National Trust NSW Magazine - June to September 2025
NEW SOUTH WALES
The annual Heritage Awards are one of the most important events on our calendar and we’re delighted to share all the winners with you in this issue. With a very high calibre of nominees, our panel of judges engaged in lively debate over many of the categories. Turn to page 6 to discover the full list of winning projects and individuals, including the esteemed Judges’ Choice and President’s Prize.
Also in this issue, we’re calling on you to help us revitalise Riversdale, the beautiful Georgian home on Gundungurra Country. Riversdale’s house and gardens are in urgent need of repairs and we rely on your generosity to restore them to their former glory. Find out how you can contribute on page 10.
On the cover: Tobias Andrews’ artwork Burrul gi-gi was a finalist in the NSW Schools Reconciliation Challenge exhibition, which is on display at Brough House from 2 August. Find more information in the Calendar on page 18 (image supplied).
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
The National Trust acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work, live and share stories of heritage. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We support and are signatories to the Uluru Statement.
National Trust (NSW) Observatory Hill, Millers Point, Sydney 2000 GPO Box 518, Sydney 2001 Telephone: (02) 9258 0123 nationaltrust.org.au/nsw
President: Kathryn Pitkin AM CEO: Debbie Mills
Editor: Michelle Bateman
Designer: Lauren Sutherland
Editorial Committee: David Burdon, Nick Corbett, Debbie Mills, Leah Tasker, Jane Watters, Anne Weinman, Amanda Woodward-Brown.
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.
A Crucial Time for Heritage
BY KATHRYN PITKIN AM AND DEBBIE MILLS
Dear Members,
The National Trust has long advocated for Parramatta’s significant heritage and has raised strong concerns over the revised proposal to redevelop the Parramatta North precinct.
To protect the area’s cultural significance, we’re calling for appropriate buffers between multi-storey buildings and heritage areas, such as the World Heritage-nominated Female Factory, the State Heritage Registered Parramatta Gaol and Parramatta Park’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Government House and Domain.
We’re also calling for the exclusion of large buildings in the 40-metre riparian zone along the Parramatta River, advocating that it remains a natural landscape. We’ve submitted detailed feedback on the proposed development and continue to monitor the proposal, urging a development approach that balances heritage preservation with urban growth.
In positive news, we were delighted to welcome Barrina South to our Board earlier this year. Barrina is a proud Paakantyi woman who brings a wealth of experience in working with NSW communities and heritage management.
In May we had great pleasure presenting this year’s Heritage Awards. Thank you to all the entrants for the exceptionally high standard of projects. It was pleasing to see a strong regional representation. Congratulations to all the winners, whose projects are featured in this edition of the magazine.
Best wishes,
Kathryn Pitkin AM, President Debbie Mills, CEO
SAVE THE DATE
National Trust of Australia (NSW) Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Saturday 29 November 2025, 3:30PM – 5PM
S.H. Ervin Gallery, Observatory Hill, Millers Point, Sydney
Please join us for the Annual Report, Board of Directors election results and the announcement of the National Trust Honours Awards, with drinks and canapés to follow in the S.H. Ervin Gallery.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION 2025
Nominations are invited for election to the National Trust of Australia (NSW) Board of Directors. Candidates must be members, eligible to serve as a director, meet the legal obligations and be nominated by two members. The role involves providing sound governance and upholding the organisation’s vision, mission and sustainability.
For an information pack please email Soma Somavarman at ssomavarman@nationaltrust.com.au or phone (02) 9258 0152.
Nominations must be made in writing to the National Trust (NSW), GPO Box 518, Sydney NSW 2001 by 5pm, 15 August 2025.
AGM: MOTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION
Any member who wishes to put forward a proposed resolution to be considered at the Annual General Meeting must forward the exact words of the proposed resolution, in writing, to the National Trust (NSW), GPO Box 518, Sydney NSW 2001 by 31 August 2025 The notice must be signed by at least 20 members, including their full name and membership number. Other business for discussion must be in writing, signed by the member submitting and received by the National Trust (NSW), GPO Box 518, Sydney NSW 2001 by 20 November 2025.
For more information please contact Soma Somavarman at ssomavarman@nationaltrust.com.au or phone (02) 9258 0152.
NATIONAL TRUST HONOURS
Members and staff are invited to submit nominations for the 2025 Awards to the National Trust Honours Committee by 15 August 2025. Find more details online at nationaltrust.org.au/honours-nomination-nsw
Update National Trust News
Two of the state’s significant modernist buildings face very different outcomes – keep up to date with their fate. Large-scale cleaning and restoration projects are also in the spotlight, together with an update on work being done by Bushland Management Services.
A striking transformation
A suite of stately furniture has been restored to its original beauty and returned to the drawing room of Dundullimal Homestead after an absence of 70 years. Following extensive research, traditional techniques such as horsehair padding, tied springs and webbing were employed to bring the chaise longue and two tub chairs back to life, before the suite was upholstered in a vivid emerald-green cotton and finished with contrasting striped piping. This conservation project was generously funded by the Dundullimal Dubbo Support Crew.
Tackling a noxious species
With its delicate fringed flower heads, pampas grass (Cortaderia species) doesn’t appear a likely contender as a biosecurity risk, but this seemingly graceful plant is a voracious weed that outcompetes native vegetation, harbours vermin and poses a dangerous fire hazard. Our Bushland Management Services (BMS) is actively engaged in the control and eradication of this invasive plant around Mount Kuring-gai, north of Sydney, one of the many ways in which BMS is working to maintain the biodiversity of our native ecosystems.
A deep clean at Miss Porter’s House
A surprising amount of dust can accumulate over the course of 115 years, as Miss Porter’s House discovered when approximately 350kg of debris (including some hidden birds’ nests) was removed from the roof cavities in a recent project, funded by a grant from Museums & Galleries NSW. The result of this impressive task is better temperature control, meaning a more moderate atmosphere for visitors and more suitable conditions to house the collection, which is listed on the UNESCO Australian Memory of the World Register.
Gosford Library under threat
Plans to move the Gosford Library facilities to a new location mean the current mid-century building will cease to be occupied, and the Council has planned for its subsequent demolition. The National Trust is advocating for the retention and re-use of the building, alongside the Australian Institute of Architects, modern architecture advocacy group Docomomo, and members of the local community. The Gosford Library building is listed on the National Trust Register and it has been recommended for heritage listing to the Central Coast Council.
New proposal for MLC North Sydney
A new proposal for the MLC Building in North Sydney was placed on exhibition in early 2025. The building had previously been threatened with a number of demolition proposals, before being recognised for its cultural significance on the State Heritage Register. The new design seeks to retain certain heritage elements of the form, however the National Trust has advocated for further conservation efforts to ensure key features and original material are appropriately celebrated. We will continue to monitor this development.
Positive news for Parramatta
An appeal against Parramatta Council’s refusal of a large and intrusive addition atop MBC House was recently rejected by the NSW Land and Environment Court. MBC House adjoins the heritage-listed Centenary Square in Parramatta, and the proposed development would have overwhelmed the historic building and dominated the landscape and view lines of this public place. The National Trust welcomes this positive news and will continue to advocate for the future of this historic site.
Opposite from top
This chaise longue was upholstered using traditional techniques (image supplied); destructive pampas grass at Mount Kuring-gai (photography by Daniel Adams); Miss Porter’s House has better temperature control, thanks to a deep clean (photography by SGR Photo).
From top
Gosford Library’s rare mid-century building is slated for demolition (image supplied); the striking MLC Building in North Sydney (photography by Tom Roe); MBC House will retain its historic façade (image supplied).
Stay up to date
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All the Winners of the 2025 National Trust Heritage Awards
Heritage has flourished over the past year, thanks to these remarkable efforts in conservation, storytelling and stewardship. From the restoration of one of Australia’s oldest public buildings to an innovative training program bringing conservation skills to outback NSW, the 2025 National Trust Heritage Awards recognise a diverse range of projects and people. Read on to discover the winners that have enriched the conservation and safeguarding of the state’s cultural legacy, plus see what the judges had to say.
ABORIGINAL HERITAGE
Dhuluny: 200 Years of Wiradyuri Resistance
Wiradyuri Traditional Owners Central West Aboriginal Corporation (WTOCWAC)
A Wiradyuri word meaning the direct or gospel truth, Dhuluny was a series of events held in August 2024 to commemorate the 200-year anniversary of the Declaration of Martial Law and the ensuing frontier violence on Wiradyuri Country. The week-long project was developed by the Wiradyuri Elders group in the Bathurst region.
“An impactful and compelling commemoration that has brought important histories to the forefront. The significance of this series cannot be underestimated.”
ADVOCACY
Ensuring the Future of Port Macquarie Museum
Port Macquarie Historical Society Inc.
Caring for a significant building requires an ongoing commitment to maintenance, conservation and advocacy, particularly when that building is owned by the community. The Port Macquarie Historical Society has been a fearless champion for the museum by maintaining its public profile, highlighting its heritage values to the community and advocating for funding.
“True champions of heritage in the community. Their impressive efforts extend well beyond this single focus area and are to be commended.”
ARCHITECTURE
Former Workmen’s Dwellings Lower Fort Street
Neeson Murcutt Neille
Sitting in Lower Fort Street and Trinity Avenue in Millers Point, this row of State Heritage-listed former social housing flats was adapted to create a unique offering of 27 apartments that celebrate the buildings’ rich heritage and materiality.
“An architecturally tricky project that has been approached with a lot of consideration and executed very cleverly. It has taken the original fabric and made a considered new insertion. As a result, the streetscape has been beautifully conserved and the changes implemented have made these dwellings far more amenable.”
BUILT CONSERVATION
Old Bega Hospital
Design 5 – Architects, Old Bega Hospital Reserve
Land Manager, NSW Public Works and Leser Build
Extensively damaged by fire in 2004, the Old Bega Hospital was repaired and rebuilt to the specifications of the original 1888 building, guided by archival drawings and historic photographs. With upgraded facilities and a new kitchen, the building is once again available for community use.
“This very impressive project shows a high level of refinement in the conservation philosophy applied, and appropriately balances the delicate question of when to retain and when to replace.”
Clockwise from top Aboriginal Heritage winner: Dhuluny: 200 Years of Wiradyuri Resistance, Wiradyuri Traditional Owners Central West Aboriginal Corporation (image supplied); Architecture winner: Former Workmen’s Dwellings Lower Fort Street, Neeson Murcutt Neille (photography by Tom Ross); Events winner: Transport Heritage Expo 2024, Transport Heritage NSW (image supplied); Exhibitions winner: Flood Level 1955 – A Historical Exhibition, Maitland City Council (image supplied); President’s Prize winner: Preserving and Promoting the Priceless Collections of the National Herbarium of New South Wales: Mass Digitisation and Free Public Access via an Online Herbarium Search Portal, National Herbarium of New South Wales and Botanic Gardens of Sydney (image supplied).
EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION
Pirie Chambers Heritage Trades Training Program and Conservation
HSR (Aust) Group and Elizabeth Vines OAM, Architect and Heritage Advisor
A lack of skilled conservation trades can be a challenge in rural and outback communities. This project took an innovative approach by using training labour to realise an ambitious project in Broken Hill’s civic centre. The upper façade of the Argent Street building benefited from stone and render conservation, and its historic verandah was reconstructed on the street level.
“Innovative, impactful and inspiring, the project has taught traditional skills and revitalised a significant Broken Hill landmark.”
ENDURING
Minister’s Stonework Program
NSW Public Works
Over the past 34 years, the Minister’s Stonework Program has conserved more than 300 significant government assets, promoting and safeguarding the sandstone heritage of Sydney and NSW.
“The longevity of the Minister’s Stonework Program speaks to its quality and its importance in the ongoing conservation and maintenance of sandstone buildings and monuments across NSW.”
EVENTS, EXHIBITIONS AND TOURS
Events
Transport Heritage Expo 2024
Transport Heritage NSW
A record 12,400 ticketed visitors attended the Transport Heritage Expo 2024, held over three days at Sydney’s Central Station. They enjoyed rides on beautifully restored steam, diesel and electric heritage trains; harbour cruises; unique exhibits and tours of the clock tower, in a celebration of the state’s transport heritage.
“Strong collaboration between local heritage organisations and the NSW Government resulted in an impressive offering that attracted record visitation levels. An exceptionally engaging and immersive display of NSW’s rich transport heritage.”
Exhibitions
Flood Level 1955 – A Historical Exhibition
Maitland City Council
A thought-provoking display commemorating the 70th anniversary of the 1955 Hunter Valley Floods, a defining moment in Maitland’s history. The exhibition presents a multifaceted narrative using rare archival footage, personal testimonies and historic artifacts to educate and engage the community.
“An engaging showcase of the strength of those who endured and rebuilt. The exhibition served as a compelling tribute to the past and an inspiring reminder of Maitland’s enduring spirit.”
INTERIORS AND OBJECTS
Interiors
Parliament of NSW Rum Hospital Project Department of Parliamentary Services
Originally constructed between 1811 and 1816, the interiors of the northern wing of the former Rum Hospital required extensive repairs and upgrades. Carried out following the restoration of the building’s façade – which was shortlisted in the 2024 National Trust (NSW) Awards – this project is the final piece in the restoration of one of Australia’s oldest public buildings.
“A project of precision that has overcome a number of challenges and expertly integrated conservation with contemporary safety and accessibility standards, to deliver a fantastic end result.”
Objects
Conservation of the Barangaroo Boat
Sydney Metro with Silentworld Foundation and York Archaeological Trust
Uncovered in 2018 during excavation work for the new Sydney Metro Barangaroo Station, the Barangaroo Boat is believed to be pre-1830s and is the earliest known Colonial-built boat made entirely of local Australian timbers. During the six-year conservation process, the timber was treated with Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) to reinforce its structure, the first time Australian timbers had been conserved using this internationally recognised process.
“Years in the making, this was an extensive undertaking by skilled experts that has resulted in an incredible conservation project of national significance. Australia hasn’t seen anything like it before.”
LANDSCAPE
Nepean River Trail
Camden Council
The Nepean River Trail in the historic township of Camden weaves ecological sustainability with cultural heritage. It fosters biodiversity through native plantings, thoughtfully avoids sensitive archaeological zones and integrates evocative public art, inviting community connection and a deeper reverence for place.
“A substantial project with big ambitions and big impact. Layered storytelling, impressive ecological conservation, strong collaboration and partnerships – this holistic project has it all.”
RESOURCES AND PUBLICATIONS
Resources
Australia’s Earliest Timber Houses
Christopher and Deborah Hallam
This digital publication documents more than 180 timber houses built in Australia between 1788 and 1850, offering rare insight into early construction. Drawing on their decades of conservation work at Goldfinders Inn – Australia’s secondoldest known timber house – the authors undertook extensive research and site visits, creating a richly contextualised architectural record, available at hawkesburysettlement.com
“A phenomenal research effort that has demonstrated amazing commitment. Packed with detailed photography and descriptions, this is a very valuable resource that is completely accessible.”
Publications
The Australian Ark: The Story of Australian Wine, 1788 – 2023 by Andrew Caillard MW
David Longfield, Longueville Media & Angus Hughson and The Vintage Journal
Andrew Caillard’s The Australian Ark is a landmark three-volume history charting the evolution of Australian wine from 1788 to today. Rich in cultural, social and economic insight, it reframes Australia’s wine story as a vital thread in the nation’s heritage, reshaping global perceptions of its historical significance.
“An excellent publication that is both captivating and beautifully designed. This work transcends the topic of wine, intricately weaving together the unique social histories of Australian settlement, communities and immigration. It is truly a labour of love.”
Above
Interiors winner: Parliament of NSW Rum Hospital Project, Department of Parliamentary Services (image supplied).
Left Built Conservation winner: Old Bega Hospital, Design 5 – Architects, Old Bega Hospital Reserve Land Manager, NSW Public Works and Leser Build (photography by Chris Bennett).
JUDGES’ CHOICE
Old Bega Hospital
Design 5 – Architects, Old Bega Hospital Reserve
Land Manager, NSW Public Works and Leser Build
“A transformational project that is elegantly resolved and very impressive. The scale of conservation work and the sensitivity demonstrated throughout is to be commended. This project sets the standard!”
PRESIDENT’S PRIZE
Preserving and Promoting the Priceless Collections of the National Herbarium of New South Wales: Mass Digitisation and Free Public Access via an Online Herbarium Search Portal National Herbarium of New South Wales and Botanic Gardens of Sydney
“An awe-inspiring undertaking that will advance research and conservation efforts globally. This significant, massscale digitisation project has safeguarded the specimens and delivered unparalleled insight into more than 250 years of botanical research. Simply astounding.”
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Sheridan Burke, Heritage Consultant
YOUNG ACHIEVER AWARD
Steven Barry, Heritage Specialist at Transport for NSW
HERITAGE SKILLS AWARD
Ben Elliot, Fleet Maintenance Manager at Transport Heritage NSW
CATHY DONNELLY MEMORIAL AWARD
Dr Lisa Murray, Public Historian and Researcher
WITH THANKS TO OUR JUDGES
The National Trust thanks the judges of this year’s awards: Matthew Devine, Chair of the National Trust Heritage Awards Jury, Ann Toy, Barrina South, David Burdon, Dr Caitlin Allen, Dr Libby Gallagher, Kathryn Pitkin AM, Peter John Cantrill and 2024’s Young Achiever recipient, Sophie Canaris.
Find out more about the finalists
Discover the full shortlist of projects and find out who took home the NSW People’s Choice Award at nationaltrust.org.au/national-trust-heritage-awards- nsw
The National Trust Heritage Awards is a signature event of the Australian Heritage Festival in New South Wales and is proudly supported by the NSW Government through Heritage NSW.
The Women Who Shaped Riversdale
BY MICHELLE BATEMAN, EDITOR, THE NATIONAL TRUST MAGAZINE
With its original paddocks, outbuildings and orchards, Riversdale provides a vital link to the past. Discover the rich history of this treasured place through the remarkable women who helped define its legacy for future generations.
Set on the banks of the Wollondilly River on Gundungurra Country, Riversdale occupies the site of the original township of Goulburn, and its distance from the current-day city has helped preserve its special sense of history. The Colonial Georgian home was constructed in 1837 from locally made sandstock bricks in soft, muted shades that harmonise with the gardens. Inside, cedar joinery features handsome panelling and dignified roundel designs. The structure was noteworthy from the outset. “Its characteristics are decidedly early colonial,” writes historian and artist Rachel Roxburgh in her historic account of Riversdale. “It has little in common with other houses of the late 1830s.” The outbuildings are also historically significant, including a stone barn built by Matthew Healey c.1833, the oldest surviving building in Goulburn.
Filled with hand-carved furniture and surrounded by fruit trees and flowering gardens, this property was built with care and nurtured through multiple generations to provide respite and connection for the community. Here, we introduce the women who have left their mark while calling Riversdale home.
Ann Richards, 1837 – 1848
Ann Hollis was a young widow with three sons when she met the carpenter John Richards in Windsor, north-west of Sydney, in the late 1820s. The pair relocated to the Goulburn district, where Richards ran a successful coach business. Tragedy struck in 1838 when he died suddenly, leaving Ann to run a portfolio of businesses on her own. “Ann took over the running of the coaches, she had a general store at Berrima and she was also the licensee of the Surveyor General Inn at Berrima, famous for being Australia’s oldest continually licensed hotel,” says Marie Kennedy, a long-time volunteer and guide at Riversdale.
By 1840, Ann had married local blacksmith Benjamin Gould, sold her many ventures and “put all the money into building herself a nice home with a business attached. The western wing of the house was a hotel and the little verandah rooms were the strangers’ rooms,” Marie explains. Named Victoria Inn, the property’s location near the Wollondilly River was well placed to take advantage of traffic entering the town of Goulburn. Ann’s grit and determination helped shape the foundations of the Riversdale legacy.
Opposite Travelling the road to Riversdale is like stepping back in time to the late 19th century.
Above
The house and garden at Riversdale are in urgent need of repairs and upgrades. Please help us preserve this precious property (photography above right by SGR Photo; all other images supplied).
‘This property was built with care and nurtured through multiple generations.’
As well as the house and inn, she and Benjamin built a large garden and orchard, stabling for more than a dozen horses, barnyards and out offices. They stayed at the property until 1848 when they moved into Goulburn, and eventually rented out the house for use as a school.
Emily Twynam, 1872 – 1910
Ann Richards may have built the structure, but Emily Twynam made Riversdale a home, filling it with joy, family and beauty. Together with her husband, the New South Wales SurveyorGeneral Edward Twynam, Emily moved to Goulburn in 1866, leasing Riversdale for a few years before buying it in 1875. Running the home and raising a young family kept her busy for many years but as her children became more self-sufficient, Emily began exploring an interest in art and other creative pursuits.
The fruits of her talent can still be seen at Riversdale, where her embroidery, wood carvings, needlework and sketchbooks fill the rooms. “We have several examples of her carving in the house,” says Marie. “There’s a medieval-style chair depicting ivy leaves and Australian flora; a blanket box that she made for her second eldest daughter as a wedding present; a spectacular picture frame, and another plainer frame as well.” Adorning the walls are three large linen panels depicting fruits and botanicals, made to an original design drawn by Emily and hand-embroidered by her neighbour and friend Louise Guerry de Lauret, which was exhibited in Melbourne and Sydney in 1907.
Help us revitalise Riversdale
Damp-proof the walls
Several walls have been damaged by water ingress. They need damp-proofing, repair and repainting.
Repair external walls
Replace missing brickwork, fill gaps, repair cracks and paint walls.
Prevent water ingress
Repair sections of damaged walls and roof to prevent water entry.
Mary, Phoebe, Edith and Joan Twynam, 1869 – 1967
The Twynams had eight children including four surviving daughters. The second youngest, Edith, lived at Riversdale her entire life, while her sisters Phoebe and Alice Joan (known as Joan) both returned in their later years.
“Joan had an adventurous life: she was in the Australian Army Nursing Service, so when war was declared in 1914, she was one of the first eight nurses called up from New South Wales. She was stationed in Cairo, then on a hospital ship off the coast of Gallipoli and from there, she went on to France,” says Marie.
To celebrate the safe return of Joan and her brother Edward in 1918, their father planted apple trees in the orchard. “One of them is still there – still flowering, still fruiting,” says Riversdale volunteer and passionate gardener Ros Loftus. “You can tell the history of the property by walking around and looking at the plants.”
Jean Friend, 1967
She wasn’t a resident at Riversdale, but garden designer Jean Friend played an important role in shaping its aesthetic in the latter half of the 20th century. When the National Trust
acquired Riversdale in 1967, Friend was tasked with completely redesigning and building a new garden, transforming it from a space largely occupied by vegetables, fruit orchards and grazing cattle to embrace a new look that reflected Australian cottage gardens in the early 20th century.
“Jean Friend was influenced by the English Arts and Crafts garden designer Gertrude Jekyll and envisaged a big, slightly rambling garden,” explains Ros. As a former student of Frensham School in the nearby Southern Highlands, Friend was also inspired by the school emblem, an iris, and filled the garden with their delicate blossoms, some of them transplanted from Frensham. Almost six decades later, the designs created by Friend live on, providing a blooming template for Riversdale’s gardens today.
We need your help
These inspiring women and many others have helped nurture Riversdale for decades and now we need your help to continue their work. We need to raise $250,000 by the end of June, to carry out essential repairs and upgrades of the house, gardens and outbuildings. Every donation from our generous members will help preserve our heritage for future generations. Please donate today at nationaltrust.org.au/donate-appeal-nsw
Opposite
An embroidered linen panel designed by Emily Twynam hangs in the house (photography by Nick Nicholson).
Above, clockwise from top left
A historic photograph by renowned Australian photographer Max Dupain, taken in 1965; Joan Twynam received a Royal Red Cross First Class medal from the then Prince of Wales for her nursing work during the Great War; Emily Twynam; garden designer Jean Friend, on the left; Phoebe, Joan, Mary and Edith Twynam (all images supplied).
Bridging Histories and Honouring Country at Saumarez Homestead
BY DAVID WIDDERS
Saumarez Homestead has long been a window into Australia’s colonial past, but there’s a deeper history to be told. David Widders is a proud Anaiwan man from Armidale in the Northern Tablelands, who grew up near the Homestead. He shares his approach to telling the story of the property and its surrounding Country.
The Anaiwan are known as Cold Country Mob and freshwater people. Our neighbours described us as the snow people because where snow fell on the New England Range is pretty much where our boundaries lie. Our landscape and our identity is lots of granite, stringy bark trees, beautiful creeks and brooks. You’ll often see the landscape change pretty clearly when you start to get to the boundaries of our Country.
Anaiwan people have been the custodians of this great land for many, many thousands of years. I love getting out there to tell the Anaiwan story and share our language and our local history, particularly with the point of contact with colonial settlers. I’m fascinated by the history of our Country, both the black and white.
A meeting place
I grew up just a couple of kilometres from Saumarez Homestead but I didn’t know a lot about it until a year or two ago. I did hear one story about a gentleman that set up here in the
original day: there was a platform up here on the high country, where he would sit and do his work while watching over the landscape. I think this would have also been a perfect pinnacle for Aboriginal people to observe things coming this way, whether that was for hunting purposes or people gathering and meeting points. When you travel around the New England area, you’ve got all these high points of Country, which would have been significant to our Mob for a whole range of reasons.
Expanding the narrative
The first point of contact for our Mob here was during the 1830s. They say it was down around the area known today as the Walcha Station. It’s frustrating the way history has portrayed us as uncivilised and nomadic. What I’m learning about my people now is changing the narrative – we were the astronomers, the agriculturists, the first bakers in the world. We have the oldest living continuous culture, but the point of contact was harsh, it was hard
Above Anaiwan man David Widders (photography by Mike Terry).
Opposite from top Anaiwan Country (photography by Jarrad Stevenson); Saumarez Homestead (image supplied); David Widders with National Trust Senior Curator, Conservation Craig McPherson (photography Mike Terry).
‘I love getting out there to tell the Anaiwan story and share our language and our local history.’
and it was quick. I think Aboriginal history in this country needs to be told, and it needs to be told from an Aboriginal perspective, with a bit of truth-telling. History can hopefully join the dots. By black and white people coming together to share that information, we’ll probably make the story a bit more real and true, in the bigger picture. All of this land, all the essence of our land and Country, would have had some meaning, some connection, some purpose. Our Mob have resided here and been custodians for thousands of years, but we don’t reap the benefits of the wealth, in particular of the agricultural movement up this way.
The one key thing I want people who visit Saumarez Homestead to know is that they walk on the land of Anaiwan people, that our Mob are the traditional custodians of this land and it does have a very strong history that goes with it. When visitors drive through the gates, I’d love for them to see a plaque or sign that says, ‘Welcome to the land of the Anaiwan people’. The other thing I’d love to see is an Aboriginal person as a tour guide, telling the Anaiwan perspective. We want to share our story.
Plan your visit
As part of our ongoing Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), the National Trust and Saumarez Homestead has been consulting with David Widders and community Elders to integrate Anaiwan perspectives into the visitor experience. Over the coming months, signage across the property will be refreshed to include Anaiwan language, and new audiovisual storytelling will bring the histories of people and Country to life. Staff and volunteers at Saumarez Homestead will benefit from cultural training to enrich our understanding of this special place. For more details or to book, visit nationaltrust.org.au/places/ saumarez-homestead
Parramatta North: A Once in a Lifetime Opportunity
BY DAVID BURDON, NATIONAL TRUST CONSERVATION DIRECTOR
The National Trust has once again called for the nationally significant heritage precinct around the former Cumberland District Hospital in Parramatta North to be protected for the future.
Not all visitors to the National Trust’s Old Government House are aware that just a little further along the meandering Parramatta River is another rare and largely intact heritage site of great importance. It was there that a party of 12 men led by Governor Phillip arrived on 22 April 1788, looking for arable land to support the fledgling colony. They had arrived at a place that had been used by local Indigenous people as a valuable resource for thousands of years, known as ‘Tongabby’, the meeting of the waters.
So it was that this place came to be called Toongabbie –the oldest official use of an Aboriginal place name in Australia. It came to represent not just a meeting of salt and fresh water, but of two equally distinct cultures. It’s a place whose history is still evident today, and it is somewhat ironic to think that nearly 240 years later, this same location is once again being asked to cater to the needs of a growing city.
‘The retention of this significant landscape and green space needs to be considered as a long-term investment in the future of Parramatta.’
The most recent Parramatta North Precinct state rezoning proposal put forward by the NSW Government occupies, almost in its entirety, three sites straddling the Parramatta River that are listed on the NSW State Heritage Register: the Cumberland District Hospital Group, the Parramatta Correctional Centre and the Norma Parker Correctional Centre. This heritage precinct is also listed by the National Trust and Parramatta City Council and includes the Parramatta Female Factory and Institutions Precinct, which is listed on the National Heritage List and currently proposed for World Heritage Listing. It is not without reason that the listing on the State Heritage Register states that this site is “one of the richest heritage areas in NSW”.
Like so many of our large-scale former institutional industrial sites, there is no doubt that there’s now a requirement for a new use for this unique site, whose surroundings have altered substantially since it was established. With the major hub of Westmead Hospital adjacent, and the burgeoning City of Parramatta within striking distance, this is clearly a place of opportunity.
The National Trust, however, maintains that the most recent proposal put forward by the NSW Government is excessive. The 35-hectare site has been designated for over 450,000sqm of floor space, with towers of up to 80 metres in height, including multi-storey above-ground carparking immediately adjacent to the World Heritage-nominated Female Factory, surely putting an end to any hope of its nomination being successful.
There are both local and global examples of where new development and heritage can coexist in a meaningful and respectful way, and this is what must occur at Parramatta North. Critical to the success of these proposals is starting with heritage. At Parramatta North, the National Trust has been particularly
concerned that at the very centre of the precinct, instead of significant heritage buildings being adaptively re-used, they’ve been proposed for demolition.
The former Female Asylum Store, built in the 1880s to a design by Colonial Architect James Barnet and with extensions by Government Architect Walter Liberty Vernon, and noted in the heritage advice for the project as being in “sound and good condition”, is proposed for demolition. In addition, the 1934 – 1935 former Male Asylum, which defines the boundary of the central oval, is also slated for demolition, along with the c.1910 Waitresses’ Accommodation, which relates directly to the Staff Dining Room. The National Trust sees the retention of these buildings as historically justified and sustainably necessary.
There is no doubt that Parramatta North has reached the next stage in its long and complex history. The retention of this significant landscape and green space needs to be considered as a long-term investment in the future of Parramatta.
Opposite
The future of the Parramatta Female Factory, nominated for World Heritage Listing, is under threat (image supplied).
Below
The proposed rezoning of a 35-hectare site straddling the Parramatta River.
Stay up to date
The National Trust has submitted a detailed response to the proposed rezoning application, which is now being considered by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure as part of the community consultation process. Outcomes are expected to be announced towards the end of 2025. Stay up to date at nationaltrust.org.au/initiatives/parramatta-north-precinct-state-led-rezoning-proposal
What’s On
As winter blankets the landscape, heritage heats up with a host of open days, tours, talks and exhibitions at our special places. Embrace the cosy charm of the season, while also anticipating the vibrant renewal and new experiences that spring will bring.
COLLECTION HIGHLIGHTS
We’ve unveiled a charming selection of National Trust collection items, on display for a limited time at Saumarez Homestead, Experiment Farm Cottage, Grossmann House and the National Trust Centre. View historic fashion, vintage travel posters and two special displays about Annie Wyatt and Marie Byles. Visit nationaltrust.org.au/places for more details about what’s on display.
BEYOND IMAGINATION –A PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY
WHITE COTTAGE GALLERY, RETFORD PARK, BOWRAL
UNTIL 8 JUNE, THURSDAY – SUNDAY, 10AM – 4PM
The Southern Highlands Photographic Society celebrates its 21st anniversary as a club with an exhibition of works showcasing the breadth of extraordinary talent within the group.
Tickets: Free exhibition entry
Event details are correct at the time of printing. To purchase tickets and check for updates, visit nationaltrust.org.au/whats-on-nsw. Booking fees may apply.
PRESSING DESIRES – THE AMOROUS ETCHINGS OF NORMAN LINDSAY
NORMAN LINDSAY GALLERY, FAULCONBRIDGE
UNTIL 21 JULY, THURSDAY – MONDAY, 10AM – 3PM
Focusing on his exploration of desire, this captivating exhibition delves into the full range of Norman Lindsay’s etching techniques, covering a pivotal period from 1915 to 1930, widely regarded as the golden age of Lindsay’s pen drawing and printmaking.
Tickets: Members free, adults $17, concession $15, family $49, children under five free
NSW SCHOOLS RECONCILIATION CHALLENGE EXHIBITION
EVERGLADES HOUSE & GARDENS, LEURA
UNTIL 27 JULY, WEDNESDAY – MONDAY, 10AM – 4PM
Be inspired by a colourful collection of student art exploring reconciliation and reflecting upon Country.
Tickets: Members free, adults $17, concession $15, family $49, children under five free
SALON DES REFUSÉS
S.H. ERVIN GALLERY, OBSERVATORY HILL
UNTIL 27 JULY, TUESDAY – SUNDAY, 11AM – 5PM
The Salon des Refusés is a much-anticipated feature of the art scene, showcasing an ‘alternative’ selection of equally brilliant works not chosen for display in the official Archibald and Wynne Prizes. (Pictured: Desert Day (The Palace Hotel Broken Hill) by Gina Bruce).
Tickets: Members free, adults $15, concession $12, family $42, children under five free
ON STAGE: THE THEATRICAL WORLD AT EVERGLADES
EVERGLADES HOUSE & GARDENS, LEURA
UNTIL 10 OCTOBER, WEDNESDAY – MONDAY, 10AM – 4PM
This curated display explores the art and history of performance at Everglades House & Gardens and highlights the theatrical collections held by the National Trust.
Tickets: Members free, adults $17, concession $15, family $49, children under five free
FASHIONABLE SILHOUETTES
OLD GOVERNMENT HOUSE, PARRAMATTA
UNTIL 9 NOVEMBER, THURSDAY – SUNDAY, VARIOUS TIMES
Explore fashionable silhouettes from the National Trust collection, from a 1740s yellow silk gown to the minidresses of the 1960s. This exhibition celebrates statement sleeves, striking skirts and the undergarments that helped to create them.
Tickets: Members free, adults $15, concession $12, family $42, children under five free
FASHIONABLE SILHOUETTES GUIDED TOUR
OLD GOVERNMENT HOUSE, PARRAMATTA
FIRST THURSDAY MONTHLY THROUGH TO NOVEMBER, 11AM – 12PM
Discover the stories behind the dazzling silhouettes selected for display from the National Trust’s collection. After your tour, explore the rest of this UNESCO World Heritage-listed site.
Tickets: $15
LINDESAY AFTER DARK
LINDESAY, DARLING POINT
27 MAY, 26 AUGUST, 23 SEPTEMBER, 28 OCTOBER & 2 DECEMBER, 6PM – 8PM
Uncover stories from the past at an intriguing after-dark tour of historic Lindesay. Enjoy wine and canapés in the garden before exploring this spectacular 1830s property as night falls.
Tickets: $45
VIVID SYDNEY CRUISE
MEET AT KING STREET WHARF, SYDNEY
28 MAY, 7PM – 10PM
See the electrifying light festival from iconic Sydney Harbour during a three-hour private charter cruise. Includes a sit-down three-course dinner and drinks.
Tickets: $155
ANNUAL HERITAGE LECTURE AND MUSICAL PROGRAM
ALL SAINTS CHURCH, HUNTERS HILL
1 JUNE, 2:30PM – 4PM
Hear from Dr Peter Sheridan on the topic of Sydney’s Heritage –What’s Worth Preserving? After, enjoy a recital of French Baroque music by the Muffat Collective, followed by refreshments.
Tickets: $25
Book your tickets or find out more at nationaltrust.org.au/whats-on-nsw
Witness a century of changing fashions as you browse homemade clothing, accessories and historic photos. View rarely seen UNESCO-listed documents and family objects. Hear the stories of the Porter family, and celebrate the start of spring and everything floral in the house and garden.
Tickets: Members free, adults $12, concession $10, family $34, children under five free
SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS
BOTANICAL ART AND ILLUSTRATION PRIZE
WHITE COTTAGE GALLERY, RETFORD PARK, BOWRAL 12 JUNE – 6 JULY, THURSDAY – SUNDAY, 10AM – 4PM
Don’t miss this stunning exhibition of works from an annual juried competition, a collaboration between CanAssist, the Botanical Art Society of Australia and Retford Park, featuring some of Australia’s best botanical artists.
Tickets: Free exhibition entry
GHOST NIGHTS
OLD GOVERNMENT HOUSE, PARRAMATTA THIRD FRIDAY MONTHLY, 7:30PM – 9:30PM
What are those eerie sounds coming from seemingly empty rooms? Bring your torch and your courage to unveil the secrets of Australia’s oldest surviving public building.
Tickets: Members $35, adults $38
LINDESAY BRIC-A-BRAC
LINDESAY, DARLING POINT
21 JUNE, 10AM – 3PM
Browse an intriguing array of curios and surprise knick-knacks and collectibles. Make a day of it as you explore this special place and enjoy a morning or afternoon tea under the old plane trees.
Tickets: Entry via gold coin donation
IF STATUES COULD TALK –
STORIES OF A PEOPLE’S PARK
MEET AT CENTENNIAL HOMESTEAD, CENTENNIAL PARK
24 & 25 JUNE, 10AM – 12:30PM
Enjoy morning tea before setting off on a walking tour to discover the landmarks, secret spots and unique stories of Centennial Park, one of the world’s largest urban parks.
This delightfully optimistic exhibition of works by Martial Cosyn and Sumit Ameria is inspired by the enjoyment of the little things in life – nature, loved ones, moments – that touch our hearts.
(Pictured: Camellia and Blue Banded Bee by Sumit Ameria).
Tickets: Free exhibition entry
CHRISTMAS IN JULY
GROSSMANN AND BROUGH HOUSES, MAITLAND
13 JULY, 10:30AM – 2:30PM
Don your best Christmas jumper as you explore Maitland’s historic twin houses, decorated for the celebrations. Enjoy festive homemade goodies, a glass of bubbles and a leisurely walk through the garden.
Tickets: Members and concession $40, adults $45, children $25
House of Ghosts explores the intersection of the real and the imagined: the seen and unseen, imagined figures, spirits, ghosts, memories of people and hallucinations.
Tickets: Members free, adults $17, concession $15, family $49, children under five free
NSW SCHOOLS RECONCILIATION CHALLENGE
EXHIBITION
BROUGH HOUSE, MAITLAND
2 – 31 AUGUST, WEEKENDS, 10:30AM – 3PM
Learning from legacy: Healing our Country is a beautiful showcase of inspiring student works exploring the survival of culture through connection to the ancient wisdom of this land and its peoples.
(Pictured: Sharing Culture by Evelyn Bowden).
Tickets: Entry via gold coin donation
LARGS VILLAGE HERITAGE WALK
MEET OUTSIDE LARGS PUBLIC SCHOOL
3 AUGUST, 2PM – 4PM
Join a guided walk around the historic village of Largs, one of the most interesting geological and Indigenous sites in the Hunter Valley region. Includes afternoon tea.
Inspired by the Australian landscape, Sydney-based artist Katherine C Rooney’s works are colourful and textured, superbly capturing the changing light and mood of the sky and land.
Tickets: Free exhibition entry
Celebrate International Dog Day
Bring your furry friends and get ready to paw-ty!
NORMAN LINDSAY GALLERY, FAULCONBRIDGE
23 AUGUST, 11AM – 4PM
Look forward to doggy paw painting, fashion parades, agility displays, food stalls and a photographer on-site to capture the fun. Pack a picnic or enjoy a sausage sizzle.
Tickets: Free. Gallery entry $10
RETFORD PARK, BOWRAL
24 AUGUST, 10AM – 4PM
Pay homage to our furry friends in stunning surroundings. Join a guided garden tour, have a go at the agility course, browse a range of stalls and so much more.
Tickets: Members free, adults $17, concession $15, family $49, children under five (and dogs!) free
MANLY’S HISTORIC EASTERN HILL TOUR
MEET AT MANLY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
9 & 16 SEPTEMBER, 11AM – 2PM
Join a local historian on a walking tour of Manly’s Eastern Hill, once a suburb of choice for Sydney’s gentry, and discover many grand homes from 19th century settlement. Light refreshments are included.
Tickets: Members $74, adults $79
DESMOND FREEMAN –NEW YORK, NEW YORK: IMPRESSIONS IN INK
WHITE COTTAGE GALLERY, RETFORD PARK, BOWRAL 11 SEPTEMBER – 12 OCTOBER, THURSDAY – SUNDAY, 10AM – 4PM
Acclaimed artist Desmond Freeman presents the latest addition to his highly regarded series of intricately detailed works featuring the great cities of the world.
Be inspired by your stunning surrounds as you join landscape artist Corinne Loxton for a two-day plein air painting workshop. Includes gallery entry, a guided tour and light refreshments.
Tickets: $320
Book your tickets or find out more at nationaltrust.org.au/whats-on-nsw
The Portia Geach Memorial Award is Australia’s most prestigious art prize for portraiture by women artists. View finalists’ works from across the country in this exceptional display.
(Pictured: A Room of One’s Own by Stafford Gaffney).
Tickets: Members free, adults $15, concession $12, family $42, children under five free
REGENCY DAY OUT
OLD GOVERNMENT HOUSE, PARRAMATTA 21 SEPTEMBER, 11AM – 4PM
Celebrate Regency fashion with expert talks, vintage clothing stalls, lawn games, special viewings of rare collection items and a guided tour of the Fashionable Silhouettes exhibition.
Tickets: free talks and market access, $15 guided tours House entry only: members free, adults $15, concession $12, family $42, children under five free
SPRING HIGH TEA
COOMA COTTAGE, YASS 24 SEPTEMBER, 11AM – 1PM
Gather your loved ones and enjoy live acoustic music, a delicious high tea and guided tours of the recently refurbished house and picturesque spring gardens.
Tickets: $65
MISS TRAILL’S SPRING MARKETS
MISS TRAILL’S HOUSE, BATHURST 19 OCTOBER, 10AM – 3PM
Set in stunning heritage gardens, Miss Traill’s Spring Markets make for a charming Sunday. Browse local stalls, tour this carefully preserved home and recharge with tea or a BBQ lunch.
Tickets: Gold coin donation. House tours $5
COMING SOON
Spring Tours
YASS COUNTRY WEEKEND 18 – 19 OCTOBER
Women’s Committee Inspections and Events
For information or expressions of interest: lindesay@nationaltrust.com.au
S OUTHERN HIGHLANDS: SPRING HOUSE & GARDEN INSPECTIONS
Inspect three delightful Southern Highlands properties brimming with history and bursting with spring blooms. Includes morning tea. Register your interest: cridge@bigpond.net.au
HABERFIELD: TOUR OF THE GARDEN SUBURB
Join a guided tour of Haberfield, Australia’s earliest garden suburb, characterised by architecturally distinctive single-storey suburban villas built in the Federation style. Register your interest: bunning.jill@gmail.com
Held in beautiful heritage surrounds overlooking Sydney Harbour, the Lindesay Christmas Gift Fair is the perfect place to shop for unique jewellery, clothing, gourmet foods and artisanal gifts. The café will serve lunch, morning tea and afternoon tea. Great raffle prizes on offer. Santa visits on Saturday.
Tickets: $5 at entrance. Free shuttle bus available from Edgecliff Station. Enquiries: lindesay@nationaltrust.com.au
Book your tickets or find out more at nationaltrust.org.au/whats-on-nsw
Out and About
From private tours of historic properties to a behind-the-scenes glimpse of fashion history, we catch up with members about the events they’ve enjoyed attending over recent months.
Style through the ages
Barbara Fiedler (above) attended a members’ tour of the Fashionable Silhouettes exhibition at Old Government House, led by National Trust Assistant Curator Anna Ridley. “Hearing from the curator gives you a deeper insight into the exhibition,” Barbara says. “The stories of how these garments came to be in the collection are fascinating. To be able to stand here and look at fabric from the 17th century is very special.”
The great Australian dream
“This is work that does what art does best: help us see,” says award-winning journalist and broadcaster David Marr, after visiting In Suburbia: Recent Detours at the S.H. Ervin Gallery. “The cunning purpose of the exhibition is to make us see suburbia without flinching. I stood in awe of Catherine O’Donnell’s windows, excited by her technique and amazed by her sharp eyes.” Suspended by Catherine O’Donnell is pictured above.
A stunning look at heritage homes
A highlight of the Women’s Committee weekends away is the exclusive inspections of elegant heritage homes and gardens that are rarely open to the public (pictured is one of the homes from the Bathurst tour). “We see such diverse homes and gardens, even charming working farms,” says long-time member and tour devotee Maria Zwarteveen. “One of my favourite destinations was Maitland – there is so much history there.”
Dancing through the day
Photographer Chloe Grabham snapped this dynamic picture of the Jitterbug Club at the Jazz & Wine in the Garden Festival, held at the Norman Lindsay Gallery. Her festival highlights? “Hearing the winemakers and distillers share their stories; watching the food creators work their magic; seeing the dancers in action and hearing Kate Woolfe‘s Big Bad Swing Band croon the audience. It was a celebration of creativity, good vibes and community.”
THANK YOU
Patrons, Corporate Members and Sponsors
The National Trust (NSW) acknowledges and appreciates the support we receive from these generous individuals and organisations
