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Annual Report 1999-2000
PROGRAMME: ASSET MANAGEMENT
Objective: To conserve, manage and interpret places and objects owned by or under the control of the National Trust of Australia (WA).
Key Strategy:
Activity: Places
Major Achievements:
Over $100,000 worth of conservation works to the properties have been completed during the financial year.
Completion of the exterior conservation works to Dongara Flour Mill, including the installation of doors and windows and the Preparation of lighting plans for Greenough Hamlet, Dongara Flour Mill, the Old Observatory, Old Boys School and Settlers Cottage.
The implementation of exterior lighting to St Bartholomew's in East Perth Cemeteries.
Properties of the National Trust of Australia (WA)
Albany Fish Traps - the Department of Aboriginal Affairs in Albany secured a grant to build three observation platforms that overlook the Fish Traps. The platforms are located on the Fishtraps Walk that terminates at the Lower King bridge. Work was carried out by Greenskills and involved several of the local Nyoongar youth. The Trust is seeking to return this site to the Aboriginal community in the near future.
Bridgedale - the joint management of the property by the Shire of Bridgetown and the National Trust has resulted in a successful year for Bridgedale. The Trust acquired the adjoining property, formerly the front garden and entry to Bridgedale, and removed the two c1970s asbestos clad houses that had been built on this land. The removal of these houses has opened up the site allowing the house to be appreciated in its original orientation. The Trust is planning to assist the UWA Archaeology Department to undertake a dig at the place to further the knowledge of the evolution of the site, in particular to try and locate the first house that is recorded and referred to in the primary research but the exact location is unknown.
Dedari Pumping Station Removal of asbestos commenced as part of the conservation and interpretation of this industrial heritage place. Funding from the Federal government under the Centenary of Federation grant has allowed this place to be made safe for the implementation of the visitor programme under The Golden Pipeline Project in coming years.
Dongara Flour Mill - with assistance from the Heritage Council of WA and with funds raised by the National Trust the windows and doors have been reinstated into the Dongara Flour Mill. The conservation of the exterior brickwork was been completed as part of these works. The conservation of this important building has been a major achievement for the National Trust. The once ruinous building has now had its exterior fully conserved. Plans are underway to light the building at night enhancing its landmark value on the Brand Highway.
The Midwest Olive Association has generously assisted the Trust with the small olive grove that is located on the Dongara Flour Mill land. The grove planted in the 1960s had been neglected over the years but the Association and the Trust saw the potential of the olives. Firstly, the Association pruned the trees to reduce the disease risk and to increase the yield. A small quantity of olives was pressed and oil was made. The quality of the oil was good and work is planned to further exploit the potential of the olive and olive oil market.
East Perth Cemeteries - this year saw further conservation and new works take place at the cemeteries. As the site is adjacent to the redevelopment area of East Perth, the East Perth Redevelopment Authority contributed funds toward the improvement of the cemeteries. Trees have been planted, some paving has been laid, lawn has been planted at the entrance and exterior lighting has been installed to enhance the presentation of the place. Assistance was also gratefully received from the work-for-the-dole group that weeded, mowed, raked and made the place look terrific. Further work is planned for next year.
Ellensbrook - verandahs that had previously been removed from the building were replaced this year with the assistance of an Australian Heritage Commission grant. This has resulted in the appearance of the building being enhanced and has provided protection to the fabric and to visitors. The grant was also used to restore the flume and the waterwheel enclosure.
Greenough Hamlet - the Trust is proceeding with managing the place in a partnership arrangement with the Shire of Greenough, setting a precedent for the management of heritage places across Australia. This outstanding joint venture with the Shire is being used as a model for the development of other partnerships and is one of the ways in which the Trust takes alternative pathways to solve problems of heritage conservation and interpretation.
Conservation works to the Wesleyan Chapel allowed for the installation of doors and rendered the building pigeon-proof. Further works will be undertaken when more funds are available.
Planning is underway for an Artist-in-Residence program that has been established with the Geraldton Art Gallery. Clinch's Mill is to be used as a gallery space and accommodation in the Courthouse building will be provided for the artist.
Much work has been undertaken to apply for funding to construct a Visitors Centre at the Hamlet. The proposed Centre is planned as a facility for all visitors to the Greenough region and will provide interpretation and orientation of the Hamlet and Greenough. Tearooms,, a gift shop and other functions are planned for this facility. The Shire and the Trust are applying to funding agencies to raise the necessary money to build the Centre.
Herdsman Lake Settlers Cottage - the volunteers' office has been completed and is now available for use as a meeting place. Works are planned in the gardens and grounds of the Cottage and a work-for the dole project will be undertaken in 2000/2001.
A large residential subdivision is planned for the land adjacent to this heritage site and the Trust is attempting to negotiate a subdivision plan that limits the sub-division of the place.
The Hermitage - the Trust has applied for an Interpretation and Conservation Plan for the gardens to assist in the interpretation and management of the Hermitage gardens.
Israelite Bay Telegraph Station - CALM continues to assist the Trust in managing this remote ruin.
Mangowine Homestead - the Conservation Architect responsible for this property, Kelly Aris, completed a Conservation Management Plan for the property. Future conservation works have been identified and much of the history has been clarified as a result of the study.
Moir Homestead - the Conservation Plan for this place was completed and will greatly assist in the future management and conservation of the place. The research undertaken as part of the project has added to the body of knowledge about the place.
Old Blythewood - continues to need large amounts of funding to conserve and protect this property. The Trust was fortunate to receive a Heritage Council of WA grant to replace the deteriorated roofing on the kitchen building and to repair the leaks in the jarrah shingle roof over the main house.
The Trust also received further Heritage Council funding to conserve the soft brick walls in the kitchen that are in an extremely poor condition.
Old Farm Strawberry Hill - the draft Conservation Plan that was prepared has been distributed to all members of the Bird family, the last residents of the house and the Trust is awaiting the additional information that family may be able to contribute to the Conservation Plan.
With thanks to Lotteries WA and the Heritage Council of WA, the Trust received funds for the ongoing conservation of this extremely important property. The windows in the main house have been conserved and restored. Conservation of some areas of roofing, better site drainage and painting have all been undertaken as part of these conservation works.
Old Observatory - the expanding role of the National Trust included the need to accommodate the Covenanting program staff. To solve the problem of lack of office space, the Trust has adapted the external 1989 kitchen building into office accommodation. A new telephone system and computer cabling has also been installed to improve the operations of the Trust. These works have been urgently required and will allow the Trust to cope with the increased work load and subsequent increase in administrative and operational demands.
Old Perth Boys School - Reveley's Café continues to operate successfully from the Old School building that is located in the heart of Perth CBD on St Georges Terrace. Grant funding from Lotteries WA has been secured to re-roof the building and this will be undertaken in the summer of 2000/2001.
Tranby House - utilising the grant funding received from the Heritage Council of WA, the problems of rising damp and efflorescence in the brick walls have been subject to ongoing work at Tranby. Areas of render from interior and exterior walls were removed to access the bricks to try and ascertain why and what is causing the rising damp. The age of the building and the simple construction techniques are the main causes of the problem and limit the solutions. To avoid invasive solutions such as chemical injection the decision has been made to not re-render and to allow the bricks to dry out before taking further action.
Warden Finnerty's Residence - conservation works to this property were undertaken this year. Re-roofing and restoring the original profile of the roof structure were the focus of the works.
Wonnerup House - in order to protect the grass tree floor in the stables building barriers have been built to allow people to see this unusual flooring but not to walk on it. Two very large pine trees were removed from the gardens as they had become dangerous, one after a lightning strike and the other had died. The grounds continue to be admired and replacement trees will be planted.
Wonnerup Old School & Teachers House - these two weatherboard buildings are in need of minor conservation works and the displays they house are to be updated.
Woodbridge - the tearooms that are now located in the former stables building has been very successful and is a very pleasant place to have a lunch or a tea. Conservation works to the house this year included the re-roofing of the kitchen wing of the house. Clad in the galvanised iron in the traditional short sheets has ensure the original character of the roof has been retained.
York Courthouse Complex - major conservation works are planned for the York Courthouse complex to ensure it is well conserved and will have a viable future.
Asset Management Committee
The National Trust is planning to establish an Asset Management Committee to assist with the conservation and management of the Trust properties. The Trust aims to have all of its properties financially sustainable and by managing the properties in a careful, yet creative way, this will be possible.
Utilising a Committee of people with differing backgrounds will allow the generation and sharing of ideas and expertise. Again, the Committee will be established once the terms and conditions of the Committee are determined.
Tax Deductible Appeals for the Restoration of Buildings
The National Trust of Australia is empowered by the Australian Taxation Office to accept donations on behalf of an appeal to the restoration of a public heritage asset. Subject to the place or object being classified, the community may collect funds which may be expended only on approved restoration and conservation work.
The following appeals were conducted by the National Trust for the community of Western Australia or were ongoing during the 1999/2000 financial year.
Activity: Collections Management
Training for volunteers & establishment of work programme
Establishment of a reference collection of photographs of valued items
Deaccessioning plan developed
Computer records reformatted
Deaccession & disposal of a camel wagon
Conservation of four opalotypes
Summary of Achievements
Two training courses were conducted by the Curator for volunteers interested in working in the area of collections documentation. Fourteen people attended the training courses, two of whom were from outside the metropolitan area. At the conclusion of the training course one volunteer commenced work at Old Blythewood, one at Wonnerup, one at the Old Observatory and the remainder at Tranby. It is anticipated that the documentation of the collections at Tranby will be completed by the end of 2000. This will enable the Trust to make the information about this component of the collection accessible through the Australian Museums On-Line website.
Stocktakes were undertaken at four properties during the year, during which reference photographs were taken of items on the valuation lists. While they are not images worthy of reproduction, they will enhance the management of the collection particularly until the objects concerned are better documented. As resources permit, significant items will be professionally photographed and the images integrated with the collections management database.
It is estimated that some 5,500 objects are currently held in storage. A detailed proposal regarding the future of these collections was prepared for consideration by Council. The recommendation was that the objects be assessed and that those with little significance to the Trust's work be deaccessioned. The matter was not however considered by Council within the year covered by this annual report.
Computer records from the old system were reformatted into the new collections management database. This enabled the process of reconciliation of records to begin. Due to the laborious nature of the work involved it is being undertaken as time permits.
Whiteman Park has for some time exhibited a Trust-owned camel wagon from the Carnarvon area. The wagon, in poor condition, was not relevant to the work of the Trust and beyond its resources for restoration, yet of significance due to its well documented provenance. Council approved the deaccession and disposal of the camel wagon from the collection which, after being declined by the Carnarvon Heritage Group, was accepted by Whiteman Park.
Four significant opalotypes of the Hardeys and the Clarksons were conserved by Glyde Galleries. The opalotypes are now back on display at Tranby.
Activity: Interpretation
Interpretation planning model accepted nationally
Interpretation plan for Ellensbrook
Continued progress towards an interpretation plan for Bridgedale
Interpretation plan for Old Blythewood
The model for interpretation planning developed last year was circulated to various agencies for comment and input. The final document was accepted for use in guiding all interpretation planning work for National Trust properties in Western Australia. It was pleasing that the Australian Council of National Trusts has decided to adopt the document nationally.
The Curator undertook consultation with key stakeholders and completed the draft interpretation plan for Ellensbrook. Only superficial changes were required and the final document is close to completion.
The draft interpretation plan for Bridgedale has progressed little from last year due to an identified lack of primary research, a matter highlighted in last year's annual report. The Trust was successful in obtaining a $15,000 grant from Museums Australia and the Lotteries Commission to contract two research historians to locate material that can be used to assist in the interpretation and ongoing management of Bridgedale. The project is scheduled for completion in late 2000.
Old Blythewood has also been the subject of an interpretation plan funded by the Commonwealth through the Centenary of Federation. The primary research component of the project was undertaken by historian, Ron Richards and the interpretation component by Museum Studies Consulting. The final document is due for delivery in July 2000 and the interpretation plan will be implemented as funds permit.
The Curator was involved in discussions and reviews of the interpretation plan for the Golden Pipeline.
