The National Trust of Western Australia works to raise knowledge, awareness, understanding and commitment to Western Australia’s natural, Aboriginal and historic heritage. The Trust achieves this objective through the conservation and interpretation of heritage places it manages on behalf of the community and government of Western Australia, and through its education and learning programs.
The National Trust of Western Australia was established in Western Australia in 1959 by a group of concerned citizens who identified the need to promote heritage conservation. This group grew rapidly and included some of the most prominent citizens in the State. Some five years later an Act of Parliament was passed in the State Parliament which formally established the Trust as an independent community based organisation.
The National Trust is a registered charity.
The National Trust of Australia (W.A.) Act 1964 can be found on the Australasian Legal Institute (Austlii) Database.
Our Act [external link]
A Western Australian community valuing and conserving its natural, Aboriginal and historic heritage for the wellbeing of current and future generations
The National Trust of Western Australia will engage and inspire community support for the conservation of our natural, Aboriginal and historic heritage for the present and the future
The National Trust of Western Australia is a statutory body that delivers heritage services through whole of government appropriations. The organisation delivers services in the areas of property and collection management, natural heritage management and education and learning programs.
The National Trust of Western Australia acknowledges its properties are situated on Aboriginal land across the state.
The National Trust recognises Aboriginal people remain the cultural and spiritual custodians of their land and continue to practise their values, languages, beliefs and knowledge.
The National Trust is committed to working with Aboriginal people to ensure these practices are recognised and included in the conservation and interpretation of its properties and Aboriginal people are consulted and involved in the development of Trust projects and programs.
The Patron of the National Trust of Western Australia is His Excellency the Honourable Kim Beazley AC Governor of Western Australia
The Council consists of 25 members, of which 16 members are elected from amongst members of the National Trust and the remaining nine members are appointed by nominating organisations. Terms conclude following the Annual General Meeting in the year of expiry.
BA DipEd GAICD M ICOMOS
Chief Executive Officer
Mr Julian Donaldson brings to the National Trust significant leadership experience gained in a career spanning the commercial and cultural sectors. He is committed to involving the community in the National Trust’s mission to conserve and interpret Western Australia’s cultural heritage for the present and the future and emphasises the role of storytelling in deepening the connection people have with heritage. He is focused on ensuring that all Western Australians have the opportunity to engage in the National Trust’s role in building a valued sense of our place in the fast-changing world through reflection on our rich and diverse cultural heritage.
Mr Donaldson led the Perth International Arts Festival over a decade before joining the National Trust of Western Australia in 2016. He retains his involvement in the arts through membership on the board of the Perth Theatre Trust. He also represents the Trust on the board of Heritage Perth, the Albany Bicentenary Working Group and the Royal Perth Heritage Society.
BA DipEd MACE
Deputy Chief Executive Officer/Director Corporate Services
Mr Enzo Sirna AM joined the National Trust in 2001 and has over 30 years’ experience in education and in governing community and not-for-profit organisations.
Mr Sirna was previously a Senior Policy Advisor for the Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Interests and a former Senior Master of Languages and Director of Studies at Penrhos College.
He was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia in 2004, for service to the community through education, multicultural affairs, welfare and the arts.
Mr Sirna is also Chairman of the Australian Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, Deputy Chairman of Community Languages Australia, President of the Italo-Australian Welfare and Cultural Centre and a member of the State Government’s Multicultural Advisory Group.
B.Com, ACMA, DBA, APIA AFA
Chief Financial Officer
Mr Michael DSouza joined the Trust in February 2019. He is a qualified accountant and has over 30 years of experience in Finance, Business and ICT. He has held senior positions in WA State Government and in the private sector in Australia and overseas. Mr D’souza is very passionate about being able to serve the community of Western Australia.
Dip Teach (Primary), BA, GradDip Mus Studies, M App History, M.ICOMOS
Senior Manager, Marketing & Community Services
Ms Anne Brake has been with the National Trust since 2000 when she joined as Manager Interpretation for the Golden Pipeline Project. Since then she has worked in a variety of positions in interpretation and community engagement. In 2016-17, Ms Brake was seconded to the Rottnest Island Authority for 12 months as Manager Cultural Heritage.
Originally with an education background, Ms Brake has over 30 years’ experience in the museum and heritage sector in both NSW and WA. She has made contributions at committee level to the state branch of Museums Australia and the National Committee of Australia ICOMOS. She remains committed to the important role heritage can play in strengthening communities.
B.Arch (Hons) B Arts (UWA), M. AIA, M.ICOMOS
Senior Manager, Asset Management
Ms Kelly Rippingale has qualifications in both architecture and history and has worked for over twenty years in government, private and the not-for-profit arenas, in Western Australia and the UK, focusing on the management of significant places. She has been with the Trust since 2001 and undertaken a broad range of projects across the whole of the asset portfolio.
Ms Rippingale is passionate about the values embodied in Western Australia’s built heritage, seeking to best maintain those values while meeting sustainable future use goals.
The National Trust depends on the commitment and support of the community and many individuals.
In recognition of the hard work and dedication to conservation and interpretation of Western Australia’s unique heritage, the National Trust awards individual effort.
In 2012 the National Trust introduced Fellow of the National Trust as the highest honour bestowed to an individual.
