About us

The National Trusts are Australia’s leading conservation organisations. Our mission, which started with the conservation of historic Sydney architecture, has grown to include natural, Indigenous and cultural heritage in every state and territory.

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 National Trusts are the only conservation organisations in Australia concerned with all aspects of heritage, natural and cultural, tangible and intangible. We are the pre-eminent independent community bodies that promote conservation of and access to Australia’s unique natural, cultural and Indigenous heritage.

The National Trusts advocates for policies and positions and does not endorse individual candidates or political parties.

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.

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.

Australian Council of National Trusts (ACNT)

The Australian Council of National Trusts (ACNT) is the peak body and national voice in Canberra of its State and Territory National Trust member bodies.

The National Trusts in Australia are community-based, non-government not-for-profit organisations, committed to promoting and conserving Australia’s heritage through their advocacy work and their custodianship of heritage places and objects.

Purpose Statement
To provide national leadership to support our Members in promoting, conserving and celebrating Australia’s environmental, built and cultural heritage.

ACNT 5 Strategic Pillars

Creating and delivering on a national advocacy plan
Being guardians of the National Trust brand and leveraging the brand more
Building partnerships and relationships at a national level, focussing on national issues
Ensuring benefits are delivered to Members
Being financially sustainable and having an appropriate governance structure.

These strategic pillars were adopted in late 2018 as themes which combine key actions and activities that the ACNT has identified as being core to delivering on its purpose.

Currently the focus is on defined activities and goals being co-ordinated through the Chief Executive Officers of the member National Trusts under the strategic pillars.

Current Issues

Rio Tinto – Juukan Gorge

The Directors of the ACNT resolved in July 2020 to strongly endorse the statement of concern as issued by Australia ICOMOS on 3 June 2020 with respect to the destruction by Rio Tinto of significant Juukan Gorge rockshelters, located in Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura country in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

Constitution

Download ACNT Constitution

COVID-19 Impact

Working with the significant support of the National Trust in Victoria, the ACNT has made concerted efforts to gain Commonwealth Government financial compensation for the considerable financial impact on the National Trusts of Australia as a result of the enforced closure of revenue generating venues providing essential income supporting National Trust places and operations.

Board Members

Gary Kent
National Trust of Australia (ACT)
Neil Wykes OAM
National Trust of Australia (NSW)
Graham Goerke
National Trust of Australia (WA)
Lachlan Molesworth
National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
Edward Webber
National Trust of Australia (NT)
Georgina Anthony-Palmer
National Trust of Queensland