annual report 2007–2008 - parliament of nsw · pdf fileannual report 2007–2008 ......

Annual Report 2007–2008 Historic Houses Trust

of New South Wales

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Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 |

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Historic Houses TrustHead OfficeThe Mint10 Macquarie StreetSydney NSW 2000

T 02 8239 2288 F 02 8239 2299 E [email protected] 02 8239 2377 (telephone for people with hearing disabilities)This report and all our programs are published on our website www.hht.net.au

cover: Glenfield, 2008. Photograph © Nicholas Watt

Report of the Trustees of the Historic Houses Trust of New South WalesMinister, in accordance with the requirement of the Annual Report (Statutory Bodies) Act 1984, we have the honour of submitting to you as Minister for the Arts, this report for the year ending 30 June 2008 for presentation to Parliament.

Jill WranChairman

Peter Watts AMDirector


Contents

04 At a glance

06 Chairman’s review

08 Director’s overview

10 Corporate governance

Strategic outcomes

16 Goal 1: Properties, collections and programs

18 Goal 2: Public profile and audience

22 Goal 3: Staff expertise

22 Goal 4: Endangered Houses Fund program

22 Goal 5: Major capital works

22 Goal 6: Commercial activity and philanthropy

23 Goal 7: Finances and public resources

Our people

26 Trustees

28 Staff

31 Organisational chart

Properties

34 Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection

36 Elizabeth Bay House

38 Elizabeth Farm

40 Government House

42 Hyde Park Barracks Museum

44 Justice & Police Museum

46 Meroogal

48 Museum of Sydney

50 Rose Seidler House

52 Rouse Hill House & Farm

54 Susannah Place Museum

56 The Mint

58 Vaucluse House

Programs, services & associated groups

62 Education

62 Endangered Houses Fund

63 Events

63 Exhibitions & publications

64 Regional

64 Retail

65 Venues

6 Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales

66 Members

67 Volunteers program

67 Rouse Hill Hamilton Collection Pty Ltd

Appendices

70 Our commitment to women

70 Associated groups

70 Committees

72 Disability Action Plan

72 Credit card certification

72 Electronic service delivery

72 Ethnic affairs priority statement

73 Human resources

74 Overseas travel

74 Printing costs of the Annual Report

74 Sponsors

75 Fundraising

76 Staff list

79 Volunteers

Financial information

Index

Production credits

Contacts


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Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | At a glance

opposite page: Front door, No 58 Gloucester Street, 2004. Photograph © Ross Heathcote

At a glance

The Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales (HHT) was established under the Historic Houses Act 1980 to manage, conserve and interpret the properties vested in it, for the education and enjoyment of the public. We are a statutory authority of the state government of New South Wales funded through the Department of the Arts, Sport and Recreation. We are one of the largest state museum bodies in Australia and a leader in conservation and management of historic places in this country.

This year we attracted over 2.1m visitors to our museums, gardens, parklands, urban spaces and broad ranging program of activities.

To inspire appreciation of Australia’s diverse histories and cultural heritage for present and future generations by conserving, interpreting and managing, with integrity, places of cultural significance in the care of the Historic Houses Trust.

We manage sites of historical and cultural importance that tell a story about the history and development of New South Wales. Our portfolio of properties is valued at more than $203m and has grown from two properties in 1980 to 18 properties to date.

The collections held at our museums are valued at more than $35m and comprise 250,000 archaeological artefacts and over 45,800 objects of cultural significance to the history of New South Wales.

We conduct a wide range of programs including exhibitions and public events and also deliver wide-ranging schools education and publishing programs.

Our goals are influenced by our mission, which balances the twin objectives of conservation and interpretation with public access. We are committed to the highest standards of conservation of our sites to preserve them for future generations. We are also committed to the highest standards of interpretation of our sites for the education and enjoyment of the public. We aim to educate without being didactic, embrace cultural diversity and produce relevant and contemporary programs that relate to a wide range of communities. We welcome everyone and strive to provide services that will attract all sectors of the community.

This year HHT projects won four awards:

Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) Australia Award 2008 Specialty Venue Category for The Mint

Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) NSW Award 2008 Specialty Venue Category for The Mint

EnergyAustralia National Trust Heritage Award 2008 for Interpretation and Presentation – Corporate/Government Category for the publication Homes in the sky: apartment living in Australia

EnergyAustralia National Trust Heritage Award 2008 for Conservation – Built Heritage for Project Under $1m for Refurbishment of the State Drawing Rooms at Government House

Our standing

Our mission

What we manage

Our commitment

Recognition


Acquired/Assumed management Property Opened Status1980 Vaucluse House 1980 Museum1980 Elizabeth Bay House 1980 Museum1984 Elizabeth Farm 1984 Museum1984 Lyndhurst (sold 2005) Offices and library1985 Meroogal 1988 Museum1987 Rouse Hill House & Farm 1999 Museum1988 Rose Seidler House 1991 Museum1990 Hyde Park Barracks Museum 1991 Museum1990 Justice & Police Museum 1991 Museum1990 Museum of Sydney

on the site of first Government House1995 Museum

1990 Young Street Terraces – Offices1990 Susannah Place Museum 1993 Museum1993 Walter Burley Griffin House (sold 1995) Conservation project1996 Government House 1996 State house and garden1998 The Mint 1998 & 2004 Offices and library2003 Former Rouse Hill Public School – Being developed2007 Tusculum – Leased2007 Exeter Farm – Endangered Houses Fund project2007 (leased pending acquisition) Glenfield – Endangered Houses Fund project2008 Nissen hut – Endangered Houses Fund project

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The work of the HHT was significantly progressed in a number of areas throughout the year with particular energy focused on developing our electronic profile.

Following an internal audit to ensure sufficient staff resources and appropriate controls were in place, e-commerce was successfully launched through our website in January, creating new revenue streams for merchandise sales, memberships and donations. Online ticketing is the final phase of the e-commerce project and will be implemented in the first quarter of the coming year. Our new website was launched in June with a new contemporary design and easier navigation. TRUSTeNEWS, our monthly electronic news bulletin, continued to grow and is now sent to more than 7500 recipients.

A new Image Management and Storage System (IMSS) has been successfully implemented, which centralises our diverse image portfolio featuring collections, museums, exhibitions and events images. This system will improve access to the HHT collection and also support an increase in earned revenue through copyright sales of HHT-owned images.

A pattern of changing visitation at Elizabeth Bay House, Elizabeth Farm and Vaucluse House – specifically a long-term decline in casual visitation and an increase in booked groups attending schools programs, ticketed public programs and, in some instances, commercial venue hire – has been emerging over several years. In response to this trend, to meet the growing demand for booked groups and to enable us to more responsibly manage our resources our Minister, the Hon Frank Sartor MP, agreed to an adjustment of opening hours at the three properties. The new hours of operation came into effect on 1 February 2008. Admission prices were also reviewed in light of changed visitation trends and charges to formal education programs were modified.

We modified charges to the HHT’s formal education programs following an internal review of the pricing structure and in response to the need among schools for shorter programs that allow greater numbers of students to participate. Schools were notified of the changes in Term 4, allowing for a smooth transition into the new pricing structure at the beginning of Term 1 this year.

Chairman’s review

Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Chairman’s review

above: Jill Wran. Photograph © Paolo Busato6

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Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Chairman’s review

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu replaced the Internal Audit Bureau as our internal auditors and will continue implementation of the HHT’s internal audit plan for 2007–2010.

Government House hosted the Leaders Retreat II as part of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in September. Through this event the property received international exposure, particularly the HHT’s recent work on the interior of the State Drawing Rooms as part of the To Furnish a Future policy. All HHT staff who contributed behind the scenes to this event are to be congratulated. The downside of APEC for the HHT was the construction of fences around Bridge Street, which reduced visitation to the Museum of Sydney and the Justice & Police Museum to a trickle for the duration of the event and significantly reduced income from attendances and shop takings.

The program of work at Glenfield, the first property of the Endangered Houses Fund (EHF) program, was completed in February and negotiations to finalise the lease are underway. As the portfolio of the EHF continues to grow the Board has focused particular energy this year, primarily through the Finance & Audit Committee, on how the HHT can effectively manage long-term compliance of covenants or other mechanisms that may be placed on properties administered through the EHF, whether they be leased or sold.

A number of our commercial venues continued to grow in popularity, and to support the increasing volume across a number of areas – including staffing, investment in capital services and exemplary customer service standards – the Board agreed to a 10% increase in commercial venue hire fees at the Museum of Sydney, Justice & Police Museum, The Mint and Vaucluse House.

The Board completed its triennial review of Trust Policies and Board Corporate Governance Framework and Guidelines in March. Several key policies were updated to ensure the business of the HHT continues to be supported by an effective framework.

In August we said farewell to Bob Adby, Director-General, Department of the Arts, Sport and Recreation following the announcement of his retirement. Mr Adby has held this position for the past year. Ms Carol Mills has been appointed the new Director-General for the department.

We welcomed Jane Connors, Manager ABC Radio National, to the Exhibitions Advisory Committee (EAC). The committee’s deliberations have already been greatly enhanced by Jane’s media experience.

We farewelled Dr Janis Wilton OAM following the completion of her final three-year term as Trustee. Janis provided an invaluable regional perspective to the Board and generously gave advice on a range of issues throughout her tenure.

We welcomed Dr Grace Karskens, who was appointed a Trustee in January. Grace is a Senior Lecturer in Australian History and Public History at the University of New South Wales and is best known for her work researching the history of The Rocks.

After 27 years at the helm the HHT’s inaugural Director, Peter Watts, announced he would be retiring in October 2008. To Peter we owe the very nature of the HHT as we find it today – strong, ground breaking, well resourced and vital in every aspect of its operation. The Board, staff and wider cultural community are indebted to him for the scholarship, intellectual rigour and managerial skills he has both exemplified and continually nurtured during his stewardship of the HHT.

Jill Wran, Chairman 30 June 2008

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The HHT and La Trobe University’s Archaeology Program were awarded a $350,000 grant for a three-year project to undertake further investigation on the Hyde Park Barracks Museum archaeology collection. The project is titled An Archaeology of Institutional Confinement: The Hyde Park Barracks 1848–1886.

There was further focus on the Hyde Park Barracks when the Commonwealth Government chose it as the site to announce the addition of eight convict sites around Australia, including the Barracks, to the National Heritage List. In February the Commonwealth nominated 11 Australian convict sites as a series for World Heritage listing. Assessment of the nomination by UNESCO will occur in 2009.

The Mint received its 16th award – this time as Specialty Venue of the Year at the 2008 Meetings & Events Australia (MEA) Industry Awards. MEA is the peak industry body for the business meetings and events industry. The Mint is the first cultural institution in Australia to win this national award and the first Sydney venue to win since the inception of the national awards in 2000. It was an outstanding result and congratulations are due to the whole venues team led by Damian Poole.

The program of work at Glenfield, Casula, the first project of the Endangered Houses Fund (EHF), was completed in February. A selling exhibition of campaign and colonial furnishings was held at the property to mark the end of the project and showed the house at its best. We recorded over 2600 visitors during the exhibition period, which caught us completely by surprise. The property and the EHF attracted a huge amount of publicity during this time and gave the HHT a new profile. Negotiations are continuing to secure a long-term lease to the property.

The Minister for the Arts, the Hon Frank Sartor MP, approved the acquisition of land adjacent to Exeter Farm from Australand Holdings Limited for a ‘peppercorn’ consideration of $1. This has allowed the HHT to extend its holding at the northern part of the property, which is also being conserved as part of the EHF.

Following approval from our Minister we began negotiations to acquire a Nissen hut in Belmont North (near Lake Macquarie), also to be conserved through the EHF. The property is one of a collection of 50 Nissen huts built to house migrants after World War II. Of the original group 33 remain, and due to their modest size are at risk from being demolished and replaced with modern housing. The hut will be conserved and adapted for contemporary living and the freehold will be sold.

The future of Rouse Hill House & Farm was further secured during the year with the HHT receiving $2.2m (2008–2009) and $1.3m (2009–2010) to develop the former Rouse Hill Public School for education facilities, and the associated security, car parking, services infrastructure and landscaping. This enabled planning for these new facilities to begin with an anticipated opening of the education facilities in January 2010.

Additionally, matters relating to the ‘land exchange’ at Rouse Hill between the HHT and the RTA have been determined by the Valuer General. This was exciting news, as it will allow the HHT to begin serious planning and construction of critical

Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Director’s overview

above: Peter Watts. Photograph © Paolo Busato

Director's overview

A series of seismic shifts was registered across the HHT during the year. Staff changes, portfolio development and major public events meant there was little time to draw breath.

The program of major works undertaken at Government House and the implementation of our To Furnish a Future policy in the State Drawing Rooms was completed in time for the property to host the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting Leaders Retreat II on 9 September 2007. It was wonderful to see the HHT’s work showcased in an international arena. The event was hugely demanding for staff, and the way they smoothly managed the complex negotiations with the myriad stakeholders involved was a great credit to them and to the HHT.

The HHT made one of its largest single acquisitions to date by buying Gordon Bennett’s painting Possession Island. This landmark acquisition for the Museum of Sydney, where the painting will be on permanent display, reinforces one of the underlying aims of the museum – to map alternative histories in contemporary Australia. It was painted at the time the HHT was developing the museum and perfectly captures the issues we were grappling with at that time. The painting has already been loaned to the National Gallery of Victoria for a major survey of Bennett’s work. Acquisition of the work was made possible due to the generosity of the Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales.

After many years of overcrowding of collection items at the Vaucluse House Stables Store, the HHT took up an option to relocate its off-site storage facility to Pymble. The new facility can accommodate furniture and objects as well as a myriad of other things in a purpose-built facility, and has greatly improved security, environmental standards and access to everything from collection items to exhibition showcases.

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Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Director’s overview

infrastructure at Rouse Hill so we can appropriately secure the site and activate the new intersection and entrance at the corner of Windsor and Annangrove Roads. It will also provide an excellent platform on which to base further funding bids for the proposed new Visitor Centre.

The final part of a total gift of $1.5m was made by the four children of the late Caroline Simpson OAM to enhance the endowment for the Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection. This generous gift will allow the library to continue its outstanding work. The family also gifted, through the Commonwealth’s Cultural Gifts Program, a collection of 119 books, an album of watercolours and photographs of India, and 31 loose sketches that had been owned by their mother.

Thanks to the excellent work of Hyde Park Barracks Manager Dayn Cooper and his team, the Beck’s Bar held as part of the Sydney Festival has again been successful with the HHT operating all bars for the first time.

A version of our former Justice & Police Museum exhibition, City of shadows, was shown at the Yours Gallery in Warsaw, Poland. The exhibition was an image reproduction project with the images sourced via Picture Australia. The gallery kept one of the reproductions for its archive and the remaining 30 or so will be given to the Australian Embassy in Warsaw. I believe this is our first ‘international show’.

Despite a delay of about two years when ownership of Newstead near Inverell unexpectedly changed, our involvement in this project is almost complete. We have finished the conservation of the homestead (the earliest building in the district), installed a series of interpretative panels, printed a guide to the property, finalised a long-term management plan including establishing a corporate governance structure, trialled tours of the property and we will leave the project with about $35,000 that will allow the Committee of Management to make improvements and adjustments as they gain experience in operating the place.

We reconstituted our Public Programs Committee, which will now meet biannually to give broadbased advice and direction on our events program, and we created an Education Committee as a new standing committee. The Education Committee will also meet biannually and give broadbased advice on our education activities.

Recognising that the HHT needed to improve its management of information, especially through the web, we have commissioned a report that will provide guidance as to how this can be achieved. Implementation will begin in 2008–2009.

Caroline Lorentz, Loans Manager, was the 2008 recipient of the HHT/UK National Trust Exchange Program. Caroline has been a staff member at the HHT for over ten years and following the HHT’s acceptance of the Simpson family gift, has been instrumental in ensuring all our obligations under the terms of the gift were met.

The year was not without its losses. I record the death of John McClymont OAM who passed away on 3 July 2007. John was Patron and committee member of the Friends of Elizabeth Farm, leader of more than 60 tours of Sydney’s harbour and rivers for

HHT Members, Past President of the Parramatta Historical Society and recipient of an OAM for services to the community and Parramatta's history in 2005.

I also record the passing of Philip Simpson, husband of the late Caroline Simpson, who died on 8 April 2008.

Ms Jennifer Lindsay retired as Deputy Director-General Arts NSW in August. Apart from a short stint with the ABC in the mid 1990s Jennifer had worked with the central NSW Arts agency, in its various guises, from 1982 – almost as long as the HHT has been in existence. She participated in almost all the major decisions that have affected the growth and development of the HHT and was a great supporter of the institution.

Helen Temple retired as HHT Deputy Director at the end of December. Helen joined the HHT when the position of Deputy Director was created in 1990, and until her departure was the only person to have occupied the role. The position was created in response to the huge growth the HHT experienced as a result of a government decision that it would extend the HHT’s reach from house museums to the city-based public museums, such as the Hyde Park Barracks Museum, the Museum of Sydney and the Justice & Police Museum. Helen has participated in almost every aspect of the HHT’s growth and development for the past 18 years. In addition, she led a number of major projects, most notably the redevelopment proposals for Rouse Hill House & Farm. Helen will be greatly missed by all the staff in the HHT, where she was held in very high regard.

The HHT lost another longstanding staff member in Dianne Russell Smith. Dianne joined the HHT several months after I commenced in June 1981. She was the second person to join the HHT’s Head Office, coming from the Premier’s Department and therefore able to induct me into all the processes of the public sector. She remained my Personal Assistant for 27 years and in that time witnessed and participated in the entire growth and development of the HHT – from a Head Office staff of two to almost 100, and from two properties (Elizabeth Bay House and Vaucluse House) to the present scale of our properties and operations.

I have written these annual reports since the inception of the HHT in June 1980. But this will be the last as I will retire in mid October. It provides me with an opportunity to thank all those who have supported the HHT over those 28 years – Ministers, Trustees and particularly the respective Chairs, government officials, volunteers, members, donors, sponsors and the thousands of individuals and organisations that have supported the HHT in one way or another. Most of all I thank the HHT’s wonderful staff over all those years. They made coming to work every day a joy. I will watch the HHT’s growth and development with great interest and wish it all the best in the future.

Peter Watts AM, Director 30 June 2008

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Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Corporate governance

Corporate governance

Trustees The NSW Governor, on the recommendation of the Minister for the Arts, appoints nine Trustees. One Trustee must have a background in history and one a background in architecture. Trustees are appointed for a term of up to three years and may be appointed for more than one term, but for no more than three consecutive terms of office. The Trustees represent a diversity of expertise and experience in business, law, architecture, social history, conservation, curatorship, education and management. The Trustees met nine times during the year and also held a planning day to focus on long-term strategic issues.

Director and Executive The Director manages the day-to-day business of the organisation and is responsible for implementing the policies of the government and the HHT. The Chairman and Director work to an annual Performance Agreement held with the Director-General, Department of the Arts, Sport and Recreation. A four-member Executive comprising the Director, Deputy Director and two Assistant Directors, steers the direction of the organisation. The Executive meets twice per month.

Delegations The occupants of key managerial positions are authorised by the Minister for the Arts under Section 12 of the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983 to exercise financial delegation to specific limits. The Director also holds delegation from the Director-General, Department of the Arts, Sport and Recreation, in relation to personnel and administration matters.

Committees The HHT has 13 standing committees that help make decisions on both policy and management. The Trustees and the Director form ad hoc committees from time to time. Standing committees operating at the close of the year are:

Collections Valuation Committee

The Collections Valuation Committee comprises staff and meets annually to monitor the HHT’s rolling five-year collection valuation process, review formal independent valuations, note the value of new acquisitions and determine appropriate global revaluations.

Commercial Lease Committee

The Commercial Lease Committee comprises Trustees and senior staff and meets as required to give advice concerning the lease of HHT properties for food services.

Education Committee

The Education Committee comprises staff and meets biannually to give broadbased advice and direction on our education activities.

Endangered Houses Fund Committee

The Endangered Houses Fund Committee comprises Trustees and Foundation representatives and meets a minimum of three times per year to provide advice on potential acquisitions, financial management, development strategies including conservation options, project management and property disposal.

Exhibitions Advisory Committee (EAC)

The EAC comprises Trustees, senior staff and external experts and meets quarterly to give broadbased advice on our exhibition program.

Finance & Audit Committee (FAC)

The FAC comprises Trustees and senior staff and meets quarterly to monitor issues relating to finance, audit, risk management, OH&S, insurance, investments and other relevant issues.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee comprises the Executive and the Manager, Finance & Systems and meets monthly to monitor all financial issues.

IT Steering Committee

The IT Steering Committee has an independent Chair, comprises staff and meets monthly to guide implementation of the IT Strategic Plan and provide advice to the Executive on IT-related matters.

Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) Committee

The OH&S Committee comprises 16 members of staff and meets every two months to conduct workplace inspections and act as the consultant group on OH&S issues.

Publications Committee

The Publications Committee comprises staff and external experts and meets quarterly to give broadbased advice on our publishing program.

Public Programs Committee

The Public Programs Committee comprises staff and meets biannually to give broadbased advice and direction on our events program.

Security Committee

The Security Committee comprises staff and meets as required to identify general property risks, develop plans for managing risks and develop emergency strategies to manage risks for each museum and site.

Staff And Management Participatory And Advisory Committee (SAMPAC)

SAMPAC comprises six elected staff from various employee categories, two management representatives, one union representative and an ex-officio member and meets monthly. SAMPAC participates in the discussion of issues such as flexible working hours and the Code of Conduct, and acts as the Classification and Grading Committee in reviewing the grading of staff positions.

(See p70 for a list of committee members.) opposite page: Glenfield, 2008. Photograph © Nicholas Watt


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Heritage managementAll HHT properties (excluding the Nissen hut which is part of a draft proposal for listing the collection of extant Nissen huts at Lake Macquarie) are on the NSW State Heritage Register. The Hyde Park Barracks and the Museum of Sydney are also on the National Heritage list. All properties are maintained in good condition. Exeter Farm was transferred to the HHT in 2007 in poor condition. A program of conservation work will begin later in 2008.

Admission feesAdmission fees remained the same as the previous year. Tickets to the Museum of Sydney and the Hyde Park Barracks Museum are general entry $10, child/concession $5 and family $20. All other HHT museums are general entry $8, child/concession $4 and family $17. A Ticket Through Time is general entry $30, child/concession $15 and family $60.

Entry is free to The Mint, Government House and grounds, and Vaucluse House's garden, parklands and beach paddock. No fee is charged for access to a number of significant urban spaces including Hyde Park Barracks courtyard and First Government House Place.

Charges to formal education programs run by the HHT were modified to $6 per student for a 60-minute program, $8 per student for a 90-minute program and $10 per student for a 120-minute program. All schools programs at Meroogal are $4 per student and programs at Government House are free.

Risk management and insurancesWe are responsible for the conservation and management of 18 historic properties, some of which have limitations on building works due to their heritage status, giving rise to possible risk exposure when necessary works have to be carried out.

Formal policies and procedures are in place for our collections and properties to address various risk management issues:

• Disaster Preparedness Plans• Occupational Health & Safety• Total Assets Management Strategy

As part of a biennial review process these policies and procedures were reviewed during the year with the next review due in 2009–2010.

As well as these policies and procedures we use Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu to review our internal controls on an agreed annual cycle.

We use the Treasury Managed Fund’s Risk Management Advisory Service to help inform staff involved in our financial management.

The Finance & Audit Committee, chaired by Trustee Martyn Mitchell, has risk management and insurances as a standing agenda item at its meetings and has responsibility for overseeing this area and providing advice to the Board.


12opposite page: Susannah Place Museum, 2008. Photograph © Jody Pachniuk page: The Rocks and Harbour Bridge (detail), Sali Herman, 1970, oil on canvas. Private Collection, South Australia © Estate of the artist. Photograph courtesy Deutscher-Menzies

Audit reviews As part of the ongoing management of the HHT’s operations, a series of audit reviews was undertaken by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu:

• Museum of Sydney and Hyde Park Barracks Museum

The purpose of this review was to evaluate the financial controls in place at both properties. The audit findings considered the financial controls in place were adequate and effective.

• Assessment of Occupational Health & Safety Management

The purpose of this review was to assess compliance with the relevant OH&S legislation using OH&S Improvement Standard 2002 as the benchmark, and to evaluate the adequacy of implementation across the HHT.

The audit findings considered the HHT had implemented elements of OH&S management but lacked a formal systematic approach to manage OH&S across all business units within the HHT.

• Business Risk Assessment

The purpose of this review was to identify key strategic and operational business risks, the management activities in place to control those risks and the management responsibilities for the controls. The risks were assessed against the following ratings: low, moderate, significant and high.

The assessment findings considered none of the 13 identified strategic and operational risks rated as high. However, risks identified were substantial changes to government funding levels that may impact the ability to resource HHT functions/activities; increased competition reducing the market share on self generated revenue; the physical security of collections; and compliance with procedures on the movement of collections.

• Procurement Review

The purpose of this review was to assess the adequacy and effectiveness of controls on key operations and controls relating to procurement in accordance with HHT Purchasing Guidelines 2004 and delegations of expenditure under Sections 12 and 13 of the Public, Finance and Audit Act 1983.

The review findings were that there were incidents of noncompliance in information technology purchases, and a need to develop a comprehensive governance policy on information technology procurement and to ensure staff followed the HHT Purchasing Guidelines 2004.

• Follow up Audit

The purpose of this audit was to assess the implementation of the agreed recommendations arising from internal audit reports undertaken by the Internal Audit Bureau (IAB) in the previous year. The audit covered areas including Information and Communication Technology (ICT) management and operations, financial management practices, records management, retail operations and OH&S compliance.

The audit findings considered out of the 48 actions identified, 26 had been implemented or were within the target implementation

date and 22 had yet to be implemented, primarily in the areas of records management and OH&S compliance.

Environmental and waste reduction management The HHT is committed to environmental management and our in-house working group has continued to investigate ways the HHT can effect positive change in this area. A staff survey and environmental sustainability audit were completed and a discussion paper developed.

Waste Reduction Management

The HHT continued to recycle as much waste as practicable including:

• use of re-manufactured toner cartridges for printers and fax machines

• return of all toner cartridges for recycling

• an increase in the range and quality of recycled materials purchased

• composting materials from gardens and kitchens, including worm farms and use of liquid waste for fertilisers

• use of a wide range of recycled fertilisers such as fish, seaweed and pelletised chicken manure

• chipping or composting pruned and dead timber for use in gardens and as mulch to suppress weeds in bushland curtilage

• use of ashes from wood heaters as compost

• ensuring the new energy provision contract included 6% green energy

Energy Management

We achieved the government’s objective of reducing energy costs by 25% by 2005 compared to the base year 1995. Despite the dramatic growth of the HHT with the addition of large properties such as the Museum of Sydney (1995), Government House (1996), Rouse Hill House & Farm (1999) and The Mint (2004), we were able to achieve a reduction in our energy costs since the base year.

Since 2005 there has been an increase of 29% in the cost and an increase of 16% in the use of energy. The increased usage is primarily attributed to the continued growth of commercial venue hire at the The Mint as well as flow-on bookings at other HHT properties that contribute 30% of the HHT’s sale of services revenue.

Fleet Management

We comply with the NSW Government’s Green Fleet Policy and replace working vehicles with those with higher EPA ratings. Motor vehicle usage by HHT staff is continually monitored to achieve a reduction in greenhouse emissions.

Water Management

We abide by the current NSW water restrictions, despite the HHT having an exemption issued. A number of rainwater tanks have been installed at properties.



following

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Ethical standardsOur Code of Conduct was adopted in 2000. It is included in the package of material given to all new staff, is required reading on our induction list for new staff and is an integral part of any staff and management training. There was one breach of the Code of Conduct in 2007–2008.

A survey of staff was undertaken during the year to gauge understanding of the HHT’s Fraud Policy. We found that most staff were not aware of the policy and measures will be implemented in the coming year to address this issue.

The Trustees’ Code of Conduct, which was adopted in 2003, is specific to Board members and is required reading for new Trustees as part of their induction.

Freedom of information A request was received from the Department of Premier and Cabinet in March 2008 seeking access to documents relating to the State Plan Commitment Priority S8 ‘Customer Service Satisfaction’. The request sought the HHT’s view on whether or not these documents should be exempt from release as they fall within a class of documents exempted under Clause 7 of Schedule 1 of the Freedom of Information Act 1989. The view of the HHT is that the release of these documents would not have an adverse affect on our affairs; however, it was noted that the department may otherwise determine that they should not be released.

Documents under the Freedom of Information Act 1989 can be accessed by applying in writing to:

Colleen Kremer, Records ManagerHistoric Houses Trust The Mint 10 Macquarie StreetSydney, NSW 2000

T 02 8239 2288 | F 02 8239 2299 | [email protected]

A $30 (GST included) fee is charged for the service. Arrangements can be made to obtain copies or inspect documents by contacting the above officer.

Guarantee of service Our guarantee of service pledges: The Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales serves the community by conserving and presenting its properties to the highest possible standard by exploring, through its many programs, the history of people and places of New South Wales. The guarantee of service and general customer service information is a topic of discussion at staff inductions.

Consumer response As a service-based organisation, customer feedback is of prime importance to us and is closely monitored. We keep visitors books and evaluation forms at each property and monitor them regularly.

In addition, a general file is maintained for written compliments and complaints. Each complaint is dealt with in writing: minor

complaints by the museum or unit where the complaint was received and major complaints by the Director or a member of the Executive.

During the year we received 132 compliments in total: our museums (14), Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection (3), Endangered Houses Fund (2), venues (93), events (5), website (8), exhibitions (2) and miscellaneous (5). Nine complaints were received in total: our museums (4), events (2), exhibitions (2) and miscellaneous (1).

Privacy Management Plan We have a Privacy Management Plan, modelled on other NSW museums' plans, and our Records Manager is the Privacy Officer. We have had no complaints regarding noncompliance with the plan.

Grants givenGrants totalling $19.3m were received from the Department of the Arts, Sport and Recreation during the year.

Land disposalNo land was disposed of during the reporting year.

Major works in progress(See p22 for details.)



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15

Strategic outcomes Goal 1: Properties, collections and programs 16 Goal 2: Public profile and audience 18 Goal 3: Staff expertise 22 Goal 4: Endangered Houses Fund program 22 Goal 5: Major capital works 22 Goal 6: Commercial activity and philanthropy 22 Goal 7: Finances and public resources 23


16

Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Strategic outcomes

ExhibitionsExhibition Location Total

visitors 2008

Total days

Average daily

visitors

Dates

Spare Room Elizabeth Bay House

2,889 71 41 14 July – 23 September 2007

Linnaeus: art + nature* Elizabeth Bay House

3,783 117 32 10 October 2007 – 3 February 2008

Convicts: sites of punishment** Hyde Park Barracks Museum

3,599 15 240 1 July – 15 July 2007

Convict Hulks: life on the prison ships*** Hyde Park Barracks Museum

60,232 332 181 4 August 2007 – 30 June 2008

Tough men, hard times: policing the Depression+

Justice & Police Museum

13,047 225 58 1 July 2007 – 10 February 2008

Sydney’s Pubs: liquor, larrikins & the law***


12,059 129 93 23 February – 30 June 2008

Sydney Views+++ Museum of Sydney

3,371 38 89 1 July – 30 June 2008

Homes in the sky: apartment living in Sydney

Museum of Sydney

9,832 57 172 1 July – 26 August 2007

The Biscuit Factory, CamperdownSydney Views++

Museum of Sydney

11,438 84 136 10 September – 2 December 2007

Sydney Now: new Australian photojournalismSydney Views++

Museum of Sydney

30,457 135 226 15 December 2007 – 27 April 2008

Flying Boats: Sydney’s golden age of aviation Sydney Views++

Museum of Sydney

13,295 52 256 10 May – 30 June 2008

The HHT’s Corporate Plan 2006–2010 drives the organisation. The development of the plan drew on input from a wide range of staff representing all divisions, properties and units across the HHT.

Goal 1Continue to maintain our core properties and collections and continue to deliver associated programs

Exhibitions

Seven new exhibitions were developed by the HHT, attracting over 160,000 visitors to our four exhibition venues.

• ConvictHulks:lifeontheprisonships

• SpareRoom

• Linnaeus:art+nature

• TheBiscuitFactory,Camperdown

• SydneyNow:newAustralian photojournalism

• Sydney’sPubs:liquor,larrikins and the law

• FlyingBoats:Sydney’sgolden age of aviation

Displays:

• Citizensoldiers:theNewSouthWalesVolunteer Rifles 1854–1885

• TheCatholicChurchandHyde Park Barracks

• Proof:portraitsfromTheMovement1978–2003 Juno Gemes

• Rebellion:‘TheEverMemorable26January 1808’

• The1970s: a decade of protest (photographs by Roger Scott)

• Rockabilly:livingthe50s (photographs by Steven Siewert)

Education

The HHT offers education programs at all its museums for students from Stage 1 to Stage 6. A special needs education service is offered with existing programs adjusted to meet the requirements of individual groups.

Strategic outcomes

Exhibition figures include paid, education, free, public programs and exclude hirings, other, cafe and grounds, and functions * Linnaeus: art + nature consisted of three exhibits: Herbarium amoris (10 October – 2 December 2007), Museum: the Macleays, the collection and search for order (10 October 2007 – 3 February 2008) and The Temple of Flora and Museum (10 October 2007 – 3 February 2008) ** This exhibition was produced in 2004–2005 and exhibited over four financial years *** These exhibitions were produced in 2007–2008 and will continue into the 2008–2009 financial year + This exhibition was produced in 2006–2007 and exhibited over two financial years ++ Sydney Views was produced in 2006–2007 and ran concurrently with other MOS exhibitions across two financial years. Sydney Views will continue until 27 July 2008 +++ This total for Sydney Views is only for the periods where the exhibition did not run concurrently with others (ie during exhibition changeover)


17


Over 55,000 students participated in education programs across the HHT including over 35,000 primary school students and more than 15,000 secondary students. Rouse Hill House & Farm experienced a 150% increase in education visits and the Justice & Police Museum a 16% increase compared to the previous year.

To increase our school visitation and revenue the annual Schools visit booklet was replaced by brochures specifically designed for the six stages of schooling and directly marketed to the relevant teachers. As a result, the majority of properties have experienced an increase in visitation with many reporting a significant increase in first-time visitors.

To better manage, and achieve consistency across, the HHT’s education programs, streamlining of cost per student and program length were introduced across all properties at the beginning of the 2008 school year. Strategies to address falling school visitor numbers at some properties included restructuring the program and changing the guide requirements.

The Education Unit continued its partnerships with the Royal Botanic Gardens and Sydney Opera House to deliver successful joint schools programs at the Museum of Sydney and the Justice & Police Museum. Susannah Place Museum conducted its annual joint archaeology program with Sydney Learning Adventures in March and

achieved a 33% increase in school visitation from the previous year.

The HHT continued its Internship Program for tertiary students during 2007–2008. The focus this year was to further identify and refine appropriate projects to ensure that there is feasible scope for the intern, and also to produce valuable work for the HHT.

The HHT Internship Program has an ongoing partnership with the Museum Studies program at Sydney University, which provides the bulk of the interns. Students from other institutions such as University of Western Sydney, University of Technology Sydney and College of Fine Arts have also been involved in the program this year.

Travelling Exhibitions

Exhibition Location Total visitors

2008

Total days

Average daily

visitors

Dates

Meroogal Women's Arts Prize*Shoalhaven Arts Centre, Nowra 1,909 26 73

1 September – 26 September 2007

Spiral Gallery, Bega 468 20 235 October – 24 October 2007

Sturt Gallery, Mittagong** 2,500 22 1143 February – 24 February 2008

Wollongong City Gallery 12,870 79 163 8 March – 25 May 2008

Drugs: a social history Tuggeranong Arts Centre** 800 18 44 29 May – 15 June 2008

Museum of the Riverina, Wagga Wagga

5,589 81 696 September – 25 November 2007

Albury Regional Museum 3,423 29 118 9 March – 6 April 2008

Melbourne Museum+ 121,818 53 2,298 9 May – 30 June 2008Regional police stations Wentworth Gaol*** 8,204 366 22 1 July 2007– 30 June 2008Cook’s sites Museum of Brisbane**** 3,253 15 217 1 July – 15 July 2007

Newcastle Library 3,558 35 10220 August – 23 September 2007

Lady Denham Museum, Huskisson 3,138 59 532 October – 29 November 2007

Eden Killer Whale Museum 13,471 84 1603 December 2007 – 24 February 2008

Albury Regional Museum+ 22,206 39 569 23 May – 30 June 2008

* Meroogal Women’s Arts Prize at Members Lounge, The Mint, 31 October 2007 – 26 January 2008** Sturt Gallery and Tuggeranong Arts Centre do not have a formal counting system, this figure is an estimate*** Exhibition began in 2006–2007 and continued into 2007–2008 and continues into 2008–2009 financial year****Exhibition began in 2006–2007 and continued into 2007–2008 financial year+ Exhibition began in 2007–2008 and continues into 2008–2009 financial year


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Events

Over 47,000 visitors attended 400 events across our 12 museums as well as outreach activities. These included eight large-scale events, tours, talks, walking tours and collaborative projects with external partners.

Although there was a decrease in overall public program visitor numbers from last financial year (attributable to free admission on Australia Day being limited to The Mint and Government House), there was a 28% increase in paid public program visitors. Large-scale entertainment programs, like Garden Music at Government House, were successful in growing new audiences and We’re Living in the 70s at Susannah Place saw an increased association between the HHT and the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority – a partnership that helped attract over 5000 visitors to this year’s event.

Collections

The HHT made a major acquisition during the year with the purchase of Gordon Bennett’s Possession Island for permanent display at the Museum of Sydney. The acquisition was made possible through the generosity of the Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales. Bennett’s painting reinterprets an earlier European depiction of Captain Cook’s discovery of the Australian continent in 1770 and his claim of British ‘possession’, and encapsulates the complexity of ideas that underpinned the establishment of the Museum of Sydney.

Through the Commonwealth’s Cultural Gifts Program, the four children of the late Caroline Simpson OAM gifted a collection of 119 books, an album of watercolours and photographs of India, and 31 loose sketches that had been owned by their mother. The items will be housed in the Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection.

A very rare trade catalogue, Metal casements, stained glass, decorative ironwork (published by William Morris and Company (Ruskin House) Ltd in 1910), was acquired for the Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection. A cash gift from an HHT Member partially offset the cost of the acquisition.

The collection of rare architectural pattern books, trade catalogues and other relevant material continues to grow in this collection.

A pair of rare 19th-century ordnance trestle tables were acquired for the Hyde Park Barracks Museum collection.

Conservation

The major renovation and refurbishment of the loft storage space at the Justice & Police Museum was completed, transforming the area into a dual-purpose work and research space and climate-controlled repository for research, repackaging and digitisation of the 100,000 images in the NSW Police forensic photography archive.

Conservation work was undertaken on the embossed and coloured leather upholstery of the Vaucluse House dining room chairs through funding from the Copland Foundation.

Goal 2Continue to develop our public profile and audience

Regional

As part of a triennial review of Trust Policies the HHT’s Regional Involvement Policy was amended and a three-year regional strategy developed to ensure policy objectives are met.

Inverell Shire Council accepted, in principle, the Draft Management Plan prepared by the HHT for Newstead, the oldest surviving homestead and garden in the Inverell Shire. The program of conservation and interpretation work at the property was undertaken via a special grant of $180,000 by the former Premier, the Hon Bob Carr, and channelled through the HHT.

Virtual Visitors

Our website attracted over 455,000 visits during the year.

Partnerships

In March 2008 the HHT – in partnership with the Centre for Historical Research at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra – hosted the national conference Rebellion: authority and protest in convict Australia at the Hyde Park Barracks Museum and Museum of Sydney to mark the bicentenary of the deposing of Governor Bligh.

The HHT – in partnership with the Archaeology Program at La Trobe University – secured an Australian Research Council grant of $350,000 to enable an archaeologist to undertake a three-year study of the Hyde Park Barracks Museum archaeology collection.

The Museum of Sydney hosted the seminar series Altered perspectives: re–examining museum and gallery practices, developed in partnership with the HHT and Museums & Galleries NSW.


Major events Location Total visitors

Date

Fifties Fair Rose Seidler House 4,613 26 August 2007

Festival of the Olive Elizabeth Farm 2,948 20 & 21 October 2007

Jazz in the Garden Vaucluse House 1,602 4 November 2007

Garden Music Government House 2,236 25 November 2007

Rebellion outdoor presentation

Museum of Sydney forecourt

4,000 26 January 2008

Open house Rose Seidler House 1,862 8 & 9 March 2008

Ask the Experts Rouse Hill House & Farm 955 16 March 2008

We’re Living in the 70s Susannah Place Museum 5,434 4 May 2008

opposite page: Possession Island, Gordon Bennett, 1991, oil and acrylic on two canvas panels, 162 x 260cm. Museum of Sydney on the site of first Government House, purchased with funds provided by the Foundation of the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales Museum of Sydney Appeal, 2007 © Gordon Bennett. Photograph: Jenni Carter


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The HHT continued to work in partnership with many organisations including:

• Sydney Writers’ Festival• Surf’n’Turf Theatre Company• Museums & Galleries NSW• Powerhouse Museum• History Council of NSW• Contempo• National Museum of Australia• National Parks and Wildlife Service• State Library of New South Wales• Australian Museum• Australian Research Council Centre

of Excellence for Creative Industries and Innovation

• New Music Network• Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority• Sydney Water Corporation• Greek Festival of Sydney• Shoalhaven Museum and Arts Trail• Australasian Occupational Science

Centre, University of Wollongong• Bundanon Trust • Royal Botanic Gardens• Sydney Learning Adventures• Sydney Opera House

Outreach

Paid Admissions 2008 2007 2006 2005

Public programs 1,930 7,066 2,391 5,144

Education 513 406 788 410

Properties 4,083 1,226 1,866 1,476

Total 6,526 8,698 5,045 7,030

Media coverage

2008 2007 2006

Broadsheet pages 426 397 255

Radio interviews 163 142 120

Television stories 24 41 21

Publications

The HHT published Sydney Now: new Australian photojournalism by Inara Walden and Robert McFarlane in association with the exhibition of the same name held at the Museum of Sydney.

We also published A place in The Rocks by Anna Cossu, which is the first history about Susannah Place.


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All properties paid admission 1980–2008 (includes general admission, public programs, venue hire, education and GH tours)

350,000

300,000

250,000

200,000

150,000

100,000

50,000

80 –

81

81 –

82

82 –

83

83 –

84

84 –

85

85 –

86

86 –

87

87 –

88

88 –

89

89 –

90

90 –

91

91 –

92

92 –

93

93 –

94

94 –

95

95 –

96

96 –

97

97 –

98

98 –

99

99 –

00

00

– 0

1

01

– 0

2

02

– 0

3

03

– 0

4

04

– 0

5

05

– 0

6

06

– 0

7

07

– 0

8

Australia/Overseas Australia

New South Wales 80%

Victoria 7%

South Australia 2%

Western Australia 3%

Queensland 7%

Tasmania 1%

Australia 60%

Overseas 40%

Overseas New South Wales

Eastern Suburbs 15%

Inner City 14%

Inner West 8%

South Sydney 8%

Western Sydney 13%

Northern Sydney 25%

Rural NSW 17%

United Kingdom 29%

Europe 30%

United States 17%

Japan 6%

Asia 7%

New Zealand 5%

Canada 3%

Other 3%


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Visitor Breakdown 2008 % difference 2007 2006Paid admission* General public 145,369 -14 168,439 155,077Education 55,598 5 52,886 50,702Public programs 21,598 28 16,831 26,285Venue hire 88,716 25 71,217 64,372Outreach** 6,526 -25 8,698 5,045Subtotal 317,807 0 318,071 301,481Free entry Complimentary tickets (including Members) 38,812 10 35,354 52,970

Free public programs*** 23,790 -36 37,190 17,939Government House 115,405 1 114,514 122,646

Other+ 515,808 -8 519,134 497,953

Subtotal 693,815 -7 706,192 691,508Travelling exhibitions Meroogal Women’s Arts Prize 18,547 3,572 15,333Regional police stations 8,204 15,715 29,541Cook's sites 45,626 30,124 15,893Crime scene - - 125Getting married - - 1,276Joseph Lycett: convict artist - 28,082 -Drugs: a social history 130,830 40,278 8,838Subtotal 203,207 73 117,771 71,006Total 1,214,829 3 1,142,034 1,063,995Grounds (through traffic)+Hyde Park Barracks Museum forecourt 222,897 -3 230,335 222,143First Government House Place –Museum of Sydney

669,600 0 669,600 667,800

Vaucluse House – parklands and beach paddock 43,592 797 4,860 5,029Subtotal 936,089 3 904,795 894,972Grand Total 2,112,170 3 2,046,828 1,958,967

*Paid admission also includes education visits, public programs and venue hire at Government House (10,895). General admission to Government House is free so these numbers are reported as Government House under Free entry (excl Free public programs). Paid admission also includes the following visitor statistics from The Mint: public programs (1435) and venue hire (19,420). Free entry also includes the following statistics from The Mint: complimentary tickets (17,518) **Outreach consists of 1915 public programs, 513 education programs and 4083 properties outreach *** Free public programs this year include Australia Day entry at Museum of Sydney, The Mint, Government House + Includes site visits, cafes, shops, public sculptures and a percentage of people visiting the parklands and beach paddock at Vaucluse House. Figures are as accurate as possible, calculations are based on estimated numbers


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Goal 3Develop and maintain staff expertise

A range of training programs were offered to staff across the organisation to facilitate operational effectiveness within the HHT.

A number of career development opportunities were made available to staff during the year:

• Richard Silink, Manager Portfolio Development, recipient of the 2007 Phillip Kent Staff Development Scholarship, which is funded by the Members, undertook a study tour of the United Kingdom and the United States, focusing on revolving funds to help inform our work with the Endangered Houses Fund.

• Annie Campbell, Assistant Curator, Museum of Sydney, was awarded the 2008 Phillip Kent Staff Development Scholarship, again generously funded by the Members.

• Caroline Lorentz, Loans Manager, was the recipient of the 2008 HHT/UK National Trust Exchange Program.

A Volunteer Handbook was produced providing clear guidelines on the role and opportunities for volunteers within the HHT.

Goal 4Develop and manage the Endangered Houses Fund (EHF) program as a new initiative

A program of conservation work on the interiors, building and garden at Glenfield – arguably the most intact house surviving in New South Wales from the Macquarie period – was completed through the EHF program. The HHT has retained the title to Glenfield and is negotiating the sale of a long-term lease to the property. The public will continue to have the opportunity to view Glenfield on a regular basis.

Conservation works to the buildings and immediate curtilage of Exeter Farm are scheduled for completion in 2009 and it is intended the property will be sold freehold for residential purposes.

Further work was completed on establishing a framework to assist the EHF in assessing potential properties as well as providing adequate protection once they have been conserved and returned to the marketplace. An annual monitoring program for properties conserved through the EHF program has also been established.

The HHT has committed to use part of the proceeds from the leasing of Glenfield for the establishment of a sinking fund to cover the costs associated with the monitoring of properties conserved through the EHF program.

(See also p62.)

Goal 5Develop major capital works

HHT storage

The HHT took up an option to relocate its off-site storage facility from Camperdown to a much larger facility at Pymble. The new facility can accommodate ‘A’ listed furniture and objects and has relieved the overcrowding of collection items that were stored at the Vaucluse House Stables Store. A mezzanine level was installed to further increase overall capacity to ensure the HHT’s future storage requirements can be accommodated.

Government House

Government House hosted the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting (AELM) Leaders Retreat II on 9 September 2007.

The HHT received enhancement funding from the NSW Government to accelerate the Government House maintenance programs to ensure the property was appropriately presented by September 2007. The work completed included:

• upgrading of the security infrastructure

• replacement of the worn drawing rooms carpets, curtains and upholstery and commissioning new furniture

• installation of air-conditioning in the State Rooms

• refurbishment of the Eastern Terrace paving

• refurbishment of peripheral spaces, such as the service wing, upper bedrooms and corridors as well as external areas, being used for the event

Rouse Hill

The NSW Government reaffirmed its commitment to Stage 2 of Rouse Hill Regional Park and, following the deviation of Windsor Road, work was completed on infilling the surviving kilometre of old Windsor Road. The HHT’s proposals were subject to a Treasury ‘Gateway Review’ and as a result the HHT was successful in securing $2.2m (2008–2009) and $1.3m (2009–2010) in funding to develop the former Rouse Hill Public School plus the associated security, car parking, services infrastructure and landscaping. This is the first stage of a more ambitious project to provide new visitor facilities at the property.

Goal 6Increase our earned revenue through commercial activity and philanthropy to maintain core activities

In 2007–2008 non-government revenue increased overall with the HHT's earned income 28% of the total operating budget.

HHT venues had its biggest year to date, delivering 701 commercial venue hire and filming and photography activities to over 85,000 guests. The client base comprised 62% corporate, 15% domestic, 11% government, 6% community and 6% filming and photography, with 36% of the business coming from recurrent clientele.

Sponsorship activity rose markedly, not only the number of corporate sponsors working with the HHT, but also revenue and in-kind sponsorship.

By contrast the HHT’s retail arm had a quieter year following their exceptional performance in 2006–2007. Seventy per cent of overall retail merchandise revenue derives from the Museum of Sydney shop with the result that it is heavily dependent on the museum’s visitation, itself driven by the temporary exhibition program. The 2006–2007 exhibitions program at the museum broke all records and was not matched in 2007–2008. Overall

opposite page: Government House, 2008. Photograph © Nicholas Watt following page: The Biscuit Factory, Camperdown, 2004. Photograph © Peter Campbell


23

merchandise sales decreased by 22% and publication sales decreased by 55% compared with the previous year. Overall retail gross profit decreased by 34% and overall retail net profit decreased by 78%.

There were a number of new initiatives this year to increase our earned revenue:

• The HHT undertook operation of the bar at the Beck’s Bar events held in the forecourt of the Hyde Park Barracks Museum in January as part of the Sydney Festival.

• Over 9000 visitors paid a concession entry to HHT properties, excluding The Mint and Government House, on Australia Day.

• In December 2007 the first stage of the HHT’s e-commerce project went live, with the launching of an online shop and membership facility, linking to the front page of the HHT’s website. The second stage, an online donation facility, went live in June 2008, with the final stage, ticketing, due in August 2008.

The Members donated $107,000 to support a range of projects across the organisation.

The Foundation provided financial assistance to a number of HHT projects, including $1.1m for the conservation of Glenfield, Casula the first property to be saved through the Endangered Houses Fund.

Goal 7Responsibly and efficiently manage our finances and public resources to improve our operational effectiveness

Following changes in the pattern of visitation at Elizabeth Bay House, Elizabeth Farm and Vaucluse House new hours of operation were introduced in February 2008 to enable resources associated with these properties to be more effectively managed. These three properties are now open for general visitation on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only and at all times for booked groups.

The HHT Policy and Procedures Manual was thoroughly reviewed and updated providing a stronger governance framework across the organisation with each section of the manual to be

reviewed on a rolling cycle. As part of a triennial review the Board updated Trust Policies and Board Corporate Governance Policies and Guidelines.

In June a new HHT website was launched that upgraded the site to web industry standards for design, functionality and navigation. The new site includes more specific content based on our museums, exhibitions, events and education programs and supports our e-commerce functions.

It was agreed an Endangered Houses Fund Endowment sinking fund would be established for the purpose of funding ongoing monitoring of compliance issues associated with the Endangered Houses Fund.



24


25

Our people Trustees 26 Staff 28 Organisational chart 31


26

Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Trustees

Jill Wran BA MBA FAIM, Chairman Jill Wran has given many years of honorary service to the cultural life of New South Wales while maintaining strong business interests in the community. Currently on the boards of SMEC Holdings Ltd and NSW Cultural Management (Sydney Theatre), she is also on the Council of the University of New England. Jill still serves as a key member of the Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust, which she chaired for five years from June 2000. Formerly on the boards of the NSW State Conservatorium of Music, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, the Centennial and Moore Parks Trust and the Sydney Opera House Trust, she is Patron of Greening Australia (NSW). Jill was appointed a Trustee on 1 January 2001, and Chairman on 1 January 2002 and her current term expires on 31 December 2009.

Keith Cottier AM AASTC LFRAIA Keith Cottier is one of Australia’s most highly regarded and awarded architects. A Director of Allen Jack+Cottier since 1965, he has been a driving force behind the quality of the company’s work, which, in that period, has been recognised by an unequalled number of design awards. In 2001 he was awarded the Gold Medal, the Royal Australian Institute of Architects’ highest honour. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2004.

Keith has had a continuing involvement in heritage conservation, serving as a Commissioner of the Australian Heritage Commission for six years, as a Member of the Heritage Council of New South Wales for three years, and also in property management as a Member of the Sydney Cove Authority and the City West Development Corporation. Some of the high-profile heritage projects completed under Keith’s direction include Wylie’s Baths, the Argyle Centre, the Submarine Mine Depot at Chowder Bay and Penfold’s Magill Estate in Adelaide. Keith was appointed a Trustee on 1 January 2007 and his current term expires on 31 December 2009.

Bruce Hambrett LLM Bruce Hambrett is a partner with Baker & McKenzie, and a former General Counsel of SingTel Optus Limited. He is a director of the Pacific Opera Company Limited and a former chair of the Media and Communications Law Committee, Business Law Section, with the Law Council of Australia. He was appointed a Trustee on 1 January 2006 and his current term expires on 31 December 2008.

Elaine Lawson BA (Hons) Elaine Lawson lives near Nimmitabel south of Cooma NSW, and is a conservation and curatorial consultant. From 1989 to 2001 Elaine was the senior curator with the ACT Government's Cultural Facilities Corporation. Elaine has also lectured in heritage and curatorship at the University of Canberra, Australian National University, Curtin University and Canberra Institute of Technology. Since 1990 she has been a curatorial and interpretation adviser on various conservation projects. She has been a member of the Official Establishments Trust since 1999. Elaine is a member of the Council of the Australiana Fund and was a foundation member of the Board of Australia's Open Garden Scheme. She was appointed a Trustee on 1 January 2003 and her current term expires on 31 December 2008.

Grace Karskens Dr Grace Karskens has worked in history, heritage and historical archaeology for the past 28 years and now teaches Australian History and Public History in the School of History and Philosophy at the University of New South Wales. She has held a number of Australian Research Council grants and has published extensively and internationally in Australian colonial and convict history, urban and environmental history and historical archaeology. Grace’s books include Inside The Rocks: the archaeology of a neighbourhood and the multi-award winning The Rocks: life in early Sydney. She is interested in promoting historical understanding and awareness to wide-ranging audiences and is currently on the boards of the Dictionary of Sydney, the National Museum of Australia’s (Re)Collections journal and a number of other international scholarly journals. Her latest book, a new history of early Sydney, will be published by Allen & Unwin in early 2009. Grace was appointed a Trustee on 1 January 2008 and her current term expires on 31 December 2010.

Bruce McWilliam BEc LLB (Hons) Bruce McWilliam has been an executive director of Seven Network Limited since 2003. Bruce previously worked as the General Counsel of News International PLC in London and as an executive director of British Sky Broadcasting PLC. He is on the Council of St Pauls College, University of Sydney, and is Chairman of the Sydney Law School Advisory Committee. Bruce was appointed a Trustee on 1 January 2003 and his current term expires on 31 December 2008.

Trustees

above: (l-r) Jill Wran, Keith Cottier, Bruce Hambrett, Elaine Lawson. Photographs © Rick Stevens. Grace Karskens. Photograph © Paolo Busato opposite page: (l-r) Bruce McWilliam, Martyn Mitchell, Penelope Pike, Peter Tonkin. Photographs © Rick Stevens. Janis Wilton. Photograph © Paolo Busato


27

Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Trustees

Martyn Mitchell BscChemEng ICAEW ICAA Martyn Mitchell, a senior partner in PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) is a chartered accountant who has 30 years experience as an auditor and business adviser. Martyn has held a number of senior management positions within PwC and has extensive experience with major public companies in Australia and Asia. He is currently Vice-Chairman of the Australia China Business Council and a director of the New South Wales Bible Society. Martyn is the Chair of the Finance & Audit Committee. He was appointed a Trustee on 1 January 2005 and his current term expires on 31 December 2009.

Penelope Pike BA Dip T&CP Penelope Pike is a conservation planner who has specialised in heritage studies for local government areas and in preparing and implementing local environmental plans and detailed control plans for historic towns, precincts and suburbs. Penelope has served on the Urban Conservation Committee of the National Trust, was Founding Chairman of its Cemeteries Committee and represented the National Trust on the Heritage Council. She is currently on the Board of Trustees for Eryldene and Parramatta Park. She was appointed a Trustee on 1 January 2002 and her current term expires on 31 December 2010.

Peter Tonkin BScArch (Hons) BArch (Hons) FRAIA Peter Tonkin graduated as an architect with first class honours from the University of Sydney in 1977. He joined Brian Zulaikha in 1987 to form Tonkin Zulaikha Greer (TZG) Architects, known for its strong urban design. TZG's projects include a specialist library for the Royal Blind Society, which won a merit award in 1991 from the RAIA; the Hyde Park Barracks Museum, winner of two RAIA awards; the National Memorial to the Australian Vietnam Forces; and the Tomb of an Unknown Australian Soldier in Canberra. TZG also worked on the refurbishment of Customs House; the multi-award winning solar-powered Plaza Lighting Towers for the Sydney Olympics; and, in collaboration with artist Janet Laurence, the Australian War Memorial in London. Peter has taught architecture and lectured extensively in Australia and New Zealand. He has been widely published. He was appointed a Trustee on 1 January 2005 and his current term expires on 31 December 2010.

Janis Wilton OAM BA (Hons) PhD Janis Wilton is an Associate Professor in the School of Classics, History and Religion at the University of New England, Armidale. Her research, teaching and community work focus particularly on oral history, ethnic community history, and history and museums. She was a member of the Council and then President of the International Oral History Association (1998–2006), convener of the 14th International Oral History Conference (Sydney, July 2006), and a member of the National Committee of the Oral History Association of Australia. Her recent projects include Golden Threads: The Chinese in Regional NSW, which won an Energy Australia/National Trust Heritage Award in 2005; 'Family Ties', a collaborative project with the Inverell District Family History Group researching the families and stories of Newstead and Paradise stations; and 'New England Immigrants', a collaborative project supported by the NSW Heritage Office and the Migration Heritage Centre. She was appointed a Trustee on 1 January 1999 and her term expired on 31 December 2007.

Meetings

Attended Leave ofabsence

Eligible to attend

Jill Wran 9 – 9

Keith Cottier 4 3 9

Bruce Hambrett 7 1 9

Grace Karskens 4 – 5

Elaine Lawson 9 – 9

Bruce McWilliam 3 – 9

Martyn Mitchell 7 2 9

Penny Pike 9 – 9

Peter Tonkin 9 – 9

Janis Wilton 4 – 5


28

Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Staff

above: (l-r) standing – Nicholas Malaxos, Susan Hunt, Mike Field, Mark Viner; seated – Peter Watts, Caroline Mackaness. Photograph © Paolo Busato

ExecutivePeter Watts AM BArch DipLDes DirectorPeter Watts became the first Director of the HHT soon after its inception in 1980 and has guided its growth since that time. Peter is a member of both the Council of Australasian Museum Directors and the Official Establishments Trust, a non-judicial member of the Administrative Decisions Tribunal and a Trustee of the Johnston Collection in Melbourne. He serves on the governing bodies of the HHT’s Foundation and Members. Peter is the immediate past Chair of the Australian Garden History Society, the Chair of Rouse Hill Hamilton Collection Pty Ltd and was a board member of Company B Belvoir Street Theatre from 2001 to 2007. His publications include The Gardens of Edna Walling, Historic Gardens of Victoria: a reconnaissance, and co-authorship of An Exquisite Eye: the Australian flora and fauna drawings 1801–1820 of Ferdinand Bauer. He was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2007.

Susan Hunt BA (Hons) MA (Hons)Acting Deputy DirectorSusan Hunt joined the HHT in 1983 after lecturing in Art History at Newcastle CAE. For over 20 years she has played a significant role in the development of the organisation in the conservation, management and interpretation of historic sites and cultural programming. In 1998 she established the Public Programs Unit, initiating major cultural events for the HHT such as Sydney Open, The Kitchen Garden and Festival of the Olive. From 2000 to 2005 Susan was Head Curator of the Museum of Sydney. Her exhibitions and supporting publications include Encountering India: colonial photography 1850–1911; Terre Napoleon: Australia through French eyes; Lure of the southern seas: the voyages of Dumont d’Urville 1826–1840 and Capetown: half way to Sydney. In 2006 Susan was appointed General Manager, Properties, responsible for Elizabeth Farm, Hyde Park Barracks Museum, Museum of Sydney, Rose Seidler House, Susannah Place Museum and The Mint and in 2008 she became Acting Deputy Director of the HHT. Susan is on the Board of the Dictionary of Sydney and is Chair of the Power Institute Alumni and Friends Association.

Staff


29


Nicholas Malaxos BA (Econ) AFAIM JP Assistant Director, Management ServicesNicholas Malaxos joined the HHT in 1995 from the Earth Exchange Museum and prior to that Film Australia. Nicholas is an Associate Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management and a member of the Institute of Public Administration in Australia. He is Chairman of the Greek–Australian Museum Foundation and has assisted with the exchange of major exhibitions between Greece and Australia, including 1000 years of Olympic Games at the Powerhouse Museum in 2000; Our place, a contemporary Indigenous exhibition at the Benaki Museum, Athens in 2004; and the Greek treasures exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum in 2005.

Mike Field, BSc (Hons) Assistant Director, Marketing & Business DevelopmentMike Field joined the HHT in January 2007, prior to which he was Deputy Marketing Manager and Head of Publicity at SBS Television for eight years, and before that Marketing Manager at the Sydney Morning Herald. His previous work experience includes time with publishers in the United Kingdom and Australia, as well as three years at the Australian Museum where he was responsible for publishing the Museum's magazine Nature Australia and other revenue-raising initiatives.

Senior staffCaroline Mackaness BA Dip Museum Studies General Manager, Properties Caroline Mackaness joined the HHT in 1990 and has contributed as a curator to major museum projects at the Hyde Park Barracks Museum, the Justice & Police Museum and the Museum of Sydney. Caroline was Exhibitions Coordinator from 1992 to 1996 and Head of the Exhibitions and Publications Unit from 1999 to 2006, with responsibilities as Acting Properties Coordinator from 2002. In 2006 she was appointed General Manager, Properties, responsible for Government House, Elizabeth Bay House, Vaucluse House, Meroogal, Rouse Hill House & Farm and the Justice & Police Museum. Prior to joining the HHT Caroline was Curator of the Australian Bicentennial travelling exhibition and Collection Manager for the Robert Holmes à Court Collection. Caroline has curated and contributed to numerous exhibitions on Sydney's social and urban history including Sydney by ferry, Sydney from the skies and Sydney’s Pubs: liquor, larrikins and the law. She curated and edited the major exhibition and publication Bridging Sydney for the 75th anniversary of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 2007, co-authored Sydney then & now and co-curated Sydney at Federation.

Mark VinerActing General Manager, Properties

Mark Viner studied Modern History and History of Art at Cambridge University and has worked extensively in the arts and heritage industries in the United Kingdom and Europe, as well in Australia, for over 20 years. The HHT's Head of Public Programs for seven years, Mark was appointed Acting General Manager, Properties, in 2007. He is responsible for Elizabeth Farm, Hyde Park Barracks Museum, Museum of Sydney, Rose Seidler House, Susannah Place Museum and The Mint.

StaffStaff are involved in the management of the organisation through the Staff and Management Participatory and Advisory Committee (SAMPAC). (See p10 and p71.)

Training Ninety-eight staff attended a variety of training programs including skills-based courses, conferences and seminars.

Staff RepresentationWe employ 16 staff members from non-English speaking backgrounds (NESB), 15 of whom spoke a language other than English as a child.

We employ five members of staff with a disability, of whom two require some form of adjustment to the workplace.

We have two indigenous employees.


30


Focus On Public Programs Unit

Each year we feature an internal team or unit. This year the focus is on the Public Programs Unit (PPU).

PPU is situated in The Mint, working closely with the Marketing & Business Development Division and each HHT property to deliver innovative cultural programs for an existing HHT audience, while also developing programs to grow sustainable new audiences. This suite of events – talks, festivals, music, dance, theatre, walks and tours – provides opportunities for wider engagement with relevant heritage, cultural and social issues; while contributing to HHT income generation and facilitating inventive public interpretation and appreciation of HHT properties and exhibitions.

PPU also provides a framework for the support and management of minor public programs developed by HHT property staff. This is an important aspect of the unit’s output, allowing HHT programming an organic quality that intimately reflects current curatorial, conservation and educational research at each site. PPU representatives also work to develop and sustain partnerships with other cultural and festival bodies to allow better access to audience and content.

An important selling tool for HHT programs is the seasonal quarterly Events calendar. This year a redesign of the current duo tone Events calendar was completed which saw its transformation into a full colour, pocket-sized booklet that will enable a more targeted distribution to cultural precincts, with the aim to increase opportunities to develop and grow new audiences. The first calendar in this format will be available in late August 2008.

Major Occupation Group ABS: ANZSCO*

2008 (FTEs)

Managers 32.6Professionals 52.0Technicians and trades workers 15.8Community and personal service workers 42.4Clerical and administrative workers 36.6Sales workers 7.6Machinery operators and drivers 2.8Labourers 10.5Unidentified 0

Total 200.3

* Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations

Staff representation by salarySalary level Total

Staff*Women NESB

< $35,266 3 3 0

$35,266 – $46,319 63 44 4$46,320 – $51,783 38 30 2$51,784 – $65,526 54 35 3$65,527 – $84,737 49 29 4$84,738 – $105,923 14 5 2> $105,923 (non SES) 2 0 1> $105,923 (SES) 1 0 0

Total 224 146 16

* Headcount and non casual employees

above: (l-r) Nicola Sinclair, Mark Lillis, Deborah Ward, Carmel Aiello, Sarah McCarthy, Amelia Ramsden, Gillian Redman-Lloyd, Mason Dean, Julie Ryan. Photograph © Paolo Busato


31

Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Organisational chart

Organisational chart

Department of the Arts, Sport & Recreation

Foundation

Endangered Houses Fund

Minister for the Arts

Board of Trustees

Director

Members

Directorate

Elizabeth Farm

Hyde Park Barracks Museum

Museum of Sydney

Rose Seidler House

Susannah Place Museum

The Mint

Elizabeth Bay House

Government House


Meroogal

Rouse Hill House & Farm

Vaucluse House

Caroline Simpson Library & Reserch Collection

Collections Management Unit

Design Unit

Education Unit

Exhibitions & Publications Unit

Properties Unit

Public Programs Unit

Volunteers Program

Assistant Director Marketing &Business Development Division

Marketing

Retail

Sponsorship

Venues

Assistant Director Management Services Division

General Manager Properties General Manager Properties

Administration

Finance & Systems

Human Resources

Legal

Marketing & Business Development Division

Management Services Division

Properties Division

Deputy Director


32

AR properties 4 PC.indd 21/10/08 4:31:55 PM - 32 - (Process Cyan)AR properties 4 PC.indd 21/10/08 4:31:55 PM - 32 - (Process Cyan)AR properties 4 PC.indd 21/10/08 4:31:55 PM - 32 - (Process Magenta)AR properties 4 PC.indd 21/10/08 4:31:55 PM - 32 - (Process Magenta)AR properties 4 PC.indd 21/10/08 4:31:55 PM - 32 - (Process Yellow)AR properties 4 PC.indd 21/10/08 4:31:55 PM - 32 - (Process Yellow)AR properties 4 PC.indd 21/10/08 4:31:55 PM - 32 - (Process Black)AR properties 4 PC.indd 21/10/08 4:31:55 PM - 32 - (Process Black)

Breakdown of visitor numbers Paid admission five year trend

33

Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection 34 Elizabeth Bay House 36 Elizabeth Farm 38 Government House 40

Hyde Park Barracks Museum 42 Justice & Police Museum 44 Meroogal 46 Museum of Sydney 48 Rose Seidler House 50

Rouse Hill House & Farm 52 Susannah Place Museum 54 The Mint 56 Vaucluse House 58

Properties


34

The year in review

A steady growth in public awareness of the research value of our collections and the specialist reference resource provided by the staff was registered during the year. The growth has been indicated through visitor numbers, including ‘virtual’ visits to our web pages and also the citation of the collection itself in scholarly journals such as The Journal of Design History (Oxford University Press, 2008) and Home Cultures (Berg, 2007). Unique material from the collection was also reproduced in a recent history of the arts and crafts movement in Australia and will appear in a forthcoming study of the Californian bungalow.

The commitment to deepening our electronic presence on the World Wide Web has been the most significant factor in the growth of public awareness. We have reached an international audience through our provision of electronic access to the HHT’s pictorial collections since we became a contributor to Picture Australia, an aggregated search service hosted by the National Library of Australia. Although the number of digitised images is still relatively modest, the cultural importance of the material is significant and this value has been reflected in a number of requests for reproductions received via Picture Australia. Similarly, our commitment to active participation in Libraries Australia – a resource-sharing service coordinated by the National Library of Australia for Australian libraries and their users – means that our holdings of rare pattern books and trade catalogues are now being made known to an international research audience.

Use of the library by tertiary students in both individual and group visits has consolidated over the past year. Of the more than 500 people coming to the library in group visits, many were TAFE and university students participating in collection orientation tours designed to complement current curricula: interior decoration, textile design, heritage conservation, etc. The geographical spread of visiting students is broad, with groups coming from Nepean TAFE, Canberra Institute of Technology, Newcastle TAFE and Hunter Institute of Technology, as well as from several Sydney institutions. Trade catalogues from the collection also featured on the ABC TV program The collectors.

Increasingly, the library plays a key role in supporting work related to HHT exhibitions, providing materials and assistance for background research, object sourcing, public programs, marketing and accompanying publications. Over the last year we were closely involved in the development of the Lost gardens of Sydney publication and exhibition and provided research material and exhibition content for the forthcoming Tails of the City exhibition. A number of titles from the library will be on long-term display for the Sydney Visionaries exhibition at the Museum of Sydney. Material was also lent to the Powerhouse Museum for its forthcoming exhibition and publication Modern Times: the untold story of modernism in Australia.

Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection

Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection

Established as the Lyndhurst Conservation Resource Centre in 1984, and renamed in 2004, the Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection is open to anyone with an interest in the history of house and garden design and interior furnishing in New South Wales. The collection supports the HHT’s work of interpreting and managing places of cultural signifi cance in New South Wales by providing a specialist research resource for staff, scholars, heritage and conservation practitioners and museum professionals. The scope of the collection is broad, covering houses and gardens of all kinds and ranging from the 19th to the present day. It includes material across a wide range of formats: architectural pattern books; manufacturers’ trade catalogues and sample books; wall coverings; fl oor coverings; garden ornaments; curtain and blind hardware; door and window furniture; soft furnishings and trimmings; personal papers and manuscripts; and pictures, books and periodicals.


35

Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection

previous page: Drawing room, Government House, 2008. Photograph © Nicholas Watt opposite page: Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection. Photograph Nicole Davis © HHT above & below: Judges Common Room store. Photograph © Paolo Busato

AR properties 4.indd 35 17/10/08 10:45:30 AM

36

The year in review

In January 2008 Elizabeth Bay House changed its operations, which offered opportunities for increased venue hire and public programs. Joint property staffing arrangements were consolidated with the appointment of an Assistant Property Manager for Elizabeth Bay House and Vaucluse House.

Furniture from the Caroline Simpson Collection, presented to the HHT under the Cultural Gifts Program, continued to be integrated into Elizabeth Bay House’s interiors. The cataloguing of the pieces continued with information gathered on design sources, timbers and veneers, construction, hardware and contemporary parallels.

The museum’s exhibition program opened with Spare Room (14 July – 23 September 2007) – a series of contemporary art interventions by Sue Pedley, Susan Andrews and Jayne Dyer – and continued with Linnaeus: art + nature (10 October 2007 – 3 February 2008) a trilogy of displays to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Swedish botanist Carl von Linné (Linnaeus).

A volunteer group was established to work on soft furnishings for Elizabeth Bay House and Vaucluse House. The group’s first project will be the remaking of bed hangings for a campaign bed at Elizabeth Bay House.

A City of Sydney heritage grant was received to conserve the Elizabeth Bay House grotto located in the gardens of the Tradewinds apartments.

Elizabeth Bay House was built in 1835–1839 by the fashionable architect John Verge for the Colonial Secretary Alexander Macleay and his family. It is a superb example of a Greek Revival villa in a magnifi cent setting overlooking Sydney Harbour. The saloon, with its elegant cantilevered staircase, is regarded as the fi nest interior in Australian colonial architecture. The house’s interiors are notable for their detailing, particularly the quality of the joinery, plaster and stonework. The fi ne collection of Australian cedar furniture refl ects the neoclassical tastes of the early 19th century and presents an evocative picture of life before the depression of the early 1840s forced Macleay to leave the house.

Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Elizabeth Bay House

Elizabeth Bay House


37


Paid admissions 2008 2007 2006 2005

General public 6,950 8,154 9,705 8,930

Education 1,279 666 736 1,857

Public programs 384 397 324 328

Venue hire 1,029 965 1,185 1,397

Subtotal 9,642 10,182 11,950 12,512

Free entry

Complimentary tickets 1,520 1,403 2,514 2,328

Free public programs 0 378 0 0 Other (site visits) 478 443 531 695

Subtotal 1,998 2,224 3,045 3,023

TOTAL 11,640 12,406 14,995 15,535

Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Elizabeth Bay House

200

8

200

7

200

6

200

5

200

4

9,64

2

10,18

2

11,9

50

12,5

12

16,5

17

opposite page: Elizabeth Bay House. Photograph © Patrick Bingham-Hall above: Spare Room, 2007. Photograph © Jenni Carter


38

Elizabeth Farm contains part of the oldest European building in Australia and is among the nation’s most important historic sites. Standing on Dharug land, the farmhouse was commenced in 1793 on grants and purchases comprising almost 1000 acres of agricultural, grazing and uncleared country. The fi rst family home of John and Elizabeth Macarthur, Elizabeth Farm was purchased by the Swann family in 1904 who occupied and protected the property until 1968. The NSW Government acquired the site in 1979 and oversaw conservation works until 1984 when it was transferred to the HHT. Today, Elizabeth Farm is a ‘hands-on’ museum and recalls the stories of those who built it and lived in it for over 200 years. Visitors are given access to almost all areas, objects and furniture.

The year in review

The year saw several changes in key operational, programming and staffing areas to better manage resources and enable the property to more effectively target its core education, group tour and venue hire markets.

The return of the site’s biennial community event Festival of the Olive (20 & 21 October 2007) once again achieved strong attendance, revenue and media attention, reinforcing its profile as one of Western Sydney’s leading cultural festivals.

Archaeology drove a number of interesting projects during the year, including a series of specialist debates querying the site’s early phases of construction. The detailed analysis of mortar, footings and roofing systems raised new theories on the homestead’s original form and challenged long-held views on how the building was transformed over time. Another fascinating revelation was the unearthing of a circular brick well under the asphalt on Alice Street. This intriguing dig – funded and coordinated by Parramatta City Council in close cooperation with the HHT – exposed, analysed and recorded the well and considered options for its interpretation as part of the Macarthur’s c1820 rear stables yard.

Steady rainfall throughout the year appeared to halt some of the more dramatic effects of ground moisture, with the building experiencing less movement than in previous years. This allowed the underground irrigation to be turned off, although soil moisture data and structural movement continued to be logged. In early 2008 engineering students from Sydney University returned to test soil characteristics and analyse links between climate, clay and building cracks.

Elizabeth Farm remained engaged and valued as part of the region’s social, cultural and educational fabric through various projects initiated during the year including a research and exhibition program for design students at Lidcombe TAFE, a series of interpretative sculptures by local artists under the Festival of the Olive umbrella, and productive alliances forged with council and neighbouring sites to build closer, cooperative links through joint programming.

Elizabeth Farm

Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Elizabeth Farm


39



General public 6,330 7,104 7,033 7,981

Education 7,758 8,294 8,617 8,521

Public programs 3,414 537 4,864 132

Venue hire 776 434 411 1,043

Subtotal 18,278 16,369 20,925 17,677

Free entry


Free public programs 0 412 640 593

Other (site visits) 3,060 2,198 1,393 363

Subtotal 4,605 4,933 5,079 4,386

TOTAL 22,883 21,302 26,004 22,063

Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Elizabeth Farm

200

8

200

7

200

6

200

5

200

4

18,2

78

16,3

69

20,9

25

17,6

77

25,17

2

opposite page: Elizabeth Farm. Photograph © Chris Shain above: Festival of the Olive, 2007. Photograph © Leo Rocker


40

Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Government House

Government House

Sited on Bennelong Point, Government House was built between 1837 and 1845 in the Gothic Revival style. Home to 24 NSW Governors and their families, the building and site demonstrate the property’s changing role as the seat of executive power, the residence of the monarch’s representative and an important place for state ceremony. The State Rooms were decorated in 1879 by Lyon, Cottier & Co to coincide with the Sydney International Exhibition. A major refurbishment of the State Rooms has recently commenced, guided by the To Furnish A Future policy, which seeks to realise ‘best practice conservation’ of the traditional building fabric and historic interior decoration with ‘contemporary innovation’ in a series of contemporary furnishings – such as furniture, drapery, upholstery and carpets – commissioned from NSW artists and designers. This new work complements the house’s exceptional collection of NSW colonial furniture, portraiture and gubernatorial memorabilia, and continues a tradition of vice-regal patronage. The house is sited within an important historic garden with exotic trees, shrubs, carriageways, paths and terraces. Government House remains a ‘working state house’ and continues to host many vice-regal, state and Commonwealth government and community events.

The year in review

From January to September 2007, Australia hosted meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), an intergovernment forum consisting of 21 member economies. The second of two Leaders Retreats was held at Government House on Sunday 9 September 2007.

The leaders met formally in the ballroom, lunched in the dining room and used the newly refurbished drawing rooms and arcade for informal gatherings. The brevity of the day’s program belied the two-year period of intense negotiation, meticulous planning and extensive preparations by the HHT to manage this event and ensure that the heritage values and conservation needs of the buildings, collections and grounds were respected, and appropriate protocols and standards of use, presentation and hospitality service were successfully maintained.

The HHT’s commitment to give a contemporary relevance to the property’s historic interiors while respecting their historic integrity was recognised at the EnergyAustralia National Trust Heritage Awards when the refurbishment of the State Drawing Rooms won the award in the category of ‘Conservation, Built Heritage for a Project under $1m’. A suite of projects supported the refurbishment including commissioned carpets, furniture and furnishing textiles from artists and designers Caroline Casey, Valerie Kirk, Liz Williamson and Charles

Wilson. Security services were upgraded and a tempered air conditioning system and under-floor heating installed.

Government House was also the venue for a number of music events throughout the year. The House Music concert series continued to attract a sell-out crowd and Garden Music (25 November 2007), which focused on new Australian music, drew a younger, more diverse audience to the property.

Following the precedent established in 1890 for NSW Governors to have their coats of arms represented in the main hall at the end of their term of office, the coat of arms of the 36th Governor, the late Hon Gordon Samuels AC, CVO, QC (1923–2007), were installed in the hall.

Two hand-blown contemporary glass vessels made by noted Sydney artist Brian Hirst and a diverse collection of gubernatorial memorabilia were acquired during the year.


41

Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Government House



Education 1,427 1,834 1,268 1,685

Public programs 3,848 1,637 8,957 6,448

Free public programs* 2,350 4,777 3,282 4,790

Venue hire 5,620 3,856 6,392 6,584

House tours* 18,952 18,720 17,736 23,411

Grounds* 87,347 85,458 94,307 96,380

Vice-regal functions* 9,106 10,336 10,603 10,721

TOTAL 128,650 126,618 142,545 150,019

*free entry

200

8

200

7

200

6

200

5

200

4

128,

650

126,

618

142,

545

150

,019

113,

625

opposite page: Government House. Photograph Patrick Bingham-Hall above: Leaders Retreat II, Sunday 9 September 2007, Government House, Sydney. Image courtesy of the Australian Government, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet


©

42

Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Hyde Park Barracks Museum


The year in review

The Convict Hulks: life on the prison ships exhibition opened in July 2007 and continued to draw large crowds throughout the year. Citizen soldiers: the New South Wales Volunteer Rifles 1854–1885 – an exhibition exploring the history of the only military unit to be based at the Barracks – opened in September and brought together a collection of rare objects, many of which were displayed publicly for the first time. Work began on developing an exhibition to mark the 160th anniversary of the arrival of Irish orphans at the Barracks.

In January 2008 the ongoing success of the Sydney Festival Beck’s Bar continued with museum staff again organising and managing the catering and bar service. The site and staff benefited from the HHT retaining overall control and management of the event.

In March a national conference titled Rebellion: authority and protest in convict Australia was held to mark the bicentenary of the deposing of Governor Bligh. Jointly funded by the HHT and the Centre for Historical Research at the National Museum of Australia, it attracted speakers from major cultural institutions and universities around the country. Its success has reflected well on the HHT’s reputation as a centre for research and debate associated with the history of colonial Australia.

The working relationship between the museum and La Trobe University’s Archaeology Program was strengthened by a $350,000 grant from the Australian Research Council to enable an archaeologist to undertake a three-year

study of the Barracks’ archaeology collection. The first shipment of objects was dispatched to Melbourne in May.

Re-enactors from the Australian Napoleonic Association took part in the event Redcoats and Convicts (1 June 2008), recreating the clothing and work practices of artisan convicts, convict cooks, cobblers, carpenters, needle workers, a blacksmith, a surgeon and a squad of red-coated soldiers. The event attracted over 1200 visitors and plenty of positive media coverage.

Brad Manera, Head Curator, presented a paper on convict punishment clothing at the Imperial Curiosities Conference (1 July 2007) at the University of Tasmania, and published a chapter on convict guards in the book that accompanied the travelling exhibition Escape! Fremantle to freedom.

In August 2007 the Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP announced that the Barracks, together with seven other convicts sites across Australia, had been placed on the National Heritage List in advance of a series of sites being nominated by the Commonwealth Government for World Heritage Listing.

Following the announcement in January 2008 that 11 convict sites associated with Australia’s convict past, including the Hyde Park Barracks, had been nominated for World Heritage Listing, the Commonwealth Government advised in May that the assessment of the nomination had been deferred by the World Heritage Centre until 2009.

Following an order by Governor Lachlan Macquarie for the construction of a building suitable to house government-employed and privately-assigned male convicts, Hyde Park Barracks was built between 1817 and 1819 by convict workers acting under the direction of convict architect Francis Greenway. The Barracks was used for the accommodation of convicts until 1848, when it was converted into the Female Immigration Depot. The upper level of the main Barracks building was further altered in 1862 to accommodate the government asylum for aged, infi rm and destitute women, and continued in this role until 1886. In 1887 the site was converted to house law courts, judge’s chambers and myriad government offi ces until 1979 when it became a museum. Hyde Park Barracks Museum uses the fabric of the building and its rich archaeology collection, documents and spaces to tell the many stories about its occupants and uses over the past 190 years.



43

Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Hyde Park Barracks Museum


General public 45,785 42,269 38,516 39,062

Education 15,292 14,465 13,474 15,903

Public programs 615 862 2,123 1,755

Venue hire 37,238 23,106 16,784 15,573

Subtotal 98,930 80,702 70,897 72,293

Free entry


Free public programs 1,733 7,599 Other* 85,515 89,177 74,994 134,273

Subtotal 91,622 99,529 83,551 141,799

TOTAL 190,552 180,231 154,448 214,092

Grounds

Forecourt 222,897 230,335 222,143 518,272

*site visits, cafe, shop and visits to the ‘Australian Monument to the Great Irish Famine’ figures are as accurate as possible, calculations are based on estimated numbers

200

8

200

7

200

6

200

5

200

4

98,9

30

80,7

02

70,8

97

72,2

93

72,0

16

opposite page: Hyde Park Barracks Museum. Photograph © Patrick Bingham-Hall above: Redcoats and Convicts, 2008. Photograph © Leo Rocker


44

Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Justice & Police Museum

The year in review

The thought-provoking exhibition, Tough men, hard times: policing the Depression, (24 February 2007 – 10 February 2008), which examined the forgotten history of policing and politics during the Great Depression, concluded at the museum. The exhibition displayed unseen images from the forensic negative collection, presenting a different perspective on the investigative work done by NSW police officers. It was accompanied by a documentary about Sydney during the Depression.

The exhibition Sydney’s Pubs: liquor, larrikins & the law, (23 February – 30 June 2008) which examines Sydneysiders’ love affair with pubs has proved popular with visitors. A large interactive map that shows images of pubs as they were in 1910 and also in their current form was a very successful element of the show. Many visitors recorded their recollections of both good times and bad in Sydney pubs and lively debate ensued about which is Sydney’s best pub. Research continued on the next major exhibition, Femme Fatale: the female criminal, which will provide an in-depth look at female criminality. Femme Fatale is scheduled to open in March 2009.

In January 2008 the first international exhibition featuring material owned and managed by the HHT was launched in Poland. Yours Gallery in Warsaw showcased a selection of images from the Justice & Police Museum’s photography archive and Polish photography magazine Pozytyw published 20 images from the same collection in tandem with the exhibition.

During Law Week 2008 the museum mounted the exhibition Legal Chameleons, which displayed 20 photographs taken by Mark Tedeschi. The photographs were portraits of prominent members of the Sydney legal community showing their passions and pursuits outside a court of law. Many members of the legal fraternity attended the launch.

A major achievement during the year was the completion of the second phase of the loft renovation. A coolroom was built to house the forensic negative collection in accordance with conservation guidelines and the remaining area was converted into a workspace for the ongoing research, preservation and scanning of negatives. Images from the collection are now available online through the HHT pictures collection and Picture Australia. Other images from the collection have inspired a blog, written by the property curators, which is accessed through the HHT website.

Key maintenance work was undertaken to permit safe access to the museum’s roof, with a metal platform and staircase built to facilitate entry to the police court roof.

The museum’s guiding team conducted a very active outreach program during the year visiting the Tamworth region and the Upper Hunter Valley. A joint program with the Sydney Opera House Education Unit proved popular with school audiences.


Originally the Water Police Court (1856), Water Police Station (1858) and Police Court (1886), the Justice & Police Museum now features a Magistrates Court, a police charge room, a remand cell, a gallery of mug shots of Sydney’s early criminals, an array of spine-chilling weapons, forensic evidence from notorious crimes, and displays exploring police history, bushrangers and punishment in society.



45

Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Justice & Police Museum


General public 14,755 18,213 25,587 12,254Education 8,019 6,897 7,576 7,562Public programs 301 353 480 1,355Venue hire 4,271 2,388 3,306 3,071

Subtotal 27,346 27,851 36,949 24,242

Free entry

Complimentary tickets 2,254 1,850 8,547 5,846Free public programs 137 3,985 0 201Other (site visits) 89 657 236 1,157

Subtotal 2,480 6,492 8,783 7,204

TOTAL 29,826 34,343 45,732 31,446

200

8

200

7

200

6

200

5

200

4

27,3

46

27,8

51

36,9

49

24,2

42

27,3

72

opposite page: Justice & Police Museum. Photograph © Patrick Bingham-Hall above: Patrons of the Northern Club Hotel toast the introduction of 10pm closing, Ern McQuillan, 1955, State Library NSW Collection


46

Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Meroogal

The year in review

Three anniversaries were celebrated during the year at Meroogal. June Wallace, the last owner of the property, turned 90 in July and celebrated her birthday at Meroogal. A morning tea was also held in her honour in the Members Lounge at The Mint. The Meroogal Women’s Arts Prize (MWAP) and International Women’s Day in the Shoalhaven both celebrated their tenth anniversary.

The MWAP exhibition was held at the Shoalhaven City Arts Centre from August to September 2007. Playwright Alana Valentine opened the exhibition, which attracted hundreds of people eager to hear the announcement of the winner, artist Reiko Hashimoto. Her ceramic relief sculpture Australian was purchased for the HHT’s Art at the Properties collection. To mark the tenth anniversary a special Director’s prize was awarded to Lisa Johnson for her finely embroidered panel The road well travelled (with thanks to poets, songwriters and women).

A display of winning and commended works from the MWAP was on show throughout Meroogal and an illustrated history of the prize was produced.

Awarded and selected works from the exhibition toured to the Spiral Gallery, Bega; Members Lounge at The Mint, where an inaugural Members prize was awarded; Sturt Gallery, Mittagong; Wollongong City Gallery; and Tuggeranong City Arts Centre, ACT.

A live broadcast by ABC Illawarra was held in the Meroogal garden, and radio presenters interviewed artists and staff to discuss subjects ranging from Meroogal’s history and garden to heritage conservation and the well.

The International Women’s Day awards ceremony in the Shoalhaven was celebrated in March 2008. Awards were given to 27 women and, through federal funding obtained from the Office of

Women, photographic portraits of the award winners were taken for display at Shoalhaven City Council offices.

Fired up by the slogan ‘How many museums can you fit into a weekend?’, over 100 people visited Meroogal and other member museums of the Shoalhaven Museum and Arts Trail during the inaugural Shoalhaven Heritage Weekend, held to mark International Museums Day in May. The new initiative of a quarterly Meroogal newsletter was enthusiastically received by the local community.

The Meroogal collection was the focus of much attention during the year. As part of the five-year stocktake, almost every item in the collection was sighted and its condition checked by staff from the Collections Management Unit. Meroogal staff completed documentation of the Meroogal photographic collection and recording of the condition of individual photos. The collection was enhanced by the acquisition of archival material pertaining to Thomas Thorburn, a Presbyterian minister and brother of the Thorburn women of Meroogal.

A significant contribution to the collection was made by two interns from the Sydney University Museum Studies program, who researched the building and the woodwork projects of Kenneth McKenzie, uncle of the Thorburn women. The property also benefited from assistance by an intern from the Arts Administration program at the College of Fine Arts who worked on the Meroogal Women’s Arts Prize.

Meroogal and the HHT’s Education Unit developed a new program called Past Treasures Revealed for Stage 1 & 2 students, and piloted a program for Year 11 and 12 History Extension Students.

Meroogal

Located in the NSW South Coast town of Nowra and built in 1885, this fascinating timber house was home to four generations of women from the same family. Their daily routine, domestic chores and social lives have moulded its intimate rooms. Meroogal’s rich collection of personal objects provides an insight into the private lives and daily world of this family.



47

Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Meroogal


General public 1,105 955 1,030 1,303

Education 739 560 728 832

Public programs 159 335 131 371

Subtotal 2,003 1,850 1,889 2,506

Free entry

Complimentary tickets 380 211 505 467

Free public programs 120 221 20 160

Other (site visits) 43 216 0 0

Subtotal 543 648 525 627

TOTAL 2,546 2,498 2,414 3,133

200

8

200

7

200

6

200

5

200

4

2,0

03

1,850

1,889

2,50

6

2,0

99

opposite page: Meroogal. Photograph © Patrick Bingham-Hall above: Australian, Reiko Hashimoto, 2007. Photograph © Brenton McGeachie. Winner, Meroogal Women’s Arts Prize 2007


48

Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Museum of Sydney

Museum of Sydneyon the site of first Government House

A modern museum built on a historic site, the Museum of Sydney takes you on a journey exploring Sydney’s people, places and cultures, then and now. It is a place of many layers: from the archaeological remains of the colony’s fi rst Government House built in 1788 to the award-winning contemporary sculpture Edge of the trees. From its stories of the First Fleet to exhibitions about contemporary Sydney, the museum explores the evolution of Sydney over two centuries.

The year in review

A landmark acquisition for the museum’s collection was made when Possession Island by Gordon Bennett was purchased at auction with funds from the Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust Museum of Sydney Appeal. An outstanding work by an internationally recognised artist, the painting reinterprets an early European depiction of Captain Cook’s ‘discovery’ of the Australian continent in 1770 and his claim of British ‘possession’.

A major event was staged in First Government House Place on Australia Day 2008 to mark the 200th anniversary of the deposition of Governor Bligh, which took place on the site. A costumed re-enactment of the rebellion as depicted in Raymond Lindsay’s 1928 painting Major Johnston announcing the arrest of Governor Bligh was staged. The event was narrated by author Thomas Keneally and attended by the NSW Governor, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir, AC, CVO. This event, plus a showcase display on Level 2 and a major conference were all part of a series of projects developed by the museum to mark the anniversary of the coup.

A number of successful exhibitions were staged throughout the year with a particular focus on Sydney photography. Sydney Now: new Australian photojournalism (15 December 2007 – 27 April 2008) was accompanied by a high-selling catalogue, a series of floor talks by the photographers and a new education program Through the Lens for photography students. The Biscuit Factory, Camperdown (10 September – 2 December 2007), documenting the Westons Biscuits factory in Camperdown prior to its closure, garnered good local press. Two exhibitions reflected the theme of protest: Proof: portraits from The Movement 1978–2003 Juno Gemes, (3 November 2007 – 2 March 2008) and The 1970s: a decade of protest, (8 March – 1 June 2008), an exhibition of photography by Roger Scott.

The museum’s exhibition program culminated with Flying Boats: Sydney’s golden age of aviation, (10 May – 30 June 2008), which generated a high level of interest from the media and attracted large numbers of visitors who remember this era of aviation in Sydney.

The AGL Theatre underwent a major refurbishment to improve both the efficiency of its audiovisual operations and the museum’s ability to meet the expectations of corporate venue hire clients and general admissions visitors. Carpets, chairs and upholstery were replaced and new audiovisual components installed.

MOS for Kids, a new interpretative booklet for children aged five to ten visiting the museum with parents or guardians outside of organised school programs, was launched. Handed out as a free value-added resource, MOS for Kids provides age-appropriate tasks to encourage children to engage with core Museum of Sydney exhibits and displays. An in-house audience feedback evaluation program in the form of a self-administered survey was implemented, aimed at evaluating the visitor experience at the museum as well as gathering demographic and other information about the museum’s audience on an ongoing basis.

Caroline Butler-Bowdon, Head Curator, presented a conference paper on ‘Interpreting contemporary city issues with a historical context at the Museum of Sydney’ at the 6th International Symposium at the Seoul Museum of History in South Korea. The book Homes in the sky: apartment living in Australia (co-published by The Miegunyah Press and the HHT) won a 2008 National Trust EnergyAustralia Award in the category of ‘Interpretation and Presentation – Corporate and Government’.



49

Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Museum of Sydney


General public 49,849 71,797 52,243 63,531

Education 5,989 7,126 5,741 8,019

Public programs 2,087 2,325 2,249 4,433 Venue hire 13,861 17,827 15,051 17,953

Subtotal 71,786 99,075 75,284 93,936

Free entry

Complimentary tickets 6,316 9,008 8,226 7,022 Free public programs 4,180 4,593 4,176 5,420 Other* 334,800 334,800 334,423 328,512

Subtotal 345,296 348,401 346,825 340,954

TOTAL 417,082 447,476 422,109 434,890

Grounds

Forecourt 669,600 669,600 667,800 657,000

*site visits, café, shop and visits to the “Edge of the Trees’ sculpture grounds, café and shop figures are as accurate as possible, calculations are based on estimated numbers 20

08

200

7

200

6

200

5

200

4

71,7

86

99,0

75

75,2

84

93,9

36

80,3

20

opposite page: Museum of Sydney on the site of First Government House. Photograph © Patrick Bingham-Hall above: Australia Day, 2008. Photograph © Leo Rocker


50

Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Rose Seidler House

Rose Seidler House

The year in review

Rose Seidler House again hosted a very successful Fifties Fair with just under 5000 people attending and more than one-third enjoying a tour through the house. The event attracts a large repeat audience and the challenge remains to vary the content each year while maintaining the core attractions the event has built on since it was established in 1994.

A series of lectures focusing on 20th-century architecture was held at the property throughout the year and included access to a number of private homes on Sydney’s North Shore.

After the success of the first ‘open house’ weekend last year commemorating Harry Seidler, AC, OBE, the HHT decided to host another free weekend and 1800 people visited over the two days. The program included a lecture by noted Sydney architect Ed Lippman and Penelope Seidler in conversation with Peter Watts, with both events linked to a large TV screen in the grounds.

Rose Seidler House’s association with the Members continued with the property hosting a program of 1950s cultural events. A radio play night and the Dora Fay Devonport Show were both performed to full houses, but the outdoor cinema evening was cancelled due to poor weather.

The property continues to provide an educational resource to secondary and tertiary institutions, and high school visual art and design and technology students participate in structured programs that match curriculum requirements.

Although no major building or conservation work was undertaken during the year, an assessment and monitoring schedule for future work is now in place through the establishment of a curatorial advisory panel and regular input from the architectural firm Harry Seidler & Associates.

Built between 1948 and 1950, the house was designed by internationally renowned architect Harry Seidler for his parents, Max and Rose. It is one of the fi nest examples of mid-century modern domestic architecture and its original furniture forms one of the most important post war design collections in the country. Nestled in natural bushland, Rose Seidler House has panoramic views of the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park through its glass walls and from its sunny deck.



51

Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Rose Seidler House


General public 633 816 907 860

Education 268 280 348 308

Public programs 4,755 4,507 3,541 4,584

Venue hire 260 132 247 210

Subtotal 5,916 5,735 5,043 5,962

Free Entry

Complimentary tickets 83 112 1,399 546

Free public programs 1,862 1,674


Subtotal 1,945 1,825 1,399 546

TOTAL 7,861 7,560 6,442 6,508

200

8

200

7

200

6

200

5

200

4

5,91

6

5,73

5

5,0

43

5,96

2

5,39

5

opposite page: Rose Seidler House. Photograph © Justin Macintosh above: Fifties Fair, 2007. Photograph © Jody Pachniuk


52

Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Rouse Hill House & Farm


The year in review

Work this year concentrated on obtaining funding for new visitor facilities that will serve as a gateway to both Rouse Hill House & Farm and the neighbouring regional park, and greatly enhance visitor access to the site. A Gateway Review for a five-year development project was undertaken and commitment was given to fund the first stage. Negotiations to secure remanent RTA lands continued with submissions to the Valuer General. A management group was established to govern development works and to draft detailed building, working and staffing plans and there was dialogue with a range of external stakeholders. The property title was changed to Rouse Hill House & Farm to better reflect the historic names of the property and the future plans and interpretation for the site.

Work began on the conservation of the old Rouse Hill Public School, and conservation maintenance and recording of buildings elsewhere on the property also progressed. This included the painstaking salvage of the endangered potting shed, repairs to the servants’ quarters and henhouse roofs, a detailed record of the disintegrating c1875 tank stand and professional reassessment of the structural condition of Rouse Hill House. A range of individual objects from the collection, including a significant collection of bed hangings, underwent conservation treatment. A number of items were acquired for the collection from Rouse family descendents.

With the property open five days a week throughout the year and improved access with the opening of the Windsor Road bypass, the chronic decline in visitor numbers was successfully reversed. School visits, in particular, picked up with more effective marketing to schools, intensive guide training and the streamlining of education programs. With overall visitor numbers rising, a program of rationalisation and improvement of displays in the visitor centre began, freeing much needed space for school activities.

The property hosted the major public program Ask the Experts (16 March 2008) for the first time, which attracted a large audience including a significant number of people from the local area.

A historic hedgerow was freed from decades of uncontrolled overgrowth and successfully reinvigorated. By coincidence, this also resurrected some striking and artfully constructed historical views that had been lost. Interpretation of the garden was enhanced by steadily improving the grounds presentation standards to enable the remarkable form of the garden – and the thought that lay behind its historical layout – to be more readily recognised by visitors.

The year proved positive and steadily progressive with the property and staff moving to meet the very considerable changes they will face over the course of the next few years.

This property resonates with nearly two centuries of Rouse family and rural NSW life. Its 19th-century buildings, paddocks, garden, furnishings and belongings – well leavened by the relics of later generations – stand as a surprisingly complete record of its experience. The heart of this old farm–cum-‘country seat’ has always been the sandstone Rouse Hill house, which was built between 1813 and 1818 by convict workers assigned to Richard Rouse, superintendent of public works and convicts at Parramatta.



53

Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Rouse Hill House & Farm


General public 1,404 886 925 1,053

Education 3,336 1,361 1,008 1,841

Public programs 1,696 609 873 2,814

Venue hire 303 103 36 58

Subtotal 6,739 2,959 2,842 5,766

Free entry

Complimentary tickets 849 608 467 548

Free public programs 0 157


Subtotal 1,695 1,230 718 861

TOTAL 8,434 4,189 3,560 6,627

200

8

200

7

200

6

200

5

200

4

6,73

9

2,95

9

2,84

2

5,76

6

8,0

20

opposite page: Rouse Hill House & Farm. Photograph © Paolo Busato above: Ask the Experts, 2008. Photograph © Jody Pachniuk


54

Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Susannah Place Museum


The year in review

The second annual We’re Living in the 70s event (4 May 2008) gained wide media coverage and attracted sponsorship from the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA). Celebrating the 70s era, including the Green Bans that saved many of the historic buildings in The Rocks, the event attracted over 5400 visitors to the free street party and 571 paid admissions to the museum.

The seasonal education program Archaeology in The Rocks, a joint initiative with Sydney Learning Adventures, is now in its sixth year. The program continued to be booked by local and regional schools and this year had the largest audience to date with 581 ancient history students attending the full-day archaeology program.

In March 2008 guided tours were introduced at the museum to improve security, reduce wear and tear on the fragile interiors, and give visitors a better understanding of the history of the houses and their tenants. Talks continued throughout the year with the Youth Hostel Association and SHFA about the exciting opportunities presented by the planned Big Dig Education Centre on the archaeological site across the road. With construction about to commence, a major photographic survey was completed of all interiors and exteriors to document the existing condition of the houses.

A place in The Rocks, by Anna Cossu, Curator of the museum, is the first major publication about Susannah Place and was published in December 2007.

Built in 1844 and located in the heart of The Rocks, Susannah Place Museum is a terrace of four houses incorporating a recreated 1915 corner grocer shop. The terrace – which survived largely unchanged through the slum clearances of the 1900s and the area’s redevelopment in the 1970s – is an example of inner-city, working-class living conditions and the community that existed in The Rocks. Continually occupied from 1844 to 1990, Susannah Place was home to over 100 different families; their past occupancy evident in the modest interiors and the surviving layers of paint, wallpapers, linoleums, modifi cations and repairs.



55

Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Susannah Place Museum


General public 6,664 6,527 5,508 5,947

Education 3,321 2,340 2,355 2,636

Public programs 194 503 390 1,567

Venue hire 44 0 22 105

Subtotal 10,223 9,370 8,275 10,255

Free entry

Complimentary tickets 943 876 2,219 2,215

Free public programs 5,434 3,725

Other 15,454 17,121 13,708 13,799

Subtotal 21,831 21,722 15,927 16,014

TOTAL 32,054 31,092 24,202 26,269

200

8

200

7

200

6

200

5

200

4

10,2

23

9,37

0

8,27

5

10,2

55

9,13

6

opposite page: Susannah Place Museum. Photograph © Patrick Bingham-Hall above: We’re Living in the 70s, 2008. Photograph © Jody Pachniuk


56

Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | The Mint

The year in review

The Mint’s reputation as a major venue was enhanced by winning the national 2008 Meetings and Events Australia (MEA) Industry Award for Specialty Venue. It is the first Sydney venue, as well as the first cultural institution, to win the award.

A range of works to enhance facilities in both The Mint offices on Macquarie Street and the Coining Factory were completed. The Sydney Mint Cafe was refurbished as part of a joint project between the HHT and Trippas White Catering. New lighting and display systems were installed in the Members Lounge to enhance the use of this area as an exhibition space, and improvements to the environmental conditions in the Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection to meet conservation requirements were undertaken. To meet demands resulting from the high level of functions held in the auditorium, a program of improvements to the kitchen catering facilities was completed.

The demand for specialist tours focusing on The Mint as a conservation and adaptive re-use project continued to be strong, with visits from tertiary students of architecture, design and building conservation, as well as architectural firms, specialist practitioners and heritage consultants. Combined site tours between The Mint and Hyde Park Barracks Museum continued to attract good audiences. A range of public programs were held during the year including recitals by the Sydney Omega Ensemble and the Sydney Soloists, the symposium Homer and the Arts as part of the Greek Festival of Sydney and a series of public talks and presentations in conjunction with the Sydney Festival and the Sydney Writers’ Festival.

The Members Lounge proved to be a popular venue with its program of temporary exhibitions, which included the 2007 Meroogal Women’s Arts Prize, the Lucy Osburn/Nightingale Museum Collection from Sydney Hospital and exhibitions by the artists Greg Hansell and Nick Hollo. This program is maintained with the assistance of staff from the Exhibitions Unit.

The Mint

The Mint building on Macquarie Street is one of the oldest buildings in central Sydney. It was constructed between 1811 and 1816 as the southern wing of Governor Lachlan Macquarie’s General Hospital. In 1854 the site was transformed into the fi rst overseas branch of the Royal Mint, when the former hospital building was converted into offi ces and the Coining Factory was constructed at the rear of the site.

The Mint operated until 1926. The site was then used to house a succession of government departments until 1997, although the Macquarie Street building was converted into a museum and opened in 1982. In 1988 the site was transferred to the HHT. An extensive conservation and redevelopment project commenced in 2001 to provide accommodation as the head offi ce of the HHT and the site was occupied in September 2004. The Mint now houses the head offi ce of the HHT as well as the Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection, Sydney Mint Cafe and function spaces.



57

Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | The Mint


General 85 59 457 175

Education 0 0 29 15

Public programs 1,563 700 1,347 862

Venue hire 19,420 17,538 16,332 5,335

Subtotal 21,068 18,297 18,165 6,387

Free Entry

Free 17,518 13,009 13,771 11,489

Free public programs 7,974 9,483 7,571 6,485

Subtotal 25,492 22,492 21,342 17,974

TOTAL 46,560 40,789 39,507 24,361

Mint Cafe 6,878 7,671 9,254 7,497

200

8

200

7

200

6

200

5

200

4

21,0

68

18,2

97

18,16

5

6,38

7

1,431

opposite page: The Mint. Photograph © Patrick Bingham-Hall above: The Mint. Photograph © John Gollings


58

Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Vaucluse House

The year in review

In January 2008 Vaucluse House moved to changed operations that offered opportunities for increased venue hire and public programs. Joint property staffing arrangements with Elizabeth Bay House were also consolidated. A review of operations at the Vaucluse House Tearooms was undertaken.

Vaucluse House’s core education programs, Childs Play, Time Warp and Pickled Potted & Preserved continued to attract strong bookings, and new school holiday programs were developed. The Texstyle display of Higher School Certificate 2007 textiles works (in conjunction with the Technology

Educators Association) and the Sydney University Masters of Teaching visual arts students display of art works returned to Vaucluse House for the third consecutive year, and attracted strong education audiences. The displays then toured to Elizabeth Farm.

Work on the interiors focused on interpreting the social history of the largely intact service areas. This has strengthened Vaucluse House’s interpretation of themes such as sustainability, water conservation, 19th-century diet, and estate and domestic planning.

Vaucluse House

Vaucluse House is Sydney’s most romantic 19th-century harbourside estate. Set in ten of its original 206 hectares, the property is signifi cant for the survival of its carriage drives, outbuildings, kitchen wing and reinstated kitchen garden. At the core of the house are the remains of a cottage begun in 1805 by the eccentric Irish knight, Sir Henry Browne Hayes. The estate was purchased in 1827 by William Charles Wentworth, lawyer, explorer and statesman, who took a leading role in the achievement of Responsible Government for New South Wales in 1856.

Wentworth purposely constructed Vaucluse House in the Gothic Revival style of Sydney’s Government House to suggest his ancient family lineage. Wentworth’s immediate family connections were not so prestigious. His wife, Sarah, the daughter of ex-convicts, suffered social isolation for having borne two of their children out of wedlock. Wentworth’s own illegitimacy and his convict mother and father’s near conviction for highway robbery, were also known. Vaucluse House is unresolved architecturally, owing to its mercurial owner and its construction over many years for a growing family that was forced to socialise outside of colonial society. The house’s collection is rich in original Wentworth pieces, refl ecting the family’s residence in 1827–1853 and 1861–1862.



59

Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Vaucluse House


General public 11,809 11,659 13,166 15,151

Education 8,170 9,063 8,822 5,807

Public programs 2,582 4,066 1,006 2,663

Venue hire 5,894 4,868 4,606 4,308

Subtotal 28,455 29,656 27,600 27,929

Free Entry


Free public programs 0 2,972 2,250 1,296

Other* 68,644 66,346 63,163 62,112

Subtotal 71,674 72,519 69,132 70,135

TOTAL 100,129 102,175 96,732 98,064

Grounds

Local traffic 4,843 4,860 5,029 4,277

*site visits to the Tearooms, shop and a percentage of people visiting the parklands and beach paddock grounds are as accurate as possible, calculations are based on estimated numbers

200

8

200

7

200

6

200

5

200

4

28,4

55

29,6

56

27,6

00

27,9

29

29,3

16

opposite page: Vaucluse House. Photograph © Brett Boardman above: Jazz in the Garden, 2007. Photograph © Jody Pachniuk following page: VH-BRF coming in to alight on the lagoon, Lord Howe Island, Dick Morris, 1974. Colourisation by Historic Houses Trust. Photograph courtesy Margaret Holle © Dick Morris


60



61

Education 62 Endangered Houses Fund 62 Events 63 Exhibitions & publications 63 Regional 64 Retail 64 Venues 65 Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales 66 Members 66 Volunteers program 67 Rouse Hill Hamilton Collection Pty Ltd 67

Programs, services & associated groups


62

Education The HHT is continually developing, updating and resourcing a range of education programs across the curriculum for school groups who visit HHT properties. Ongoing training and support is provided for guiding staff in the delivery of all school programs.

The year in review

The new education brochure format introduced during the year, specifically designed for the six stages of schooling, has promoted visitation by grouping together education programs with similar stage-specific outcomes. Property staff responsible for school bookings are now familiar with the broader suite of HHT school programs and can therefore onsell programs at more than one property. There has been some success this year with schools combining visits to the Justice & Police Museum, the Museum of Sydney, Susannah Place Museum and Government House.

To meet teachers’ needs several properties delivered programs designed for Stage 1 through to older children. To ensure the integrity of the programs and to continue to provide excellence in the area of education, Stage 2 programs were developed for Susannah Place Museum, Meroogal and Rouse Hill House & Farm. In recognition of the increasing senior history audience in NSW schools, a joint archaeology program was developed to highlight the unique collections at the Museum of Sydney and Susannah Place Museum.

To provide cost-effective and revenue-raising programs during the school holidays, vacation care programs were delivered at Elizabeth Farm and Vaucluse House.

To encourage use of the HHT’s website, fact sheets were produced on a number of relevant topics for primary school aged children. These sheets give children syllabus-related information at an appropriate language level that directly connects to the historical content in a number of properties.

Endangered Houses Fund The purpose of the Endangered Houses Fund (EHF) is to help save houses that are in danger of being demolished or changed beyond recognition, by using a model of acquisition, conservation and resale.

The year in review

The HHT was active during the year in seeking out potential candidates, to follow Glenfield and Exeter Farm, for conservation through the EHF program. Several properties were assessed in both metropolitan and rural NSW including a dairy in Merimbula, a colonial farm group near Camden and a former post office and pub near Orange.

Following the successful completion of the conservation work at Glenfield, the project was widely publicised and over 2600 visitors inspected the property during the two-week open period. A sale of campaign and early colonial furnishings, curated by Dr James Broadbent, was run concurrently with the open period.

A Nissen hut was bought freehold by the HHT through the EHF program. The property is one of a collection of 33 remaining Nissen huts originally built on the northern shores of Lake Macquarie to house migrants immediately after World War II. Due to their modest size, the remaining huts are at risk from being demolished and replaced with modern housing. Following the necessary conservation works to the hut and upgrading of the building to meet modern expectations, the freehold title to the property will be sold.

Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Programs

Programs


63

Events The HHT continues to showcase its properties through a series of interpretative public programs. These events include talks and tours, specialist workshops and seminars, diverse school holiday offerings, live performances, festivals and open days – all designed to engage varied audiences with the layered stories of our sites.

The year in review

The range of events undertaken during the year highlighted the diversity of the work of the HHT. Tours included an investigation of modernist landmark Wyldefel Gardens, coach tours to colonial homesteads and gardens associated with historic Cowpasture Road, and a tour of Glenfield, the first property to be conserved through the Endangered Houses Fund.

Talks included an appearance by filmmaker Rolf de Heer, director of Ten canoes, for NAIDOC Week; a presentation on Hampton Court by architectural historian Dr Jonathan Foyle; and an investigation into fabric, curtains and blinds in the Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection. Our co-produced seminar series with Museums & Galleries NSW looked at social media and cultural communication; while another, produced with the National Museum of Australia, investigated authority and protest in convict Australia – part of a suite of programs commemorating the 200th anniversary of the overthrow of Governor Bligh.

Walking tours included visits to industrial heritage sites adapted for re-use and apartment-living developments associated with Sydney’s urban renewal.

Collaborations with external partners resulted in a continuation of the presentation of major lunchtime talk programs with the Sydney Festival and the Sydney Writers’ Festival. Long-running collaborations with Sydney Water, History Week and the National

Trust Heritage Festival also continued. Festival of the Olive, a two-day cross-cultural food and culture festival held at Elizabeth Farm, was included in the 2007 Good Food Month as part of HHT’s partnership with the Sydney Morning Herald.

The HHT also developed a range of events, including floor talks and film screenings, that are free with museum entry to support the HHT’s exhibition program.

Exhibitions & publications The HHT creates and presents a vibrant program of exhibitions and publications, which attract visitors, provide an enriching and educative experience, support new scholarship and increase our profile.

The year in review

A diverse and interesting program attracted over 172,000 visitors to our exhibitions. Included in this year’s exhibitions program were the popular Flying Boats: Sydney’s golden age of aviation and Sydney’s Pubs: liquor, larrikins and the law, the contemporary photographic exhibition Sydney Now: new Australian photojournalism, and Convict Hulks: life on the prison ships, which appealed to school groups and tourists.

Four touring exhibitions visited large and small venues from Newcastle and Eden to Albury and Melbourne, providing regional and interstate audiences with HHT-generated innovative cultural experiences.

Two new major books were published by the HHT – Sydney Now: new Australian photojournalism and A place in The Rocks, as well as a third reprint of the successful City of shadows: Sydney police photographs 1912–1948 publication.

Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Programs

opposite page: Helen Smith in front of a group of Nissen huts, Arlington Street, Belmont North, 1962. Photograph © Fay Jarvie above left: We’re living in the 70s, 2008. Photograph © Jody Pachniuk above right: Convict Hulks. Photograph © Leo Rocker


64

RegionalThe HHT’s ongoing commitment to sharing its expertise and resources throughout New South Wales has included developing a number of collaborative relationships with selected districts.

The year in review

Inverell Shire Council accepted, in principle, the Draft Management Plan prepared by the HHT for Newstead, the oldest surviving homestead and garden in the Inverell Shire. The program of conservation and interpretation work at the property was undertaken via a special grant of $180,000 by the former Premier, the Hon Bob Carr, and was channelled through the HHT.

The HHT hosted Lew Bezzina, Manager Hill End Historic Site (National Parks & Wildlife Service), for two weeks as part of the Museums & Galleries NSW Mentorship Program, which enables staff working in museums in regional New South Wales to develop links with larger state and federal organisations.

Staff travelled to Hill End to provide advice on interpretation strategies at the site as part of a long-term and ongoing HHT/NPWS partnership.

Retail The HHT’s retail operations include four museum shops and an online store. The HHT also conducts merchandise sales at major public program events.

The year in review

The performance of the HHT’s retail operations was adversely affected by the reduction in general visitation to the HHT properties during 2007–2008. The Museum of Sydney Shop was the most affected by the reduction in general visitation at the museum. In addition to this drop in visitation, the exhibition program at the Museum of Sydney was not as sympathetic to merchandising as the previous year’s offering, which included the highly merchandisable Bridging Sydney and The Ashes. Despite this, the average merchandise sale per visitor increased from $9.53 in 2006–2007 to $9.75 in 2007–2008.

The HHT online store was launched in December 2007. The online store features HHT publications and specific merchandise along with a selection of books, toys, giftware and souvenirs that are also sold at the HHT properties. Since it opened for trade the retail section of the store has processed 157 sales for a total of $10,462, well in advance of the original budget estimate of $5000. HHT publications continue to sell well.

Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Services

above left: Newstead North homestead, 2007. Photograph © Paolo Busato above right: MOS Shop. Photograph © Paolo Busato opposite left and right: Museum of Sydney. Photograph © Paolo Busato

Services


65

Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Services

Venues The HHT offers eight venues for hire for a wide range of commercial and private functions.

The year in review

Venue hire continued to grow with over 700 commercial events delivered to the corporate, government, social, and filming and photography markets during the year. Demand for The Mint continued to grow with over 300 commercial events being delivered.

At the 2008 Meetings & Events Australia (MEA) National Conference held in Alice Springs, The Mint was awarded winner Specialty Venue at the National Awards for Excellence. The award acknowledged The Mint as the nation’s leading specialty venue for business events and meetings.

The Museum of Sydney maintained its position in the marketplace as a leading business meeting venue for both corporate presentations and financial results reporting. The AGL Theatre was extensively upgraded with new seating and state-of-the-art audiovisual facilities to ensure its large recurrent clientele base is maintained and to attract new business opportunities.

The Justice & Police Museum delivered its own record levels of venue hire activity with a high volume of workshop-style bookings from both business and government sectors. This success follows on from a major capital investment program in upgrading both lighting and audiovisual facilities in the Blacket Court and restructuring the catering services to provide greater competitiveness.

Vaucluse House performed strongly to deliver 63 weddings and continued to be the most attractive venue for the filming and photography market.


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Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Associated groups

The Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South WalesThe Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales exists solely to support the diverse work of the HHT through philanthropic giving. The Foundation receives support through the following fundraising avenues: Foundation Governors Program, Endangered Houses Fund, Special Appeals and Bequest Program.

The year in review

The Foundation provided major financial assistance to a number of HHT projects throughout the year including, most significantly, $1.1m for the conservation of Glenfield, Casula, the first property to be saved through the HHT’s Endangered Houses Fund (EHF) program. As part of the Foundation’s fundraising strategy for Glenfield, a direct mail campaign to HHT and Foundation constituents was staged. This was the first campaign of its kind for the HHT and a remarkable $80,000 was raised through the appeal.

The Foundation also assisted the HHT by fully funding the acquisition of Gordon Bennett’s powerful painting Possession Island for the Museum of Sydney. Without the Foundation’s support, this acquisition would not have been possible.

Nine new Governors were welcomed to the Foundation Governors Program and funds raised through the program were used to support the following projects:

• production of the publication A place in The Rocks

• conservation of the Rouse Hill House & Farm potting shed

• construction of a purpose-built storage facility for the Justice & Police Museum’s police forensic photography archive

A number of events for prospective and current Foundation donors were held throughout the year and the Annual Governors’ Dinner raised $105,000 for the EHF.

Members Incorporated in 1988, the Friends of the Historic Houses Trust Inc (Members) is a volunteer organisation and a registered charity. It aims to promote public interest in the HHT’s properties and raise funds for their conservation, preservation and interpretation through encouraging membership and coordination of a large and varied program of fundraising events and tours.

An Executive Committee elected by the membership runs the Members. One Trustee, Penelope Pike, and Director, Peter Watts and/or Assistant Director, Marketing & Business Development, Mike Field represent the HHT on the Members Executive Committee. The Members employs its own staff.

The year in review

Each year the Members produce a popular and diverse program of events and tours that continues to grow due to an increasingly active membership of just over 5000. In response to demand, this year the Members coordinated more than 90 events attracting more than 3500 participants. Included in the program were 26 walking tours, 12 coach tours and two overseas tours. The first of the overseas tours, lead by HHT curator Scott Carlin in October 2007, visited Hong Kong, Macau and Guangzhou (formerly known as Canton), which were early trading entrepots and centres for the ‘China Trade’ and important to the material culture of early New South Wales. The second tour, in May 2008, took Members to Sicily and Malta, and focused on the region’s ancient Greek, Roman and Baroque architecture and art.

The program of exhibitions at the Members Lounge continued. The program aims to educate and increase Member and public visitation to HHT properties while at the same time generating income from the commercially viable shows. Exhibitions this year included a selection of works from the 2007 Meroogal Women’s Arts Prize; the 140th anniversary of Nightingale nursing at Sydney Hospital; Artist’s Views: familiar vantage points revisited by Nick Hollo; and Outside looking in, a collection of pastels of HHT properties by Greg Hansell.

Donations to the HHT from the Members totalled $107,000 and supported a range of projects including:

• conservation of rare 19th-century bed hangings from Rouse Hill House & Farm

• replacement of floorboards and repositioning of windows as part of the conservation work being undertaken at the former Rouse Hill Public School

• replacement of oil cloths at Elizabeth Farm

• reproduction of roof shingles for repair of the Wentworth Mausoleum

The Members also funded the purchase and conservation of a rare manuscript, a contractor’s ledger from Parramatta, for the Caroline Simpson & Library Research Collection in memory of the late John McClymont OAM, Member and patron of the Friends of Elizabeth Farm.

Associated groups


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Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Associated groups

Richard Silink, Manager, Portfolio Development, was the recipient of the annual Phillip Kent Staff Development Award of $7500. Annie Campbell, Assistant Curator Museum of Sydney was awarded the 2008 award.

Volunteers programThe Volunteers program supports the participation of volunteers and recognises volunteering as a vital component of HHT operations. The program manages all aspects of volunteering within the HHT, and directs and assists staff who supervise volunteers. At present there are 210 HHT volunteers, all of whom provide a valuable link to the wider community by helping to raise public awareness of NSW cultural heritage and promoting HHT exhibitions, events, programs and activities.

The year in review

The Volunteers program grew significantly during the year following the implementation of a range of strategies to more effectively manage the program. There was an increase in applications to volunteer at the HHT with a noticeable increase in interest from young people. This was due in part to the expansion of the Volunteers program web page on the HHT website.

Potential roles for volunteers were expanded to include a ‘virtual’ volunteer position that allows volunteers to undertake work for the HHT via their computer at home.

Staff developed a greater understanding of the Volunteers program and requests for volunteer support increased dramatically with the introduction of a formal request process that clearly defines the role of volunteers. Project volunteers were used by most HHT units and museums during the year.

A new direction for the Volunteers program has seen the introduction of a volunteer team at The Mint who act as ‘hosts’ for the large numbers of people visiting the site each week.

The Volunteers Speakers Program continued through the year and was revitalised through upgrading technology. Relationships with other cultural institutions and volunteering bodies were strengthened. Volunteer Betty Sideres was awarded a NSW Government Volunteer Heritage Award.

The Volunteers Forum comprises eight elected representatives chosen from among HHT Volunteers.

(See p79 for a list of volunteers.)

Rouse Hill Hamilton Collection Pty LtdThe Rouse Hill Hamilton Collection Pty Ltd is a private company formed in October 1994 as Trustee for the Hamilton Rouse Hill Trust. It holds property in and about Rouse Hill House & Farm, which was formerly part-owned by the Hamilton family. Its Board is comprised of three HHT representatives and two representatives from the family. The Chairman of the company is the Director of the HHT, Peter Watts. The company complies with the requirements of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

above left: Rouse Hill School House. Photograph © Paolo Busato above right: Volunteers at Festival of the Olive, 2007. Photograph © Leo Rocker following page: Aboriginal engravings, Bundeena, 2006. Photograph © Peter Solness


Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Appendices

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69

Our commitment to women 70

Associated groups 70

Committees 70

Disability Action Plan 72 Credit card certification 72 Electronic service delivery 72 Ethnic affairs priority statement 72 Human resources 73 Overseas travel 74 Printing costs of the Annual Report 74 Sponsors 74 Fundraising 75 Staff list 76 Volunteers 79

Appendices



70

Our commitment to womenWhole of government approach

The HHT is committed to the advancement of women in cultural and artistic life and is aware of the need to identify and redress discrimination against women when delivering services and programs. We acknowledge the needs and interests of women as a distinct occupational group and are supportive of strategies and initiatives that assist the advancement of women in the workplace. Two of our six person senior management team are women.

(See also the Equal Opportunity Achievements in the Human Resources section on p73 of this report.)

The HHT is committed to promoting the position of women in all aspects of society through interpretation programs at our museums, exhibitions, publications and events. Many of these programs incorporate themes relating to the lives and experiences of women in Australian society and are targeted at and attract female audiences.

Associated groupsFoundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales

Company Directors:

Howard Tanner (Chair)

Neville Allen

Lynn Fern

Beat Knoblauch

Clive Lucas OBE

Susan Rothwell

Edward Simpson

Stephen Wall (Deputy Chair)

Peter Watts AM

Jill Wran

General Manager: David Hely

Members of the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales

Patron: Jack Mundey AO

Graham Spindler (Chair)

Maria Linkenbagh

Teri McMillan

Jennifer Noble (Deputy Chair)

Penny Pike, Trustees representative

Kathy Trelease

Peter Watts AM/Mike Field, HHT representative

Elinor Wrobel OAM

General Manager: Judy Pittaway

Rouse Hill Hamilton Collection Pty Ltd

Company Directors:

Peter Watts AM, HHT representative (Chair)

Nanette Ainsworth, Hamilton family representative

Andrew Chalmers, HHT representative

Miriam Hamilton, Hamilton family representative

Elaine Lawson, HHT representative

Volunteer Forum

Karen Griffiths, Volunteer Coordinator (Chair)

Garry Cook, Elizabeth Bay House/Vaucluse House

Patricia Cooper, Speakers Program

Lesley Goldberg, Government House

Robin Guthrie, Rouse Hill House & Farm

Julie Laing, Justice & Police Museum

Lyn Murray, Meroogal

Richard Salvatico, Susannah Place Museum

Maria Schattiger, Hyde Park Barracks Museum

Neridah Tyler, Hyde Park Barracks Museum

Clarice Wilkins, Elizabeth Farm

CommitteesCollections Valuation Committee

Tamara Lavrencic, Collections Manager (Chair)

Scott Carlin, Curator, Elizabeth Bay House/Vaucluse House

Joanna Nicholas, Curator, Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection

Commercial Lease Committee

Bruce Hambrett, Trustee (Chair)

Neville Allen, former Trustee

Martyn Mitchell, Trustee

Peter Watts AM, Director (ex-officio)

Jill Wran, Chairman

Education Committee

Peter Watts AM, Director (Chair)

Jeannie Douglass, Head of Education

Mike Field, Assistant Director, Marketing & Business Development

Susan Hunt, Acting Deputy Director

Mark Lillis, Acting Head of Public Programs

Caroline Mackaness, General Manager Properties

Mark Viner, Acting General Manager Properties

Endangered Houses Fund Committee

Jill Wran, Chairman (Chair)

Neville Allen, former Trustee

Keith Cottier, Trustee

Bruce Hambrett, Trustee

Howard Tanner, Chairman, Foundation

Stephan Wall, Director, Foundation


Exhibitions Advisory Committee


Paul Berkemeier, architect and former Trustee

Dr Jane Connors, Manager, ABC Radio National

Dinah Dysart, arts writer, former gallery director and former Trustee

Dr Shirley Fitzgerald, City Historian, City of Sydney, and former Trustee


Elaine Lawson, Trustee



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Judith O’Callaghan, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of the Built Environment, UNSW

Susan Sedgwick, Manager, Exhibitions & Publications

Dr Naomi Stead, Senior Lecturer, School of Architecture, UTS

Peter Tonkin, Trustee

Dr Jaky Troy, colonial historian, linguist and anthropologist

Bob Whight, Assistant Exhibitions Officer

Finance and Audit Committee

Martyn Mitchell, Trustee (Chair)

Andrew Chalmers, Manager, Finance & Systems

Bruce McWilliam, Trustee

Nicholas Malaxos, Assistant Director, Management Services


Jill Wran, Chairman

Finance Committee

Andrew Chalmers, Manager, Finance & Systems (Chair)




Peter Watts AM, Director

IT Steering Committee

Michelle Stern, Managing Director, Enterprising IT Services Pty Ltd (Chair)


Anna Cossu, Curator/Manager, Susannah Place Museum


John Hoey, Manager, Museum of Sydney

Peter Kocielnik, Systems Manager

Tamara Lavrencic, Collections Manager

Nick Malaxos, Assistant Director, Management Services (ex-officio)

Megan Martin, Manager, Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection

Justin Maynard, Multi Media Coordinator

Occupational Health & Safety Committee

Andrew Mitchell, Manager, Rose Seidler House (Chair)

John Daujotis, Maintenance Officer, Rouse Hill House & Farm

Gordon Fehross, Guide, Elizabeth Bay House

Renee Fryer, Guide, Elizabeth Farm

Tim Girling-Butcher, Exhibition Project Manager

Tewe Henare, Museum Assistant, Museum of Sydney

Irene Hunter, Events Coordinator

Naomi Jeffs, Gardener, Vaucluse House

Tony Katsigiannis, Manager, Human Resources

Barbara Konkolowicz, Curator, Meroogal

Michael McGrath, Administration Manager, The Mint

Carisse O’Brien, Assistant Property Manager, Government House

David Openshaw, Guide, Justice & Police Museum

Alda Scofield, Guide, Susannah Place Museum

Shinae Stowe, Collections Officer, Collections Management

Deborah Ward, Cultural Programs Officer/Administration Assistant

Jennifer White, Guide, Hyde Park Barracks Museum

Publications Committee


Peter Barnes, Retail Manager

Louise Cornwall, Design Manager


Rhiain Hull, Publications Officer


Rebecca Kaiser, Editorial Manager, Allen & Unwin


Roger Mackell, proprietor, Gleebooks

Margaret McAllister, Publications Officer


Robert Stapelfeldt, Business Development Manager, McPherson’s Printing Group


Public Programs Committee






Judy Pittaway, General Manager, Members


Security Committee

Nicholas Malaxos, Assistant Director, Management Services (Chair)

Dayn Cooper, Manager, Hyde Park Barracks Museum and The Mint

Steve Dawkins, Manager, Government House

Michael McGrath, Administration Manager, The Mint

Staff and Management Participatory and Advisory Committee (SAMPAC)

Katinka Kemp, Assistant Manager, Museum of Sydney (Chair)


Anna Cossu, Curator/Manager, Susannah Place Museum (PSA delegate)


Graeme Lloyd, Grounds and Livestock Manager, Rouse Hill House & Farm




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Fatma Onal, Guide, Elizabeth Farm

Fabienne Virago, Education Officer


Disability Action Plan The Trust adopted a revised Disability Policy in June 2005 that is implemented through its Disability Action Plan (DAP). The DAP is updated every three years and addresses priority areas broadly in accordance with the key priority areas identified in the NSW Government Disability Policy Framework: information about services; physical access to HHT properties; access to complaints procedures; employment and staff training; and promoting positive community attitudes. The strategies in the DAP are carefully planned and steadily implemented to ensure the HHT continues to provide the highest standard of access delivery. The HHT supports the rights of people with disabilities and aims to provide both physical and intellectual access to our properties, programs and services.

Outcomes for 2007–2008:

• TheHHTcontinuedtohaverepresentation on Accessing the Arts Group (ATAG).

• MuseumswereauditedaspartofanHHT-wide review of access and services.

• ThroughtheSpasticCentre’sSydneyEmployment Development Service, a framework for a Worked Experience Program was developed specifically for the HHT.

• ATAFE-accreditedprogramofdisability awareness training was conducted by Accessible Arts for 20 staff members.

• Portablerampswerepurchasedtoimprove wheelchair access to the stables and ground floor of Vaucluse House.

• TheCatholicEducationOfficetookhearing and language impaired students to Elizabeth Farm.

• TheConvict Hulks: life on the prison ships exhibition had an additional sensory layer based on sight, sound, touch and smell to maximise access for all users.

• The Biscuit Factory, Camperdown exhibition incorporated smell to maximise the experience for visitors.

• SpecialisttourswereconductedattheJustice & Police Museum for visitors from the House With No Steps and Norwest Disability Service.

Credit card certification The HHT has a policy for the use of credit cards by senior staff, which is inaccordancewithPremier’sMemorandaandTreasurer’sDirection.

Electronic service delivery The following services are available electronically via the internet:

• thewebsiteatwww.hht.net.au

• allappropriategovernmentpublications(for reference only, not for sale)

• HHTannualreportsfrom2001 to 2007

• someHHTpublicationsavailablefromNSW Government Online Shop (available from the HHT website in 2008)

Ethnic affairs priority statement We are committed to the principles of cultural diversity as outlined in Section 3 of the Ethnic Affairs Commission Act 1979, and we participated in the following activities to achieve the goals.

Social justice – key result area one

We offer free printed language guides to eight of our 12 museums in:

• Chinese

• French

• German

• Italian

• Japanese

• Korean

• Spanish

The HHT now has 56 different language guides available at eight properties in seven different languages. The guides are uploaded to the website as a pre-visit tool for multicultural and international visitors, and printed copies are distributed to the properties.

A self-guided worksheet is available to enrich the experience for Japanese students visiting Hyde Park Barracks Museum and the Museum of Sydney.

There are no printed guides for Meroogal, Rose Seidler House and Rouse Hill House & Farm, where access is via guided tour only.

Our English as Second Language (ESL) tours are available at every property and this year attracted 3842 students.

Future directions Continuetoprovidetheseservices.

Community harmony – key result area two

DuringNAIDOCWeektheMuseumofSydneycelebratedIndigenouscultureandtheIndigenouscontributiontomodernAustralia through a series of special eventsthatfocusedontheNAIDOCWeek theme, 50 years: Looking Forward, Looking Blak:

• DirectorofTen canoes, Rolf de Heer, and Richard Birrinbirrin (Daymirringu), one of the actors from Ramingining, were guest speakers at a lecture prior to the screening of the movie and discussed the collaboration between director and the Ramingining community.

• 2 deadly 2 move featured dancer Albert David from the Torres Strait and Yidaki playerandnotedKooriartistAdamHillperforming music, dance and stories from mainland Yolngu, Lardil and the TorresStraitIslands.

• Yamakara used music, song, story and gum leaves blessing to bring people togethertocelebrate.ItfeaturedGrahamKingonYidakiandtraditionaldancers.

The Museum of Sydney featured a display of 30 photographs by Juno Gemes in Proof: portraits from The Movement 1978 – 2003, which documented turning points inAustralia’sIndigenouspoliticalandcultural history. The exhibition was launched by the Hon Linda Burney MP.

Future directions To continue to program for culturally diverse audiences.

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73

Economic and cultural opportunities – key result area three

We spent $2198 to advertise programs to various non-English speaking background (NESB) communities.

(See staff representation p29.)

Future directions Continue to advertise in the NESB print and electronic media.

To recruit more NESB staff and ensure they have equal opportunities and access to staff development and training.

Human resources Exceptional movements in employee wages, salaries and allowances

A 4% salary increase came into effect on 26 July 2007, the first full pay period of the financial year.

Policies and practices

• Assistedintheimplementationof the operations review at Vaucluse House, Elizabeth Bay House and Elizabeth Farm.

• ConductedelectionsinJuly2007 for positions on the Staff and Management Participation and Advisory Committee (SAMPAC), the HHT’s principal forum for identifying and resolving workplace issues. (See p71 for a list of committee members.)

• Asurveycanvassedstaffviewsontheir experiences within the organisation across a range of environmental, health and safety issues and the results will be analysed by the Executive and SAMPAC.

• AssistedstafffromDeloitteToucheTohmatsu in an audit of the HHT’s OH&S System. The recommendations from the audit will be implemented progressively over the next 18 months.

• Fourstaffinductionswereheld,each of two days duration.

• Eightmanagersandsupervisorsattendeda course to improve their coaching skills.

• ThereviewoftheHHT’sperformanceappraisal system was set aside, and a decision taken to adopt a new system

Table B. Trends in distribution of EEO groups (as at 30 June 2008) % of Total Staff EEO groups Benchmark

or Target2008 2007 2006

Women 100% 85% 86% 89%Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders 100% n/a n/a n/aPeople whose first language was not English 100% n/a n/a n/aPeople with a disability 100% n/a n/a n/aPeople with a disability requiring work-related adjustment

100% n/a n/a n/a

Notes• Excludescasualstaff• Adistributionindexof100 indicates that the centre of the distribution of the EEO group across salary levels is equivalent to

that of other staff. Values less than 100 mean that the EEO group tends to be more concentrated at lower salary levels than is the case for other staff. The more pronounced this tendency is, the lower the index will be. In some cases the index may be more than 100,indicatingthattheEEOgroupislessconcentratedatlowersalarylevels.TheDistributionIndexisautomaticallycalculatedbythesoftwareprovidedbyODEOPE

• ThedistributionindexisnotcalculatedwhereEEOgroupsornonEEO group numbers are less than 20

Table A. Trends in representation of EEO groups (as at 30 June 2008) % of Total StaffEEO Groups Benchmark

or Target2008 2007 2006

Women 50% 65% 63% 65%Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders 2% 1% 0 0People whose first language was not English 20% 8% 9% 9%People with a disability 12% 3% 4% 3%People with a disability requiring work-related adjustment

7% 1% 1.1% 1.1%

SES Levels2008 2007 2006 2005

Level 2 Level 3 Level 2 Level 3 Level 2 Level 3 Level 2 Level 31 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) 2008 2007 2006 2005Number of work-related injuries 37 29 31 28

Number of work-related injuries per employee

0.18 0.15 0.16 0.16

Number of work-related illnesses 1 nil nil nil

Number of workers compensation claims 11 10 12 15

Number of workers compensation claims per employee

0.05 0.15 0.06 0.08

Average cost per workers compensation claim $1,207 $3,910.80 $4,633.50 $1,081.86

Average workers compensation claim per employee

$66.28 $197.71 $294.72 $92.92

Prosecution under the OH&S Act nil nil nil nil

SES Reporting2008 2007 2006 2005

Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1



74

based on the one operating at the Powerhouse Museum.

Future directions• Implementthenewperformance

appraisal system.

• Completerevisionandupdatingof theCodeofConduct.

• Developatrainingplan.

Monetary amount of recreation leave and long service leave entitlements

Liability Taken

Recreation leaveasat30 June 2008

$1,212,856 $711,191

Extended leaveat30 June 2008

$1,930, 565 $219,518

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

Ourself-assessedoutcomesforthe year include:

• DiversityofrepresentationonrecruitmentpanelsandtheprovisionofEEOinformationtoapplicants.DiversityofrepresentationoninternalbodiessuchastheOH&SCommittee,SAMPACandjobevaluationpanels.

• FlexibleworkpracticesincludingflexdaysandRDOs,maternityleave,familyandcommunityserviceleave.

• Provisionofdevelopmentopportunitiesthroughexpressionsofinterestandhigher duties allowance.

Future Directions IdentifyanappropriateIndigenousemploymentstrategyandreviewjointinitiativeswithotheragencies.

Overseas travel BruceSmythe,AssistantDesignManager,travelledfrom9Octoberto15October2007toSingaporetopresschecktheprintingofSydney Now: new Australian photojournalism.

CarolineButler–Bowdon,HeadCurator,MuseumofSydney,travelledfrom 23Octoberto27October2007 to Seoul to present a paper on programming at the MuseumofSydneyatthesixth

InternationalSymposiumattheSeoulMuseumofHistory.

TrudiFletcher,DisplayPlanner,travelledfrom27Octoberto1November2007 to SingaporetopresschecktheprintingofA Place in The Rocks.

PeterWatts,Director,travelledfrom20 Novemberto6December2007 to Londontodevelopfutureexhibitions and negotiate loans.

HanaRocak,DisplayPlanner,travelledfrom19Mayto24May2008 to Singaporetopresschecktheprinting ofLost gardens of Sydney.

(See also p22.)

Printing costs of the annual reportThis report was printed at a total cost of$13,589(incgST). The report was writtenanddesignedbystaff.Itisavailablefromourwebsiteatwww.hht.net.au

Sponsors Cash

AGL Energy: naming rights sponsor oftheAGLTheatreattheMuseum ofSydney

Australian Garden History Society: sponsorofLost gardens of Sydney at theMuseumofSydneyandassociatedpublication

Australian Garden History Society (Sydney & Northern NSW branch): sponsorofLost gardens of Sydney attheMuseumofSydney

Dick Smith Foods:sponsorofFlying Boats: Sydney’s golden age of aviation attheMuseumofSydney

Embassy of Sweden:sponsorofLinnaeus: art + nature at Elizabeth Bay House

National Museums of Australia: sponsor oftheRebellion: authority and protest in convict Australiaconference

Nikon Australia:sponsorofSydney Now: new Australian photojournalism at the MuseumofSydney

Percy Marks:sponsorofFlying Boats: Sydney’s golden age of aviation at the MuseumofSydney

Qantas Airways:majorsponsorof Flying Boats: Sydney’s golden age of aviationattheMuseumofSydney

Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority: sponsorofWe’re Living in the 70s at Susannah Place Museum

Sydney Seaplanes:sponsorofFlying Boats: Sydney’s golden age of aviation attheMuseumofSydney

In-kind

Adshel:In-kindmediasponsorofthefollowingexhibitions:Convict Hulks: life on the prison shipsatHydeParkBarracksMuseum;Sydney Now: new Australian photojournalism at the MuseumofSydney;Sydney’s Pubs: liquor, larrikins and the law at the Justice &PoliceMuseum;andFlying Boats: Sydney’s golden age of aviation at the MuseumofSydney

Angove’s Wines:winesponsoroftheHHTHouse MusicconcertsatGovernmentHouse and HHT exhibition launches

Avant Card:in-kindmediasponsorfor:Spare RoomatElizabethBayHouse;Garden MusicatGovernmentHouse;Sydney Now: new Australian photojournalismattheMuseumofSydney;andtheMOSShopChristmascampaign

City of Sydney:in-kindpromotionalsupportforHHTexhibitionsandeventsincludingtheprovisionofcitybanners forSydney Now: new Australian photojournalismattheMuseumofSydney

FBi Radio: supporting media presenter forGarden Music

James Squire:in-kindbeersponsorfortheexhibitionlaunchofSydney’s Pubs: liquor, larrikins and the law at the Justice &PoliceMuseum,includingbarstaffandprovisionofprizeforexhibitionpromotional purposes

The Lifestyle Channel:in-kindonlinepromotionalsupportforAsk the Experts atRouseHillHouse&Farm

Nikon Australia:in-kindsponsoroftheMySydneyNowcompetitionthrough theprovisionofprizesaspartoftheirsponsorshipofSydney Now: new Australian photojournalism at the MuseumofSydney



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Qantas Airways & QantasLink: in-kind promotional support and QantasLink return flight to Lord Howe Island to accompany courier of exhibition items for Flying Boats: Sydney’s golden age of aviation at the Museum of Sydney

Sydney Seaplanes: in-kind sponsor for the provision of prizes as part of their sponsorship of Flying Boats: Sydney’s golden age of aviation at the Museum of Sydney

Sydney Morning Herald: in-kind media sponsor of HHT and Sydney Now: new Australian photojournalism at the Museum of Sydney and promotional support for Festival of the Olive at Elizabeth Farm through its inclusion in the Good Food Month program

FundraisingFoundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales current supporters

Macquarie Governors ($100,000)

Anonymous x 1

King Governors ($50,000)

Maple-Brown Family Charitable Foundation Ltd

Geoff O’Conor

Hunter Governors ($25,000)

Antoinette Albert

Robert Albert AO and Libby Albert

Julian Beaumont

Dr Zeny Edwards

John Fairfax AM and Libby Fairfax

Lynn Fern

Phillip Governors ($10,000)

Anonymous x 3

David Adams

Hugh Allen and Judith Ainge

Neville Allen

Bill and Kate Anderson

Terrey and Anne Arcus

Kate Armati

Edwina Baillieu

Charlene and Graham Bradley

Sir Ron Brierley

Diana Brown

Andrew and Kate Buchanan

Andrew Cameron

Greg Crone

Michael Crouch AO and Shanny Crouch

Michael and Manuela Darling

Genevieve David

Robert Domabyl

Edward and Deborah Griffin

Evelyn Hawkins

Peter Keel

John and Jan Kehoe

Emily Kucukalic

Christine M Liddy AO and David B Liddy

Clive Lucas OBE

David Maloney & Erin Flaherty

John Matheson and Jeanne Eve

Robert McGrath

Michael Morgan

Penelope Seidler AM

Kerry Stokes AO

Colin Sullivan

Howard and Mary Tanner

Nola Tegel

Annalise and David Thomas

Eleonora Triguboff

Sandra and John Trowbridge

Gay Voss

Stephen Wall and Alison Magney Wall

Peter Weir AM and Wendy Weir

Michael and Prue Williams

Geoff and Karen Wilson

Tim and Sophie Wilson

Jill Wran

Corporate partners

BankWest

Macquarie Group Foundation

Macquarie Private Bank

Macquarie Private Wealth

Endangered Houses Fund

Gold ($200,000)

Garry Rothwell

Silver ($100,000)

Macquarie Group Foundation

Guy Paynter

Harry Triguboff AO

Walker Corporation Pty Limited

Westfield Group

Bronze ($50,000)

Tim Ambler

David Baffsky AO

Sir Ron Brierley

Peter Campbell

Brendan Crotty

Robert Whyte

Protectors ($10,000)

Nanette and Stephen Ainsworth

John Fairfax AM and Libby Fairfax

The Jenour Foundation

Supporters ($5000)

Robert Albert AO and Libby Albert

Robert Domabyl

Gosford Quarry Holdings Limited

Marshall Family Foundation

Morna and Edward Vellacott

Special Appeals

Joseph Lycett: convict artist

Anonymous x 1

Robert Albert AO

Luca Belgiorno-Nettis

Graham Bradley

Robert Domabyl

Zeny Edwards

John Valder AO, CBE

Neville Wran AC and Jill Wran



76

Staff listDirectorate


Sally Webster, Executive Officer P/T

Richard Silink, Manager, Portfolio Development and Endangered Houses Fund

Fiona Bytheway, Executive Assistant

Management Services Division


Administration

Michael McGrath, Administration Manager

Colleen Kremer, Records Manager

Merrin Marks, Assets & Procurement Manager

Michael Larkin, Stores Manager

Troy Fear, Driver/General Assistant P/T

Bruce Crowther, Casual Administration Assistant

Peter Lang, Casual Driver/General Assistant

Finance & Systems


Frank Yi, Senior Finance Officer

Marcellina Wijaya, Accounts Supervisor

Vimala Jayadevan, Accounts Clerk

Kenneth Webb, Accounts Clerk

Peter Kocielnik, Systems Manager

Thomas Makowski, IT Support Officer

John Mackay, IT Support Officer

Robyn Quartullo, Administration Assistant P/T

Human Resources


Ruth Stig, Personnel/Payroll Supervisor P/T

Elizabeth Gorman, HR/Payroll Officer

Denis Loos, HR/Payroll Officer

Legal

John Morgan, Legal Officer

Marketing & Business Development Division


Nicole Davis, Project Officer

Marketing

Charlotte Grant, Marketing Manager

Janine Huan, Assistant Marketing Manager

Nina Pogossov, Marketing Assistant

Pascale Hastings, Box Office Administrator

Emily Howard, Box Office Assistant

Ruth Williams, Media Relations Manager

Christine Pace, Publicity Assistant

Angela Stengel, New Media and Web Manager

Retail

Peter Barnes, Retail Manager

Sandra Christie, MOS Shop Manager P/T

Chantal Sneddon, MOS Shop Manager P/T

Gemma O’Brien, Merchandise Supervisor, P/T

Meg Olds, Merchandise Officer

Jessica Heneka, MOS Shop Assistant P/T

Craig Stanton, MOS Shop Assistant P/T

Hannah Boaden, MOS Shop Assistant P/T

Suzy Kay, MOS Shop Assistant P/T

Alex Perrett, Casual Stock & Sales Assistant

Charlotte Greene, Casual Stock & Sales Assistant

Jack Williams, Casual Stock & Sales Assistant

Sabina Krusevljanin, Casual Stock & Sales Assistant

Sponsorship

Tina Koutsogiannis, Sponsorship Manager

Naomi Morris, Sponsorship Assistant P/T

Venues

Damian Poole, Venues Manager

Jan Conti, Acting Operations Manager

Matt Adamson, Sales & Marketing Coordinator

Irene Hunter, Events Coordinator

Angela Sanfilippo, Events Coordinator

Mischa Warren, Events Coordinator

Joe Binder, Casual Event Supervisor

Chris Burke, Casual Event Supervisor

Brendan O’Connell, Casual Event Supervisor

George Lehuta, Casual Event Supervisor

Noom Aerkul, Casual Event Supervisor

Marcel Gotch, Audio-Visual Coordinator

Richard Boxhall, Casual Audio-Visual Technician

Simon Branthwaite, Casual Audio-Visual Technician

Lindsay Dugan, Casual Audio -Visual Technician

Michael Hanlon, Casual Audi-Visual Technician

Ian Shadwell, Casual Audio-Visual Technician

Konrad Skirlis, Casual Audio-Visual Technician

Paul Miskin, Casual Audio-Visual Technician

Jonothan Pye, Casual Facilities Officer

Caroline Mackie, Reception Team Leader

Marisol Bogaz, Reception P/T

Joy Minter, Reception P/T

Vicky Tycho, Reception P/T

Properties Division

Sue Hunt, Acting Deputy Director



Louise Ruddock, Project Officer, Policy P/T

Richard Taylor, Project Manager, Properties



77

Karen Griffiths, Volunteer Coordinator

Jane Kelso, Project Officer, Research

Tabitha Charles, Clerical Officer P/T

Virginia Eales, Clerical Officer

David Wilson, Building Trades and Maintenance Manager

Collections Management

Tamara Lavrencic, Collections Manager

Caroline Lorentz, Loans Manager

Lisa Hayes, Loans Officer

Jennifer Olman, Database Manager

Shinae Stowe, Collections Officer

Jennifer Exton, Collections Officer P/T

Shana Satyanand, Collections Officer P/T

Matthew Scott, Conservation Housekeeper P/T

Design


Bruce Smythe, Assistant Design Manager

Trudi Fletcher, Display Planner P/T

Cathy Osborne, Display Planner P/T

Hana Rocak, Display Planner

Anne-Louise Falson, Senior Designer P/T

Julie Stinson, Designer

Thommy Tran, Designer P/T

Beau Vandenberg, Designer

Emma Warfield, Designer

Education

Jeannie Douglass, Senior Education Officer

Rebecca Guerrero, Education Officer

Kathryn Hanson, Education Officer

Ross Heathcote, Education Officer P/T

Geoff Marsh, Education Officer

Fabienne Virago, Education Officer

Exhibitions & Publications


Tim Girling-Butcher, Exhibitions Project Manager

Beth Hise, Exhibitions Project Manager P/T

Duncan Harrex, Exhibitions Production Manager

Peter Burne, Assistant Exhibitions Officer

Bob Whight, Assistant Exhibitions Officer

Kieran Larkin, Coordinator, Exhibition Design and Documentation

Rhiain Hull, Publications Officer P/T

Margaret McAllister, Publications Officer P/T

Alice Livingstone, Rights and Permissions Officer P/T

Justin Maynard, Multimedia Coordinator

Ben Crosby, Office Manager

Public Programs


Carmel Aiello, Cultural Programs Officer

Nicola Sinclair, Cultural Programs Officer

Julie Ryan, Cultural Programs Officer

Deborah Ward, Cultural Programs Officer

Gillian Redman–Lloyd, Project Manager, Sydney Open

Amelia Ramsden, Volunteer Coordinator, Sydney Open

Sarah McCarthy, Administration Assistant

Mason Dean, Audio-Visual Coordinator

Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection

Megan Martin, Head

Joanna Nicholas, Curator

Matthew Stephens, Reference Librarian

Michael Lech, Assistant Curator

Penny Gill, Library Technician P/T

Anna Blunt, Library Technician P/T

Elizabeth Bay House

Scott Carlin, Curator, Elizabeth Bay House/Vaucluse House

Larissa Anstee, Manager, Elizabeth Bay House/Vaucluse House

Jeremy Smith, Assistant Manager, Elizabeth Bay House/Vaucluse House

Scott Hill, Assistant Curator, Elizabeth Bay House/Vaucluse House

Gordon Fehross, Acting Chief Guide, Elizabeth Bay House/Vaucluse House

Steven Collyer, Guide P/T, Elizabeth Bay House/Vaucluse House

Jemma Donaldson, Guide P/T, Elizabeth Bay House/Vaucluse House

Karina Hanermann, Guide P/T, Elizabeth Bay House/Vaucluse House

Gareth Malone, Guide P/T, Elizabeth Bay House/Vaucluse House

Jacqui Newling, Guide P/T, Elizabeth Bay House/Vaucluse House

Helen Richards, Guide P/T, Elizabeth Bay House/Vaucluse House

Linda Shakiba, Guide P/T, Elizabeth Bay House/Vaucluse House

Sam Sinnayah, Guide P/T, Elizabeth Bay House/Vaucluse House

Ian Trounson, Guide P/T, Elizabeth Bay House/Vaucluse House

Jennifer Christie, Casual Guide

Stephen Gapps, Casual Guide

Catherine Reynolds, Casual Guide

Maria Amodeo, Casual Guide

Taline Kalaidjian, Casual Guide

Elizabeth Farm

Cornelia Gartner, Manager

Gary Crockett, Curator

Hannah Gordon, Chief Guide

Renee Fryer, Assistant Manager

Ann Steng, Gardener P/T

Louise Brooks, Guide P/T

Kate Gardiner, Guide

Jackie Dalton, Guide P/T

Rebecca Geraghty, Guide

Fatma Onal, Guide P/T

James Thomason, Casual Guide

Dianne Barrera, Casual Guide

Megan Bennett, Casual Guide

Matthew Black, Casual Guide

Melanie Eagleston, Casual Guide

Merilyn Mamone, Casual Guide

Man-Ling Yuen, Casual Guide



78

Katie Di Mauro, Tearoom Manager P/T

Helen Reynolds, Tearoom Manager P/T

Government House

Ann Toy, Supervising Curator P/T

Robert Griffin, Curator P/T

Steve Dawkins, General Manager

Carisse Flanagan, Assistant Property Manager

Virginia Hine, Administration Assistant

Peter Francis, Building Services Manager

Joanne Oldfield, Hospitality Coordinator

Asoka Ekanayake, Functions Supervisor

Sharon Howe, Chief Guide

Linda Drew-Smith, Guide P/T

Mark Hamilton, Guide

Toshie Swift, Guide P/T

Mark Yabsley, Guide P/T

Maureen Clack, Guide P/T

Mark Pullen, Casual Guide

Aimee Falzon, Casual Guide

Nicole Forsyth, Casual Guide

Marianne Rhydderch, Casual Guide

Stewart Campbell, Museum Assistant

Rick Santucci, Museum Assistant

Yvonne Mytka, Property Service Officer


Brad Manera, Head Curator

Dayn Cooper, Manager, Hyde Park Barracks Museum and The Mint

Gary Crockett, Curator

Leonie Smallwood, Assistant Manager

Alex Bray, Office Manager

Carlin De Montfort, Guide P/T

Annabel Birtles, Guide

Clare Fookes, Guide

Sara Morawetz, Guide

Claire Deck, Guide

Margot Tidey, Guide P/T

Jennifer White, Guide P/T

Sacha Sata, Museum Assistant


Caleb Williams, Curator/Manager

Nerida Campbell, Assistant Curator P/T

Anna Ridley, Assistant Curator

Holly Shulte, Assistant Curator

Lauren O’Brien, Photo/Digital Imaging Assistant

Antonio Valdes, Building Services Manager

Cassandra Morgan, Office Manager

David Openshaw, Chief Guide

Carole Best, Guide P/T

Greg Bond, Guide P/T

Maureen Clack, Guide P/T

Victor Johnson, Guide

Antonella Schulte, Museum Assistant P/T

Meroogal

Barbara Konkolowicz, Curator P/T

Sandra Lee, Manager P/T

Cheryl Scowen, Casual Guide and Gardener P/T

Lynne Allen, Casual Guide

Gwen Chappelow, Casual Guide

Nicole Ison, Casual Guide

Suzi Krawczyk, Casual Guide

Martin Parkinson, Casual Guide

Jen Saunders, Casual Guide

Ruth Sykes, Casual Guide

The Mint

Robert Griffin, Supervising Curator

Museum Of Sydney

Caroline Butler-Bowdon, Head Curator

John Hoey, Manager

Inara Walden, Curator

Katinka Kemp, Assistant Manager

Annie Campbell, Assistant Curator

Matthew Holle, Building Manager

Amy Martin, Receptionist

Scott Cumming, Chief Guide

Craig Coventry, Guide P/T

Dianne Corry, Guide

Kate Ermacora, Guide P/T

Mark Sanfilippo, Guide P/T

Toshie Swift, Guide P/T

Elizabeth Tyson, Guide P/T

Russell Garbutt, Casual Guide

Sabina Kruzejilenan, Casual Guide

Tewe Henare, Museum Assistant

Rose Seidler House

Andrew Mitchell, Manager


Fergus Clunie, Curator

Monica Leach, Visitor Services Manager

Maria Martin, Assistant Curator

Graeme Lloyd, Gardener & Livestock Manager

John Daujotis, Maintenance Officer

Kerrie Yates, Office Manager

David Bruderlin, Guide

Margaret Lewis, Guide P/T

Belinda Mitrovich, Guide P/T

Jennifer Hill, Casual Guide

David Joy, Casual Guide

Alana Pienkosz, Casual Guide

Marianne Rhydderch, Casual Guide

Shirley Seale, Casual Guide

Stephen Hanson, Museum Assistant

Kathy Porter, Casual Museum Assistant


Anna Cossu, Curator/Manager

Annie Eyers, Guide P/T

Alda Scofield, Guide P/T

Margaret Shain, Guide P/T

Vanessa Barratt, Casual Guide

Wendy Freidman, Casual Guide

Luisa Vasile, Casual Guide

Vaucluse House

(see also Elizabeth Bay House)

Amelia Ramsden, Office Assistant

Melinda Kirwin, Casual Guide

Jade Boys, Casual Guide



79

Stephanie Paton, Casual Guide

Diana Noyce, Casual Guide

Isobel Johnston, Casual Guide

Anna Williams, Casual Guide

Dave Gray, Head Gardener

Naomi Jeffs, Gardener

Stuart Macpherson, Acting Gardener

Nichola Manning, Garden Labourer

David Hummerston, Garden Labourer

Anita Rayner, Garden Labourer

Foundation For The Historic Houses Trust

David Hely, General Manager P/T

Members Of The Historic Houses Trust

Judy Pittaway, General Manager

Katerina Skoumbas, Events Coordinator

Rachael MacNamara, Membership Services Officer

Kaily Koutsogiannis, Administration Officer

VolunteersLynne Allen, Peter Anderson, Tim Armitage, Leonie Baxter, Lorraine Bell, Margery Bennett, Rose Bersten, Raelene Beuermann, Colin Bishop, Joy Bloch, Liselotte Bourcier, John Boyd, Ron Bray, Claire Brockhoff, Kate L Bruxner, Olga Buchanan, Kim Bucknole, Tina Camilleri, Bernadette Chin, Anthony Clapham, Louise Clark, Pamela Connor, Gary Cook, Patricia Cooper, Estelle Cox, Trudie N Craig, Maryann D’sa, Amanda Da-Silva, Jan Dash, Katie Davis, Caroline De Jongh, Janise Derbyshire, Maureen Devereaux, Laurence Dillon, Margaret Donachy, Betty Donnelly, Ruth Dornan, Heather Dryburgh, Priscilla Duncan, Dominic M Dwyer, Helen Economus, Rebecca Edmunds, Philip C Emery, Nora Etmekdjian, Donald Evans, Alexandra Evesson, Nicole V Fardell, Gerald Finn, Dianne M Finnegan, Belinda Finocchiaro, Ron Fisher, Helen Foster, Emma K Friezer, Ellen Geraghty, Rebecca C Geraghty, Marion Gibbeson, Gillian Gibbons, Gastone Giorgino, Diana Glenn, Lesley Goldberg, Zelda Goldstein, Gregory

Joseph Gould, Narelle Gould, John Gouldthorpe, Elaine Graham, Neil Graham, Emma Greig, James Griffith, Robin Guthrie, Margaret Guy, John Hamer, Robin L Hammond, Gordon Hannam, Shirley Hannam, Betty Harris, Patricia Hartmann, Janette Heffernan, Stephen Hickman, Joy Hill, Margaret Hill, Marjory Holdom, Kathleen Hossack, Roslynne M Hunt, Peter James, Wendy James, Prue K Johnson, Maureen King, David Knapp, Lada Kolonkova, Julie Laing, Richard Lambert, June Lane, Ellen M Lawson, Greta Lee, Mollie Lenthall, Jean Londish, Mary Lumsden, Malcolm Mawhinney, Frank McHale, Lyn McHale, Betty McLintock, Rae McLintock, Sue Miller, Susan Miller, Amanda Milles, Belinda Mitrovich, Natalie Moore, Nicola Moore, Frances Moors, Marilyn Moseley, Ingrid Mueller, Ross Muller, Valda Muller, Alwyn Murray, Lyn Murray, Amy Nhan, Vili Nikolovski, Jan O’Donnell, Brian Oliver, Rhondda Orchard, Robert Pauling, Robin Porter, Greg Preece, Margaret Prosser, Graham Rankin, Kenneth Raven, Stewart Reed, Joan Rodd, Mary Ryland, Richard Salvatico, Maria Schattiger, Joan Schroder, Antonella Schulte, Mary Schultz, Helen Seale, Bernard Sharah, Betty Shaw, Joyce Shaw, Tracey Shaw, Kathleen Shuster, Yvonne Sibraa, Betty Sideres, Jeanette Sims, Moira Smith, Robyn E Smith, Jann E Stanford, Jean Steel, Barbara M Stevenson, Shirley Stimson, Patricia Stock, Michelle Stromberg, Doreen Sully, Janet Tate, Aline Terhorst, Brian Tran, Noela K Trimble, Neridah Tyler, Gerrie Walker, Rob Wallis, Anne Watson, John Watt, Leonard Werman, Elaine White, Anne Whitelaw, Janet Whitten, Karen J Wilcox, Clarice Wilkins, Laraine Wilson, Marie Wilson, Robert Wood, Anne Woodley, Edith Ziegler


Financial information Discussion and analysis of financial statements and results of operations 82 Economic and other factors affecting the achievement of operational activities 83 Consultants 83 Payment of accounts 83 Understanding our financial statements 84 Financial statements contents 85

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Historic Houses Trust Annual Report 07 > 08 | Financial information

82

DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

1. Government sourced funding decreased from the prior year by 2.7% overall from $19.8 million to $19.2 million. This was mainly due to a reduction of capital funding following the completion of maintenance work at Government House.

2. Grants and contributions revenue decreased from $7.3 million to $2.9 million. This reflects the Caroline Simpson Collection donation of $5.1 million during 2007.

3. Personnel Services expenditure increased from $14.8 million to $15.7 million principally as a result of the general public service pay increase during the year.

4. Other operating expenses increased from $10.3 million to $11 million principally as a result of increased maintenance expenditure.

5. Depreciation expenditure has increased from $1.4 million to $1.6 million following an increase in buildings and equipment depreciation.

Notes 2008 $’000

% %increase

2007$’000

% 2006 % 2005 % 2004 %

Income sources

Government 1 19,231 67.8 -2.7 19,761 59.5 18,125 69.1 19,462 65.5 26,083 84.9

Sale of goods and services 5,279 18.6 1.2 5,217 15.7 4,042 15.4 3,501 11.8 3,414 11.1

Investment income 740 2.6 -4.3 773 2.3 493 1.9 351 1.2 289 0.9

Grants and contributions (excluding government contributions)

2 2,862 10.1 -60.7 7,286 21.9 3,432 13 6,400 21.5 949 3.1

Other revenue 261 0.9 41.8 184 0.6 152 0.6 0 0 0 0

28,373 100 -14.6 33,221 100 26,244 100 29,714 100 30,735 100

Expenditure

Personnel services 3 15,700 55.7 6.2 14,780 55.9 13,987 54.6 13,340 54.9 12,432 55.7

Other operating expenses 4 10,953 38.8 6 10,335 39 10,236 39.9 9,441 38.8 8,519 37.4

Depreciation and amortisation

5 1,608 5.7 18.1 1,361 5.1 1,403 5.5 1,497 6.2 1,378 6.2

28,261 100.2 6.7 26,476 100 25,626 100 24,278 99.9 22,329 100

OVERALL COMMENTARY

The HHT’s surplus decreased by $6.6 million to $0.1 million over the previous financial year. The HHT’s surplus is back to normal following the very significant donation of objects during last financial year by the family of the late Caroline Simpson OAM. Our net asset position increased by $3.4 million due to the capitalisation of works undertaken at Government House. Below is a summary of the HHT’s income and expenditure for the current year and the four previous years. The numbered notes discuss the significant movements.



83

ECONOMIC AND OTHER FACTORS AFFECTING THE ACHIEVEMENT OF OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES

The Trust’s policy is to endeavour to ensure that all payments to suppliers are made promptly and in line with State Government guidelines. In some instances, certain issues relating to claims for payment require further clarification with suppliers. In such cases payment is made promptly once agreement is reached on matters requiring clarification. There were no instances where interest was paid on overdue accounts.

CONSULTANTSType of consultant Service Amount $

General < $30,000

Two projects were undertaken in the following category Building Architects 34,550

PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTSAged analysis at the end of each quarter

Quarter Current $’000

Less than 30 days

$’000

31 – 60 days overdue

$’000

61 – 90 days overdue

$’000

More than 90 days

$’000

Total $’000

September 2007 41 138 41 1 0 221

December 2007 21 447 33 -1 0 500

March 2008 21 88 27 14 3 153

June 2008 170 516 38 3 19 746

Quarter Total accounts paid on time Total amount paid $’000Target % Actual % $’000

September 2007 100 95 10,107 10,940

December 2007 100 90 8,035 8,523

March 2008 100 96 9,905 10,749

June 2008 100 91 9,128 9,441

There were no economic factors that had a significant effect on operational activities.



84

This information is to assist readers to understand our financial statements, which are made up of four reports and accompanying notes:

• Income statement

• Statement of recognised income and expense

• Balance sheet

• Cash flow statement

The statements disclose separately the Trust which is known as the Parent Entity and the group of organisations under the control of the HHT which is know as the consolidated group. The consolidated group includes all of the entities which fall under our control:

• Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales

• Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales Limited

• Rouse Hill Hamilton Collection Pty Ltd

• The Hamilton Rouse Hill Trust

The NSW Auditor-General audits NSW public sector agencies such as the HHT and its controlled entities. The Auditor-General’s audit certificate is included with the financial statements and it states the Auditor-General’s audit opinion on the HHT’s financial statements.

1 INCOME STATEMENT

The income statement looks at our performance over the financial year (1 July 2007 to 30 June 2008) and is reported as a surplus/deficit in delivering our services. The statement enables readers to identify the cost of goods and services provided and the extent to which these costs were recovered as well as the source of the funding. It also allows the reader to compare the result against the previous financial year to see the change in resources as a result of operations. The statement is prepared on an accruals basis, which means it accounts for income and expenditure when it is earned/incurred and not when money is received or paid. Accrual accounting also recognises non-cash items such as depreciation of assets.

2 STATEMENT OF RECOGNISED INCOME AND EXPENSE

The statement of recognised income and expense describes the movement in equity and the source of those movements during the reporting period.

3 BALANCE SHEET

The balance sheet sets out the net accumulated financial value at a point in time, in this case, the end of the financial year. It shows the assets held as well as liabilities or claims against these assets. The statement is also prepared on an accruals basis. Assets and liabilities are expressed as current or non-current. Current assets are expected to be realised within 12 months after the reporting date or the asset is cash or a cash equivalent. Current liabilities are obligations which are expected to be settled within the Trust’s normal operating cycle and where the Trust does not have an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for more than 12 months after the reporting date. Non-current assets/liabilities are those assets and liabilities which are not current and are generally unlikely to be settled within the next 12 months. The difference between total assets and total liabilities is expressed as net assets, which equals total equity – that is, the net worth of the organisation at the end of the financial year.

4 CASH FLOW STATEMENT

The cash flow statement shows the nature and amount of cash inflows/outflows. The cash flow statement reflects a recording of cash (as opposed to accruals as in the operating statement) when it is received or paid.

The cash flow statement has only two sections:

• The cash flows from operating activities: summarises those cash flows which relate to the provision of goods and services. In our statement this includes cash flows from government.

• The cash flows from investing activities: summarises those activities which relate to the acquisition and disposal of non–current assets and other productive assets and investments not falling under the definition of cash, for example the sale of plant and equipment.

A resulting net increase or decrease in cash results from the total of the cash flows from operating and investing activities. This is then added or subtracted to the opening cash position to arrive at the closing cash position for the year.

5 NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The notes provide further information in relation to the rules and assumptions used to prepare the financial statements, as well as giving more specific information and detail about items within the financial statements. If there are changes to accounting standards, policy or legislation this will be disclosed in the notes. The ‘note’ column indicates which note the reader can refer to for further information.

UNDERSTANDING OUR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTENTS

86 Auditor General’s Report

87 Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales Statutory financial statements

88 Income statement

88 Statement of recognised income and expense

89 Balance sheet

90 Cash flow statement

91 Notes to and forming part of the financial statements

91 Note 1: Summary of significant accounting policies

96 Note 2: Income

96 Note 3: Expenses

97 Note 4: Current assets – cash and cash equivalents

98 Note 5: Current assets – receivables

98 Note 6: Current assets – inventories

98 Note 7: Current/non-current assets – other financial assets

98 Note 8: Restricted assets

98 Note 9: Current/non-current liabilities – trade and other payables

99 Note 10: Borrowings

99 Note 11: Non-current assets – property, plant and equipment

100 Note 12: Intangible assets

101 Note 13: Changes in equity

102 Note 14: Controlled entities

102 Note 15: Reconciliation of the surplus for the year to net cash flows from operating activities

103 Note 16: Financial instruments

107 Note 17: Non-cash financing and investing activities

108 Note 18: Commitments for expenditure

108 Note 19: Contingent liabilities

108 Note 20: Post balance date events

110 Report by the Directors of the Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales Limited

111 Directors meetings

112 Auditor General’s Report

114 Statement by the Directors of the Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales Limited

115 Income statement

115 Balance sheet

116 Statement of recognised income and expense

116 Cash flow statement

117 Notes to and forming part of the financial statements

117 Note 1: Summary of significant accounting policies

117 Note 2: Revenue

118 Note 3: Remuneration of auditors

118 Note 4: Cash and cash equivalents

118 Note 5: Current receivables

118 Note 6: Other current financial assets

118 Note 7: Current payables

118 Note 8: Accumulated funds

118 Note 9: Related party transactions

118 Note 10: Notes to cash flow statement

119 Note 11: Financial instruments

122 Note 12: Charitable fundraising activities

122 Note 13: Post balance date events

PB



86

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT HISTORIC HOUSES TRUST OF NEW SOUTH WALES AND CONTROLLED ENTITIES

To Members of the New South Wales Parliament

I have audited the accompanying financial report of the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales (the Trust), which comprises the balance sheet as at 30 June 2008, the income statement, statement of recognized income and expense and cash flow statement for the year then ended, a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory notes for both the Trust and the consolidated entity. The consolidated entity comprises the Trust and the entities it controlled at the year’s end or from time to time during the financial year.

Auditors Opinion

In my opinion, the financial report:

• presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Trust and the consolidated entity as at 30 June 2008, and of their financial performance and their cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards (including the Australian Accounting Interpretations)

• is in accordance with section 41B of the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983 (the PF&A Act) and the Public Finance and Audit Regulation 2005

My opinion should be read in conjunction with the rest of this report.

Trustees’ Responsibility for the Financial Report

The Trustees are responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial report in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards (including the Australian Accounting Interpretations) and the PF&A Act. This responsibility includes establishing and maintaining internal controls relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of the financial report that is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error; selecting and applying appropriate accounting policies; and making accounting estimates that are reasonable in the circumstances.

Auditor’s Responsibility

My responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial report based on my audit. I conducted my audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. These Auditing Standards require that I comply with relevant ethical requirements relating to audit engagements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial report is free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial report. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgement, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial report, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal controls relevant to the Trust’s preparation and fair presentation of the financial report in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Trust’s internal controls. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by the Trustees, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial report.

I believe that the audit evidence I have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for my audit opinion.

My opinion does not provide assurance:

• about the future of the Trust or consolidated entity,

• that they have carried out their activities effectively, efficiently and economically, or

• about the effectiveness of their internal controls.

Independence

In conducting this audit, the Audit Office of New South Wales has complied with the independence requirements of the Australian Auditing Standards and other relevant ethical requirements. The PF&A Act further promotes independence by:

• providing that only Parliament, and not the executive government, can remove an Auditor-General, and

• mandating the Auditor-General as auditor of public sector agencies but precluding the provision of non-audit services, thus ensuring the Auditor-General and the Audit Office of New South Wales are not compromised in their role by the possibility of losing clients or income.

P Carr, FCPADirector, Financial Audit Services22 October 2008, Sydney



87

HISTORIC HOUSES TRUST OF NEW SOUTH WALESSTATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2008

STATEMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 41C(1C) OF THE PUBLIC FINANCE AND AUDIT ACT, 1983

Pursuant to Section 41C (1C) of the Public Finance and Audit Act, 1983, and, in accordance with a resolution of the Board of Trustees of the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales, we state that:

(a) The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983, the Public Finance and Audit Regulation 2005, applicable Australian Accounting Standards (which includes Australian Accounting Interpretations) and the Treasurer’s Directions;

(b) The financial statements and notes thereto exhibit a true and fair view of the financial position as at 30 June 2008 and the results of their operations for the year ended on that date;

(c) At the date of signing we are not aware of any circumstances which would render the financial statements misleading or inaccurate;

Jill WranChairman

Dated this 17th Day of October 2008

Peter Watts AMDirector


88


INCOME STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2008

2008 2007 2008 2007 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000

INCOME

Sale of goods and services 2(a) 5,279 5,217 5,279 5,217 Investment income 2(b) 740 773 588 622Grants and contributions 2(c) 22,093 27,047 22,087 26,693Other income 2(d) 261 184 253 184

Total income 28,373 33,221 28,207 32,716

EXPENSES

Operating expensesPersonnel services costs 3(a) 15,700 14,780 15,618 14,765Other operating expenses 3(b) 10,953 10,335 10,888 10,252 Depreciation and amortisation 3(c) 1,608 1,361 1,608 1,361

Total expenses 28,261 26,476 28,114 26,378

SURPLUS FOR THE YEAR 112 6,745 93 6,338

The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.

STATEMENT OF RECOGNISED INCOME AND EXPENSE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2008

2008 2007 2008 2007 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000

Net increase in property, plant and equipment asset revaluation reserve 13 1,338 492 1,307 492

TOTAL INCOME AND EXPENSE RECOGNISED DIRECTLY IN EQUITY 1,338 492 1,307 492

Surplus for the year 112 6,745 93 6,338

TOTAL INCOME AND EXPENSE RECOGNISED FOR THE YEAR 13 1,450 7,237 1,400 6,830


Consolidated Group

Consolidated Group

Notes

Notes

Parent Entity

Parent Entity



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BALANCE SHEET AS AT 30 JUNE 2008

2008 2007 2008 2007 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000

ASSETS

Current assetsCash and cash equivalents 4 7,369 10,621 5,807 8,982 Trade and other receivables 5 767 789 755 779 Inventories 6 688 614 688 614 Other financial assets 7 – 1,004 – –

Total current assets 8,824 13,028 7,250 10,375

NON-CURRENT ASSETS

Other financial assets 7 2,500 – 2,500 –Property plant and equipment -Land and buildings 11 203,043 201,605 203,043 201,605 -Plant and equipment 11 1,311 1,350 1,311 1,350 -Collection assets 11 34,643 32,558 33,879 31,825

Total property, plant and equipment 238,997 235,513 238,233 234,780

Intangible assets 12 70 101 70 101

Total non-current assets 241,567 235,614 240,803 234,881

Total assets 250,391 248,642 248,053 245,256

LIABILITIES

Current liabilitiesTrade and other payables 9 3,334 3,036 3,324 3,028 Borrowings 10 – – 1,100 –

Total current liabilities 3,334 3,036 4,424 3,028

Non-current liabilitiesTrade and other payables 9 10 9 10 9

Total non-current liabilities 10 9 10 9

Total liabilities 3,344 3,045 4,434 3,037

Net assets 247,047 245,597 243,619 242,219

EQUITY

Reserves 13 104,822 103,484 104,733 103,426 Accumulated funds 13 142,225 142,113 138,886 138,793

Total equity 247,047 245,597 243,619 242,219


Consolidated GroupNotes Parent Entity



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CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30 JUNE 2008

2008 2007 2008 2007 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

PAYMENTS

Personnel services (15,699) (14,780) (15,699) (14,780)Other (13,250) (11,068) (13,093) (10,940)

Total payments (28,949) (25,848) (28,792) (25,720)

RECEIPTS

Sale of goods and services 9,062 7,179 9,062 7,179 Interest received 740 773 593 618 Grants and contributions 20,713 20,618 20,343 20,263 Other 261 184 242 181

Total receipts 30,776 28,754 30,240 28,241

NET CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 15 1,827 2,906 1,448 2,521

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 2 5 2 5Purchases of property, plant and equipment (3,585) (1,462) (3,585) (1,462)Purchases of investments (2,511) (80) (2,500) –Sale of investments 1,015 444 – –

NET CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES (5,079) (1,093) (6,083) (1,457)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Proceeds from borrowings and advances – – 1,100 –Other – – 360 –

NET CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES – – 1,460 –

NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (3,252) 1,813 (3,175) 1,064

Opening cash and cash equivalents 10,621 8,808 8,982 7,918

CLOSING CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 4 7,369 10,621 5,807 8,982





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NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2008

1 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Reporting Entity

The Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales (HHT), as a reporting entity, is a statutory body of the NSW State Government. The Trust is a not-for-profit entity (as profit is not its principal objective) and it has no cash generating units. The financial report covers the consolidated group (the Trust) and the HHT as an individual parent entity. The controlled entities are:

(i) The Rouse Hill Hamilton Collections Pty Ltd

The sole purpose of the Rouse Hill Hamilton Collections Pty Ltd is to act as the Trustee of the Hamilton Rouse Hill Trust and has never traded in its own right.

The Company has issued two $1 fully paid shares. The HHT holds 1 share and Peter Watts in his capacity of Director of the HHT holds the other share. There were no financial transactions in this financial year.

(ii) The Hamilton Rouse Hill Trust

The Hamilton Rouse Hill Trust was established on 27 October 1994 and holds collection items in and about Rouse Hill House. These were revalued during the year (refer note 14).

(iii) Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales Limited

The Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales Limited was established for the sole purpose to act as Trustee to the Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales and has never traded in it’s own right. There were no financial transactions during the year.

(iv) Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales

The Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales was established for the purpose of the promotion, advancement and development of the museums under the care, custody and control of the HHT (refer to note 14).

The consolidated financial report has been authorised for issue by the Board of Trustees on 17 October 2008. It is consolidated as part of the NSW Total State Sector Accounts.

Basis of preparation

The Trust’s financial report is a general purpose financial report, which has been prepared in accordance with:

• applicable Australian Accounting Standards (which include Australian Accounting Interpretations);

• the requirements for the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983, the Public Finance and Audit Regulation 2005; and

• the Treasurer’s Directions.

The following is a summary of the material accounting policies adopted by the consolidated group in the preparation of the financial report. The accounting policies have been consistently applied, unless otherwise stated.

Property, plant and equipment, collection assets and financial assets at ‘fair value through profit or loss’ are measured at fair value. Other financial report items are prepared in accordance with the historical cost convention.

Judgements, key assumptions and estimations management has made are disclosed in the relevant notes to the financial report.

All amounts are rounded to the nearest one thousand dollars and are expressed in Australian currency.

Accounting standards issued but not yet effective

The Trust did not early adopt any new accounting standards and interpretations that are not yet effective. At the date of authorisation of the financial report, the following standards and interpretations were on issue and applicable to the Trust, but not yet effective:

• AASB 3, AASB 127 and AASB 2008-3 regarding business combinations

• AASB 8 and AASB 2007-3 regarding operating segments

• AASB 101 and AASB 2007-8 regarding presentation of financial statements

• AASB 123 and AASB 2007-6 regarding borrowing costs

• AASB 1004 regarding contributions

• AASB 1049 regarding the whole of government and general government sector financial reporting

• AASB 1050 regarding administered items

• AASB 1051 regarding land under roads

• AASB 1052 regarding disaggregated disclosures

• AASB 2007-9 regarding amendments arising from the review of AASs 27, 29 and 31

• Interpretation 4 regarding determining whether an arrangement contains a lease

• Interpretation 14 regarding the limit on a defined benefit asset

• Interpretation 038 regarding contributions by owners

The Trust has assessed the impact of these new standards and interpretations and considers the impact to be insignificant.

(a) Principles of consolidation

A controlled entity is any entity that the Trust has the power to control the financial and operating policies of so as to obtain benefits from its activities.

All controlled entities have a June financial year-end. All intercompany balances and transactions between entities in the consolidated group, including any unrealised profits or losses, have been eliminated on consolidation. Accounting policies of controlled entities have been changed where necessary to ensure consistencies with those policies applied by the parent entity.

Where controlled entities have entered or left the consolidated group during the year, their operating results have been included/excluded from the date control was obtained or until the date control ceased.

(b) Statement of compliance

The consolidated and parent entity financial statements and notes comply with Australian Accounting Standards, which include Australian Accounting Interpretations.

The Trust has adopted all of the new and revised standards and interpretations issued by the Australian Accounting



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Standards Board (AASB) that are relevant to its operations and effective from the current annual reporting period.

(c) Income recognition

Income is measured at the fair value of the consideration or contribution received or receivable. Additional comments regarding the accounting policies for the recognition of income are discussed below:

(i) Sale of Goods

Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised as revenue when the Trust transfers the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the assets.

(ii) Rendering of Services

Revenue is recognised when the service is provided. Royalty revenue is recognised in accordance with AASB 118 Revenue on an accrual basis in accordance with the substance of the relevant agreement.

(iii) Investment Income

Interest income is recognised using the effective interest method as set out in AASB 139 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. TCorp Hour-Glass distributions are recognised in accordance with AASB 118 when the Trust’s right to receive payment is established.

(iv) Grants and Contributions

Grants and contributions include donations and grants from the Department of the Arts, Sports and Recreation (DASR). They are generally recognised as income when the Trust obtains control over the assets comprising the grants and contributions. Control over grants and contributions is normally when the obligations relating to the receipt have been met and, in the case of donations, on receipt of cash.

(d) Personnel services and other provisions

(i) Personnel services arrangements

The HHT and DASR entered into a Memorandum of Understanding effective from 1 July 2006 which sets out the arrangements for employment and payment of staff working at the HHT. Staff working at the HHT are considered employees of the Department of the Arts, Sports and Recreation. All payments to personnel and related obligations are done in the DASR name and ABN and are classified as ‘Personnel services’ costs in these financial statements.

(ii) Personnel services - salaries and wages, annual leave, sick leave and on-costs

Based on the memorandum of understanding with DASR, liabilities for personnel services are stated as liabilities to the service provider DASR. Salaries and wages (including non-monetary benefits), annual leave and paid sick leave that fall due wholly within 12 months of the reporting date are recognised and measured in respect of employees’ services up to the reporting date at undiscounted amounts based on the amounts expected to be paid when the liabilities are settled.

If applicable, long-term annual leave that is not expected to be taken within twelve months is measured at present value in accordance with AASB 119 Employee Benefits. Market yields on government bonds are used to discount long-term annual leave.

Unused non-vesting sick leave does not give rise to a liability, as it is not considered probable that sick leave taken in the future will be greater than the benefits accrued in the future.

The outstanding amounts of payroll tax, workers’ compensation insurance premiums and fringe benefits tax, which are consequential to the provision of personnel services by DASR, are recognised as liabilities and expenses where the personnel services to which they relate have been recognised.

(iii) Long service leave and superannuation

In the financial statements of DASR, the liabilities for long service leave and defined benefit superannuation are assumed by the Crown Entity. Consequently the Trust accounts the equivalent expense and income in its financial statements to reflect this provision of personnel services.

Long service leave is measured at present value in accordance with AASB 119 Employee Benefits. This is based on the application of certain factors, specified by NSW Treasury, to employees with 5 or more years of service, using current rates of pay. These factors were determined based on an actuarial review to approximate present value.

The superannuation expense for the financial year is determined by using the formulae specified in the Treasury Circular TC08/03. The expense for certain superannuation schemes (i.e. Basic Benefit and First State Super), is calculated as a percentage of the employees’ salary. For other superannuation schemes (i.e. State Superannuation Scheme and State Authorities Superannuation Scheme), the expense is calculated as a multiple of the employees’ superannuation contributions.

(e) Insurance

The Trust’s insurance activities are conducted through the NSW Treasury Managed Fund Scheme of self-insurance for Government agencies. The expense (premium) is determined by the Fund Manager based on past claim experience.

(f) Accounting for the Goods and Services Tax (GST)

Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of GST, except where:

• the amount of GST incurred by the Trust as a purchaser that is not recoverable from the Australian Taxation Office is recognised as part of the cost of acquisition of an asset or as part of an item of expense

• receivables and payables are stated with the amount of GST included

NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2008



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Cash flows are included in the cash flow statement on a gross basis. The GST component of the cash flow arising from investing and financing activities which is recoverable from or payable to the taxation authority is classified as operating cash flow

(g) Acquisitions of assets

The cost method of accounting is used for the initial recording of all acquisitions of assets controlled by the Trust. Cost is the amount of cash or cash equivalents paid or the fair value of the other consideration given to acquire the asset at the time of its acquisition or construction or where applicable the amount attributed to that asset when initially recognised in accordance with the specific requirements of other Australian Accounting Standards.

Gifts of artworks or works acquired at no cost, or for nominal consideration, are initially recognised at their fair value at the date of acquisition and brought to account as assets and revenues for the period.

Fair value is the amount for which an asset could be exchanged between knowledgeable, willing parties in an arm’s length transaction.

Where payment for an asset is deferred beyond normal credit terms, its cost is the cash price equivalent, i.e. the deferred payment amount is effectively discounted at an asset-specific rate.

(h) Capitalisation thresholds

Property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets costing $5,000 and above individually (or forming part of a network costing more than $5,000) are capitalised.

(i) Revaluation of property, plant and equipment

Physical non-current assets are valued in accordance with the ‘Valuation of Physical Non-Current Assets at Fair Value’ Policy and Guidelines Paper (TPP07-1). This policy adopts fair value in accordance with AASB 116 Property, Plant and Equipment.

Property, plant and equipment is measured on an existing use basis, where there are no feasible alternative uses in the existing natural, legal, financial and socio-political environment. However, in the limited circumstances where there are feasible alternative uses, assets are valued at their highest and best use.

Fair value of property, plant and equipment is determined based on the best available market evidence, including current market selling prices for the same or similar assets. Where there is no available market evidence, the asset’s fair value is measured at its market-buying price, the best indicator of which is depreciated replacement cost.

The Trust revalues each class of property, plant and equipment at least every five years or with sufficient regularity to ensure that the carrying amount of each asset in the class does not differ materially from its fair value at reporting date. Details of the last revaluations are shown at note 11 and were based on independent assessments.

Non-specialised assets with short useful lives are measured at depreciated historical cost, as a surrogate for fair value.

When revaluing non-current assets by reference to current prices for assets newer than those being revalued (adjusted to reflect the present condition of the assets), the gross amount and the related accumulated depreciation are separately restated.

For other assets, any balances of accumulated depreciation at the revaluation date in respect of those assets are credited to the asset accounts to which they relate. The net asset accounts are then increased or decreased by the revaluation increments or decrements.

Revaluation increments are credited directly to the asset revaluation reserve, except that, to the extent that an increment reverses a revaluation decrement in respect of that class of asset previously recognised as an expense in the surplus / deficit, the increment is recognised immediately as revenue in the surplus / deficit.

Revaluation decrements are recognised immediately as expenses in the surplus/deficit, except that, to the extent that a credit balance exists in the asset revaluation reserve in respect of the same class of assets, they are debited directly to the asset revaluation reserve.

As a not-for-profit entity, revaluation increments and decrements are offset against one another within a class of non-current assets, but not otherwise.

Where an asset that has previously been revalued is disposed of, any balance remaining in the asset revaluation reserve in respect of that asset is transferred to accumulated funds.

(j) Impairment of property, plant and equipment

As a not-for-profit entity with no cash generating units, the Trust is effectively exempted from AASB 136 Impairment of Assets and impairment testing. This is because AASB 136 modifies the recoverable amount test to the higher of fair value less costs to sell and depreciated replacement cost. This means that, for an asset already measured at fair value, impairment can only arise if selling costs are material. Selling costs are regarded as immaterial.

(k) Assets not able to be reliably measured

The Trust does not hold any assets other than those recognised in the balance sheet.

(l) Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Except for certain heritage assets, depreciation is provided for on a straight-line basis for all depreciable assets so as to write off the depreciable amount of each asset as it is consumed over its useful life to the Trust.

All material separately identifiable component assets are depreciated over their shorter useful lives.

Land is not a depreciable asset. Certain heritage assets have an extremely long useful life, including original art works and collections and heritage buildings. Depreciation for those items cannot be reliably measured because the useful life and the net amount to be recovered at the end of the useful life




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cannot be reliably measured. In these cases, depreciation is not recognised. The decision not to recognise depreciation for these assets is reviewed annually.

The estimated useful life of items are as follows:

• Non-heritage buildings – 40 to 50 years

• Computer equipment and major software – 4 years

• Mechanical and electronic office equipment – 7 years

• Electronic equipment – 7 years

• Radio communication equipment – 7 years

• Telephone installations – 10 years

• Office fittings – 10 years

• Miscellaneous tools and equipment – 7 years

• Mobile plant – 10 years

The estimated useful lives are reviewed annually to ensure they reflect the assets’ current useful life and residual values.

(m) Maintenance

Day-to-day servicing costs or maintenance are charged as expenses as incurred, except where they relate to the replacement of a part or component of an asset, in which case the costs are capitalised and depreciated.

(n) Leased assets

A distinction is made between finance leases which effectively transfer from the lessor to the lessee substantially all the risks and benefits incidental to ownership of the leased assets, and operating leases under which the lessor effectively retains all such risks and benefits.

Where a non-current asset is acquired by means of a finance lease, the asset is recognised at its fair value at the commencement of the lease term. The corresponding liability is established at the same amount. Lease payments are allocated between the principal component and the interest expense.

Operating lease payments are charged to the income statement in the periods in which they are incurred.

(o) Intangible assets

The Trust recognises intangible assets only if it is probable that future economic benefits will flow to the agency and the cost of the asset can be measured reliably. Intangible assets are measured initially at cost. Where an asset is acquired at no or nominal cost, the cost is its fair value as at the date of acquisition.

The useful lives of intangible assets are assessed to be finite. Intangible assets are subsequently measured at fair value only if there is an active market. As there is no active market for the Trust’s intangible assets, the assets are carried at cost less any accumulated amortisation.

The Trust’s intangible assets (software) are amortised using the straight line method over a period of four years.

Intangible assets are tested for impairment where an indicator of impairment exists. If the recoverable amount is less than its carrying amount the carrying amount is reduced to recoverable amount and the reduction is recognised as an impairment loss.

(p) Financial instruments

The Trust’s principal financial instruments policies are outlined below. These financial instruments arise directly from the Trust’s operations or are required to finance its operations. The Trust does not enter into or trade financial instruments for speculative purposes and does not use financial derivatives.

(i) Cash

Cash comprises cash on hand and bank balances. Interest is earned on daily bank balances and paid monthly at the normal commercial rate.

(ii) Loans and receivables

Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. These financial assets are recognised initially at fair value, usually based on the transaction cost or face value. Subsequent measurement is at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less an allowance for any impairment of receivables. Collectability of trade debtors is reviewed on an ongoing basis. Debts which are known to be uncollectible are written off. Any changes are accounted for in the income statement when impaired, derecognised or through the amortisation process.

Short-term receivables with no stated interest rate are measured at the original invoice amount where the effect of discounting is immaterial. The credit risk is the carrying amount (net of any allowance for impairment). No interest is earned on trade debtors. The carrying amount approximates fair value.

(iii) Term deposits

The Trust has placed funds in bank deposits ‘at call’ or for a fixed term. The interest rate payable is negotiated initially and is fixed for the term of the deposits. The deposits are usually held to maturity. The fair value includes the interest accrued as at 30 June.

(iv) Investments

Investments at fair value through profit and loss are initially measured at fair value. Other financial instruments are measured at fair value plus transaction cost. The Trust determines the classification of its financial assets after initial recognition and, when allowed and appropriate, re-evaluates this at each financial year-end.

(v) Payables

These amounts represent liabilities for goods and services provided to the Trust and other amounts, including interest. Payables are recognised initially at fair value, usually based on the transaction cost or face value. Short-term payables with no stated interest rate are measured at the original invoice amount where the effect of discounting is immaterial.



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(q) Inventories

The Trust’s inventories are held for sale and are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is calculated using the weighted average cost or ‘first in first out’ method.

The Trust does not have any inventories acquired at no cost or for nominal consideration. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale.

(r) Special funds

The Trust receives monies and gifts of property subject to restrictions. The aggregate of these contributions received for the year has been stated as revenues . These revenues provide for expenditure in the current year and in future years. Any revenues unspent in the current year have been carried forward for appropriate expenditure in future years (refer to note 8).

(s) Trustee benefits

No Trustee of the Trust has entered into a material contract with the HHT or the consolidated entity since the end of the previous financial period and there are not material contracts involving Trustees’ interests existing at the end of the period.

(t) Taxation status

The activities of the Trust are exempt of income tax. The Trust is registered for GST purposes and has gift deductible recipient status.

(u) Services provided at no cost

Where material contributions are made to the Trust at no charge an expense is recorded in the accounts to reflect activities at the Trust and is offset by an equivalent revenue entry (refer to note 17).



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2008 2007 2008 2007 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000

2 INCOME

(a) Sale of goods and services Sale of goods Merchandise, book and publication sales 844 1,227 844 1,227 Rendering of services Admission fees 1,361 1,487 1,361 1,487 Special activities and openings 854 721 854 721 Venue hire and catering 1,422 1,130 1,422 1,130 Rental 720 609 720 609 Filming and photography 78 43 78 43

4,435 3,990 4,435 3,990

5,279 5,217 5,279 5,217

(b) Investment income Tcorp Hour-Glass investment facilities 623 648 511 556 Other investments 117 125 77 66

740 773 588 622

(c) Grants and contributions From DASR: Recurrent grants 17,958 17,827 17,958 17,827 Capital grants 1,031 1,631 1,031 1,631 Personnel services benefits and liabilities provided free of charge by DASR 242 303 242 303

19,231 19,761 19,231 19,761

From other institutions and individuals: Donations - cash 765 410 799 73

Sponsorship - cash 162 156 122 139 Grants - other 555 291 555 291 Sponsorship - in kind 17 127 75 127 75 Donations - in kind 17 143 5,285 143 5,285 Services provided at no charge 17 1,110 1,069 1,110 1,069

2,862 7,286 2,856 6,932

22,093 27,047 22,087 26,693

(d) Other income Other income 261 184 253 184

3 EXPENSES

(a) Personnel services costs Salaries and wages (including recreation leave) 13,318 12,500 13,244 12,491 Superannuation - defined benefit plans* 111 100 111 100 Superannuation - defined contribution plans 1,012 947 1,012 947 Long service leave* 124 198 124 198 Workers’ compensation insurance 189 137 189 137 Payroll tax on superannuation - defined benefit plan* 7 6 7 6 Other payroll tax and fringe benefit tax 939 892 931 886

15,700 14,780 15,618 14,765

* These are provided free of charge by DASR and a corresponding amount is also shown as grants and contributions income. There were no personnel services costs capitalised and excluded from above.





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2008 2007 2008 2007 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000

(b) Other operating expenses Advertising and publicity 660 683 660 683 Auditor’s remuneration - audit or review of the financial reports 75 54 67 47 Bad debts 1 1 1 1 Books, publications and subscriptions 51 78 51 78 Contract cleaning 629 573 629 573 Contract staff 386 308 386 308 Cost of sales 432 600 432 600 Entertainment and catering expenses 54 62 54 62 Exhibition fees and related costs 587 640 587 640

Fees for services rendered 646 610 633 583 Gas and electricity 403 383 403 383 Insurance 184 134 184 134 Loss on disposal of non-current assets 3 36 3 36 Maintenance (refer reconciliation below) 3,602 2,946 3,602 2,946 Maintenance contracts (refer reconciliation below) 34 194 34 194 Marketing and promotion 523 455 523 442 Motor vehicle running costs 189 172 189 172 Operating lease rental expense - minimum lease payments 169 155 169 155 Other expenses 587 649 543 615 Postage 120 150 120 150

Printing 161 189 161 187 Public programs 427 370 427 370

Rates 42 45 42 45 Stores 631 483 631 483 Telecommunications 225 262 225 262 Travel and accommodation 132 103 132 103

10,953 10,335 10,888 10,252

Reconciliation - total maintenance Maintenance expense as above 3,636 3,140 3,636 3,140

Employee related maintenance expense included in note 3(a) 765 771 765 771

Total maintenance expenses included in note 3(a) & 3(b) 4,401 3,911 4,401 3,911

Gain/(loss) on disposal of non-current assets Proceeds from disposal 2 5 2 5 Written down value of assets disposed (5) (41) (5) (41)

(3) (36) (3) (36)

(c) Depreciation and amortisation expense Buildings 1,119 986 1,119 986 Plant and equipment 424 310 424 310

Intangibles 65 65 65 65

1,608 1,361 1,608 1,361

4 CURRENT ASSETS – CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash at bank and on hand 1,134 258 1,091 104Tcorp Hour-Glass cash facility 6,235 10,363 4,716 8,878

7,369 10,621 5,807 8,982

For the purpose of the cash flow statement, cash includes cash at bank, cash on hand and short term deposits.

Cash and cash equivalents (per balance sheet) 7,369 10,621 5,807 8,982

Closing cash and cash equivalents (per cash flow statement) 7,369 10,621 5,807 8,982



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2008 2007 2008 2007 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000

5 CURRENT ASSETS – RECEIVABLES

Sale of goods and services 194 236 194 236Less: Allowance for impairment (1) (1) (1) (1)Accrued income 42 3 34 –Other receivables 484 498 480 491Prepayments 48 53 48 53

767 789 755 779

Movement in the allowance for impairmentBalance at 1 July 1 2 1 2Amounts written off during the year – (2) – (2)Amounts recovered during the year (1) – (1) –Increase/ (decrease) in allowance recognised in profit or loss 1 1 1 1Balance at 30 June 1 1 1 1

6 CURRENT ASSETS – INVENTORIES

Held for resaleStock on hand-at cost 688 614 688 614

7 CURRENT/NON-CURRENT ASSETS – OTHER FINANCIAL ASSETS

Current – other term deposits – 1,004 – –Non-current – other term deposits 2,500 – 2,500 – 2,500 1,004 2,500 –

8 RESTRICTED ASSETS Investments in the following are restricted use assets to the extent that they represent bequests and donations held by the Trust to be used in accordance with the deed of trust or other documents governing these funds:

Bequest and special fundsCash and cash equivalents 6,144 8,915 4,582 7,276Financial assets 2,500 1,004 2,500 –

8,644 9,919 7,082 7,276

9 CURRENT/NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES – TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

Creditors 1,131 1,172 1,131 1,172 Revenue received in advance 416 179 416 179 Accrued expenses 391 371 381 363Provisions for personnel services costs:Recreation leave 1,213 1,142 1,213 1,142Long service leave on-costs 193 181 193 181

3,344 3,045 3,334 3,037

Current 3,334 3,036 3,324 3,028 Non-current 10 9 10 9

3,344 3,045 3,334 3,037





99

2008 2007 2008 2007 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000

10 BORROWINGS

Loan payable – – 1,100 –

The Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales has provided the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales with an interest free loan of $1.1m in order to perform conservation works on Glenfield, the first property being acquired by the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales Endangered Houses Fund. The loan is to be repaid from the proceeds from the sale of either a lease of the property or the sale of the property early 2008/09 financial year. Due to the short term nature of the loan, the carrying amount of the loan is a reasonable approximation of the fair value.

11 NON-CURRENT ASSETS – PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Land and buildingsGross carrying amount 214,267 211,710 214,267 211,710 Accumulated depreciation and impairment (11,224) (10,105) (11,224) (10,105)Land and buildings at fair value 203,043 201,605 203,043 201,605 Plant and equipmentGross carrying amount 9,073 8,705 9,073 8,705 Accumulated depreciation and impairment (7,762) (7,355) (7,762) (7,355)Plant and equipment at fair value 1,311 1,350 1,311 1,350 Collection assetsGross carrying amount 34,643 32,558 33,879 31,825 Accumulated depreciation and impairment – – – – Collection assets at fair value 34,643 32,558 33,879 31,825

Total property, plant and equipment at fair value 238,997 235,513 238,233 234,780

Reconciliation

A reconciliation of the carrying amount of each class of property, plant and equipment at the beginning and end of the each reporting period are set out below:

Land and Plant and CollectionConsolidated Group Buildings Equipment Assets Total $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000

Year ended 30 June 2008Fair value at start of year 201,605 1,350 32,558 235,513 Additions 2,557 388 749 3,694 Disposals – (3) (2) (5)Transfer – – – –Depreciation expense (1,119) (424) – (1,543)Net revaluation increments less revaluation decrements – – 1,338 1,338

Fair value at end of year 203,043 1,311 34,643 238,997

Year ended 30 June 2007Fair value at start of year 201,212 1,005 26,652 228,869 Additions 1,483 558 5,448 7,489Disposals – (7) (34) (41)Transfers (104) 104 – –Depreciation expense (986) (310) – (1,296)Net revaluation increments less revaluation decrements – – 492 492






100

Land and Plant and CollectionParent Entity Buildings Equipment Assets Total $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000

Year ended 30 June 2008Fair value at start of year 201,605 1,350 31,825 234,780 Additions 2,557 388 749 3,694 Disposals – (3) (2) (5)Transfers – – – –Depreciation expense (1,119) (424) – (1,543)Net revaluation increments less revaluation decrements – – 1,307 1,307


Year ended 30 June 2007Fair value at start of year 201,212 1,005 25,919 228,136Additions 1,483 558 5,448 7,489Disposals – (7) (34) (41)Transfers (104) 104 – –Depreciation expense (986) (310) – (1,296)Net revaluation increments less revaluation decrements – – 492 492


(i) Accredited valuers from the State Valuation Office and Theo Stamoulis and Associates have valued the land and buildings at their fair value as at June 2005.

(ii) The major collection items at each property have been valued by accredited valuers, at their fair value. The remaining collection items were valued internally by the Valuations Committee, established by the Finance & Audit Committee. The below lists the individual property collection and the date last valued with the accredited valuer who valued the collection.

Collection Date Valued Accredited Valuer

Meroogal June 2008 Various Valuers Government House June 2008 Various Valuers Elizabeth Bay House June 2007 Andrew Simpson Elizabeth Farm June 2007 Andrew Simpson Vaucluse House June 2007 Andrew Simpson Hyde Park Barracks Museum June 2006 Adrienne Carlson Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection June 2006 Various Valuers Rose Seidler House June 2005 Andrew Shapiro Museum of Sydney June 2005 Adrienne Carlson Justice & Police Museum June 2005 Rushton Valuers Pty Ltd Rouse Hill House & Farm March 2004 Anthony Palmer Susannah Place Museum March 2004 Anthony Palmer Archaeology collections June 2004 Simon Storey

These values do not differ materially from their fair values at reporting date.

2008 2007 2008 2007 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000

12 INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Intangible assetsGross carrying amount 750 717 750 717 Accumulated amortisation and impairment (680) (616) (680) (616)

Intangible Assets at fair value 70 101 70 101

Consolidated Group Parent Entity




101

2008 2007 2008 2007 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000

Reconciliation

A reconciliation of the carrying amount of each class of intangible assets at the beginning and end of the each reporting period are set out below:

SoftwareFair value at start of year 101 124 101 124 Additions 34 42 34 42Disposals – – – –Amortisation (65) (65) (65) (65)

Fair value at end of year 70 101 70 101

Asset Accumulated revaluation Total funds total reserve equity $’000 $’000 $’000

13 CHANGES IN EQUITY

Consolidated GroupYear ended 30 June 2008Balance as at 1 July 2007 142,113 103,484 245,597Increase/(decrease) in net assets from equity transferred – – –Surplus for the year 112 – 112 Increment on revaluation of non-current assets – 1,338 1,338 Transfers within equity – – –

Balance as at 30 June 2008 142,225 104,822 247,047

Year ended 30 June 2007Balance as at 1 July 2006 134,545 103,015 237,560 Increase/(decrease) in net assets from equity transferred 800 – 800

Surplus for the year 6,745 – 6,745 Increment on revaluation of non-current assets – 492 492 Transfers within equity 23 (23) –


Parent EntityYear ended 30 June 2008Balance as at 1 July 2007 138,793 103,426 242,219 Increase/(decrease) in net assets from equity transferred – – –Surplus for the year 93 – 93Increment on revaluation of non-current assets – 1,307 1,307Transfers within equity – – –


Year ended 30 June 2007Balance as at 1 July 2006 131,632 102,957 234,589 Increase/(decrease) in net assets from equity transferred 800 – 800

Surplus for the year 6,338 – 6,338 Increment on revaluation of non-current assets – 492 492Transfers within equity 23 (23) –


Asset Revaluation Reserve

The asset revaluation reserve is used to record increments and decrements on the revaluation of non-current assets. This accords with the Trust’s policy on the ‘Revaluation of Property, Plant and Equipment’ as discussed in note 1.





102

2008 2007 $’000 $’000

Foundation Foundation

Revenues 526 630 Expenses 148 183

Surplus for the year 378 447

Total assets 2,679 2,655 Total liabilities 15 10Net assets 2,664 2,645

Accumulated funds 2,664 2,645

Distributions to Beneficiary - the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales amounted to: 360 40

A separate financial report is prepared for the Hamilton Rouse Hill Trust. The following is a summary of the Hamilton Rouse Hill financial statement for the financial year.

Hamilton Hamilton Rouse Hill Rouse Hill

Revenues – –Expenses – –

Surplus for the year – –

Total assets 760 733 Total liabilities – –Net assets 760 733

Accumulated funds and reserves 760 733

The balances for the controlled entities reported above are included in the consolidated financial report prepared by the Trust within the relevant line items. The collections were revalued during the year.

14 CONTROLLED ENTITIES

The Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales and the Hamilton Rouse Hill Trust are the only controlled entities with financial transactions this financial year.

A separate financial report is prepared for the Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales. The following is a summary of the Foundation for the Historic House Trust of New South Wales financial statement for the financial year.

2008 2007 2008 2007 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000

15 RECONCILIATION OF THE SURPLUS FOR THE YEAR TO NET CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Surplus for the year 112 6,745 93 6,338Net (gain)/loss on sale of non-current assets 3 36 3 36Depreciation 1,608 1,361 1,608 1,361 Distribution paid – – (360) – Donation of collection (143) (5,269) (143) (5,269)Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables 299 428 299 448 (Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables 22 (434) 22 (432)(Increase)/decrease in inventories (74) 39 (74) 39

Net cash flows from operating activities 1,827 2,906 1,448 2,521





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16 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Trust’s principal financial instruments are outlined below. These financial instruments arise directly from the Trust’s operations or are required to finance the Trust’s operations. The Trust does not enter into or trade financial instruments, including derivative financial instruments, for speculative purposes.

The Trust’s main risks arising from financial instruments are outlined below, together with the Trust’s objectives, policies and processes for measuring and managing risk. Further quantitative and qualitative disclosures are included throughout this financial report.

The Director has overall responsibility for the establishment and oversight of risk management and reviews and agrees policies for managing each of these risks. Risk management policies are established to identify and analyse the risks faced by the Trust, to set risk limits and controls and to monitor risks. Compliance with policies is reviewed by the internal auditor on a cyclical basis.

(a) Financial Instrument Catagories

2008 2007 2008 2007 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000

Financial assets

Class Cash and cash equivalents 4 NA 7,369 10,621 5,807 8,982 Receivables1 5 Loans and receivables 235 238 227 235 (at amortised cost) Other financial assets 7 Loans and receivables 2,500 1,004 2,500 – (at amortised cost)

Financial liabilities

Class Payables² 9 Financial liabilities measured 778 542 778 542 at amortised cost Borrowings 10 Financial liabilities measured – – 1,100 – at amortised cost

Notes1 Excludes statutory receivables and prepayments (i.e. not within scope of AASB 7).2 Excludes statutory payables and unearned revenue (i.e. not within scope of AASB 7).

(b) Credit Risk

Credit risk arises when there is the possibility of the Trust’s debtors defaulting on their contractual obligations, resulting in a financial loss to the Trust.

Cash

Cash comprises cash on hand and bank balances. Interest is earned on daily bank balances at the daily rate set by the bank. The TCorp Hour-Glass cash facility is discussed in note (d) below.

Receivables - trade debtors

All trade debtors are recognised as amounts receivable at balance date. Collectibility of trade debtors is reviewed on an ongoing basis. Procedures as established in the Treasurer’s Directions are followed to recover outstanding amounts, including letters of demand. Debts which are known to be uncollectible are written off. An allowance for impairment is raised when there is objective evidence that the entity will not be able to collect all amounts due. This evidence includes past experience, and current and expected changes in economic conditions and debtor credit ratings. No interest is earned on trade debtors. Sales are made on 30 day terms.

The Trust is not materially exposed to concentrations of credit risk to a single trade debtor or group of debtors. Based on past experience, debtors that are not past due (2008: $113K; 2007: $96K) and less than six months past due (2008: $80K; 2007: $139K) are not considered impaired and together these represent 99.53% of the total trade debtors. There are no debtors which are currently not past due or impaired whose terms have been renegotiated.

The only financial assets that are past due or impaired are ‘sales of goods and services’ in the ‘receivables’ category of the balance sheet.

Consolidated GroupCategories Notes Parent Entity




104

Total 1,2 Past due but Considered Total 1,2 Past due but Considered not impaired 1,2 impaired 1,2 not impaired 1,2 impaired 1,2

2008< 3 months overdue 75 75 – 75 75 –3 months – 6 months overdue 5 5 – 5 5 –> 6 months overdue 1 – 1 1 – 1

2007< 3 months overdue 138 138 – 138 138 –3 months – 6 months overdue 1 1 – 1 1 –> 6 months overdue 1 – 1 1 – 1

Notes

1 Each column in the table reports ‘gross receivables’.2 The ageing analysis excludes statutory receivables, as these are not within the scope of AASB 7 and excludes receivables that are not past due and not impaired. Therefore, the ‘total’ will not reconcile to the receivables total recognised in the balance sheet.

Authority Deposits

The Trust has placed funds on deposit with Macquarie Bank Ltd, which has been rated “A1/A” by Standard and Poor’s. These deposits are similar to money market or bank deposits and can be placed ‘at call’ or for a fixed term. For fixed term deposits, the interest rate payable is negotiated initially and is fixed for the term of the deposit, while the interest rate payable on at call deposits can vary.

The deposits at balance date were earning an average interest rate of 7.56% (2007 – 6.3%), while over the year the weighted average interest rate was 8.52% (2007 – 6.2%) on a weighted average balance during the year of $605,728 (2007 – $1,225,000). None of these assets are past due or impaired.

(c) Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Trust will be unable to meet its payment obligations when they fall due. The Trust continuously manages risk through monitoring future cash flows and maturities planning to ensure adequate holding of high quality liquid assets. The objective is to maintain a balance between continuity of funding and flexibility through the use of overdrafts, loans and other advances.

During the current and prior years, there were no defaults or breaches on any loans payable. No assets have been pledged as collateral. The Trust’s exposure to liquidity risk is deemed insignificant based on prior periods’ data and current assessment of risk.

The liabilities are recognised for amounts due to be paid in the future for goods or services received, whether or not invoiced. Amounts owing to suppliers (which are unsecured) are settled in accordance with the policy set out in Treasurer’s Direction 219.01. If trade terms are not specified, payment is made no later than the end of the month following the month in which an invoice or a statement is received. Treasurer’s Direction 219.01 allows the Minister to award interest for late payment. No interest was paid during the year (2007 - Nil).

The table below summarises the maturity profile of the Trust’s financial liabilities, together with the interest rate exposure.

Consolidated Group $’000 Parent Entity $’000




105

Weighted Nominal Fixed Variable Non- < 1 yr 1-5 yrs > 5 yrs Average Amount1 Interest Interest Interest Effective Rate Rate bearing Int. Rate

2008

Payables Nil 778 – – 778 778 – –Borrowings – – – – – – – –

– 778 – – 778 778 – –

2007

Payables Nil 542 – – 542 542 – –Borrowings – – – – – – – –

– 542 – – 542 542 – –

Parent Entity

2008

Payables Nil 778 – – 778 778 – –Borrowings Nil 1,100 – – 1,100 1,100 – –

– 1,878 – – 1,878 1,878 – –

2007

Payables Nil 542 – – 542 542 – –Borrowings – – – – – – – – – 542 – – 542 542 – –

Notes1 The amounts disclosed are the contractual undiscounted cash flows of each class of financial liabilities and therefore will not reconcile to the balance sheet.

(d) Market risk

Market risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market prices. The Trust’s exposures to market risk are primarily through interest rate risk on the Trust’s borrowings and other price risks associated with the movement in the unit price of the Hour-Glass Investment Facilities. The Trust has no exposure to foreign currency risk and does not enter into commodity contracts.

The effect on profit and equity due to a reasonably possible change in risk variable is outlined in the information below, for interest rate risk and other price risk. A reasonably possible change in risk variable has been determined after taking into account the economic environment in which the Trust operates and the time frame for the assessment (i.e. until the end of the next annual reporting period). The sensitivity analysis is based on risk exposures in existence at the balance sheet date. The analysis is performed on the same basis for 2007. The analysis assumes that all other variables remain constant.

Interest rate risk

Exposure to interest rate risk arises primarily through the Trust’s interest bearing liabilities. This risk is minimised by undertaking mainly fixed rate borrowings, primarily with NSW TCorp. The Trust does not account for any fixed rate financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss or as available-for-sale. Therefore, for these financial instruments, a change in interest rates would not affect profit or loss or equity. A reasonably possible change of +/- 1% is used, consistent with current trends in interest rates. The basis will be reviewed annually and amended where there is a structural change in the level of interest rate volatility. The Trust’s exposure to interest rate risk is set out below.

Consolidated Group $’000

Interest Rate Exposure Maturity Dates




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Carrying Amount Profit Equity Profit Equity

2008

Financial assets Cash and cash equivalents 7,369 (74) (74) 74 74 Receivables 235 – – – – Other financial assets 2,500 – – – – Financial liabilities Payables 778 – – – – Borrowings – – – – –

2007

Financial assets Cash and cash equivalents 10,621 (106) (106) 106 106 Receivables 238 – – – – Other financial assets 1,004 – – – – Financial liabilities Payables 542 – – – – Borrowings – – – – –

Parent Entity

2008

Financial assets Cash and cash equivalents 5,807 (58) (58) 58 58 Receivables 227 – – – – Other financial assets 2,500 – – – – Financial liabilities Payables 778 – – – – Borrowings 1,100 – – – –

2007

Financial assets Cash and cash equivalents 8,982 (90) (90) 90 90 Receivables 235 – – – – Other financial assets – – – – – Financial liabilities Payables 542 – – – – Borrowings – – – – –

Other price risk – TCorp Hour-Glass facilities

Exposure to ‘other price risk’ primarily arises through the investment in the TCorp Hour-Glass Investment Facilities, which are held for strategic rather than trading purposes. The Trust has no direct equity investments. The Trust holds units in the following Hour-Glass investment trusts:

Facility Investment Investment 2008 2007 2008 2007 Sectors Horison $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000

Cash facility Cash, money Up to 1.5 years 6,235 10,363 4,716 8,878 market (pre-June 2008 instruments – up to 2 years)

-1%

Consolidated Group $’000

1%





107

The unit price of each facility is equal to the total fair value of the net assets held by the facility divided by the number of units on issue for that facility. Unit prices are calculated and published daily.

NSW TCorp is trustee for each of the above facilities and is required to act in the best interest of the unitholders and to administer the trusts in accordance with the trust deeds. As trustee, TCorp has appointed external managers to manage the performance and risks of each facility in accordance with a mandate agreed by the parties. However, TCorp acts as manager for part of the Cash Facility. A significant portion of the administration of the facilities is outsourced to an external custodian.

Investment in the Hour-Glass facilities limits the Trust’s exposure to risk, as it allows diversification across a pool of funds with different investment horizons and a mix of investments.

NSW TCorp provides sensitivity analysis information for each of the Investment facilities, using historically based volatility information collected over a ten year period, quoted at two standard deviations (i.e. 95% probability). The TCorp Hour-Glass Investment facilities are designated at fair value through profit or loss and therefore any change in unit price impacts directly on profit (rather than equity). A reasonably possible change is based on the percentage change in unit price (as advised by TCorp) multiplied by the redemption value as at 30 June each year for each facility (balance from Hour-Glass statement).

Change in unit price 2008 2007 2008 2007 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000

Hour-Glass Investment – cash facility +/-1% +/- 62 +/- 104 +/- 47 +/- 89

Consolidated Group

Consolidated Group

Impact on profit/loss

Parent Entity

Parent Entity

(e) Fair Value

Financial instruments are generally recognised at cost, with the exception of the TCorp Hour-Glass facilities, which are measured at fair value. As discussed, the value of the Hour-Glass Investments is based on the Trust’s share of the value of the underlying assets of the facility, based on the market value. All of the Hour-Glass facilities are valued using ‘redemption’ pricing.

Except where specified below, the amortised cost of financial instruments recognised in the balance sheet approximates the fair value, because of the short-term nature of many of the financial instruments. The following table details the financial instruments where the fair value differs from the carrying amount:

2008 2008 2007 2007 2008 2008 2007 2007 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000

Carrying Fair Carrying Fair Carrying Fair Carrying Fair Amount Value Amount Value Amount Value Amount Value

Financial assets Nil Nil Nil Nil Financial liabilities Nil Nil Nil Nil


2008 2007 2008 2007 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000

17 NON-CASH FINANCING AND INVESTING ACTIVITIES

The following non-cash transactions are included in the financial accounts for the year.

Donations of collections items 143 5,285 143 5,285

The following items are brought to account as expenses in the operating statement and are credited as income in the form of non-cash sponsorships, non-cash donations or services provided free of charge:

Advertising, freight, accommodation, travel and similar expenses 127 75 127 75 Maintenance (Department of Commerce) 1,110 1,069 1,110 1,069

1,237 1,144 1,237 1,144




108

The Trust received maintenance services free of charge as shown from the Heritage Buildings Program of the Department of Commerce for the maintenance of Government House.

The Trust also received security services and gardening services free of charge for Government House from the NSW Police and the Botanic Gardens Trust respectively; the values of these services are not able to be accurated estimated.

The Trust received advertising free of charge as shown from Fairfax Media Ltd as sponsorship.

The Trust’s work was also assisted by the Friends of the Historic Houses Trust Inc. and volunteers. These services were provided free of charge and it is considered not possible to estimate their value.

2008 2007 2008 2007 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000

18 COMMITMENTS FOR EXPENDITURE

(a) Capital Commitments Aggregate capital expenditure contracted for at balance date and not provided for: – Not later than one year 99 1,154 99 1,154 – Later than one year and not later than five years – – – – – Later than five years – – – –

Total (including GST) 99 1,154 99 1,154

(b) Other Expenditure Commitments Aggregate other expenditure for the acquisition of goods and services contracted for at balance date and not provided for: – Not later than one year 297 184 297 184 – Later than one year and not later than five years – – – – – Later than five years – – – –

Total (including GST) 297 184 297 184

(c) Operating Lease Commitments Future non-cancellable operating lease rentals not provided for and payable: – Not later than one year 274 143 274 143 – Later than one year and not later than five years 837 26 837 26 – Later than five years 1,150 – 1,150 –

Total (including GST) 2,261 169 2,261 169

Commitments include input tax credits of $242,000 (2007 - $137,000) that are expected to be recovered from the Australian Taxation Office.

19 CONTINGENT LIABILITIESThe Trust has a potential obligation to pay council rates in relation to lands occupied by the Trust at the Museum of Sydney. The Trust estimates the potential obligation to be $186,000. The Trust is currently seeking an amendment to legislation to exempt the lands from rating similar to other lands occupied by the Trust. This matter is expected to be resolved during the 2009 financial year. The Trust will be reimbursed for $180,000 should the obligation be realised.

The Treasury Managed Fund normally calculates hindsight premiums each year. However in regard to workers compensation premium the final adjustment calculations are in arrears. There are no other contingent liabilities.

20 POST BALANCE DATE EVENTS Ownership of the Glenfield property was officially transferred to the Trust after year end and will be accounted for in 2008-09. No other matter or circumstance has arisen since the end of the financial year to the date of this report, that has or may significantly affect the activities of the Trust, the results of those activities or its state of affairs in the ensuing or any subsequent financial year.

END OF AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS





109

REPORT BY THE DIRECTORS OF THE FOUNDATION FOR THE HISTORIC HOUSES TRUST OF NEW SOUTH WALES LIMITED



110

The names and particulars of the Directors of the Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales Limited during or since the end of the financial year are:

Name Particulars

Neville Allen Solicitor, Property Partner, Holding Redlich

Lynn Fern Author

Beat Knoblauch Company Director, Beat Knoblauch & Associates

Clive Lucas OBE Heritage Architect and Director, Clive Lucas Stapleton & Partners

Susan Rothwell Architect, Principal Partner, Susan Rothwell & Associates

Edward Simpson Company Director (Appointed 17/12/07)

Howard Tanner Architect and Director, Tanner ArchitectsFoundation Chairman

Stephen Wall Chairman, Wallop Content Pty Ltd Foundation Deputy Chairman

Peter Watts AM Director, Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales

Jill Wran Chairman, Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales

The above named Directors held office during and since the end of the financial year.

Principal activities

The principal activity of the Foundation during the financial year is to act as the Trustee of the Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales and to do all things such as are necessary, incidental and conducive to acting as the Trustee of the Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales.

There was no change in the principal activity of the Foundation during the financial year.

Review of Operations

The net surplus of the Foundation for the financial year ended 30 June 2008 was $378,265.

The Foundation is a non-profit organisation and is exempt from the payment of income tax under Subdivision 50-5 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.

Changes in the state of affairs

One new Director was appointed to the board during the year.

During the financial period there was no significant change in the state of affairs of the Foundation other than that referred to in the financial statements or notes thereto.

Subsequent events

The Foundation has resolved to increase its loan to the Historic Houses Trust for the conservation of Glenfield by a further $300,000. This brings the total loan amount to $1.4 million.

There has been no other matter or circumstance that has arisen since the end of the financial year that has significantly affected, or may significantly affect, the operations of the Foundation, or the state of affairs of the Foundation in future financial years.

Future developments

Disclosure of information regarding likely developments in the operations of the Foundation in future financial years and the expected results of those operations is likely to result in unreasonable prejudice to the Foundation. Accordingly, this information has not been disclosed in this report.

Distributions

A distribution of $360,000 was paid to the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales during the financial period.

Indemnification of officers

The Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales (the controlling entity) has included the Foundation within its Treasury Managed Fund indemnity coverage. The Treasury Managed Fund is a self-insurance scheme owned and underwritten by the New South Wales Government. Such inclusion of the Foundation confers upon it ‘protected entity’ status within the Treasury Managed Fund. The contract of coverage is an indemnification for any and all actions leading to a claim against the covered entity subject to the contract of coverage. Each Board Member, Trustee, officer and employee of the ‘protected entity’ is covered by the contract of coverage for any ‘legal liability’, alleged or actual, as long as the action is not based on an illegal and/or criminal act or outside the scope of their duties.

REPORT BY THE DIRECTORS OF THE FOUNDATION FOR THE HISTORIC HOUSES TRUST OF NEW SOUTH WALES LIMITED – FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2008BEING TRUSTEE FOR THE FOUNDATION FOR THE HISTORIC HOUSES TRUST OF NEW SOUTH WALES



111

Directors’ meetings

The following tables set out the number of Directors’ meetings held (including meetings of committees of Directors) during the financial year and the number of meetings attended by each Director (while they were a Director or a committee member). During the financial year the following meetings where held: six Board and six Planning, Legal and Finance Committee. Three Foundation Directors were members of the Historic Houses Trust’s Endangered Houses Fund Committee and attended five meetings for this body.

Board of Directors

Directors Held Attended

Howard Tanner (Chairman) 6 5

Neville Allen 6 5

Lynn Fern 6 5

Beat Knoblauch 6 4

Clive Lucas OBE 6 5

Susan Rothwell 6 5

Edward Simpson 3 2

Stephen Wall (Deputy Chairman) 6 5

Peter Watts AM 6 4

Jill Wran 6 4

Planning, Legal and Finance Committee

Directors Held Attended

Howard Tanner 6 3

Beat Knoblauch (Chairman) 6 5

Stephen Wall 6 6



112

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORTFOUNDATION FOR THE HISTORIC HOUSES TRUST OF NEW SOUTH WALES

To Members of the New South Wales Parliament

Report on the Financial Report

I have audited the accompanying financial report of the Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales (the Foundation), which comprises the balance sheet as at 30 June 2008, the income statement, statement of recognised income and expense and cash flow statement for the year then ended, a summary of significant accounting policies, other explanatory notes and the Director’s statement.

Auditor’s Opinion

In my opinion, the financial report:

• presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Foundation as 30 June 2008, and its financial performance and cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards (including the Australian Accounting Interpretations)

• is in accordance with section 41B of the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983 (PF&A Act) and the Public Finance and Audit Regulation 2005

• is in accordance with the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 (CF Act) and the Charitable Fundraising Regulation 2003 (CF Regulation), including showing a true and fair view of the Foundation’s financial result of fundraising appeals for the year ended 30 June 2008.

My opinion should be read in conjunction with the rest of this report on the financial report.

The Trustees’ Responsibility for the Financial Report

The Trustees are responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial report in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards (including the Australian Accounting Interpretations), the PF&A Act and the CF Act. This responsibility includes establishing and maintaining internal controls relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of the financial report that is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error; selecting and applying appropriate accounting policies; and making accounting estimates that are reasonable in the circumstances.


My responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial report based on my audit. I conducted my audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. These Auditing Standards require that I comply with relevant ethical requirements relating to audit engagements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial report is free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial

report. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial report, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal controls relevant to the Foundation’s preparation and fair presentation of the financial report in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Foundation’s internal controls. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by the Trustees, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial report.


My opinion does not provide assurance:

• about the future viability of the Foundation,

• that it has carried out its activities effectively, efficiently and economically,

• about the effectiveness of its internal controls, or

• that the Foundation has compiled with requirements and conditions of the CF Act, and CF Regulation that do no relate to the preparation and presentation of the financial report.

Report on Other Aspects of the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991

In addition, I have audited the Foundation’s operations in order to express an opinion on the matters specified at sections 24(2)(b), 24(2)(c) and 24(2)(d) of the CF Act for the year ended 30 June 2008.

Auditor’s Opinion

In my opinion:

• the Foundation has properly kept the ledgers and associated records during the year ended 30 June 2008 in accordance with the CF Act and CF Regulation (section 24(2)(b)of the CF Act)

• the Foundation has, in all material respects, properly accounted for and applied money received as a result of fundraising appeals conducted during the year ended 30 June 2008 in accordance with the CF Act and CF Regulation (section 24(2)(c)of the CF Act)

• there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Foundation will be able to pay its debts as and when they fall due over the 12 month period from the date of this independent auditor’s report (section 24(2)(d) of the CF Act).

My opinion should be read in conjunction with the rest of this report, including the inherent limitations.



113

The Trustees’ Responsibility under the CF Act

The Trustees are responsible for complying with the requirements and conditions of the CF Act and CF Regulation. This responsibility includes establishing and maintaining internal controls over the conduct of all fundraising appeals; ensuring that all assets obtained during, or as a result of, a fundraising appeal are safeguarded and properly accounted for; and maintaining proper books of account and records.

The Trustees are also responsible for ensuring that the Foundation will be able to pay its debts as and when they fall due.


My responsibility is to express an opinion on the matter specified at sections 24(2)(b), 24(2)(c) and 24(2)(d) of the CF Act. I conducted my audit in accordance with applicable Australian Auditing Standards and Standards on Assurance Engagements to obtain reasonable assurance whether the Foundation has, in all material respects, compiled with the specific requirements of the CF Act and CF Regulation, and whether there are reasonable grounds to believe the Foundation will be able to pay its debts as and when they fall due over the 12 month period from the date of this independent auditor’s report (future debts).

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the Foundation’s compliance with the CF Act and CF Regulation and its ability to pay future debts. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material breaches of compliance and inability to pay future debts. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers relevant internal controls in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Foundation’s internal controls.

My procedures included obtaining an understanding of the internal controls structure for fundraising appeal activities and examination, on a test basis, of evidence supporting the Foundation’s compliance with specific requirements of the CF Act and CF Regulation, and assessing the reasonableness and appropriateness of management’s assessment regarding the Foundation’s ability to pay future debts.

Inherent Limitations

Because of inherent limitations of any compliance procedure, it is possible that fraud, error or non-compliance with the CF Act may occur and not be detected. My procedures have not been performed continuously throughout the period, were not designed to detect all instances of non-compliance, and have not covered all requirements of the CF Act and CF Regulation.

Any projection of the evaluation of compliance with the CF Act to future periods is subject to the risk that the procedures may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with them may deteriorate.

While evidence is available to support the Foundation’s ability to pay future debts, such evidence is future orientated and speculative in nature. As a consequence, actual results are likely to be different from the information on which the opinion is based, since anticipated events frequently do not occur as expected or assumed and the variations between the prospective opinion and the actual outcome may be significant.


Independence

The Audit Office of New South Wales has complied with the independence requirements of the Australian Auditing Standards and other relevant ethical requirements. The PF&A Act further promotes independence by:

• providing that only Parliament, and not the executive government, can remove an Auditor-General, and

• mandating the Auditor-General as auditor of public sector agencies but precluding the provision of non-audit services, thus ensuring the Auditor-General and the Audit Office of New South Wales are not compromised in their role by the possibility of losing clients or income.

Peter CarrDirector, Financial Audit Services

SYDNEY20 October 2008



114

STATEMENT BY THE DIRECTORS OF THE FOUNDATION FOR THE HISTORIC HOUSES TRUST OF NEW SOUTH WALES LIMITEDBEING TRUSTEE FOR THE FOUNDATION FOR THE HISTORIC HOUSES TRUST OF NEW SOUTH WALES

The Directors of the Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales Limited, the Trustee of the Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales, declare that:

(a) The attached financial statements and notes thereto comply with applicable Australian Accounting Standards (which include Australian Accounting Interpretations) and Public Finance and Audit Act 1983 and regulations.

(b) The attached financial statements and notes thereto give a true and fair view of the financial position and performance of the Trust

(c) In the Directors opinion, the attached financial statements and notes thereto are in accordance with the Trust Deed.

(d) In the Directors opinion, there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Trust will be able to pay its debts as and when they become due and payable.

(e) The Directors are not aware of any circumstances which would render any particulars included in the financial report to be misleading or inaccurate.

(f) The financial report has been properly drawn up and the associated records have been properly kept for the period from 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2008, in accordance with the Charitable Fundraising (NSW) Act 1991 and Regulations; and

(g) The internal controls exercised by the Trust are appropriate and effective in accounting for all income received and applied by the Trust from any of its fundraising appeals.

Signed in accordance with a resolution of the Directors.

On behalf of the Directors

Howard TannerChairman

Sydney, 17th October 2008

Beat KnoblauchDirector



115

Notes 2008 2007 $ $

REVENUE 2 525,778 629,947

EXPENSES

Administration expenses 88,036 116,906Marketing expenses 45,912 49,568 Audit fees 3 7,600 6,400

Other 5,965 9,422

Total expenses 147,513 182,296

Surplus for the year 10(c) 378,265 447,651


BALANCE SHEETFOUNDATION FOR THE HISTORIC HOUSES TRUST OF NEW SOUTH WALES AS AT 30 JUNE 2008

Notes 2008 2007 $ $

ASSETS Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents 4 1,562,015 1,639,107 Receivables 5 17,282 11,753 Other financial assets 6 1,100,000 1,004,219

Total current assets 2,679,297 2,655,079

Non-current assets

Total non-current assets – –

TOTAL ASSETS 2,679,297 2,655,079

LIABILITIES

Current liabilities Payables 7 15,693 9,740

Total current liabilities 15,693 9,740

Non-current liabilities

Total non-current liabilities – –

TOTAL LIABILITIES 15,693 9,740

NET ASSETS 2,663,604 2,645,339

EQUITY

Accumulated funds 8 2,663,604 2,645,339

TOTAL EQUITY 2,663,604 2,645,339


INCOME STATEMENTFOUNDATION FOR THE HISTORIC HOUSES TRUST OF NEW SOUTH WALES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2008



116

STATEMENT OF RECOGNISED INCOME AND EXPENSEFOUNDATION FOR THE HISTORIC HOUSES TRUST OF NEW SOUTH WALES AS AT 30 JUNE 2008

Notes 2008 2007 $ $

Net increase in asset revaluation reserve – –

TOTAL INCOME AND EXPENSE RECOGNISED DIRECTLY IN EQUITY – –

Surplus for the year 378,265 447,651

TOTAL INCOME AND EXPENSE RECOGNISED FOR THE YEAR 8 378,265 447,651


CASH FLOW STATEMENTFOUNDATION FOR THE HISTORIC HOUSES TRUST OF NEW SOUTH WALES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2008

Notes 2008 2007 $ $

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Payments Suppliers/employees (157,695) (128,111)Other – –

Total payments (157,695) (128,111)

Receipts Donations 326,046 377,602 Sponsorship 44,000 16,500 Interest received 146,971 155,197 Other 19,367 3,128

Total receipts 536,384 552,427

NET CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 10(c) 378,689 424,316

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Purchases of investments (10,747) (79,507)Sale of investments 1,014,966 444,105 Provision of loan 6 (1,100,000) –

NET CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES (95,781) 364,598

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Distribution paid (360,000) (40,000)

NET CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES (360,000) (40,000)

NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH (77,092) 748,914

Opening cash and cash equivalents 1,639,107 890,193

CLOSING CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 10(a) 1,562,015 1,639,107




117

NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFOUNDATION FOR THE HISTORIC HOUSES TRUST OF NEW SOUTH WALES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2008

1 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Reporting entity

The Foundation was formed on 14 November 2001 and commenced operating in October 2002 when all assets and liabilities of the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales Foundation were transferred. The Trust is a not-for-profit entity (as profit is not its principal objective) and it has no cash generating units.

Basis of preparation

The financial report is a general purpose financial report which has been prepared in accordance with the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983 and regulations, the Treasurer’s Directions and applicable Australian Accounting Standards (which include Australian Accounting Interpretations).

The financial report is for the entity Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales as an individual entity.

The financial report has been prepared on an accruals basis and is based on historical costs modified by the revaluation of selected non-current assets, financial assets and financial liabilities for which the fair value basis of accounting has been applied.

Judgements, key assumptions and estimations management has made are disclosed in the relevant notes to the financial report.

All amounts are rounded to the nearest dollar and are expressed in Australian currency.

Statement of compliance

The Foundation financial statements and notes comply with Australian Accounting Standards, which include Australian Accounting Interpretations.

New accounting standards and interpretations

The Foundation did not early adopt any new accounting standards that are not yet effective.

The following new Accounting Standards and Interpretations have not yet been adopted and are not yet effective:

• AASB 3, AASB 127 and AASB 2008-3 regarding business combinations

• AASB 8 and AASB 2007-3 regarding operating segments

• AASB 101 and AASB 2007-8 regarding presentation of financial statements

• AASB 123 and AASB 2007-6 regarding borrowing costs

• AASB 1004 regarding contributions

• AASB 1049 regarding the whole of government and general government sector financial reporting

• AASB 2007-9 regarding amendments arising from the review of AASs 27, 29 and 31

• Interpretation 4 regarding determining whether an arrangement contains a lease

• Interpretation 038 regarding contributions by owners

The Foundation has assessed the impact of these new Standards and Interpretations and considers the impact to be insignificant.

Significant accounting policies

Accounting policies are selected and applied in a manner which ensures that the resulting financial information satisfies the concepts of relevance and reliability, thereby ensuring that the substance of the underlying transactions or other events is reported.

The following significant accounting policies have been adopted in the preparation and presentation of the financial report:

(a) Revenue recognition

Interest revenue – Interest revenue is recognised on an accruals basis.

Donations – Donations are recognised as and when received in cash or in kind.

(b) Acquisition of assets

Assets acquired are recorded at the cost of acquisition, being the purchase consideration determined as at the date of acquisition plus costs incidental to the acquisition.

(c) Goods and Services Tax (GST)

Revenues, expenses and assets are recognised net of the amount of GST except where:

• the amount of GST incurred by the Foundation as a purchaser that is not recoverable from the Australian Taxation Office is recognised as part of the cost of acquisition of an asset or as part of an item of expense

• receivables and payables are stated with the amount of GST included

(d) Receivables

Trade receivables and other receivables are recorded at amounts due less any allowance for impairment.

(e) Income tax

The Foundation is exempt from income tax under Subdivision 50-B of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.

(f) Accounts payable

Trade payables and other accounts payable are recognised when the Foundation becomes obliged to make future payments resulting from the purchase of goods and services.

(g) Service provider arrangements

The Foundation does not have any employees. The Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales provides administration services for a charge on the basis of cost recovery.

2008 2007 $ $

2 REVENUE

Donations 326,046 377,602 Sponsorship 40,000 16,500 Interest 151,732 151,651 Other 8,000 –

Services provided free of charge - see note 10(b) – 84,194

Total revenue 525,778 629,947



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FOUNDATION FOR THE HISTORIC HOUSES TRUST OF NEW SOUTH WALES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2008

2008 2007 $ $

3 REMUNERATION OF AUDITORS

Audit of the financial report Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales 5,500 4,300 Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales Limited 2,100 2,100

Total remuneration of auditors 7,600 6,400

4 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash on hand and at bank 43,250 154,363 TCorp Hour-Glass Cash Facility Trust 1,168,107 1,484,744Macquarie Bank deposit 350,658 –

Total cash and cash equivalents 1,562,015 1,639,107

Cash comprises cash on hand and bank balances.

5 CURRENT RECEIVABLES

GST receivable 9,401 8,633 Prepayments – –Accrued interest on deposit 7,881 3,120

Total current receivables 17,282 11,753

6 OTHER CURRENT FINANCIAL ASSETS

TCorp term deposit – –Macquarie Bank Limited term deposit – 1,004,219 Other loans 1,100,000 –

Total other current financial assets 1,100,000 1,004,219

The Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales has provided the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales with an interest free loan of $1.1m in order to perform conservation works on Glenfield, the first property being acquired by the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales Endangered Houses Fund. The loan is to be repaid from the proceeds from the sale of either a lease of the property or the sale of the property.

7 CURRENT PAYABLES

Trade payables - Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales (the controlling entity) 5,228 1,500 Other 10,465 8,240

Total current payables 15,693 9,740

8 ACCUMULATED FUNDS

Balance at the beginning of the financial period 2,645,339 2,237,688Surplus for the year 378,265 447,651 Transactions with owners as ownersLess: distribution paid to the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales (360,000) (40,000)

Accumulated funds at the end of the financial period 2,663,604 2,645,339

2008 2007 $ $

9 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Transactions between related parties are on normal commercial terms and conditions no more favourable than those available to other parties unless otherwise stated.

(a) Transactions with related entities

Contribution to Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales 360,000 40,000

During the financial period the trustee of the Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales was the Foundation for the Historic Houses of New South Wales Trust Limited. This company’s ultimate parent entity is The Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales. Transactions with the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales for services provided are fully reimbursed by the Foundation.

Current receivables – controlling entity 1,100 – Current payables – controlling entity 5,228 1,500

(b) Transactions with Trustees

There were no transactions between the Trustee and the Foundation.

No Director of the Trustee receives renumeration for his/her duties as a director of the Foundation of the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales Limited.

10 NOTES TO CASH FLOW STATEMENT(a) Reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents

For the purposes of the cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and in banks and Tcorp Hour-Glass deposits. Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the financial period as shown in the cash flow statement are reconciled to the related items in the balance sheet as follows:

Cash and cash equivalents 1,562,015 1,639,107

(b) Non-cash financing and investing activities

The following items are brought to account as expenses in the operating statement and are credited as income in the form of services provided free of charge.

Administration expenses – 84,194

(c) Reconciliation of surplus for the year to net cash flows from operating activities

Surplus for the year 378,265 447,651

(Increase)/decrease in assets: Current receivables (5,529) (3,006)

Increase/(decrease) in liabilities: Current payables 5,953 (20,329) Provisions – –

Net cash from operating activities 378,689 424,316



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11 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTSThe Foundation’s principal financial instruments are outlined below. These financial instruments arise directly from the Foundation’s operations or are required to finance the Foundation’s operations. The Foundation does not enter into or trade financial instruments, including derivative financial instruments, for speculative purposes.

The Foundation’s main risks arising from financial instruments are outlined below, together with the Foundation’s objectives, policies and processes for measuring and managing risk. Further quantitative and qualitative disclosures are included throughout this financial report.

The Planning, Legal and Finance Committee has overall responsibility for the establishment and oversight of risk management and reviews and agrees policies for managing each of these risks. Risk management policies are established to identify and analyse the risks faced by the Foundation, to set risk limits and controls and to monitor risks. Compliance with policies is reviewed by the Planning, Legal and Finance Committee on a continuous basis.

(b) Credit Risk

Credit risk arises when there is the possibility of the Foundation’s debtors defaulting on their contractual obligations, resulting in a financial loss to the Foundation. The maximum exposure to credit risk is generally represented by the carrying amount of the financial assets (net of any allowance for impairment).

Credit risk arises from the financial assets of the Foundation, including cash, receivables, and authority deposits. No collateral is held by the Foundation. The Foundation has not granted any financial guarantees.

Credit risk associated with the Foundation’s financial assets, other than receivables, is managed through the selection of counterparties and establishment of minimum credit rating standards.

Cash

Cash comprises cash on hand and bank balances. Interest is earned on daily bank balances at the daily rate set by the bank. The TCorp Hour-Glass cash facility is discussed in note (d) below.

Receivables - trade debtors

All trade debtors are recognised as amounts receivable at balance date. Collectibility of trade debtors is reviewed on an ongoing basis. Procedures as established in the Treasurer’s Directions are followed to recover outstanding amounts, including letters of demand. Debts which are known to be uncollectible are written off. An allowance for impairment is raised when there is objective evidence that the entity will not be able to collect all amounts due. This evidence includes past experience, and current and expected changes in economic conditions and debtor credit ratings. No interest is earned on trade debtors. Sales are made on 30 day terms.

The Trust is not materially exposed to concentrations of credit risk to a single trade debtor or group of debtors. Based on past experience, debtors that are not past due (2008: $Nil; 2007: $Nil) and not less than six months past due (2008: $Nil; 2007: $Nil) are not considered impaired and together these represent 100% of the total trade debtors. There are no debtors which are currently not past due or impaired whose terms have been renegotiated.

Statutory receivables are excluded as these are not within the scope of AASB 7. Receivables that are not past due and not impaired are excluded.

The Trust did not have any trade debtors which were over due or impaired.


Notes Categories 2008 2007 $ $

FINANCIAL ASSETS

Class Cash and cash equivalents 4 N/A 1,562,015 1,639,107 Receivables 5 Loans and receivables (at amortised cost) 7,881 3,120

Other financial assets 6 Loans and receivables (at amortised cost) 1,100,000 1,004,219

FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

Class Payables 7 Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost 15,693 9,740

1. Excludes statutory receivables and prepayments (i.e. not within scope of AASB 7). 2. Excludes statutory payables and unearned revenue (i.e. not within scope of AASB 7).

(a) Financial instrument catagories



120

Authority Deposits

The Trust had funds on deposit with Macquarie Bank, which has been rated ‘A1/A’ by Standard and Poor’s. These deposits are similar to money market or bank deposits and can be placed ‘at call’ or for a fixed term. For fixed term deposits, the interest rate payable by Macquarie Bank is negotiated initially and is fixed for the term of the deposit, while the interest rate payable on at call deposits can vary.

The deposits at balance date were earning an average interest rate of Nil% (2007 – 6.3%), while over the year the weighted average interest rate was 0.76% (2007 – 6.21%) on a weighted average balance during the year of $121,086 (2007 – $1,225,482).

None of these assets are past due or impaired.

(c) Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Foundation will be unable to meet its payment obligations when they fall due. The Foundation continuously manages risk through monitoring future cash flows and maturities planning to ensure adequate holding of high quality liquid assets. The objective is to maintain a balance between continuity of funding and flexibility. During the current and prior years, there were no defaults or breaches on any loans payable. No assets have been pledged as collateral. The Foundation’s exposure to liquidity risk is deemed insignificant based on prior periods’ data and current assessment of risk.

The liabilities are recognised for amounts due to be paid in the future for goods or services received, whether or not invoiced. Amounts owing to suppliers (which are unsecured) are settled in accordance with the policy set out in Treasurer’s Direction 219.01. If trade terms are not specified, payment is made no later than the end of the month following the month in which an invoice or a statement is received. Treasurer’s Direction 219.01 allows the Minister to award interest for late payment. No interest was paid during the year (2007 – Nil).

The table below summarises the maturity profile of the Trust’s financial liabilities, together with the interest rate exposure.

(d) Market risk

Market risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market prices. The Foundation’s exposures to market risk are primarily through interest rate risk associated with the movement in the unit price of the Hour-Glass Investment Facilities. The Trust has no exposure to foreign currency risk and does not enter into commodity contracts.

The effect on profit and equity due to a reasonably possible change in risk variable is outlined in the information below, for interest rate risk and other price risk. A reasonably possible change in risk variable has been determined after taking into account the economic environment in which the Foundation operates and the time frame for the assessment (i.e. until the end of the next annual reporting period). The sensitivity analysis is based on risk exposures in existence at the balance sheet date. The analysis is performed on the same basis for 2007. The analysis assumes that all other variables remain constant.


Weighted Nominal Fixed Variable Non- < 1 yr 1-5 yrs > 5 yrs Average Amount1 Interest Interest Interest Effective Rate Rate bearing Int. Rate

2008

Payables – 15,693 – – 15,693 15,693 – –

2007

Payables – 9,740 – – 9,740 9,740 – –

1 The amounts disclosed are the contractual undiscounted cash flows of each class of financial liabilities and therefore may not reconcile to the balance sheet.

Maturity analysis and interest rate exposure of financial liabilities



121

Interest rate risk

Exposure to interest rate risk arises primarily through the Trust’s interest bearing liabilities. This risk is minimised by undertaking mainly fixed rate borrowings, primarily with NSW TCorp. The Trust does not account for any fixed rate financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss or as available-for-sale. Therefore, for these financial instruments, a change in interest rates would not affect profit or loss or equity. A reasonably possible change of +/- 1% is used, consistent with current trends in interest rates. The basis will be reviewed annually and amended where there is a structural change in the level of interest rate volatility. The Trust’s exposure to interest rate risk is set out below.

Other price risk – TCorp Hour-Glass facilities

Exposure to ‘other price risk’ primarily arises through the investment in the TCorp Hour-Glass Investment Facilities, which are held for strategic rather than trading purposes. The Foundation has no direct equity investments. The Foundation holds units in the following Hour-Glass investment trusts:

The unit price of the facility is equal to the total fair value of the net assets held by the facility divided by the number of units on issue for that facility. Unit prices are calculated and published daily.

NSW TCorp is trustee for each of the above facilities and is required to act in the best interest of the unitholders and to administer the trusts in accordance with the trust deeds. As trustee, TCorp has appointed external managers to manage the performance and risks of each facility in accordance with a mandate agreed by the parties. However, TCorp acts as manager for part of the cash facility. A significant portion of the administration of the facilities is outsourced to an external custodian.

Investment in the Hour-Glass facilities limits the Foundation’s exposure to risk, as it allows diversification across a pool of funds with different investment horizons and a mix of investments.

NSW TCorp provides sensitivity analysis information for each of the Investment facilities, using historically based volatility information collected over a ten year period, quoted at two standard deviations (i.e. 95% probability). The TCorp Hour-Glass Investment facilities are designated at fair value through profit or loss and therefore any change in unit price impacts directly on profit (rather than equity). A reasonably possible change is based on the percentage change in unit price (as advised by TCorp) multiplied by the redemption value as at 30 June each year for each facility (balance from Hour-Glass statement).

Carrying amount Profit Equity Profit Equity

2008 Financial assets Cash and cash equivalents 1,562,015 (15,620) (15,620) 15,620 15,620 Receivables – – – – – Other financial assets 1,100,000 – – – – Financial liabilities Payables 5,228 – – – –

2007 Financial assets Cash and cash equivalents 1,639,107 (16,391) (16,391) 16,391 16,391 Receivables – – – – – Other financial assets 1,004,219 – – – – Financial liabilities Payables 1,500 – – – –

-1% 1%

Investment Sectors Investment Horizon 2008 2007 $ $

Cash facility Cash, money market instruments Up to 1.5 years (pre-June 2008 – up to 2 years) 1,168,107 1,484,744

Facility

Change in unit price 2008 2007 $ $

Hour Glass Investment – Cash +/- 1% 11,681 14,847




122

(e) Fair Value

Financial instruments are generally recognised at cost, with the exception of the TCorp Hour-Glass facilities, which are measured at fair value. As discussed, the value of the Hour-Glass Investments is based on the Foundation’s share of the value of the underlying assets of the facility, based on the market value. All of the Hour Glass facilities are valued using ‘redemption’ pricing. Except where specified below, the amortised cost of financial instruments recognised in the balance sheet approximates the fair value, because of the short-term nature of many of the financial instruments.

12 CHARITABLE FUND RAISING ACTIVITIESResults of fundraising activities

The Foundation receives many donations as a result of its day to day activities. In addition, other special fundraising events were conducted during the year and the results are as follows:


Notes 2008 2007 $ $

Donations 326,046 337,602 Sponsorship 40,000 16,500 Gross income from fundraising A 366,046 354,102

Cost of fundraising B (51,310) (67,708)Net surplus from fundraising C 314,736 286,394Cost of services provided D – –Transferred to/(from) accumulated funds 314,736 286,394

314,736 286,394

List of all forms of appeals – events and appealsHow appeal monies are applied Distributions to the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales 360,000 40,000

Comparative figures and ratios Cost of fundraising to gross income from fundraising B/A 14% 19%Net surplus from fundraising to gross income from fundraising C/A 86% 81%Cost of services provided to total expenditure D/(B+D) 0% 0%Cost of services provided to gross income from fundraising D/A 0% 0%

13 POST BALANCE DATE EVENTSThe Foundation has resolved to increase its loan to the Historic Houses Trust for the conservation of Glenfield by a further $300,000. This brings the total loan amount to $1.4 million.

END OF AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



123


124

AOur commitment to women, 70

Admission fees, 11

Annual report printing costs, 74

Associated groups, 70

Audience, 18

Audit reviews, 12

Auditor General’s Report, 86, 112

Awards, 4

BBoard, 26

CCaroline Simpson Library & Research Collection, 34

Chairman’s review, 6

Collections, 18

Collections Valuations Committee, 10, 70

Commercial activity, 22

Commercial Lease Committee, 10, 70

Commitment, 4

Committees, 10, 70

Conservation, 18

Consultants, 83

Consumer response, 13

Corporate governance, 10

Credit card certification, 72

DDelegations, 10

Director, 10, 28

Director’s overview, 8

Disability Action Plan, 72

EEducation, 16, 62

Education commitee, 10, 71

Electronic service delivery, 72

Elizabeth Bay House, 36

Elizabeth Farm, 38

Endangered Houses Fund Committee, 10, 70

Endangered Houses Fund program, 22, 62

Energy management, 12

Environmental management, 12

Equal Employment Opportunity, 73

Ethical standards, 13

Ethnic affairs priority statement, 72

Events, 18, 63

Executive, 10, 28

Exeter Farm, 62

Exhibitions, 16, 63

Exhibitions Advisory Committee, 10, 70

FFinance & Audit Committee, 10, 70

Finance Committee, 10, 71

Finances and public resources, 23

Financial information, 81–122

Fleet management, 12

Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales, 23, 66, 70, 79

Freedom of information, 13

Fundraising, 75

GGlenfield, 22, 62

Government House, 22, 40

Grants given, 13

Guarantee of service, 13

HHeritage management, 11

Human resources, 73

Hyde Park Barracks Museum, 42

IIT Steering Committee, 10, 71

Insurance, 11

JJustice & Police Museum, 44

LLand disposal, 13

MMajor works in progress, 13, 22

Management, 28

Media coverage, 19

Members of the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales, 23, 66, 70, 79

Meroogal, 46

Mission, 4

Museum of Sydney, 48

Museums, 5


125

NNon–English Speaking background staff, 29

OOccupational Health & Safety (OH&S), 73

Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) Committee, 10, 71

Organisational chart, 31

Outreach, 19

Overseas travel, 74

PPartnerships, 18

Payment of accounts, 83

Privacy Management Plan, 13

Properties, 5, 34–59

see also Elizabeth Bay House, Elizabeth Farm, Government House, Hyde Park Barracks Museum, Justice & Police Museum, Meroogal, Museum of Sydney, Rose Seidler House, Rouse Hill House & Farm, Susannah Place Museum, The Mint, Vaucluse House

Properties, collections and programs, 16

Properties list, 5

Public Programs Committee, 10, 71

Publications, 19, 63

Publications Committee, 10, 71

RRegional, 18, 64

Retail, 22, 64

Risk management, 11

Rose Seidler House, 50

Rouse Hill House & Farm, 22, 52

Rouse Hill Hamilton Collection Pty Ltd, 67, 70

SSalaries, 30

Security Committee, 10, 71

Senior staff, 29

Sponsors, 22, 74

Staff, 29

Staff and Management Advisory Committee (SAMPAC), 10, 71

Staff list, 76

Staff representation, 29, 30

Staff training, 29, 73

Standing, 4

Susannah Place Museum, 54

TThe Mint, 56

see also Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection

Training, 29

Travelling exhibitions, 17

Trustees, 10, 26

VVaucluse House, 58

Venues, 22, 65

Visitors, 20

Visitor information, 127

Volunteers, 67

Volunteers Forum, 70

Volunteer list, 79

WWaste reduction management, 12

Water management, 12

Website, 18

Women staff, 73

Index


126

Writer/Editor

Sally Webster

Proofreader

Rhiain Hull

Designer

Julie Stinson

Production credits
