What's New

Thomas Bock portrait of Eliza Ann Pitcairn

The National Trust in Tasmania has acquired a portrait of Eliza Ann Pitcairn by colonial artist Thomas Bock. Eliza Pitcairn was born in Hobart Town on 23 September 1831 to parents Robert and Dorothea Pitcairn. Robert was a lawyer and native of Scotland and became active in the colony’s political affairs most notably the fight to end convict transportation to Tasmania. The family home in New Town, built by Robert and Dorothea is now known as Runnymede and is a property operated by the National Trust.

This is where Eliza Ann Pitcairn resided when her portrait was executed in July 1839. The portrait was recently offered to the National Trust by a dealer in London and has been purchased with funds raised by the Hobart Macquarie Group of the National Trust.

Eliza Pitcairn lived at Runnymede till 1850 when the family returned to live in Hobart Town. She married Francis Jeffrey Cockburn, January 1855 and lived in India from 1856 for some years before returning to England where her mother later lived with her.

The earliest known reference to the Runnymede garden is a letter that Eliza wrote to her father in 1845.

Because of the direct association of this portrait of Eliza Pitcairn with Runnymede the National Trust took steps to secure the work. More information on Thomas Bock can be found at the ANU's website here.

A media function held on Thursday 2 July at 10.30 unveiled and celebrated this significant acquisition. We will be displaying the portrait free of charge in the Drawing Room from 25th to end of July for the public to view.

$250,000 Grant

The Trust has been awarded a grant of $250,000 from the Federal Government’s Stimulus package for use at its properties Franklin House and Penghana.

The grant will enable a variety of much needed work to be undertaken. This includes buildings stabilization and repairs at Franklin House together with conservation work relating to furnishings and textiles. In addition it will allow replacement of the outdated electrical and water/fire systems at Penghana.

Country Houses of Tasmania

The Trust welcomes the publication of this impressive work by Alice Bennett and Georgia Warner celebrating our built heritage.

Tasmania is blessed with a rich cultural heritage. Lesser known than some of the State's famous convict-built icons are the colonial mansions that were constructed by the early settlers who braved this wild and untamed land.

This book not only showcases some of these amazing houses but also the incredible people who have passed through them over the years.

You can place an order directly on our web-site here.

“Beer, Tin and Salvation: William Street Launceston 1898”

A new book published by the National Trust of Australia (Tasmania) is about to be launched by Launceston’s Mayor Alderman Albert van Zetten during March.

Detail from Boag's 1890 poster.
Courtesy J Boag & Son archive

Jai Paterson’s publication entitled "Beer, Tin and Salvation: William Street Launceston 1898" provides an enlightening history of Boags Brewery in William Street Launceston bringing to life the cultural heritage of this large historic site, its business and its people.

This publication initiative provides the public with the opportunity to acquire the book of which only 400 copies have been printed.

You can place an order directly on out website here
or by downloading an order form to complete and mail in, available here.

Heritage Services Directory Announced

Heritage Tasmania announces the availability of The Tasmanian Heritage Services Directory. This directory has been developed to assist property owners, government, community groups and others seeking heritage advice and specialist skills. It provides contact details for professionals, consultants, contractors and specialist trades people across a range of categories including engineers, architects, heritage consultants, landscape architects, planners and specialists in cultural heritage tourism and interpretation.

• The web address is here

"The list" assists

"The List", a directory of Australian venues and events has generously placed details of some of our properties in its Tasmania Section.

• The List's web site is here
  

“Enid Lyons: Leading Lady to a Nation”

Anne Henderson’s new book "Enid Lyons: Leading Lady to a Nation" was launched in Tasmania by the Governor of Tasmania Peter Underwood in July at a function in the home of Dame Enid Lyons “Home Hill”, Devonport.

A fascinating podcast is on the Sydney Institute website her

Runnymede Model Ship Acquisition

The National Trust has recently purchased a model of the Hally Bayley made by B. Dean, Hobart, undated. It is a fine example of a ship model and is now on display in the museum room at Runnymede.

Runnymede’s connection with the maritime history of Tasmania and the adoption of its present name came about in 1864, about 24 years after it had been built, when the property was bought by Captain Charles Bayley. Charles and his brother James, who later lived at Runnymede after Charles had died, were prominent master mariners and ship-owners who spent much of their time deep-sea whaling, with the River Derwent as their home port.

The Bayley brothers owned and captained a number of whaleships and trading ships and the Runnymede maritime collection provides insights into their sea-faring past.

One of the Bayley ships the Hally Bayley, 122 tonnes, was built by John McGregor for the Bayley brothers at the Domain shipyard in Hobart and launched in 1869.  It was described as a ‘perfect topsail schooner’ and its fast passages showed it to be both a ‘clipper’ and a splendid ‘sea boat’.  It ended its days as a hulk at Sydney, New South Wales in 1910.

Disaster Response Bins

Becks Pty. Ltd., Launceston have generously supported the equipping of the National Trust’s new Disaster Response  Bins to be located at our 9 properties regularly open to the public.
The Disaster Response Bins contain small quantities of materials and equipment which will enable Trust volunteers and staff to respond immediately, effectively and safely to an incident. 
The development of these bins greatly improves the National Trust’s capacity to care for the nationally important heritage properties and collections held by it on behalf of the community.
The practical support of Becks has enabled this project to be implemented so soon after the restructuring of the National Trust this year.

Great Colonial Houses Pass

A co-operative initiative has been the development of a new marketing initiative with Woolmers and Entally Estate. This will see Clarendon coupled with these two major rural properties and together they will be marketed as “The Great Colonial Houses of Tasmania”. This new initiative is aimed at capturing a greater share of the short break market in the north of the state and will encourage visitors to go to more than one of these historic sites which at first glance seem similar. The launch of the new initiative with its joint ticket that offers a significant discount will take place during the Heritage Festival. Other potential joint marketing opportunities for a number of Trust properties are also being explored.

Click here for more information.

ROYAL TASMANIAN BOTANIC GARDENS

The National Trust is delighted to be entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Royal Tasmanian Botanic Gardens as it builds upon the complimentary strengths of our organizations to the advantage of the Tasmanian community.

The National Trust holds in its portfolio some of Tasmania’s most significant heritage properties with substantial gardens and grounds, which in their own right are of great heritage significance.

The new partnership will see a number of key elements:-

• Working together to promote the roles of our organization and the importance of our gardens including their heritage and scientific values;
• The opportunity for the Trust to benefit from the professional skills and knowledge of the staff of the Botanic Gardens as we care and conserve the gardens, trees and grounds of the Trust’properties throughout the state;
• Access to the archives;
• The ability of the Trust to support the Botanic Gardens in their statewide  outreach programs through the use of the Trust’s properties;

This partnership will help ensure that our gardens remain places of enjoyment and delight, while serving science and conserving our wonderful heritage.