The National Trust of Western Australia works to raise knowledge, awareness, understanding and commitment to Western Australia’s natural and cultural heritage.
The National Trust achieves this through the conservation and interpretation of heritage places it manages on behalf of the community and government of Western Australia, through education and learning programs, and through community consultation and engagement.
From the beginning, the National Trust of Western Australia has been a community-based organisation. It was founded 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 a state Act of Parliament was passed which formally established the National Trust as an independent community based organisation.
The National Trust of Australia (W.A.) Act 1964 can be found on the Australasian Legal Institute (Austlii) Database. The National Trust is a registered charity.
To be recognised as leaders in engaging communities with the value of Western Australia’s heritage to ensure its protection for future generations.
To connect communities to the value of Western Australia’s diverse natural and cultural heritage.
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 have ongoing involvement in Trust projects and programs.
The Patron of the National Trust of Western Australia is His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson APM, 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 connect communities to the value of Western Australia’s diverse natural and cultural heritage 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 and Perth Symphony Orchestra. He also represents the Trust on the City of Perth Cultural Advisory Committee, and the Albany Bicentenary Working Group.
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 D’souza joined the Trust in February 2019. He has extensive experience and skills from a broad range of commercial and government business across diverse geographic and cultural environments. 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. He has a track record of driving major reforms, managing multimillion projects and delivering innovative cost – effective outcomes, aligned to organisational strategic objectives. Mr D’souza is very passionate about being able to serve the community of Western Australia.
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.
BBus DipFin DipTourism CertBus
Senior Manager, Marketing and Community Engagement
Motivated by effective marketing and communications practice, Ms Elissa Cuss has a solid background leading strategic brand building methodologies across State Government, not for profit sector and private sectors.
Ms Cuss has team and project leadership experience and a 20-year knowledge base on effective place and destination profiling, with a ground-up progression managing tourism portfolios across Western Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.
She remains committed to creating a strong sense of place and forging connections with community through valuable heritage experiences.
Senior Manager, Marketing and Community Engagement
We have a unique position available to join the senior management team of the National Trust of Western Australia. This role leads the National Trust’s marketing and community engagement portfolio by developing strategic programs that promote opportunities for the community to value Western Australia’s heritage.
To be considered, applications must follow the submission instructions on the jobs.wa.gov.au listing. Applications close 5.00pm WST Friday 31 March 2023.
Conservation cleaning
Conservation cleaning involves the care of heritage collections by using internationally recognised best practice methods for protecting and preserving artefacts and interiors. We are currently looking for a team of eight volunteers to help in artefact and interior cleaning.
If you are interested in finding out more or registering your interest, contact Ms Bronwen Channon at bronwen.channon@ntwa.com.au or (08) 9321 6088.
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.
