National Trust of Australia (W.A.)

Chairman's Report

This has been a pro-active and exciting year for the National Trust in WA. For all of the 2000-2001 financial year the Council was chaired by Michal Lewi AM who resigned from that role in early July 2001, whereupon I was elected. We are still benefiting from many legacies of Mr Lewi’s strong leadership, and we owe him a vote of thanks for all his efforts over many years.

Without cutting back on its established activities in property management, education and classification of significant places, the Trust has dramatically expanded its activities in covenanting of land, and in the conservation and interpretation of the Golden Pipeline and other important sites like Luisini’s Winery. At the time of writing we are still engaged in negotiations with the State government in the hope of playing a major role with John Curtin’s House at Cottesloe, and at the East Perth Power Station. The Power Station is a unique item of industrial heritage which has been deteriorating for two decades during which time no-one wanted it,-- until the Trust came up with a proposal. Unfortunately the evidence is that certain agencies are reluctant to understand that its cultural significance lies in the preservation of the whole place and all its contents.

The immediate future presents many other challenges, particularly for the Chief Executive and staff. In recent years there has been an increasing trend, irrespective of political party politics, for governments to proliferate bureaucratic “red tape” and complex formulaic reporting in the name of “accountability”.

Other issues include the need to develop even better collaboration with other community heritage and education agencies, and to expand and focus our advocacy role. This is particularly important as ever-pressing financial circumstances tempt governments of all political persuasions and at all levels in the federal system to lower the priority given to heritage and to look at public and community heritage assets in terms of real estate opportunities.

Theses invidious trends must be resisted if we are to go into the 21st century implementing the timeless ideals that motivated the founders of the international National Trust movement in the UK in the late 19th century: access to and protection of heritage places which are in the ultimate sense the inheritance of all and a trust for the nations.

With 2001 designated the International Year of Volunteers, the Trust has been pleased to acknowledge the invaluable work of its volunteers and the participation of its many members. In the short time I have been Chairman I have had cause to be most grateful for the support I have received from loyal members, dedicated staff, and committed fellow councillors.

Professor David Dolan
Chairman