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

Hunter National Trust FORUM

Congratulations to our three wonderful speakers who gave fascinating insights into the Macquarie era and stories of those associated with the Colony and Governor Macquarie. The bicentenary of Governor Macquarie is being celebrated this year and this event was an official Macquarie 2010 Commemorative event. Dr Grace Karskens from the University of New South Wales spoke about the influence of Macquarie's wife, Elizabeth, on his famous building program and vision for the colony generally; Mr. Robin Walsh, librarian/curator for The Lachlan Macquarie Room, Macquarie University Library, explored Macquarie’s character through the eyes of his Indian manservant 'George' whom until now has not been fully researched, and Lisa Slade, Curatorial Consultant at the Newcastle Regional Art Gallery was dynamic in her talk about the wonderful Macquarie Chest , a “collector’s chest”, regarded as the holy grail of Australiana that was almost certainly made in Newcastle in 1818 with painted views of the area. Thank you also to Dr Josephine May (Senior Lecturer Faculty of Education and Arts at The University of Newcastle) who did a great job at chairing the evening and to Prof Maynard(Head of School of The Wollotuka Institute The University of Newcastle, Australia) for conducting welcome to country.

We hope that the wider Hunter community enjoyed the evening and the Hunter Regional Committee of the National Trust would like to thank those who attended for their great support and look forward to organising future forums.

High Tea with Mrs Macquarie at Monets’, in the grounds of the James Fletcher Hospital.

Those who attended High Tea last Saturday afternoon would agree that it was a beautiful afternoon. It was a pleasure to have the company of Lady Macquarie and she was generous enough to present the Inaugural Australian Bonafide History Awards to the many winners. The event took place at Monet’s (former Military Hospital, built in 1842) in the grounds of historic James Fletcher Hospital. Governor Macquarie and his wife Elizabeth stayed nearby at the Government House in 1818 on their visits to Newcastle.


Many thanks also to Mr John Carr (Heritage architect) who provided an enlightening overview of the sites history and the significant heritage buildings there. It is truely an extraordinary site, rich in convict and mental health history. Congratulations to all of the winners of the various categories of the Inaugural Australian Bonafide History Awards, the awards were sponsored by the Hunter Heritage Network. There were two joint winners of the Perpetual Bonafide Award recognising the excellence in the writing of, promotion, or documenting of local and regional history. These went to Mr Ed Tonks and Ms Margret and Mr Carl Doring.

In the Footsteps of Macquarie Walk

Members of the National Trust & Newcastle University’s Coal River Working Party took a group for a new informative walk from Macquarie Pier to Christ Church, tracing Macquarie’s ambitious building program that helped to transform Newcastle from a convict camp to a township. Our new portable PA system made a tremendous difference. Thanks also to Suzanne Martin for providing her knowledge and stories of the Newcastle Hospital, and to Dr Brian Walsh for his input regarding convict history of the area. Some of the participants picniced with Lady Macquarie after the walk.

The Making of Our Nation: Art Exhibition

Congratulations to all of the artists who were invited to interpret ‘The Making of Our Nation', this years National Trust festival theme. This is the third Hunter National Trust art exhibition and we would like to thank those who contributed the event, as well as Mr Ron Ramsey, Director of the Newcastle Region Art Gallery who opened the exhibition on Friday 9 April.
Also Lady Elizabeth Macquarie made an appearence.

NOBBYS DEVELOPMENT- no new development on historic headland

DA 05/0468 for Nobbys Development
Development Application currently on Public Exhibition until 8 April - Comments can be sent to General Manager Ms Lindy Hyam at Newcastle City Council
City Administration Centre
282 King Street
Newcastle NSW 2300
PO Box 489
Newcastle 2300
Or email comments to mail@ncc.nsw.gov.au

The National Trust of New South Wales has been advocating for the conservation of this area since 1969 when we proposed the statutory recognition of Nobbys, the convict breakwater and mines, Fort Scratchley and Shortland’s camp location as a historic site. The area is now known as the Coal River Precinct and registered on the State Heritage Register (SHR 1674).
Although the Nobbys development proposal is significantly different and much improved to the previous one, with less direct impact to the historic lighthouse, there remain concerns regarding the safeguarding of the natural and cultural heritage of the area. The current proposal plans for a 46 seat restaurant, 7 luxury units, manager’s residence in signal station and take-away outlet. The public area of this site will be enclosed with a 1.8 metre high glass fence inside the existing perimeter wall of the headland, possibly obstructing views and compromising the character of the headland.
Furthermore, this proposal will add a level of luxury to the site that has never existed, and will diminish the remote character of Nobby’s and its iconic status.
The following are some of the Trusts concerns:
• The proposal does not comply with the Newcastle Port Corporations Expressions of Interest document- adaptive reuse. One of the objectives of the Port Corporations EOI stated: - To protect and enhance the site’s historic, aesthetic and social fabric for the future benefit of the Newcastle community; the proposal does not outline how this will be achieved. Any use for the site should contain a strong historic and archaeological interpretation strategy including Aboriginal, military, maritime and social themes.
• The Corporation’s objectives could be met without changing the existing footprint of the buildings. No new development should occur on this historic headland particularly if it obstructs the views from the courtyard and lighthouse access. The proposed new residential units would diminish the character of the site and will have a permanent and irreversible impact on the heritage values of Nobbys. This proposal is not adaptive reuse as stated in EOI objectives.
• This proposed development would dominate Nobbys for private benefit with limited access by the public. We also believe that public access to Nobbys (as potentially an important National heritage site) will be severely impeded by vehicle movements along the breakwater, which will discourage pedestrians (visitors to the site). Public access to the site could be achieved without the development occurring at all.

1. In regard to the proposed DA the Trust recommends: - That no new residential development occur and that there is no new residential unit attached to the proposed restaurant, that this would obstruct the views from the courtyard and lighthouse access. This new work is not planned to be reversible. The new residential units would further alienate the site and prevent access and views to the south. We approve of the demolition of the 2 garages. The public area of this site will be enclosed with a 1.8 metre high glass fence inside the existing perimeter wall of the headland, this will possible obstruct views and compromise the character of the lighthouse and headland. Furthermore, an interpretation strategy should be prepared.
2. Nobbys headland to be transferred to the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to be managed under the National Parks Act as an historic site. Many lighthouses in NSW are managed by the (NPWS) and this provides a heritage conservation regime that has a statuary requirement for permanent heritage conservation management.
3. National Heritage management principles are necessary to adequately manage this historic site. Nobbys Lighthouse is a Commonwealth Heritage place and the Coal River (Mulubinba) Cultural Landscape National Heritage Nomination was submitted in February 2009 (currently with the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts for consideration). The Trust urges Minister Peter Garrett to select nomination for the 2010-11 workplan- and for it to be considered for National Heritage Listing.

EVENTS-National Trust Heritage Festival 2010

Friday 26-28 March 10am-6pm.
Heritage Hunter. Newcastle Show Heritage Exhibition.
This year the exhibition will feature “The work of Governor Macquarie from 1810 in Newcastle- The Making of a Nation”. The exhibition will also serve to promote the many events that will follow later as part of the “Macquarie 2010” celebrations.
Price of ticket entry to Newcastle Show. Contact 0419241731

Saturday 3 – 18 April
The Making of Our Nation: Art Exhibition
Local artists were invited to interpret ‘The Making of Our Nation’. Exhibition will be opened by Mr Ron Ramsay Director of Newcastle Region Art Gallery on Friday 9 April at 6.30pm.
John Paynter Gallery, The Lockup, 90 Hunter Street Newcastle

Friday 9- 24 April
Defending a Nation-Exhibition, Fort Scratchley Historical Society Inc. Take a journey through photographic displays and memorabilia depicting the role Fort Scratchley has played in the defence of our nation; and the commodities such as coal and steel, crucial in Newcastle’s role of making a nation.
Barracks Room, Fort Scratchley. Open daily 1pm-4pm closed Tuesdays.
Free entry to exhibition. Further details 49293066.

Saturday 10 April 3.30pm
Governor Macquarie Talk
The Maritime Centre
Enjoy a talk about Macquarie’s second visit to Newcastle, followed by a walk up the harbour, finished with a free brew shared with the Governor.
$10 includes fee into the Maritime Centre. Enquiries 4929 2588

Saturday 10 & Sun 11 April 10 am - 4pm.
Friends of Tomago House Exhibition, Links to the Past.
Exhibition of Miniature House Interiors reflecting the growing affluence of the nation since settlement. Guest speakers, craft stall, refreshments and other attractions.
21 Tomago Rd, Tomago $6/$5 concession. Bookings 49301471


Saturday 10 April - 10am.
Wallsend Heritage Group Inc.
A Walking Tour of Wallsend.
Meet at the Rotunda (Cnr Tyrrell & Harris Sts) for a walk (about 2 hrs) to explore Wallsend’s heritage.
Free. Bookings 49559013.

Sunday 11 April 10am – 12pm
In the Footsteps of Macquarie Walk
Join members of the National Trust & Newcastle University’s Coal River Working Party in a new informative walk from Macquarie Pier to Christ Church, tracing Macquarie’s ambitious building program. Walk will finish with a bring- your-own picnic in Cathedral Park.
Meet at Nobbys Surf Club, Nobbys Beach.
Cost $10. Bookings 0438509139

Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 April 10am – 4pm.
Miss Porter’s House: The Making of a Home.
Visit the house museum which reflects the changing lives of the two generations of the Porter family. $7Adults/$5Conc/Free for NT members. 434 King St Newcastle West. Enquiries 49270202

Saturday 17 April 2-5pm
High Tea with Mrs Macquarie at Monets’, in the grounds of the James Fletcher Hospital.
Heritage Architect, John Carr will talk about the early architectural history of the colonial buildings of this is an extraordinary site, rich in convict and mental health history over the past 200 years. As well, the inaugural Australian Bonafide History Awards will be presented that recognise the excellence in the writing of, promotion, or documenting of local and regional history or some other related heritage based projects that use heritage as the catalyst for interpretation and design. $30(NT members) $35(non-members) Bookings on 49275135

Saturday 17 April 7pm
Friends of the Regal- The Making of Our Communities-The Role of Local Cinema
Speaker is Frank Embleton, former operator of the Wallsend Empire Cinema, and Gionni di Gravio Newcastle University archivist. Refreshments will be followed by a short 1950s film.
Donation. Jesmond Neighbourhood Centre, 44 Mordue Pde. Bookings 49511611

Saturday 17 April 9am-4pm
Newcastle Family History Society Open Day.
Come and view the wide range of resources available at the institute.
Mechanics’ Institute, 68 Elder St,
Lambton. Free. Enquiries 49573276

Saturday 24 April 10.30-11.30am
Newcastle Family History Society
Back to Basics: Introductory talk on
beginning family history. Mechanics Institute,
68 Elder St, Lambton. Free.
Enquiries: 49578296

FORUM
Wednesday 21 April 7- 9 pm

‘The Making of Our Nation’: Governor Macquarie and Newcastle.
Newcastle City Hall, Hunter Room
Speakers: Three distinguished historians will throw new light on Governor Macquarie, whose bicentenary is being celebrated this year, and who made three visits to Coal River (Newcastle). Dr Grace Karskens, University of New South Wales, will examine the influence of Macquarie’s wife, Elizabeth, on his building program and his vision for the colony. Mr. Robin Walsh, Macquarie University Library, will reveal Macquarie’s character through the eyes of his Indian manservant, George. Lisa Slade, Newcastle Region Art Gallery, will discuss the Macquarie Chest, a collector’s chest, almost certainly made in Newcastle in 1818, with painted views of the area and a precious record of the flora and fauna of Coal River in Macquarie's time.
$20 / $15 Conc & NT members. Bookings 49275135. Refreshments included.


Sunday 2 May 2pm
Friends of Grossmann House
Heritage Walk - East Maitland- Southern Precinct Visit the site of the original Administration Cottage Governor Macquarie stayed in 1818 and 1821. Meet at carpark at Stockade Hill, East Maitland. Refreshments afterwards at Brough House.
$15 NT members $20 non-members
Bookings 4933 6452 or 49332253