The National Trust (NSW) is committed to continuously advancing our work in the field of conservation and building our network of affiliation and alliances with like-minded organisations in the space of built, natural and cultural heritage around the world.
In recent months we’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in two international exchanges.
Richard Silink, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, says some things in this world are universally recognised and heritage is one of them.
“We all come from somewhere, we all have a sense of place and a history. Most of us feel a strong connection to buildings, artefacts, landscapes, stories or people because of the meaning conveyed from the past – whether that is a faraway past or more recent – and the knowledge, feeling or guidance it provides for the present and future,” he said.
“It is vitally important that the National Trust explores, discovers and understands how conservation, curation, collection management, research and advocacy and cultural tourism specialists around the world do what they do. Gaining knowledge of new, or old, practices means we continuously improve in our ability to act as guardians and safe keepers of Australia’s heritage.”
Visitors from afar
The National Trust (NSW) was incredibly pleased to welcome visitors from the National Trust in the United Kingdom to Australia.
Learning and Engagement Manager, Whole Trust, Anita Stevens, and Visitor Experience Consultant, National Trust (South West), Ruth Lewis, recently engaged with our heritage properties and teams in Sydney and regional New South Wales through an extensive knowledge exchange program developed by Rosalind Mearns, Manager at Old Government House. In turn, National Trust staff in NSW benefited from a greater understanding of the practices and processes in place in the United Kingdom.
Travelling afar
Rebecca Pinchin, the National Trust (NSW)’s Collections Manager, is currently attending the Attingham Summer School as a recipient of the The Alex Copland Scholarship. In 1975, Alex Copland was one of the first Australians to attend the London-based Attingham Summer School for the study of historic houses and collections in Britain.
The purpose of the study program that Rebecca Pinchin will undertake will be to:
- examine the architectural and social history of the historic house in Britain, their gardens and landscapes;
- to study the building contents including paintings, sculptures, furniture, ceramics, silver, textiles and applied arts;
- and to engage with like-minded specialists to debate and explore solutions for challenges relating to the conservation and presentation of country houses and contents.
She said: “I am delighted to be able to take up this great opportunity to learn about the care of collections and their presentation in the historic country houses of the United Kingdom. I am especially keen to see new ways to enhance the visitor experience in the Trust’s properties.”
