UPCOMING EVENTS

HUNTER REGIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL TRUST
Friday 30 July 6.30 TAPAS BANQUET
Longworth House built in 1892, was designed by eminent colonial architect, Frederick Menkens, who settled in Newcastle in 1882. He designed many of the city’s landmark historic buildings, such as St Andrews Presbyterian Church and the Baptist Tabernacle. Its restored and largely intact interior is as spectacular as its baroque Scott St facade. It was constructed for beer baron Joseph Wood as an auction house and offices. In 1947 it was donated to the Australasian Society of Patriots and for decades it was leased to the Air Force Club. After years of neglect it underwent a major renovation and restoration in 2000. It was reopened to the public in 2009 as a stylish tapas and wine bar and reception centre.
Architect and Menkens expert Brian Suters and Professor Ken Dutton will speak about the fascinating life and work of Frederick Menkens. Longworth House, 129 Scott Street Newcastle Cost $65 ($60 for NT members) Please book by 23 July with Pat Turnbull 49 275135 or turnbullpa@bigpond.com

Sunday 22 August at 2pm, Walking Tour of Newcastle’s Historic Legal Precinct.
Meet at the Lock Up, next to former Post Office in Hunter Street. Cost $10.
The legal precinct has existed in its present location, within the historic eastern CBD”old town” since the beginnings of free settlement.” The present Court House, flanked by 1950s and 70 additions, is one of Newcastle’s great historic city landmarks. It has crowned Bolton Street, one of Newcastle’s most historic thoroughfares, since its opening in 1892. It was designed by Walter Liberty Vernon, who also designed the Post Office. James Barnet, who also designed Newcastle Customs House, may also have been involved in its design. The legal precinct includes the existing courts; the Community Justice Centre, Buchanan’s Terraces and nearby heritage buildings. All this is about to change with the announcement in May of the creation of a new $94 M “justice precinct” on Council land at Civic. This will be another economic body blow for the eastern end of the CBD still suffering from the effects of the removal of the Royal Newcastle Hospital.No bookings required.

GROSSMANN HOUSE
Sunday 8 August at 2pm, Heritage Walk, Sempill Street, Maitland,
Join Wayne Campbell for a heritage walk around Maitland’s western central precinct. Meet in the Maitland Courthouse carpark and explore the immediate riverbank next to Sempill Street, the ex Falls Hotel, and Veterans Flat including Mt Pleasant Street and Hannon Street. See the heritage and hear the history followed by the famous afternoon tea back at Brough House. Cost $15 National Trust members, others $20. Includes afternoon tea. Bookings/enquiries phone 493364 or 49344314.

Sunday 29 August at 10.30am, Brick Makers & Cedar Cutters Exhibition and Talks,
Gather in Brough House for a day of bricks and cedar. See the old bricks and listen to the recollections of the Maitland brick makers, Turton and Baker. There will be talks from members of the brickmaking families and also Ron Ringer who has written his book entitled “Bricks”. Cost $12 National Trust members, others $15. Refreshments available. Bookings/enquirIes phone 49336452 or 49301311

MISS PORTER'S HOUSE
Sunday 19 September 2.30pm, Together for High Tea: St John’s Anglican Church Newcastle and Miss Porter’s House
The Porter family were parishioners of St John’s Anglican Church, Newcastle, dating from at least the time James’s involvement as a member of St John’s Parochial Council before his death in 1912. Happily, James’s son Herbert and his bride Florence’s wedding centenary, and the sesquicentenary of St John’s both occur in 2010. The congregation at St John’s and Miss Porter’s House Management Committee invite you to celebrate the lives of the Porter family, and St John’s sesquicentenary, at a High TEA, in St John’s Parish Hall. The Reverend Stewart Perry and the Church Wardens extend an invitation to view the church between 2.00pm and 2.30pm.
Starting at 2.30pm at Parish Hall, corner Parry & Dawson Streets, Cooks Hill. Bookings please send cheque to: Secretary, Miss Porter’s House Management Committee, Geoff Farris, PO BOX 2358, Dangar NSW, 2309. Donation $25. Further information contact Kathryn Pitkin 49676688 kpitkin@ix.net.au


TOMAGO HOUSE
Saturday 24 & Sunday 25 July from 10am to 4pm each day, Camellia Show
“Camellias and Creative Arts”. Along with the usual beautiful specimen camellia blooms there will be floral decorations by local Garden Clubs, a display of Women’s Vintage Arts, a Collectibles Stall, a Craft Stall, and Refreshments etc. Saturday around midday there will be ‘Bell ringers’ and Sunday midday an Irish Harpist will be performing. Entry $6 and $5 concession. Enquiries Claire 042 9468975 or Fay 49648123

Saturday 14 August at 12.30, A Casual Lunch with a Writer “Satire, Soup and a Slice of Sponge”
Followed by Jonathon by Jonathan Biggins “The Perils of Political Satire. Cost $25. Bookings essential. Numbers strictly limited. Phone Margaret 49 632029 or Marjorie 49 292117

Saturday 4 September at 1.30pm, Vintage Fashion Parade
a Vintage Fashion Parade at Tomago House presented by Wendy Austin and Aileen White plus a sumptuous Afternoon Tea Entry $20. Bookings essential. Enquires Fay 49 648123

FOR YOUR DIARY
Friday 24 September, Harry Boyle Memorial Lecture

MEDIA RELEASE National Trust Welcomes James Fletcher Hospital Announcement- 28 June, 2010

The National Trust is delighted that the NSW government has today announced they are moving towards listing James Fletcher Hospital in Newcastle on the State Heritage Register.

National Trust Advocacy Manager, Graham Quint, said the move is an important one that sends a clear message about saving historical heritage sites for the benefit of future generations.

“The Fletcher Hospital site was put on the Australia’s Heritage at Risk list in 2008 by the National Trust in an attempt to help save the historical site for the future,” Mr Quint said.

“At the time, development in the Newcastle CBD significantly threatened heritage of the region. For example, Kirkwood House was demolished without warning. This was despite heritage listings which proved to not adequately protect the site. This was despite the rich convict and coal mining history of the site.

“Today’s announcement reinforces the message that these historical sites are important to the community and should be protected.”

The James Fletcher Hospital has been used to provide mental health services to the region for almost 140 years. The site will continue to be used for the delivery of health services, while recognising the historical significance of the site.
The Trust congratulates Jodi McKay, state Member for Newcastle, for her pivotal role in working with the Hunter New England Area Health Service and the local community to achieve this balance while securing the sites nomination for state heritage listing.
The Trust also congratulates the University of Newcastle’s Coal River Working Group and its own National Trust Hunter Regional Committee for the years of work and research into the Fletcher Hospital precinct.


Media Contact Anastasia Stomo 9258 0131