come alive for thousands of visitors, knowing these stories are being protected for generations to come is deeply rewarding.’ Directors, The J. Permsew Foundation

The Impact of Appeals

Our biannual appeals are an opportunity for donors to support a specific project. This year, our appeals focused on the conservation of the unique treasures of the National Trust Collection and revitalising Riversdale. Thanks to funds raised in our 2023/24 Harper’s Mansion Appeal, important conservation work at this significant heritage place has been undertaken.

MAKING HARPER’S MANSION A-MAZING AGAIN

One of the National Trust’s most loved destinations, Harper’s Mansion continues to charm visitors with its rich history, coolclimate gardens, and impressive hedge maze. Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our donors, members, and supporters, the 2023-24 appeal raised over $265,000 to help restore the property and gardens.

Because of your generosity, Harper’s Mansion is now safer, more sustainable, and ready to welcome future generations. The focus now turns to the two-acre gardens, where new irrigation and drainage will protect heritage roses, camellias, and perennials, preserving their beauty for years to come.

Funds raised $265,000+

These funds have enabled muchneeded conservation works, including:

• Repairing the historic staircase,

• Repainting and re-stencilling upstairs rooms.

• Improving electrical and security systems.

• Volunteers restored soft furnishings, such as bed hangings.

• Outside, pathways in the hedge maze were renewed with durable all-weather tiles.

The works ensure both safety and enhanced visitor experience.

CONSERVING THE NATIONAL TRUST COLLECTION

Featuring over 60,000 items, the National Trust Collection is one of the largest and most historically significant collections in Australia. From exquisite tapestries, notable artworks, rare items of clothing and an ornate gilded harp, to everyday objects that offer a unique glimpse into the past. Each item tells a story and connects us with our shared history. Being entrusted with such a collection comes with great responsibility. Once a piece is accepted into the National Trust collection, we commit to caring for it, along with its conservation, storage and display.

Your support made an extraordinary difference this year. Together, we raised

Funds raised $170,000+

over $170,000 to conserve 30 historically significant objects, many of which were at risk of being lost to time. Today, the majority of these items have been restored by specialist conservators with the final treasures soon to be completed.

Among them, the magnificent 17th century Mortlake Tapestry from Retford Park, one of the most valuable and intricate objects in the collection, received vital conservation treatment.

REVITALISING RIVERSDALE

This year, you helped raise over $270,000 to revitalise Riversdale. Situated on Gundungurra Country in historic Goulburn, Riversdale is an elegant Georgian home which showcases a rich tapestry of stories and artefacts, but it was at risk due to raising damp and water damage. Thanks to your support, urgent repairs are now taking place. Property fencing is being updated and repaired, while elements of the roof and walls are now being investigated to determine the best treatment method for preventing further water damage. Electrical, fire and security systems, along with landscaping works, will also form the focus of planned works when they begin early in 2026.

Funds raised $270,000+

Our Impact in the Heritage Community

The National Trust continues to strengthen and celebrate heritage across New South Wales, championing the people and projects that safeguard our shared history.

THE 2025 NATIONAL TRUST HERITAGE AWARDS

Thanks to the continued generosity of our supporters, the National Trust’s impact on the heritage business community continues to grow. This year’s Heritage Awards reached new heights, with a record 152 project entries celebrating excellence in heritage conservation and advocacy across New South Wales. From these,

58 finalists and 20 winners were recognised at the ceremony held on Friday 17 May at Doltone House, hosted by artist, author and broadcaster Richard Morecroft, with a keynote address from former NSW Premier the Hon. Prof. Bob Carr.

Reflecting the ever-increasing impact of the awards in the wider community, the inaugural People’s Choice award received more than 2,700 individual votes.

THE IMPACT OF OUR VOLUNTEERS

The generous donation of time by volunteers is integral to the work of the National Trust. This year our volunteers undertook a broad range of activities such as gardening, retail, open days, events, administration, maintenance as well as archives and collection care. We also invested in our volunteers through dedicated workshops to develop and strengthen skills. Our targeted digital campaigns continued to attract volunteers, with more than 200 new volunteers welcomed. Every hour given, every skill shared, and every moment of care contributes directly to the sustainability of the National Trust’s mission. We are extremely grateful to everyone who has donated their time to the National Trust this year.

1,000+

Volunteers

87,500 +

Hours of service

THE ENDURING IMPACT OF THE WOMEN’S COMMITTEE

The Women’s Committee made a remarkable impact this year, bringing together supporters and raising important funds through much-loved events such as the Weekends Away and the Lindesay Christmas Gift Fair. We are grateful for their philanthropic work and ongoing commitment to preserving and celebrating the heritage of NSW.

Building a Sustainable Future

By investing in long-term, sustainable conservation, the National Trust is strengthening its capacity to protect both natural and cultural heritage.

SUSTAINING HERITAGE THROUGH BUSHLAND CONSERVATION

The Bushland Management Services (BMS) is an integral part of the National Trust, with a long-standing reputation for delivering high-quality bushland conservation and biodiversity management services across the Greater Sydney region.

As a profit-for-purpose enterprise, BMS enables the National Trust to reinvest profits directly into vital conservation work. This supports the ongoing preservation of heritage places, protects natural landscapes, and strengthens our advocacy efforts across New South Wales. We couldn’t achieve this scale of impact without our supporters, whose commitment empowers the National Trust to expand and sustain the work of BMS. Every project delivered by BMS contributes to the National Trust’s broader mission to conserve and protect our natural heritage for future generations.

160+

Projects completed

663ha

Natural areas restored

51,000

Hours of work undertaken

45t

Weeds removed

SUSTAINABLE HERITAGE IN ACTION: SAUMAREZ HOMESTEAD TRANSFORMATION

As part of the Sustainable Saumarez Homestead Tourism Project, funded through the NSW Government in partnership with Armidale Regional Council and National Trust, major restoration and renewal works have transformed this remarkable heritage site. Home to 35 historic buildings, Saumarez Homestead has undergone extensive conservation and adaptive reuse, breathing new life into existing spaces while creating new accommodation for visitors. This innovative approach has preserved the property’s heritage fabric while also opening the door to exciting tourism opportunities.

The year ahead

For the National Trust, the year ahead promises to be a busy and exciting time.

Your generosity is vital in supporting our work to protect and celebrate the heritage of NSW. In the next 12 months, we will:

• Carry out conservation works to Norman Lindsay’s Artist’s Studio and building repairs following storm damage.

• Complete building repairs and landscaping works at Riversdale.

• Undertake irrigation and drainage works to preserve the heritage garden at Harper’s Mansion.

• Continue to conserve at risk treasures in our Collections.

• Visitor Centre improvements at Dundullimal Homestead.

• Increased accessibility to historic parts of Everglades House & Gardens.

• Preserve and digitise vulnerable historical records from the National Trust Archives so they endure for generations to come.

Thank You

Only through your ongoing support will we continue to bring heritage to life for future generations in New South Wales.

To discuss supporting the National Trust (NSW) please contact: Laure Philip, Head of Development lphilip@nationaltrust.com.au, (02) 9258 0146

To make a gift please visit nationaltrust.org.au/donate-nsw @nationaltrustau @nationaltrustau @nationaltrustnsw The National Trust acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands on which we work, celebrate and share the stories of heritage. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and we support the Uluru Statement.