We extend a warm welcome to Bruce Pettman and learn more about his professional background and enduring dedication to conserving our heritage.
Bruce’s career is expansive. Spanning 50 years, his focus has been historic building conservation including restoration, adaptive reuse and maintenance management, as well as urban conservation management planning. It’s a career that has crossed several countries and involved work with a diverse array of organisations such as the World Bank, NGOs, governments and UNESCO, making Bruce well equipped for the role of President of the National Trust of Australia (NSW) Board.
Bruce’s lifelong passion for heritage can be traced back to his university days – his final-year thesis of his studies in architecture explored the subject of adaptive reuse. Since graduating as an architect in 1975, his deep appreciation of heritage has been at the forefront of his work, both in Australia and overseas.
From working as leader of the NSW Public Works heritage team on the careful 2009 adaptation and upgrade of the ANZAC Memorial in Sydney’s Hyde Park to leading collaborative teams restoring a historic synagogue in Hong Kong and the main copper dome of a mosque in Penang, Bruce’s career has been dedicated to conservation and local capacity building.
Notably, many of his projects are characterised by connection, bringing historic and culturally significant places back to life, to be sustainable and for the public to access and enjoy.
In 2003 he received a Centenary of Federation Medal for services to the conservation of historic buildings and in 2022 he was the recipient of the National Trust’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Bruce currently sits on the NSW Heritage Council’s Approvals Committee and holds several roles with various technical committees, providing advice for heritage projects, including state significant projects.
A board member since 2022, Bruce possesses valuable knowledge of the activities and operation of the National Trust and understands both the challenges and opportunities facing the organisation.
“I feel very privileged to be the President of the National Trust at a time when we are moving forward with very positive strategies and actions. I am excited to meet more National Trust volunteers, members and staff as the year progresses.”
We are delighted to welcome Bruce as President of the National Trust of Australia (NSW) Board.
