New South Wales The National Trust of Australia is a community-based, non-government organisation, committed to promoting and conserving Australia's indigenous, natural and historic heritage through its advocacy work and its custodianship of heritage places and objects.
The Australian National Trust movement was established in New South Wales in 1945 by Annie Wyatt who, along with a group of other citizens, raised community consciousness of widespread destruction of the built and natural heritage in Sydney. The National Trust movement quickly spread across Australia with the other States establishing National Trust offices throughout the 1950's and 60's. The Northern and Australian Capital Territories were the last to establish a National Trust in 1976. Each State and Territory National Trust is fully autonomous entity in its own right responsible for managing its own affairs.
The Australian Council of National Trusts (ACNT) was formed in 1965. It represents the interests of the National Trust at the federal level, provides a forum for information exchange and increasingly coordinates the work of the constituent bodies.
Collectively the organisation owns or manages over 300 heritage places (the majority held in perpetuity), manages a volunteer workforce of 7000 while also employing about 350 people nationwide.
We rely heavily on community support generated through membership subscriptions, sponsorship, donations and bequests, property admissions and retail sales . Of the collective total operational revenue generated by the organisation less than 10% is sourced from government.
VISION
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To be trusted as a leading independent guardian of Australia’s built, cultural and natural heritage, and defender of our sense of place and belonging in a changing world.
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MISSION
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- Advocate for the conservation of our built, cultural and natural heritage by engaging with the community and government
- Conserve and protect our built, cultural and natural heritage by example, advice and support
- Educate and engage the community by telling our stories in ways that awaken a sense of place and belonging
| The National Trust relies on the support of its dedicated volunteer committees and branches. If you are interested in joining a committee (see list below) please contact us.
Trust and Board Committees
| Finance, Audit & Risk Management
Magazine Editorial
Marketing & Communications
Trust Honours
Occupational Health & Safety
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|  | Technical Committees
| Built Advocacy
Curatorial
Education
Landscape Advocacy
Industrial Heritage
Cemeteries
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| | The National Trust of NSW is governed by a board comprising of twelve elected directors and an Executive Director. The board elects a president, a deputy president and a treasurer.
| President
| Ian Carroll OAM BA LLM (Hons)
| Board Member since 2008
Career History:
| Ian Carroll is a former corporate and commercial law Partner of National legal firm Clayton Utz. Now a company director, he is a Director of Zurich Financial Services Australia Limited and its subsidiaries, and is or has been a director of other companies in the insurance, reinsurance, manufacturing, industrial and wholesaling sectors. He has previously held positions in various not-for-profit organisations, including President of UNICEF Australia, State Library Ambassador to the Legal Profession, and Member of the Council of Knox Grammar School, and has been honorary legal adviser to a number of such organisations.
| Attributes he brings to the Trust:
| Ian is committed to the preservation of our built, natural and cultural heritage, including our indigenous and multi-cultural heritage, and to promoting heritage values to governments and the community, especially our younger and multi-cultural communities. He firmly believes that good governance and strategic and risk management of not-for-profit organisations are essential to the attainment of their worthy objectives.
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| | Deputy President
| Professor Ross Griffith
| BSc (Hons), UNSW; PhD, Leeds; C. Text., FTI; MAAFS
Board Member: 2009-2010, re-elected November 2011 for 2 year term
| Career history: Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor, Professor, University of New South Wales, 1965 – 1997; Head, School of Fibre Science and Technology, 1988 – 1997. Currently Principal of Griffith Services (Consultants); Emeritus Professor and Dean of Emeriti, UNSW; Adjunct Professor RMIT University. Former Director of The Smith Family (1985 – 2003); Director of Bardwell Valley Golf Club (1988 – 1994, 2006 – 2009); Secretary Bardwell Valley Advisory Committee 1994 – 1999.
| Attributes he brings to the Trust: Ross brings to the Trust broad experience in the not-for-profit sector, at both senior management and Board level. He brings a personal commitment to the preservation of our cultural, built and natural heritage, based particularly on his voluntary work with the local community. His wide ranging academic activities have given him valuable experience in dealing with funding agencies (Government and corporate), and the intricacies of grant generation and funding.
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| | Treasurer
| Neil Wykes OAM
Career history: I have been a member since 1983 and have a passionate interest in Australian History.
I bring accounting, commercial and risk management experience gained from advising many not for profit organizations, listed companies and private groups over 28 years as a Partner in a major international Accounting Firm.
| Attributes he brings to the Trust: I also bring my experience of 13 years as a Director of the government body Justice Health, including 2 years a the Board Chair and terms as the Chair of the Finance Committee and as a member or the Audit and Risk Committee. I have been on the Council of the Accounting Foundation within the University of Sydney for 20 years, the last 5 of which I have been the Council President.
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| | Robyn Christie
| BA (Hons), University of Sydney; BA (Architecture), University of Technology, Sydney; MA Courtauld Institute of Art, University of London; M Heritage Conservation, University of Sydney; Master of Architecture, University of Technology, Sydney – current.
| Board member since: 2001
| Career history: Robyn Christie is a heritage consultant who has specialised in the preparation of historical reports. She is a member of Australia ICOMOS; the Museums Association; an associate of the Professional Historians Association; and a student member of the RAIA. She has a strong academic and practical background, first working with the National Trust as a curator at the S.H. Ervin Gallery and then the Museum of Australian Childhood over a period of 10 years. Heritage contracts have included work at Susannah Place, Elizabeth Bay House, Juniper Hall, St Mary’s Cathedral and Central Railway Station. Robyn is currently completing a postgraduate degree in architecture to investigate better designed contexts for heritage sites and character areas. She is a member of five Trust committees and actively involved with her local community through the Hunters Hill Trust and represents the National Trust on the Council’s Conservation Advisory Panel.
| | Attributes she brings to the Trust: Having been closely associated with the Trust since 1982, Robyn brings a unique understanding of the history and culture of the Trust and the issues it has faced for over 25 years. |
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| | Donald M Godden MSc UNSW
Board Member since 2006
Career history: 1967-75 Principal Field Investigator, Smithsonian Institution – UNSW Pakistan project; 1975-95 Senior lecturer, School of Architecture, UNSW; 1995-98 Director, Master of the Built Environment (Building Conservation) Course UNSW; 1985-99 Principal, Godden Mackay Logan (and predecessors) Heritage Consultants; 1999-2002 Chairman, Godden Mackay Logan, Heritage Consultants; 2002 to present, Grazier.
| Attributes he brings to the Trust: An in-depth understanding of the importance of conserving the cultural (built) and natural heritage; over three decades of experience in identifying, assessing and providing comprehensive policies for the conservation of items of the environmental heritage; the ability to monitor and assess Conservation Management Plans prepared for the future care and management of the National Trust properties; the ability to assess the significance of the industrial heritage of the state and to make recommendations for its retention and conservation. of the industrial heritage of the state and to make recommendations for its retention and conservation.
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| | Ann Hardy
| Newly elected 2011
| Honours/Awards: 2010 - The Newcastle City Council Prize for Historical Research – University of Newcastle. 2010 - Hunter Bonafide Awards “Studious Bona” from Hunter Heritage Network
| Education/qualifications:BSW (Social Work), Grad. Dip Applied Heritage Studies. MA and PhD candidate (History)
Previous and Current appointments on the Trust Board and Committees, and on Boards external to the National Trust:
Newcastle City Councils Strategic Heritage Committee (2005-2007). Secretary, Hunter Region Committee of the National Trust (2006 – present). Newcastle City Council Strategic Heritage Committee (2005 – 2007). University of Newcastle’s Coal River Working Party (2006 – present). Hunter Heritage Network (2008 – present). |
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| | Meredith Hutton
| BA. MA (Merit) Syd. Diploma 18th and 19th Century Decorative Arts. Certificate Interior Design.
Board Member since 2011
| Career History:I have been a member of the National Trust since 1981. I worked as a Specialist Archaeologist for the Heritage Council of NSW advising State Government involving rural, industrial and urban sites. Currently I work as a Heritage Consultant; preparing Conservation Management Plans, Archival Photographic Records, Archaeological Zoning Plans, Heritage Assessments, Statements of Significance and Heritage Impact, restoration and refurbishment of commercial and rural properties. My voluntary work for the Trust includes the role of Chair for the Illawarra Shoalhaven Branch , management of Historic properties and collections, public campaigns to protect built and natural sites and promoting a better understanding of heritage.
| | Attributes she Brings to the Trust: I bring the perspective of a professional and volunteer to issues relevant to the Trust. I have participated in committees for ICOMOS, Women’s College, State &Local Councils. Our Regional National Trust committee has engaged with broad sections of the community and all levels of government to successfully conserve and manage threatened heritage sites. I can assist the Trust to educate and support communities in their endeavors to value and conserve our cultural heritage. |
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| | Keith Parsons
| Newly elected 2011
| Honours/Awards: Honorary Life Member – National Trust (2002), National Trust Community Services Award (1995), NSW Planning Minister’s Heritage Volunteer Award (2009)
| Education/qualifications:B. Sc.
Previous and Current appointments on the Trust Board and Committees, and on Boards external to the National Trust:
I am a member of the Hunter Regional Committee (1974 - present), where I was also formerly the Chair (1999 – 2004) and the Deputy chair on numerous occasions (2009 - 2011). Previously I was a member and Chair of the former National Trust Hunter Region Historic Buildings and Urban Design Committee and formerly Chair of Miss Porters’ House Management Committee.
I am also Chair of Newcastle City Council Strategic heritage Committee and have served as a Board member on the Hunter Heritage Centre, Newcastle Workers’ Health Centre, Newcastle Region Art Gallery Foundation and have been the vice–president of the Parks and Playgrounds Movement and Newcastle Gallery Society.
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| | John Richardson
| Board member since: 2010
| Career history: Partner in Cox Richardson Architects and was President of the RAIA (NSW Chapter) in 1993. On the Board – Australian Services Round Table 2002 and a member of the Sydney Harbour Design Review Panel (1998 – 2008) and on the Board of the Sydney Cove Authority (1994 – 1998)
| | Attributes he brings to the Trust: Our heritage is continually threatened. Part 3A, the diminishing role of the Heritage Council and the Heritage Office, complying development and private certifiers all increase the threats. I would hope to bring my years of experience as an architect and Trust supporter to the Trust Board and make more noise. |
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| | Ian Stephenson
| Board member since: 2010
I first joined the Trust in the 1970s and have been a member in NSW, Tasmania, the ACT and South Australia.
| Career history: I have worked in historic place management, heritage advocacy and museums for over twenty years. My experience includes involvement in historic building management, advocacy, town planning issues, conservation planning, securing grant funding, implementing large scale works programs and liaising with Government Departments and members of Parliament. I was the Trust’s Senior Curator (1990 – 2001), Director – Historic Places (National Trust of ACT - 2001 – 2006), CEO of The National Trust of South Australia (2007 – 2009) and am currently the University Curator at the University of New England.
| Attributes he brings to the Trust: To foster the Trust’s primary strength which is its capacity to inspire volunteers to invest talent, energy and passion in realizing exciting projects in museums, education and advocacy and to engage audiences. To achieve financial stability there must be a balanced budget and stronger policies to protect and encourage endowments.
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| The National Trust began in Australia in 1945, to protect early colonial buildings along Sydney’s Macquarie Street from the threat of demolition. Aware of the need to act quickly, the ten members of the Ku-ring-gai Tree Lovers Civic League, formed to protect Sydney’s bushland from destruction, founded the National Trust and began their urgent campaign.
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