Reception for Honorary and Life Members of the National Trust Australia (WA) Golden Jubilee Year 2009

Tuesday 1 September 2009


by His Excellency Dr Ken Michael AC
Governor of Western Australia



This year the National Trust celebrates it's Golden Jubilee.

To mark this very special occasion a number of community and member events have been arranged during 2009 including:

  • an open day at the Trust’s head office, The Old Observatory, held on Australia Day;
  • a heritage photography exhibition by long standing councillor, retired lawyer and photographer Michael Lewi AM;
  • events at Trust properties as well; and
  • its celebratory Golden Jubilee Dinner to be held on 25 September.



This morning tea for honorary and life members is part of these celebrations and is to say a big thank you to these members for their loyalty, support and hard work for the National Trust during the years.

The milestone will also be recognised through the publication of the first account of the history of the National Trust of Australia (WA), situating it within a wider history of ideas about heritage in Australia.
 
This book titled “From the Barracks to the Burrup” by authors A/Prof Andrea Witcomb and Dr Kate Gregory reveals;

  • changing attitudes to the past and its role in a future oriented society;
  • a history of the changing sense of place in Perth;
  • attitudes to the built and natural environments; the moves from restoration to conservation, recreation to interpretation;
  • the professionalism associated with heritage;
  • the role of social history in heritage interpretation; relationships between the Trust and other heritage bodies;
  • relations with developers and the State Government;
  • the long fight to establish State based heritage legislation; and
  • specific heritage battles such as those around the Barracks Arch, Mills Point, the Palace Hotel, the Swan River and the Swan Brewery.


The book will be launched in late 2009.
 
The National Trust is unique in Western Australia in that it is the only statutory organisation supporting a holistic approach to heritage which has both the mandate and operational experience to deliver management of heritage places, community education and learning and active community programs for conservation.

Preserving our heritage is so important to remind us of who we were, where we have been and who we have become. It is important to acknowledge and understand our connection to the past, the rich Indigenous history and culture, the richness of our architecture and settings, our sense of place, the importance of community, as well as where the future may take us.

Buildings, and there is more to heritage than just buildings, tell a story; they relate to communities and their social way of life; they reflect the architecture, artistic flair of their time. They are a snapshot of society as it was and provide some understanding of the community we enjoy today.
 
The National Trust plays a significant role in all these aspects and helps by preserving our heritage and interpreting its history, significance and importance.

We owe our thanks to the Trust for its vision and management. We especially need the help of people giving their time and talent to ensure that the mission and objectives are addressed in fulfilling the vision being realised.

The Honorary and Life Members are role models for just that and we thank them sincerely for their commitment and valued contribution to the work of the National Trust in this its Golden Jubilee.