A bright future for historic places

It was a notable year for the places under the care of the National Trust, with heritage sites the focus of stunning revitalisation.

A major $2.7 million project funded by the NSW Government in partnership with Armidale Regional Council and the National Trust was completed at Saumarez Homestead over the course of the year. New accommodation and venue hire launched in November, opening the next chapter in the story of the elegant Edwardian homestead. From 2026, guests can stay under the starry New England skies or enjoy events in restored heritage buildings. An interpretation program honouring the stories of the Anaiwan people and their ongoing relationship with Country connects visitors with the Traditional Custodians of the land, telling the full story of this historic place.

Harper’s Mansion, the charming Georgian house on Gundungurra and Tharawal Country, in Berrima, also underwent a striking transformation. Inside the 1830’s building, upstairs rooms have been repaired, repainted and stencilled with a refreshed interpretation planned. Outside, the large hedge maze, a drawcard of the cool-climate gardens, was fitted with new tiles enabling it to be enjoyed by visitors in all weather. Work was completed thanks to funds raised by donors, members and supporters

In the Blue Mountains, the oil room at Norman Lindsay Gallery received a fresh coat of its signature cardinal red hue, while gravel driveways and pathways were restored. In a beneficial collaboration, the gardening teams of the National Trust came together on site to mulch, replant and fill urns with flourishing blooms.

Interested in helping to care for our special places? Discover how to become a volunteer with the National Trust. Find out more.

Safeguarding yesterday for today

Protecting the past for future generations is fundamental to the work of the National Trust. This year our advocacy included over 20 submissions alongside strategic meetings with members of local, state and federal government. Campaigns in 2025 included:

• • Parramatta North (Cumberland Hospital site)
    A detailed objection to this State Significant Development proposal was submitted. The plans threaten to radically alter the historic landscape, impacting State Heritage listed sites, the UNESCO World Heritage listed Parramatta Park and the World Heritage nominated Female Factory and Institutions Precinct.
  • Draft Heritage Strategy for NSW
    A response to this proposal was submitted by the National Trust highlighting key recommendations and a call for adequate funding to ensure outcomes can be achieved.
  • MLC Building in North Sydney
    While a new proposal for this State Heritage listed site is an improvement on previous development plans, it is still far from an appropriate heritage outcome. The National Trust noted these concerns in a submission.
  • Eryldene Historic House & Garden
    An objection was submitted to a proposed eight-storey development in Gordon’s Heritage Conservation Area which threatens the future of this beloved heritage site.

Identifying heritage is the first step to protecting it. In 2025 11 new listings were added to the National Trust Heritage Register, including a colonial pottery, a brutalist Civic Centre and Art Deco surf life-saving pavilions. Recognising the historical significance of these distinctly different places is key to ensuring their continued preservation.

2025 saw several important wins for heritage thanks to the dedication and advocacy of community groups and the National Trust. The Art Deco Newcastle Ocean Baths were listed on the State Heritage Register, approved building envelopes for Central Barangaroo were substantially reduced to protect the important views from Observatory Hill and the significant mid-century building housing Gosford Library was saved from demolition. The National Trust was also pleased to support the nomination of the Harris Park Precinct to the National Heritage Register.

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Everyone’s invited

Over 100 events spanning the state brought heritage to life for all ages. Celebrating our shared history and natural landscape, a diverse range of activations connected with our community and drew new audiences to the National Trust. On offer were thought-provoking exhibitions, productions of Shakespeare, vintage fashion shows, life-drawing classes, Regency-themed fairs and even a day devoted to pooches to mark International Dog Day.

Much-loved National Trust events including Looking at Architecture weekends away, the Lindesay Christmas Fair and historical walking tours proved as popular as ever. A walking tour of Haberfield was in such demand that more dates are already planned for 2026.

In an exciting turn of events, the iconic BBC program Antiques Roadshow filmed an Australian pilot episode in the grounds of Norman Lindsay Gallery. Recorded during the sell-out vintage fair, guests enjoyed live-jazz music, appraisals by expert valuers and classic car displays.

Australia’s largest community-driven celebration of heritage marked a record-breaking 45th year. From Broken Hill to Lord Howe Island, 227 events made up this year’s Australian Heritage Festival, recording an impressive 1 million social media impressions.

152 projects were submitted for this year’s National Trust (NSW) Heritage Awards with 58 finalists and 20 winners chosen. Media reach climbed to 117 million while more than 2,700 individual votes were entered for the inaugural People’s Choice award.

Mark your calendars! Discover What’s On at the National Trust for 2026.

Preserving precious objects

It was a fascinating year for the National Trust Collection with the stories of objects revealed and remarkable restoration work completed.

Thanks to the generous support of the 2024 Collections Appeal, critical conservation of some of the National Trust’s most signification collection items was undertaken and will continue into 2026.

At Retford Park, the stunning original floral bedspreads in the green room are now on display once more. Long thought missing after being torn apart by James Fairfax’s dogs, they were discovered by chance early in 2025 and carefully repaired by the Old Government House Soft Furnishings team.

An elegant 19th century three-piece furniture suite at Dundullimal Homestead underwent a striking restoration after being discovered in a state of disrepair in the shearing shed, thanks to funds raised by the Dundullimal Dubbo Support Crew.

Following lengthy research, the story behind a rare 17th century music manuscript from the collection at Riversdale has been uncovered. Australian violinist and musicologist Dr Shane Lestideau has traced the document’s origins back to Scotland’s earliest musical society,

The National Trust dress collection was on show at Old Government House, tracing the changing shape of style through time and trends in the Fashionable Silhouettes exhibition. Conservation of fragile textiles was made possible by the Permsew Foundation.

Back to Nature

Over 160 projects were completed by our Bushland Management Services (BMS) teams this year. A new three-year project in partnership with Local Land Services launched at Razorback to restore Western Sydney Dry Rainforest – a critically endangered ecological community, while an exciting conservation project at the Upper Georges River is helping protect the local platypus and koala populations.

Time well spent

The work of the National Trust wouldn’t be possible without the invaluable contribution of our wonderful volunteers. From caring for collections, to restoring fragile textiles, hosting guided tours and gardening work, thank you for all that you do.

In 2025, we received over 2,000 donations. With this generous support we have been able to fund critical projects at our special places, continue our essential advocacy work and care for precious objects in the National Trust collection. Generous bequests have also helped ensure the future of the National Trust. Find out more about making a donation and leaving a lasting impact.

The path ahead

Heritage celebrates the past but to endure it needs to evolve with a changing world. It is for this reason the National Trust’s 2025-29 Strategic Plan centres around the principle of sustainability. Launched in January, the plan charts the course of the organisation over the next five years, ensuring we are building a strong and stable future.

Important work on the National Trust Reconciliation Action Plan continued. Building on the momentum from the first stage of the plan ‘Reflection’ we move towards the next phase ‘Innovate’.

In November we welcomed this year’s National Trust (NSW) Board and farewelled directors, Kathryn Pitkin AM, David Collingridge LVO and Alison Page. We are grateful for their dedication and contribution, in particular Kathryn Pitkin for her brilliant leadership as the National Trust’s President.

Thank you for your support

As another memorable year draws to a close, we thank you for your support and generosity as we look forward to conserving and celebrating the beauty and history of our state’s heritage in 2026.