historic houses trust of new south wales

HISTORIC HOUSES TRUST OF NEW SOUTH WALES

ANNUAL REPORT2014–2015

Rouse Hill House & Farm. Photo © Douglas Riley

The Hon Mark Speakman SC MP

Minister for the Environment, Minister for Heritage, and Assistant Minister for Planning Level 15, 52 Martin Place SYDNEY NSW 2000

Dear Minister

On behalf of the Board of Trustees and in accordance with the provisions of the Annual Reports (Statutory Bodies) Act 1984, the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983 and the Public Finance and Audit Regulation 2015, we submit for presentation to Parliament the Annual Report of the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales for the year ending 30 June 2015.

Yours sincerely

Michael Rose Mark Goggin Chairman Executive Director

The Historic Houses Trust of NSW, incorporating Sydney Living Museums, cares for significant historic places, buildings, landscapes and collections. It is a statutory authority of, and principally funded by, the NSW Government.

HISTORIC HOUSES TRUST Head Office The Mint 10 Macquarie Street Sydney NSW 2000

T 02 8239 2288 F 02 8239 2299 E [email protected] TTY 02 8239 2377 (telephone for people with hearing disabilities)

This report and all our programs are published on our website sydneylivingmuseums.com.au

CONTENTS

From the Chairman 2

From the Executive Director 3

OUR ACHIEVEMENTS 4

CORPORATE PLAN 5

PERFORMANCE 6

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS 7

1 Involvement 8

2 Access & enjoyment 16

3 Conservation & curatorship 30

4 Stability 40

5 Wellbeing 44

6 Knowledge 46

OUR ORGANISATION 50

Who we are 51

Our museums 52

Our collections 57

Endangered Houses Fund 58

Corporate governance 60

Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales 70

APPENDICES 72

HHT FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 87

Contacts 168

Program supporters & partners 169

Index 170

Corporate Partners 172

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OUR ACHIEVEMENTS

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Michael Rose Photo Scott Hill

FROM THE CHAIRMAN

At the heart of our vision, creating ‘A Future for the Past’, is the careful custodianship of our museums and our passion for engaging future generations in a deep appreciation of our heritage. Over the past year at the Historic Houses Trust of NSW (HHT) we achieved significant milestones in pursuit of this mission in two key areas: enhancing our properties

through effective conservation and interpretation, and better educating schoolchildren across the state.

This year, supported by $1.904 million in capital funding from the NSW Government, we embarked on a major maintenance program. These funds represent the first year of a comprehensive 11-year capitalised maintenance program valued at $30.8 million, marking a new era in heritage investment to secure our places for the next generation. So far we have completed 45 individual projects focused on improving public safety and accessibility, ensuring compliance with fire safety and electrical codes, replacing ageing infrastructure, improving venue facilities and ensuring our buildings are at their best for daily visitor use.

In June 2015, to increase access for schoolchildren to our state’s most significant heritage sites, the NSW Government announced support of $1.091 million over the next two years for the Unlocking Heritage program. Through targeted travel subsidies, this program will enable primary school students from low socio-economic backgrounds and regional and rural primary schools across NSW to attend over 30 heritage, environment or history curriculum-linked programs at HHT and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service sites. To enable regional schools to visit the UNESCO World heritage-listed Hyde Park Barracks, a fully subsidised immersive convict-themed sleepover provides overnight accommodation in authentic hammocks – a unique and memorable experience for any young child.

For their generous support of these conservation and education initiatives, and their ongoing commitment to our institution, I would like to acknowledge the NSW Government and, in particular, the Minister for Heritage, the Hon Mark Speakman SC MP, and the Minister for Planning & Environment, and former Minister for Heritage, the Hon Rob Stokes MP.

In May 2015 we secured funds of $1.82 million from the federal government, through the Protecting National Historic Sites Programme, to undertake exciting new interpretation, archaeology, and activation of the Hyde Park Barracks and on the site of first Government House.

This year our Foundation was successfully relaunched as the Governors’ Circle, engaging existing and new donors in conservation, collection acquisition and innovative education. The Foundation funded craftsmen in the re-shingling of the roof of the dairy and larder at Vaucluse House, using traditional methods, and a careful restoration of the barn at Rouse Hill.

In October 2014 we finalised the conservation and long-term lease of Throsby Park, one of Australia’s finest colonial homesteads, to Tim Throsby, restoring ownership to the estate’s descendants and securing

$4.2 million for reinvestment into the Endangered Houses Fund over the 40-year lease period. In March 2015 our work at Beulah homestead saw the reconstruction of the bridge over Woodhouse Creek, providing road access for major conservation works in 2016. The Foundation also subsidised students from low socio-economic backgrounds to participate in How Does Your Garden Grow?, our colonial kitchen garden experience at Vaucluse House.

As one her final duties as Governor of New South Wales, Her Excellency Professor The Honourable Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO led the program to commemorate our first Governor, Arthur Phillip, on the bicentenary of his death, including the dedication of the Captain Arthur Phillip RN memorial bust at the Museum of Sydney and an official reception at Government House. These events not only marked the farewell of one of the state’s most respected and admired Governors but also the formal transition in ownership of Government House from the HHT to the newly formed Government House Sydney Trust (GHS) as the official residence of the Governor of New South Wales. I would like to thank Governor Bashir for her generous and passionate engagement with the HHT over many years, and our thanks to GHS. We look forward to working with GHS and providing ongoing heritage expertise through the GHS Advisory Panel.

With support from the Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Program, we have created a new, dedicated role for Aboriginal Interpretation and Programming. To this new role we welcome Clive Freeman, a member of the Wreck Bay Aboriginal community, from a family of Yuin, Eora and Wirdjuri descent. Critical to understanding the history of our properties, and the future positioning of our cultural landscapes, will be elevating Aboriginal interpretation and community involvement across our places in coming years.

I would like to acknowledge Mrs Miriam Hamilton (nee Terry), one of the last co-owners of Rouse Hill House and its collection, who passed away late last year. Mrs Hamilton was connected with Rouse Hill House & Farm, as a descendant of the Rouse family, and the Thorburns of Meroogal. She maintained a close association with Rouse Hill and HHT staff, and over many years generously provided access to her research and collections.

The sheer scope of the outstanding work of the HHT is only possible through the strengths of the institution: the expertise and innovation of our talented staff; the experience and counsel of our Trustees and committees; the dedicated work of 544 volunteers, delivering over 8000 hours of service; the generosity of our Governors’ Circle donors; the investment of our corporate and commercial partners; the creative efforts of our collaborative partners and the steadfast commitment of the NSW Government.

This year our results demonstrate a strong, vibrant and financially sound institution that is well positioned to engage broader audiences with a deep love of our unique heritage places.

I look forward to working with Trustees, the Executive team and staff, the NSW Government, and our audiences and collaborative partners to build on our achievements.

Michael Rose, Chairman

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ANNUAL REPORT 2014–15

Mark Goggin Photo © Stuart Miller

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Our purpose is to enhance the heritage values of our houses, museums and gardens for current and future generations, to interpret our places with passion and creativity, and to instil a loyal affection for heritage in a broad range of audiences. Indeed, capturing the power of the past is as much about memory and emotion as it is about buildings and collections.

This year our evocative, interactive and meaningful programming attracted loyal and new audiences, and increasingly engaged with young minds.

Imagine Sydney in the 1850s when over half the population was under 12 years of age. Ever a young city with a young population, Sydney has been a backdrop to childhoods too numerous to count and the stories of children are intertwined with our properties. This year we sought to engage with young children through creative, interactive, emotional and conceptual play, based on architecture and history. In October we launched our new in-house membership program, with its compelling family offer: free membership for up to four children in every category. With a combination of exhibitions at the Museum of Sydney – Toys through Time, a nostalgic exploration of childhood play and Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks, an interactive experience to inspire tower building – we attracted 41,500 family visitors, of whom two-thirds were visiting for the first time. A suite of inventive school holiday programs across our museums and grounds peaked in popularity with PLAY[ground], a collaboration with Archikidz Sydney, which saw 5000 children exploring the Hyde Park Barracks Museum over the June long weekend.

Overall this year visitation at our properties, programs and travelling exhibitions continued to grow, with more than 700,000 visitors: up 8% on 2013–14 and 18% on 2012–13. This increase complemented strong growth in our digital audiences including engaged subscribers, website visitors (up 29%) and social media followers.

It has been heartening to witness the Museum of Sydney in its 20th anniversary year achieving its highest ever visitation of 166,000, which includes 91,501 paying visitors. Beyond the successful family programming, the museum led the commemoration of the bicentenary of the death of Admiral Arthur Phillip, staged the landmark exhibition Harry Seidler: Painting Toward Architecture celebrating the life and work of Australia’s influential modernist architect, drew over 52,000 patrons to The Governors Table Bar & Dining, participated in signature NSW events, such as Vivid, and secured federal funds for new site interpretation.

In November 2014 the 10th edition of our signature event, Sydney Open, marked the climax of the public profile and awareness of the HHT, and yielded the highest paid visitation to the event since it was first offered in 1997, with 48,639 visits to more than 50 buildings across Sydney. I am delighted to confirm that this ever-popular event will now be held annually, allowing the HHT to curate the city’s most important program of architecture and heritage each year.

This year our education programs reached 52,000 schoolchildren and, with the Unlocking Heritage grant from the NSW Government,

they are set to substantially increase the accessibility of curriculum-linked heritage experiences to schools across the state. I would like to reiterate our thanks to the Minister for Heritage, the Hon Mark Speakman SC MP, and the former Minister for Heritage, the Hon Rob Stokes MP, for supporting this groundbreaking program, which will be carefully evaluated during the two-year pilot program to assess its unique educational value.

Following the significant review of the institution’s business model conducted in 2013, we continued to implement the strategic recommendations of that review through the Business Review Action Plan, aimed at modernising and financially revitalising the HHT.

To this end, our success in visitation and digital engagement has been matched by strong financial outcomes, for a second consecutive year, with the institution’s net cost of service resulting in a surplus of $2.652 million, $1.177 million above budget. Self-generated revenue of $7.751 million was a significant contributor to this result. Opening two new successful restaurants, Bistro Mint and The Governors Table, saw our commercial leaseholds income increase by 38%. Strong visitation and major programs, such as Towers of Tomorrow and Sydney Open, saw admission revenues increase by 53%. A very favourable outcome in securing a valuable long-term lease from Throsby Park estate, several new federal and state government heritage grants, a new membership program and several new corporate partners have all assisted in this solid financial result.

In November 2014 we co-hosted Communicating the Museum, the foremost international forum for cultural communicators in the museums and galleries sector, which attracted 265 delegates from 23 countries. This international project positioned ‘Sydney Living Museums’ as an innovative and contemporary museum brand, and, institutionally, as a global leader in cultural communications.

I would like to thank our dynamic and devoted Chairman, Michael Rose, our experienced and conscientious Trustees, and the HHT’s many partners, visitors, donors, volunteers and collaborators, whose energy and loyalty drive the success of the institution. During 2014 and 2015 we were delighted to acknowledge 74 volunteers who have provided five, ten and 20 years of service to the HHT, a measure of the long-term enrichment to the visitor experience that our volunteers provide. Finally, heartfelt thanks to our highly skilled and passionate professional staff and, in particular, our talented Executive team, who collectively embody the creativity and authenticity that underpinned the ambitious program that was successfully delivered this year.

We look forward to the privilege of managing, conserving and interpreting our precious and historic museums, gardens and collections for the enjoyment and inspiration of our visitors and, in the coming year, to realising exciting new opportunities in the future public engagement of our heritage places.

INTRODUCTION

Mark Goggin, Executive Director

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OUR ACHIEVEMENTS

CORPORATE PLAN

CORPORATE FRAMEWORK

The Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales Corporate Plan 2010-2015 is underpinned by six key aims and objectives, each supported by a list of actions that drives our strategic direction.

STABILITYThe HHT becomes a more resilient organisation with a secure future.

WELLBEINGThe wellbeing of our staff improves.

KNOWLEDGEWe use our knowledge and expertise, and work with others, to change the way people think about heritage and the past.

ACCESS & ENJOYMENTWe provide more people and a wider range of people access to our properties, collections, programs and knowledge.

CONSERVATION & CURATORSHIPOur properties and collections are handed on to future generations in good heart.

INVOLVEMENTA wider range of people are involved in understanding, interpreting and caring for the past.

VISIONA future for the past

MISSION To care for significant historic places, buildings, collections and landscapes with integrity, and enable people to enjoy and learn about them

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OUR ACHIEVEMENTS

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VISITATION SELF-GENERATED REVENUE

PERFORMANCE

July 2012 – June 2015

$7.751 million$26.215 million $262.337 million

68% Personnel services 24% Other operating costs 3% Maintenance 3% Depreciation 1% Contract staff 1% Insurance

32% Donations and sponsorships 27% Commercial services*

25% Admissions 7% Programs and exhibitions†

4% Investments 3% Retail 2% Other income

* Commercial services include venue hire, catering and rental income from commercial leases.

† Includes public programs such as Sydney Open, exhibitions and travelling exhibitions.

82% Land and buildings

12% Collection assets

5% Cash and cash equivalents

1% Other assets

EXPENDITURE 2014–15 SELF-GENERATED REVENUE 2014–15 TOTAL ASSETS AS AT 30 JUNE 2015

July 2012 – June 2015

$9.102m$7.751m

700,667

647,051

Outreach and travelling exhibition visitation Property visitation

2012

–13

2012

–13

2013

–14

2014

–15

2014

–15

2013

–14

$6.474m

592,518

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1 INVOLVEMENT

• Our strategy for Sydney Open 2014, integrating ticket sales, membership acquisition and partnership management, yielded the highest paid visitation to the event since it was first offered in 1997.

• We developed and launched Unlocking Heritage, a program that enables primary school students from low socio-economic schools or in regional and rural areas to attend over 30 heritage, environment or history curriculum-linked programs at the HHT and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service sites.

• The 14th Meroogal Women’s Art Prize, exhibited at the house for the first time, resulted in an increase in overall visitation to the site of 116% compared to the same period in the previous year.

• From 4–8 November 2014 we co-hosted Communicating the Museum, the foremost international forum for cultural communicators in the museums and galleries sector.

• In collaboration with New York-based guest co-curator Vladimir Belogolovsky, Penelope Seidler AM, Polly Seidler, and staff at Harry Seidler and Associates, and supported by The GPT Group, the Seidler Architectural Foundation and AMP Capital, we staged Harry Seidler: Painting Toward Architecture, the first major exhibition to showcase never-before seen artworks, celebrating the life and work of this influential modernist architect.

2 ACCESS & ENJOYMENT

• Total visitation in this reporting period was 700,667, representing an 8.3% increase from 2013–14.

• Visitation to our properties was 545,660, a 17.3% increase from 2014.

• Our exhibition Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks drew a record number of 38,869 visitors to the Museum of Sydney to 30 June 2015.

• In its 20th year, the Museum of Sydney achieved its highest ever visitation with 91,501 paid admissions.

• We welcomed more than 52,000 students to a range of programs across our properties and through outreach.

• Over the June 2015 long weekend more than 5000 children and parents visited the Hyde Park Barracks Museum for PLAY[ground], an initiative of program partner Archikidz Sydney.

• More than 1600 visitors attended our inaugural Autumn Harvest market, held at Rouse Hill House & Farm in May 2015.

• We received a number of industry awards for brand, design, exhibitions and heritage projects, including the Museums & Galleries NSW IMAGinE Awards (2014) – Projects category (for organisations with 11 or more staff): Winner, for Celestial City: Sydney’s Chinese Story.

• Visits to our website increased by 29% from the previous year and the number of our Instagram followers increased by 213% since June 2014.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

3 CONSERVATION & CURATORSHIP

• We acquired new collection material, including a convict love token, the Meroogal kitchen clock and an oil painting by William Edwin Pidgeon of Queens Square depicting the Hyde Park Barracks.

• We undertook preventive conservation on collection items, including pest management, mould remediation, environmental management and collection storage.

• We completed year one of a $4.1 million three-year major capital maintenance program to ensure statutory compliance, visitor safety and environmental management.

• We finalised the long-term lease of Throsby Park homestead and completed the transfer of its collection and contents.

4 STABILITY

• Commercial leasehold income increased 38%, due to new hospitality partnerships at The Mint and the Museum of Sydney, and a new commercial office tenant being secured for the Young Street Terraces, Museum of Sydney.

• In May 2015 we received approval of a three-year Commonwealth Government grant of $1.82 million under the Protecting National Historic Sites Programme for the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hyde Park Barracks and the site of first Government House, with $546,000 received in June 2015.

• In October 2014 we launched our new in-house membership program, focused on families and children, which includes membership for up to four children in every category.

• In July 2014 we opened two restaurants at our sites: The Governors Table Bar & Dining at the Museum of Sydney and the French-inspired Bistro Mint at The Mint.

5 WELLBEING

• In the Public Service Commission People Matter Employee Survey 2014, 74% of staff were found to believe the HHT is committed to their development and 81% believing the organisation is making the necessary improvements to meet our future challenges.

• To meet Government Sector Employment Act (2013) requirements, we successfully undertook an extensive recruitment effort, resulting in 167 employment offers.

• During 2014–15, HHT employees participated in more than 1800 hours of training.

• We developed 18 new policies and ten revised policies including Dealing with Unreasonable Behaviour, First Aid, and Contractor Induction Procedures.

6 KNOWLEDGE

• We developed a partnership with Opera Australia to present Salon Music, four concerts held at The Mint, Elizabeth Bay House and Vaucluse House.

• We developed a program of events commemorating the bicentenary of the death of Admiral Arthur Phillip, including a sellout symposium and the dedication of the Captain Arthur Phillip RN memorial bust at the Museum of Sydney.

• Our Dream Home, Small Home exhibition showcased the Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection as the leading library of homes, interiors and gardens in Australia.

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OUR ACHIEVEMENTS

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1 INVOLVEMENT

A wider range of people are involved in understanding, interpreting and caring for the past.

We are dedicated to providing more opportunities for people to become involved with the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales (HHT) through a range of programs. Encouraging involvement with and participation in our museums and programs ensures that the sites we manage on behalf of the people of NSW are well maintained and enjoyed by all our visitors. The best ways we can do this are through encouraging genuine involvement with our properties, especially by schoolchildren, and supporting our volunteers.

VOLUNTEERING

Our Volunteer Program has continued to strengthen with important changes introduced following a comprehensive review of volunteer management and practices. Changes to the structure of the Volunteer Forum have enabled all volunteers to more effectively provide feedback about their experiences and the management of the program. Recruitment processes have been bolstered and made consistent, ensuring professional volunteer recruitment that is in line with best practice. An annual event was established to formally recognise the contribution of our volunteers, with length-of-service pins presented to them to acknowledge their valued commitment. All volunteers received complimentary membership.

Forty-five new exhibition volunteers were recruited in December 2014 and March 2015 to support the popular exhibition Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks at the Museum of Sydney. In November 2014, 399 volunteers joined us in the successful delivery of Sydney Open. The first half of 2015 saw the recruitment of more than 60 new volunteers who will provide customer service and interpretation across all of our sites.

SYDNEY OPEN

On Sunday 2 November 2014 the HHT delivered its 10th Sydney Open, enabling the general public to engage with the city’s architecture and heritage by exploring over 50 buildings. We developed and delivered a strategy that integrated ticket sales, membership acquisition and partnership management, and which yielded the highest paid visitation since the program was first offered in 1997, a 19.9% increase on the last event. A key element was the Golden Ticket promotion – in partnership with Sydney Open major partner, the Queen Victoria Building – which drove more than 1900 ticket sales in a competition to win a tour of the QVB Dome. Other partners in the event were Houses magazine and AMP Capital. Sydney Open was included as part of our Home & Architecture program.

The City of Sydney assisted Sydney Open with marketing and promotional support, as well as a grant towards business planning and an audience and market research project to inform the future of the program. Highlights of the audience research were very high levels of satisfaction with the program offer across a range of indicators (+80%) and strong awareness of HHT ownership of the program (78%). Sydney Open also yielded strong return on investment, resulting in $1.4 million in public relations value.

MEROOGAL WOMEN’S ART PRIZE

On Saturday 20 September 2014 the HHT launched its 14th Meroogal Women’s Art Prize (MWAP). This was the first time the artworks were installed within the rooms of the house and in the garden, marking an important change to the event from previous years. The prize was generously supported by the HHT Foundation and the Bundanon Trust, providing the biggest prize pool in MWAP’s history and an artist residency for the first-place winner. The installation of 39 works, which were on display until 26 January 2015, was very carefully considered and became an integrated part of visitor experience during the course of the prize. Artists visiting the house as they developed their works and general visitors to the exhibition itself resulted in an increase in overall visitation of 116% compared to the same period in the previous year.

Above Sharnie Shield wearing part of her first-prize-winning artwork Collars in the afternoon in the bedroom at Meroogal. Photo © James Horan

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27 SMITH STREET COMPETITION

In April 2014 the HHT created a new competition, 27 Smith Street: the Home of Tomorrow, to coincide with the launch of its Home & Architecture program. The competition called on professional and student architects to design a suburban family home that brought the typical red brick house into the future. The competition was supported by Austral Bricks, the major partner of the Home & Architecture program.

A total of 26 professional entries and nine student entries were received. The student prize was awarded to Jennifer McMaster and Jonathon Donnelly. The judges remarked that the winning design showed great architectural logic, was respectful to context and showcased the thermal qualities of brick. The winners of the professional award, for their design of the Ribbon House, were Jerome Cateaux and Alberto Quizon. The judges felt their design showed innovation through its consideration of the needs of future communities, with the breakdown of the fence line and the radical reallocation of private land.

Above ‘Kandos’ wallpaper with ‘Kandos’ lampshade in an alternative colourway. Photo © Ella and Sofia

A COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE HHT & ELLA AND SOFIA

In July 2014, following a 12-month collaboration with the HHT, Ella and Sofia, a Sydney-based design studio specialising in premium fabrics, wallpapers and bespoke home furnishings, launched a new wallpaper and fabric collection.

The inspiration for this collection began at the Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection (CSL&RC) with its extensive range of historical trade literature, pattern books and textile and wallpaper samples. Karie Soehardi, creative director of Ella and Sofia, and CSL&RC curatorial staff went on a journey of discovery into Australian interior design, with Karie carefully selecting and reworking 1920s wallpaper designs into elegant modern pieces.

The new wallpapers and fabrics refer directly to the historical wallpapers that inspired them. The original ‘Kandos’ and ‘Gadara’ come from a sample book of wallpaper friezes made by Sydney company Morrisons, one of the few Sydney-based wallpaper manufacturers of the period. ‘Vaucluse’ was inspired by a French wallpaper sample book – hence the new wallpaper is named after a Sydney place name with a French origin. The design for ‘Rose Bay’ was drawn from a large fragment of 1920s wallpaper recovered from Rose Bay Lodge during major conservation works to the building in the early 1990s.

The CSL&RC continues to collect historic wallpapers and fabrics to help us all to better understand our design history and built heritage. The collaboration with Ella and Sofia is one way of drawing attention to the past in order to inspire us all in the future.

ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE AT VAUCLUSE HOUSE

Vaucluse House hosted ceramicist Andrei Davidoff as artist-in-residence in 2014–15. Davidoff, a functional and conceptual ceramicist based in Melbourne, was granted unprecedented access to the house including its collection and archival and photographic records. Davidoff worked on site, both hand-building and on a potter’s wheel, to create artworks in response to his experience of the property. The result of his residency was an exhibition entitled Solitary Shade, held at Vaucluse House over the Christmas holidays. The residency was undertaken with the assistance of the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts and the support of the HHT.

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OUR ACHIEVEMENTS

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Below Sydney Living Museums Executive Director Mark Goggin, the Hon Mark Speakman MP, Minister for Heritage, and Michael Wright, Deputy Chief Executive, NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service, with students from Yagoona Public School. Photo © James Horan

On Friday 12 June 2015 the Hon Mark Speakman SC MP, Minister for Heritage, announced $1.09 million in government funding to increase accessibility to learning programs at HHT and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service sites. The Unlocking Heritage program offers two groups of schools – those with high levels of students from disadvantaged backgrounds and those in regional and rural NSW – a travel subsidy and special program.

The Unlocking Heritage Travel Subsidy provides up to $20 per student for schools with a Resource Allocation Model, Family Occupation and Education Index of 100 points or more to attend over 30 heritage, environment or history curriculum-linked programs at eight HHT properties and nine NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service sites. The HHT’s Unlocking Heritage: A Convict Sleepover program offers the same travel subsidy as well as a free program for students from regional and rural schools. A Convict Sleepover enables Stages 2 and 3 students from these schools the unique opportunity to experience life as a convict through an overnight program at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hyde Park Barracks. Over 1700 schools across NSW are eligible for Unlocking Heritage funding.

UNLOCKING HERITAGE EDUCATION SUBSIDY


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Clockwise from left Breakfast after the Convict Sleepover program at the Hyde Park Barracks Museum; exploring the Hyde Park Barracks Museum after dark as part of the Convict Sleepover program; students from Yagoona Public School enjoy the Hyde Park Barracks Museum as part of the Unlocking Heritage education subsidy program. Photos © James Horan

SPECIAL PROJECT

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SEIDLER: EXHIBITION, TALKS & TOURS

Our Home & Architecture program continued in 2014–15, focusing on bringing the history, distinctiveness and experience of Australian architecture to our visitors.

Harry Seidler: Painting Toward Architecture was the first major exhibition on the distinguished architect to showcase never-seen-before original artworks. The exhibition, held at the Museum of Sydney, showcased the acclaimed designs, iconic buildings and long-lasting local and international collaborations Seidler forged with the great names in art, architecture, design and engineering including Walter Gropius, Marcel Breuer, Oscar Niemeyer, Max Dupain, Josef Albers, Alexander Calder, Sol LeWitt and Lin Utzon. As well as showcasing Seidler’s creative achievements, the exhibition presented the fascinating personal journey of this visionary through times of war and peace.

The exhibition was curated by New York-based Vladimir Belogolovsky and Dr Caroline Butler-Bowdon, and was developed in partnership with Penelope Seidler AM and family, as well as staff at Harry Seidler and Associates. Harry Seidler: Painting Toward Architecture was supported by major partner, The GPT Group, and supporting partners, the Seidler Architectural Foundation and AMP Capital.

This exhibition was accompanied by a series of talks, a collaborative program with Expanded Architecture, including a Seidler City symposium, and related displays in the foyers of three Seidler-designed towers as part of our partnership with The GPT Group. A small display of objects that once belonged to and were used by Rose Seidler was installed at Rose Seidler House for a period of six months to coincide with the exhibition. We also coordinated a series of tours as part of Sydney Open 2014 that provided the public a rare opportunity to visit more than a dozen privately owned Seidler-designed houses, apartments and offices. The tours were led by curators, owners and architects.

Clockwise from top right Penelope Seidler at the opening of Harry Seidler: Painting Toward Architecture at the Museum of Sydney. Photo © James Horan; Hannes House, Cammeray. Max Dupain & Associates Archive 12366-6, State Library of NSW © Penelope Seidler; Penelope and Harry Seidler on the deck of Rose Seidler House. Photo courtesy Penelope Seidler


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Clockwise from top left Space-time construction #3, Theo Van Doesburg, 1923, gouache, graphite, ink. National Gallery of Australia, Canberra. Donated through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program by Penelope Seidler AM, in memory of Harry Seidler AC, 2010; Marta Dusseldorp, Penelope Seidler and co-curator Vladimir Belogolovsky at the opening of Harry Seidler: Painting Toward Architecture. Photo © James Horan; Harry Seidler: Painting Toward Architecture installation view. Photo © Jamie North; Australia Square, George Street, Sydney. State Library of NSW PXD 720 / 90 © Penelope Seidler

SPECIAL PROJECT

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COMMUNICATING THE MUSEUM

From 4 to 8 November 2014, the HHT co-hosted the Communicating the Museum (CTM) conference, welcoming 265 participants from 23 countries. The conference had an Asia-Pacific focus for the first time, with attendees from the United Arab Emirates, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand and across Australia.

This year’s theme, ‘Optimism’, covered four key topics: opportunities, collaboration, leadership and community engagement. Conference participants collectively explored issues ranging from branding and marketing to new directions for non-museum spaces and creating opportunities to directly engage with audiences. Corinne Estrada, CTM co-founder and Agenda Paris director said, ‘We change the scene, we change the destination, we change the format but the audience is always the same – it’s always about communication issues’.

Speaking at the conference was a dynamic line-up of communication specialists and museum innovators including Damian Borchok from Interbrand Australia, Jackson Pellow from the Australian National Maritime Museum, Miranda Callow from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and Clare Jacobson, author of New museums in China.

Executive Director Mark Goggin played a pivotal role in bringing CTM to Australia, leading a national coalition of partners to secure the rights to host the prestigious conference – the foremost international forum for cultural communicators in the museums and galleries sector. We hosted workshops at our historic Macquarie Street sites, The Mint and the Hyde Park Barracks Museum. Arnel Rodriguez, the HHT’s Graphic Design Manager, was the conference designer and Dr Caroline Butler-Bowdon, Assistant Director, Creative Services, was one of a number of speakers from leading Australian museums.

Sydney 4—8 Nov 2014 • MeLBOURne 9—11 Nov 2014

TO RegiSTeR viSiT communicatingthemuseum.com

14th InternatIonal ConferenCeDeDICateD to MUSeUM ProfeSSIonalS

ConferenCe PartnerSStrateGIC PartnerS

Clockwise from top right Marketing material for Communicating the Museum 2014; conference speakers and guests around Sydney. Photos © Cedric Tourasse


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Clockwise from left Conference goes outside the Museum of Sydney and in various locations around Sydney. Photos © Cedric Tourasse

SPECIAL PROJECT

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2 ACCESS AND ENJOYMENT

We provide more people and a wider range of people access to our properties, collections, programs and knowledge.

This year we built on our audience and digital strategies to develop and grow our programming and establish new platforms to enable us to reach our audiences.

HOUSE TOURS

Throsby Park homestead and Throsby Cottage were open to the public for tours on Sunday 12 April during Heritage Week 2015. More than 100 visitors took an in-depth tour covering local history, the Throsby estate, Endangered Houses Fund activities and the handing over of the property to Mr Tim Throsby.

On Sunday 19 April 100 guests were shown the Glenfield house and garden in tours led by Ian Innes, HHT Assistant Director, Heritage, architect Ian Stapleton and garden historian Dr James Broadbent. The property is well presented and the owners have continued to make many improvements flagged in the Conservation Management Plan and Heritage Agreement since they purchased the property in 2013.

Beulah homestead and farm were shown to visitors for the first time in May 2015 when 100 guests accessed the site via the newly reconstructed bridge over Woodhouse Creek and upgraded access road. Visitors appreciated the experience of being in the Cumberland Plain Woodland, and enjoyed the expansive views across the Nepean Valley and the fine stonework of the bridge and the homestead. They were enthusiastic about the HHT’s plans for future conservation and resale of endangered houses.

REACHING REGIONAL AUDIENCES

This year the HHT’s travelling exhibitions program toured three exhibitions to venues around NSW, Western Australia and South Australia. The exhibition Iconic Australian Houses began its nine-venue national tour at the Glasshouse Gallery, Port Macquarie, before heading on to the Jam Factory in South Australia. A Convict in the Family? and 52 Suburbs Around the World travelled to seven venues in total, primarily in regional NSW. A total of 89,473 visitors attended our travelling exhibitions in 2014–15.

The HHT also continued as the major institutional partner for Orange City Council’s Villages of the Heart project, which secured an Arts NSW Regional Partnership Grant of $140,000 in January 2014. We are creating a community-focused extension of the HHT’s Eat Your History interpretative and public programs in partnership with this major regional centre. Activities include a public program, History on the Menu: Colonial Tastes in Food and Wine 1860–1890s for Orange Wine Week, and a masterclass for regional museum professionals, Gastronomy in the Museum: Interpretation and Programming Through Food.

FOOD PROGRAMS

We continued to create opportunities for the public to engage with our museums through food. Building on the success of the inaugural Christmas Artisan Food Gift Market in December 2013, we presented another Christmas Market at the Hyde Park Barracks Museum in 2014, as well as hosting the inaugural Autumn Harvest market at Rouse Hill House & Farm in May 2015. Autumn Harvest, attended by over 1600 people, featured produce reflecting the history of the site and current interest in reconnecting with authentic practices of cooking and eating. In addition, a deeper engagement with the HHT’s collections and knowledge was provided through expert-led talks and tours about food heritage and provenance. The program provided opportunities for us to discover more about our audiences and grow our membership and databases. Planning has commenced for the first Spring Harvest market, to be held at Elizabeth Farm in October 2015.

Jacqui Newling, the HHT’s resident gastronomer, continued to present the Colonial Gastronomy workshop series. In 2014–15 workshops included Wild Foods, exploring Indigenous and colonial foodways at Vaucluse House, with partners Young Henrys brewery and Edna’s at Your Table catering; Christmas Puddings at Vaucluse House; Punches, Cordials and Refreshers at Elizabeth Farm; and Pickled, Potted and Preserved at Vaucluse House.

We once again partnered with food researcher and writer Barbara Sweeney to deliver the popular food writers’ festival Food & Words.

Food-based programs for children included the school holiday workshops A Convict Breakfast at the Hyde Park Barracks Museum and Kids in the Kitchen at Vaucluse House and Elizabeth Farm, as well as the curriculum-linked school programs How Does Your Garden Grow? (Stage 1), From Pickled, Potted and Preserved (Stages 5 and 6) and Stew to Stir-fry (Stage 5).

Above Visitors tour Beulah as part of the Heritage House Tours during Heritage Week 2015. Photo Richard Taylor

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AWARDS

In 2014–15, the HHT received a number of industry awards for brand, design, exhibitions and heritage.

• 2014 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation, Award of Merit for the State Heritage-listed property Exeter Farm.

• International Design & Communication Awards (2014) – Best Website: Silver; and Best Brand Campaign: Bronze

• Museums & Galleries NSW IMAGinE Awards (2014) – Projects category (for organisations with 11 or more staff): Winner, for Celestial City: Sydney’s Chinese Story at the Museum of Sydney; and Engagement category (for organisations with 11 or more staff): Highly Commended, for our new website

• Museums Australia Multimedia and Publication Design Awards (MAPDA) (2015) – Multimedia category: Winner, for the Governors’ Circle animation; and Magazine category: Joint Winner, for Unlocked: The Sydney Living Museums Gazette

• Museums and Galleries National Awards (MAGNA) (2015) – Temporary or Travelling Exhibition category: Winner, for Celestial City: Sydney’s Chinese Story.

ABORIGINAL STRATEGY

As pat of the Business Review Action Plan, we agreed to support a new Aboriginal-identified position of Coordinator of Aboriginal Interpretation and Programming. Clive Freeman, a member of the Wreck Bay Aboriginal community from a strong family of Yuin, Eora and Wiradjuri descent, joined the HHT in December 2014. Clive is instigating a new Aboriginal strategic action plan to identify and expand upon Aboriginal relationships, respect and opportunities, and is working to increase Aboriginal interpretation and community involvement in programs across the organisation.

This position is supported in its first year by a grant from the Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Program, through the Department of Education and Training.

NAIDOC WEEK

In July 2014, for the fourth year running, Rouse Hill House & Farm hosted a special NAIDOC Week celebration in close collaboration with local Darug elders, who shared their cultural knowledge with the community and visitors. Uncle Greg Simms, Auntie Edna Watson, Uncle Wes Marne, Leanne Watson and Erin Wilkins from the Darug Custodians Aboriginal Corporation and Muru Mittigar Aboriginal Cultural and Education Centre engaged visitors in storytelling, woodcarving demonstrations, painting and craft activities. There was a sausage sizzle courtesy of the Darug Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessments Group, as well as the opportunity to see native animals from the Taronga Zoomobile. Kevin Connolly MP, Member for Riverstone, was our special guest for the event.

Above Produce from the Autumn Harvest market at Rouse Hill House & Farm. Photo © James Horan

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OUR ACHIEVEMENTS

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CHILDREN & FAMILIES

In 2014–15 the HHT delivered an ambitious program to provide access and engagement for family audiences. Staff across the organisation worked together to define, develop and deliver an offer to families that ties to our programming themes of Home & Architecture and Food, and incorporates our targets across visitation, income and membership. Building on our success in delivering school holiday workshops, our programming for families aimed to significantly increase the offer through the development of partnerships, exhibitions and online resources.

Critical to increasing family audiences were two family-focused exhibitions. From 13 December 2014 to 12 July 2015, Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks at the Museum of Sydney attracted family audiences to a display of major towers from across Australasia built in LEGO. A combination of architecture, design and creative play, Towers of Tomorrow provided visitors with more than 200,000 LEGO bricks to build their own towers and add them to the exhibition skyline. In the April school holidays, a second family-focused exhibition, Toys Through Time, provided further incentive for families to visit the museum. Based on visitor evaluations, it is estimated that this combination attracted more than 41,500 visitors to the museum with approximately two-thirds of visitors engaging with the HHT for the first time.

We also significantly expanded our family offering by delivering large-scale creative programs across the year. We developed a major partnership with Archikidz Sydney to deliver PLAY[ground] at Hyde Park Barracks for Vivid Sydney, with over 5000 children and parents exploring the site through play during the June 2015 long weekend.

In addition to delivering other popular school holiday programs such as Pirate Convicts, Earn Your Tucker and Kids in the Kitchen, new initiatives, such as the Make and Take program, offered families opportunities to experience our museums through unstructured creative play. We also developed relationships with various workshop providers and commissioned the new programs Marvellous Mosaics at Vaucluse House and the Oh, Rats! puppet show at the Hyde Park Barracks Museum. Easter school holiday programs, such as the Easter Egg Hunts, attracted more than 1000 visitors to our places.

Top to bottom Kids playing with the chickens at Rouse Hill House & Farm; having fun at PLAY[ground] at the Hyde Park Barracks Museum. Photos © James Horan


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Clockwise from far left Entering the PLAY[ground] at the Hyde Park Barracks Museum. Photo © James Horan; children building at the Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks exhibition at the Museum of Sydney. Photo © Haley Richardson; convict dress-ups at the Hyde Park Barracks Museum. Photo © James Horan

SPECIAL PROJECT

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PROPERTY VISITATION

ELIZABETH BAY HOUSE

ELIZABETH FARM

HYDE PARK BARRACKS MUSEUM

JUSTICE & POLICE MUSEUM MEROOGAL THE MINT

2015 SUMMARY

General admissions* 4,373 6,779 52,631 15,220 1,344 1,548

Paid admissions 3,797 5,210 46,671 11,367 1,131 264

Prepaid admissions 157 161 3,474 3,717 46 –

Free admissions 419 1,408 2,486 136 167 –

Library non-school visits† – – – – – 1,284

Education 371 8,511 15,982 5,797 121 493

Education visits 371 8,511 15,982 5,797 121 –

Library education visits† – – – – – 493

Public programs‡ 453 572 9,806 962 406 1,824

Paid public programs§ 453 389 4,996 962 168 1,754

Free public programs – 183 4,810 0 238 70

Government House free programs

– – – – – –

Hospitality admissions 1,235 4,945 37,980 3,212 – 27,484

Venue hire 1,235 384 11,821 3,212 – 16,912

Dining admissions – 4,561 26,159 – – 10,572

TOTAL ADMISSIONS 6,432 20,807 116,399 25,191 1,871 31,349

Grounds|| – – – – – 18,933

Travelling exhibitions – – – – – –

TOTAL AUDIENCE REACH 6,432 20,807 116,399 25,191 1,871 50,282

TOTAL VISITATIONPROPERTY VISITATION OUTREACH VISITATION TOTAL VISITATION

2015 2014 2013 2015 2014 2013 2015 2014 2013

General admissions* 202,382 168,959 178,774 800 1,397 1,275 203,182 170,356 180,049

Education 50,629 51,619 49,243 1,548 1,193 2,311 52,177 52,812 51,554

Public programs including Sydney Open‡§

28,152 19,707 10,808 63,186 22,256 61,461 91,338 41,963 72,269

Hospitality admissions 184,624 141,658 118,785 – – – 184,624 141,658 118,785

TOTAL ADMISSIONS 465,787 381,943 357,610 65,534 24,846 65,047 531,321 406,789 422,657

Additional audiences

Grounds|| 79,873 83,086 34,424 – – – 79,873 83,086 34,424

Travelling exhibitions – – – 89,473 157,176 135,437 89,473 157,176 135,437

TOTAL AUDIENCE REACH 545,660 465,029 392,034 155,007 182,022 200,484 700,667 647,051 592,518

* General admissions include paid and free general entry including Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection visits and shop-only visits at Elizabeth Bay House, Elizabeth Farm, Rouse Hill House & Farm and Vaucluse House.

† Total Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection visits of 1777 comprises 1284 general admission visits and 493 tertiary student visits.‡ Public programs include paid and free public program admissions and include house tours of Government House in 2014–15 and 2013–14. Vice-regal functions at

Government House are excluded. § Sydney Open visits and tours at each participating HHT property are included in paid public programs for each property. Sydney Open visits and tours of all

participating non-HHT properties are included in Outreach paid public programs. Sydney Open visitation is reported as total property and tour visits to all Sydney Open participating properties.

|| Grounds include forecourt programs at First Government House Place and The Mint. Government House grounds visitation is excluded.

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ELIZABETH BAY HOUSE

ELIZABETH FARM


JUSTICE & POLICE MUSEUM MEROOGAL THE MINT

2015 SUMMARY

General admissions* 4,373 6,779 52,631 15,220 1,344 1,548

Paid admissions 3,797 5,210 46,671 11,367 1,131 264

Prepaid admissions 157 161 3,474 3,717 46 –

Free admissions 419 1,408 2,486 136 167 –

Library non-school visits† – – – – – 1,284

Education 371 8,511 15,982 5,797 121 493

Education visits 371 8,511 15,982 5,797 121 –

Library education visits† – – – – – 493

Public programs‡ 453 572 9,806 962 406 1,824

Paid public programs§ 453 389 4,996 962 168 1,754

Free public programs – 183 4,810 0 238 70

Government House free programs

– – – – – –

Hospitality admissions 1,235 4,945 37,980 3,212 – 27,484

Venue hire 1,235 384 11,821 3,212 – 16,912

Dining admissions – 4,561 26,159 – – 10,572

TOTAL ADMISSIONS 6,432 20,807 116,399 25,191 1,871 31,349

Grounds|| – – – – – 18,933

Travelling exhibitions – – – – – –

TOTAL AUDIENCE REACH 6,432 20,807 116,399 25,191 1,871 50,282

MUSEUM OF SYDNEY

ROSE SEIDLER HOUSE

ROUSE HILL HOUSE & FARM

SUSANNAH PLACE MUSEUM

VAUCLUSE HOUSE OUTREACH

2015 TOTAL 2015 SUMMARY

91,501 1,804 4,674 9,143 13,365 800 203,182 General admissions*

84,156 1,687 2,948 6,012 11,841 553 175,637 Paid admissions

6,110 65 133 3,025 250 – 17,138 Prepaid admissions

1,235 52 1,593 106 1,274 247 9,123 Free admissions

– – – – – – 1,284 Library non-school visits†

4,678 329 4,925 2,472 6,950 1,548 52,177 Education

4,678 329 4,925 2,472 6,950 1,548 51,684 Education visits

– – – – – – 493 Library education visits†

8,071 1,803 2,389 925 941 63,186 91,338 Public programs‡

1,471 1,769 390 22 941 45,833 59,148 Paid public programs§

6,600 34 1,999 903 – – 14,837 Free public programs

– – – – – 17,353 17,353 Government House free programs

61,778 – 290 – 47,700 – 184,624 Hospitality admissions

9,090 – 290 – 7,003 – 49,947 Venue hire

52,688 – – – 40,697 – 134,677 Dining admissions

166,028 3,936 12,278 12,540 68,956 65,534 531,321 TOTAL ADMISSIONS

60,940 – – – – – 79,873 Grounds||

– – – – – 89,473 89,473 Travelling exhibitions

226,968 3,936 12,278 12,540 68,956 155,007 700,667 TOTAL AUDIENCE REACH

* Includes general admissions and public programs.‡ Other states include ACT, NT, SA, Tas and WA

WHERE VISITORS CAME FROM* WHERE SYDNEY VISITORS CAME FROM*

47% Sydney 31% Overseas 9% Regional NSW 5% Qld 5% Vic 4% Other states‡

25% Northern Sydney 21% Inner city 17% Eastern Suburbs 15% Western Sydney 12% South Sydney 12% Inner West

EDUCATION 2015 2014 2013

Primary total 36,894 37,940 37,810

Secondary total 10,083 10,572 9,161

Outreach (Connected Classrooms) 1,548 1,193 2,311

Tertiary 3,124 2,403 1,423

Adult 528 704 849

TOTAL 52,177 52,812 51,554

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OUR ACHIEVEMENTS

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This page, clockwise from top left Ladies at the market stalls at Fifties Fair; a gentleman and a vintage car outside Rose Seidler House at Fifties Fair; a father and daughter feed the horses at Autumn Harvest at Rouse Hill House & Farm. Photos © James Horan; Hong Kong House during Sydney Open 2014. Photo © Haley Richardson

Opposite page 50 Martin Place during Sydney Open 2014. Photo © Haley Richardson


OUR ACHIEVEMENTS

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EXHIBITIONS 2014–15

TITLE LOCATION EXHIBITION DATES

Celestial City: Sydney’s Chinese Story Museum of Sydney 29 Mar – 12 Oct 2014

Iconic Australian Houses: an Exhibition by Karen McCartney

Museum of Sydney 12 Apr – 17 Aug 2014

Dream Home, Small Home Museum of Sydney 23 Aug – 23 Nov 2014

Harry Seidler: Painting Toward Architecture Museum of Sydney 1 Nov 2014 – 8 Mar 2015

Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks Museum of Sydney 13 Dec 2014 – 12 Jul 2015

Toys Through Time: from Peg dolls to Spacemen Museum of Sydney 29 Mar – 9 Aug 2015

Head on Portrait Prize, part of Head On Photo Festival Museum of Sydney 2 May – 8 Jun 2015

Female Immigration Depot 1848–1886 Hyde Park Barracks Museum 28 Jun 2014 – ongoing

Notorious Criminals: a Snapshot of Sinister Sydney Justice & Police Museum 18 Oct 2014 – ongoing

Breakers: the Dying Art of Safebreaking Justice & Police Museum 18 Oct 2014 – ongoing

Meroogal Women’s Art Prize Meroogal 20 Sept 2014 – 26 Jan 2015

KEY EVENTS

TITLE LOCATION TOTAL VISITORS DATE

Autumn Harvest Rouse Hill House & Farm 1,667 31 May 2015

Christmas Fare Hyde Park Barracks Museum 2,600 18 Dec 2014

Fifties Fair Rose Seidler House 1,741 24 Aug 2014

Mayhem events Elizabeth Bay House and Justice & Police Museum

573 14 Feb and 8 May 2015

PLAY[ground] Hyde Park Barracks Museum 5,174 6–8 June 2015

Seidler Focus Tours Outreach 498 15–16 November 2014

Susannah Place – 170th Anniversary Susannah Place Museum 903 14 September 2014

Sydney Open 2014 Various 48,639 2 November 2014

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TRAVELLING EXHIBITIONS 2014–15

KEY TITLE LOCATION EXHIBITION DATES VISITORS*

52 Suburbs Around the World Liverpool City Library 13 Aug – 2 Nov 2014 27,088

Wagga Wagga Regional Gallery 13 Dec 2014 – 25 Jan 2015 2,277

New England Regional Art Museum, Armidale

1 May – ongoing 3,466

A Convict in the Family? Western Australian Museum, Albany 3 Aug – 21 Sept 2014 4,638

Museum of the Riverina, Wagga Wagga 10 Oct 2014 – 26 Jan 2015 5,515

Newcastle Museum 9 Feb – 27 Apr 2015 30,886

Liverpool City Library 20 Jun – ongoing 286

Iconic Australian Houses: an Exhibition by Karen McCartney

Glasshouse, Port Macquarie 5 Dec 2014 – 15 Feb 2015 8,427

JamFactory, Adelaide 30 Apr – ongoing 6,890

GRAND TOTAL 89,473

* All visitation figures are to 30 June 2015

Below Iconic Australian Houses. Photo © Jamie North

Liverpool •

Newcastle •

Wagga Wagga •

Armidale •

Port Macquarie •

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OUR ACHIEVEMENTS

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DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT

DIGITAL

The implementation of the HHT’s digital strategy in 2013 established a new approach to online engagement for the organisation. As well as creating the foundation for the development of the new website, the strategy has helped to ensure digital content is a key output of everything we do. This strategy works in tandem with the Sydney Living Museums brand strategy, and these two initiatives underpinned real growth in digital engagement during the 2014–15 financial year.

The new Sydney Living Museums website experienced a 29% increase in visitation and a 12% increase in overall page views across the site. This is highlighted by engagement around our core content with viewing times of our story pages increasing by 25%, and many stories regularly averaging view times of more than five minutes per page.

We have also experienced continued growth in our social media following across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS

Usage patterns indicate that improved awareness of and interest in our activities are playing a large part in the lift in visitation to our website. In particular we have seen a large increase in visitors landing on (or entering our website via) our event and exhibition pages, up by 121% on the previous year. If we include Sydney Open 2014 in these figures the increase jumps to 200%.

Improved visibility of our long-term displays and installations, such as a specific page for the artwork Edge of the trees at the Museum of Sydney, has also helped lift the overall number of page views of our exhibition content, up by 184%.

The total views of our events pages has also more than doubled, increasing by 110% when compared to the previous financial year.

Increased activity around our exhibitions and events also helped lift the number of page views of our core museum pages, which increased by 250,000 page views or 40%.

DEVICE ACCESS TO THE SITE

The trend of people moving from using their desktops to handheld devices continued to accelerate over the past year. Desktop usage only grew by 6% while tablet use grew by 52% and mobile use grew by 87%. As a result, we now have an almost 50-50 split between visits from desktops versus visits from mobiles and tablets.

Certain sections of the website, however, tend to have even higher mobile usage. The exhibition page for Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks received much higher mobile usage, with 60% of page views occurring on a mobile/tablet and only 40% on a desktop.

The reverse is true of our education pages, of which 80% of page views were from a desktop.

SOCIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

PEOPLE WATCHING VIDEOS FOR LONGER

The number of plays and minutes watched via YouTube, our main video distribution channel, has markedly increased with the number of plays almost doubling to 71,687 and the number of minutes watched increasing from 47,155 to over 153,000.

FACEBOOK

Our Facebook followers have grown by 72% to over 29,000 and our individual post ‘likes’ are now averaging 146, up from 35 during the previous financial year.

ENGAGEMENT WITH HASHTAGS

The #sydneyisopen tag used to support Sydney Open 2014 was used more than 2100 times. #slmtowers (Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks) was used more than 700 times.

TWITTER

Twitter followers have grown by 44% to 2318, with profile visits up 17% to average 1500 a month. Notable followers include @museweb 54,000 followers and @LeBronJames 3.14 million followers.

INSTAGRAM

Instagram has shown the greatest growth of all our social channels. Growing by 181% to 2700 and reaching a total of 17,900 likes from 400 images shared.

TICKET SALES TO OUR EXHIBITIONS AND EVENTS

Digital marketing played a key role in many of our sellout events during 2014–15. Advertising on platforms such as Facebook had particular success, helping to sell out events well in advance.

Due to its popularity, the Towers of Tomorrow exhibition required the HHT to manage visitation through timed sessions for the first time, and actively encouraged presale tickets. This resulted in 58% of tickets sold in advance, with 51% of visitors buying online and 7% purchasing over the phone via the box office.


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Above, left to right Sydney Open 2014 website; the #SLMtowers hashtag on Instagram for the Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks exhibition.

DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT

2014–15 2013–14 2012–13

TOTAL WEBSITE VISITS 1,178,859 929,194 786,316

Page views

Main website 2,902,017 2,385,788 1,908,427

E-commerce 132,214 172,822 173,396

Microsites/blogs* 85,888 145,604 342,789

Collections 174,828 283,641 314,200

Page views total 3,294,947 2,987,855 2,738,812

eNEWS SUBSCRIBERS† 27,000 45,203 13,202

SOCIAL MEDIA

Twitter followers 2,318 1,610 1,062

Facebook followers 29,425 17,101 6,931

Facebook impressions‡ 1,861,984 – –

Instagram followers 2,700 960 150

VIDEOS

Video plays 71,687 37,887 19,864

Minutes watched on YouTube 153,053 47,155 3,165

* Numbers are down from the 2013 figure, as in the 2014–15 reporting period there was no microsite for Sydney Open, with the event site part of the main SLM website.

† Decreased subscriber numbers in 2015 was due to a database cleansing conducted at the start of the year.‡ Figure refers to lifetime post total impressions, which is the total number of times a Sydney Living Museums Facebook post appeared on a

Facebook user’s timeline, regardless of whether or not they followed the page.

SPECIAL PROJECT

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MUSEUM OF SYDNEY TURNS 20

It is fitting that in the Museum of Sydney’s 20th year it achieved its highest ever visitation of 166,000, including 91,501 paid admissions (an 81% growth on 2013–14), engaged with new audiences, participated in signature NSW events and received its largest grant to date.

Looking back over 20 years of the Museum of Sydney on the site of first Government House, there have been innumerable highlights. Almost 100 different temporary exhibitions have been shown in the galleries, from Fleeting Encounters: Pictures and Chronicles of the First Fleet, Guwanyi: Stories of the Redfern Aboriginal Community, Flying Boats: Sydney’s Golden Age of Aviation to Painting The Rocks: the Loss of Old Sydney, Margaret Olley: Home and more recently Harry Seidler: Painting Toward Architecture and Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks.

In the 2014–15 reporting period the Museum of Sydney led the program to commemorate the bicentenary of the death of Admiral Arthur Phillip RN and participated for the first time ever in Vivid Sydney. July 2014 also saw the opening of The Governors Table Bar & Dining, an historically inspired bar and restaurant, which augments our site visitation (see page 42). The year concluded with an $820,000 federal government grant to increase visitor understanding of the site of first Government House.

These and many other activities and exhibitions exploring our city and its inhabitants have attracted over 1,476,500 visitors to the Museum of Sydney – an amazing achievement for our first 20 years.

Top to bottom The exhibition space of the Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks exhibition. Photo © Haley Richardson; visitors inspect models of First Fleet ships at the Museum of Sydney. Photo © Stuart Miller; the Edge of the trees installation and the Museum of Sydney forecourt. Photo © Douglas Riley


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Top to bottom Professor The Honourable Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO with the St Andrew’s Cathedral choristers, standing with the Captain Arthur Phillip RN memorial bust outside the Museum of Sydney. Photo © Stuart Miller; the Museum of Sydney forecourt featuring new signage. Photo © Douglas Riley

SPECIAL PROJECT

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3 CONSERVATION & CURATORSHIP

Our properties and collections are handed on to future generations in good heart.

We use research from primary historical sources and physical evidence to guide decision-making about the best types of intervention to ensure the integrity and durability of our places. We present and interpret our sites with reference to the unique history and authentic story of each place. We make good use of our curatorial expertise to make informed decisions to properly maintain our properties and collections.

MAINTAINING OUR PROPERTIES

CAPITALISED MAINTENANCE

In 2014–15, supported by $1.904 million (total of $4.4 million over three years) in capital funding from the NSW Government, the HHT commenced a range of major maintenance projects across all HHT properties, implementing the first year of a three-year capital maintenance program. The focus of these projects was improving public safety and accessibility, achieving statutory compliance such as fire safety and electrical code requirements, replacing ageing infrastructure, regularly replacing obsolete or unsupported plant and equipment, and works to protect our revenue such as improvements to venue facilities and equipment. Over 45 individual projects were completed, ensuring our buildings, mechanical and electrical systems, site services, fences and security are all structurally sound, fit for purpose and available for daily use.

Requiring coordination of diverse trades and specialist consultancy support, the works included:

• refurbishment of venue facilities and repair to a water-damaged subfloor at Elizabeth Bay House;

• replacement of failed sewer lines and diversion of gas supply pipelines at Vaucluse House;

• restoration and metal conservation of decorative iron fencing at The Mint;

• fire safety upgrades to a number of buildings replacing ageing indicator boards and alarm systems and installing new sensors in most public areas;

• upgrading a 25-year-old mechanical plant at the Museum of Sydney;

• installation of residual current devices on more than 40 electrical boards, replacing obsolete circuit breakers;

• structural stabilisation of the c1855 barn at Rouse Hill House & Farm, and reconstruction of over 500 metres of split hardwood timber post-and-rail fencing to improve security and animal management;

• upgrade of audiovisual display equipment at the Museum of Sydney and The Mint;

• replacement of perimeter fencing at Elizabeth Farm, and replacement of garden equipment storage and chemical handling area.

Based on our Total Asset Management approach, this year we updated our property asset condition reports and developed a ten-year forward plan for cyclical and major maintenance. We submitted an updated Business Case to NSW Treasury outlining the capital funding required to successfully implement the program.

PORTFOLIO CONSERVATION PROJECTS

In consultation with the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, the HHT completed the repointing of the sandstone parapet at Susannah Place Museum. All external timber and metalwork across the four houses was treated to inhibit rust and to assist in the preservation of original painted finishes.

Major surveys have been undertaken on the Museum of Sydney’s photographic collection and Susannah Place Museum’s in situ domestic metal fittings to assess current conditions and provide guidance for future conservation work.

Semi-permanent interpretive panels were installed at Rose Seidler House to improve the visitor experience and understanding of the house as part of a compound, most particularly as Harry Seidler’s first commission in Australia.

At Elizabeth Bay House, conservation work was undertaken on the portico columns at the front of the house, an area exposed to the elements of Sydney Harbour. This treatment included remediation for rust and an application of two coats of enamel paint to ensure the longevity of this feature.

A number of building conservation projects commenced over the year including painting the northern range of the Hyde Park Barracks Museum (HPBM) with cement paint, repairs to the roof guttering on the southern side of HPBM using brass bolts and copper over-straps, cleaning and maintenance of the underfloor archaeology displays at HPBM and The Mint, cedar repairs to the front door of The Mint, inserting a carved cedar wedge to a rotting column base on The Mint verandah, repairs to an original cistern and the painting of a ground-floor room in the Court 26 range at HPBM and a new coir matting floor covering for the HPBM breezeway and stair halls.

Collections conservation included the installation of eight custom-made Holland blinds on level 2 of the barracks to reduce the impact of light on collection items on display, and conservation cleaning of The Mint archaeology collection artefacts including 1799 and 1820s farthings, the 1813 holey dollar dump, hospital-period glass bottles and a syringe, and 1820s military uniform buttons left behind from when the building was used as a military hospital. Hyde Park Barracks Museum collection items, including iron dormitory beds, also received conservation treatment in preparation for their display in the Female Immigration Depot 1848–1886 exhibition. Several items from the archaeology collection, such as paper, ceramics, textiles and glass artefacts, underwent conservation cleaning, reconstruction and mounting. One of the two convict shirts from the HPBM archaeology collection was prepared and mounted for loan to the South Australian Museum travelling exhibition Treasure ships.

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We undertook research into how best to conserve chairs at Rouse Hill House & Farm whose webbing has deteriorated and springs come loose. We also reviewed a garden maintenance guide for Rouse Hill that outlines approaches as well as specific protocols to enable successful preservation of the garden and key plants.

At Elizabeth Farm the bedrooms and dining room have been reinterpreted to better reflect the specific bedroom use of John and Elizabeth Macarthur and their family. A program of soft furnishings continues to be implemented, made possible by our volunteer Soft Furnishings Group, with new embroidered and plain curtaining completed and possum-hide bedcovers about to be installed.

FOUNDATION CONSERVATION PROJECTS

Through the generous support of our Foundation, we carried out extensive structural repairs and stabilisation work to the barn (built c1855) at Rouse Hill House & Farm. This involved temporarily supporting the end of the massive timber structure to enable the 8-metre-long rough timber corner posts to be cut out and removed. The posts had very extensive old termite damage with only a thin perimeter shell of sound wood still supporting the load. Matching new eucalyptus hardwood poles were sourced nearby and notched and bolted back into the surviving structural frame. Decayed timber purlins were completely removed and replaced, to stiffen and stabilise the open gable end. Owing to long-term decay of timber elements

the south-east corner of the building had also slumped out of alignment by up to 200 millimetres, and we jacked all the new elements back into the correct positions so the roof again sheds water effectively. We re-used original fixings, bolts, iron pressure plates and previously notched timbers to preserve the details of the construction as well as the overall form of the building.

At the former caretaker’s cottage (c1858) we carried out extensive work to improve the removal of roof water and ground drainage to prevent further deterioration of timber structural elements. This involved carefully peeling off the weatherboard cladding, timber repairs and the realignment of roof sheeting to try to get the shell as weatherproof as possible while retaining all original fabric. Due to storm damage that lifted a large section of the original roof, more extensive structural repairs were required, and we salvaged and re-used as much original material as possible.

Above Soft Furnishing Group members Henrietta Cheshire and Dianne Finnegan with Curator Joanna Nicholas in the Elizabeth Bay House dining room. Photo © James Horan

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CONSERVATION PROJECTS

SEIDLER DECK REBUILT

When Harry Seidler built a new house for his parents in 1948, he incorporated an elevated deck extending the living room into the outdoors. Originally constructed from spotted gum, the timber was not durable and was replaced by Seidler in the 1980s with Western Australian jarrah. Due to water damage we have replaced the entire deck timber. We have slightly modified the original construction detail to ensure moisture is not trapped between surfaces in the future. Visually the deck remains identical to the original.

MINT COURTYARD LIGHTING

We installed LED strip lighting under the centre plinth and against the base of the old coining factory building at The Mint to light the pathways and sandstone walls. While primarily for visitor safety and amenity, the lighting also highlights the superb 19th-century sandstone buildings. Permanent lighting removes the need to manually install temporary event lighting.

LIFT LOBBY UPGRADE, MUSEUM OF SYDNEY

An underused lift lobby on level 3 of the Museum of Sydney was transformed into a new display area in order to add new content to the museum. Through capital funding we were able to remove a utility cupboard to extend the space, replace flooring and walls, increase the ceiling height and add exhibition lighting. The result is an impressive semi-permanent display area that greatly adds to the visitor experience. The current display profiles HHT collection objects relating to Luna Park. We also upgraded the lift control panel to satisfy current design standards for accessibility and digital functionality, as well as improving convenience and ease of use for museum visitors.

Clockwise from top left Harry Seidler (middle) on the deck at Rose Seidler House. State Library of NSW: PXA 6900/39; the decking being replaced. Photos © HHT; The Mint at night with new lighting. Photo Richard Taylor; the new Luna Park display in the former lift lobby at the Museum of Sydney. Photo © James Horan


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ELIZABETH BAY HOUSE FLOOR RECONSTRUCTION AND FACILITIES UPGRADE

At Elizabeth Bay House we reconstructed a section of water-damaged timber flooring. Replacement of original adzed structural timbers in the cellar was necessary, which required the careful dismantling of about 20 square metres of floor. Removing all the interior finishes and existing materials back to the bare sandstone and brickwork revealed interesting facets of the original construction and changes that have occurred during the house’s 180-year history. The structural repairs required also necessitated the refurbishment of the men’s washroom, and we used the opportunity to bring this up to a contemporary standard to better service our commercial venue hire clients and guests.

GARDENER’S COTTAGE REPAIRS AT VAUCLUSE HOUSE

In addition to ‘the big house’, the Vaucluse House estate features a number of other buildings such as the 1920s gardener’s cottage in the western paddock. Built over a filled-in creek channel, the cottage has suffered from subsidence and structural cracking for many years. Working with a structural engineer we discovered the cracking was due to changes in soil moisture below the foundations caused by tree root activity, and we carried out structural repairs. Due to the extent of the repairs we also upgraded the interiors of the cottage, japanning all the timber floors with black lacquer, repainting and re-carpeting, as well as removing unsympathetic additions.

RESHINGLING THE ROOF OF THE VAUCLUSE HOUSE KITCHEN WING

In 2014–15 with support from our Foundation, we replaced the roof over the dairy and larder at Vaucluse House with 7000 new shakes, sourced from the Wauchope area of northern NSW. The roof was last shingled about

25 years ago. Over time the red colour of the newly split shingles will fade to a silvery grey.

Clockwise from top left Roof repairs to the Vaucluse House dairy and larder. Photo © Stuart Miller; Elizabeth Bay House washroom floor after completion. Photo Thomas Hull; Elizabeth Bay House floor during construction. Photo © HHT; the Gardener’s Cottage at Vaucluse House. Photo © HHT

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CARING FOR OUR COLLECTIONS

The HHT cares for more than 45,000 items within its core collections and a further 250,000 items within the archaeological collections. The collections are spread across all our properties and an off-site collection facility. Central to collection care is preventive conservation, the broad actions that address issues such as pest management, mould remediation, environmental management and collection storage. By focusing on these issues, we aim to limit damage to the collections over time and minimise interventionist conservation treatments.

MOULD REMEDIATION

Sydney’s extremely wet summer and autumn led to several mould outbreaks in our properties during 2014–15. Mould remediation of collection material was undertaken by conservation specialists at two sites, with a total of 247 objects treated (219 of these were books in a single bookcase).

COLLECTION CONSERVATION

In 2014–15 we worked with 20 conservation specialists in the treatment of 63 objects including historic photographs of bushrangers, mid-19th-century gilded mirrors, an elaborate toy theatre, archaeological coins, glass artefacts and buttons, and an early 19th-century convict shirt. A range of objects was conserved from the collections held in the Eastern Sydney Portfolio: Anna Blaxland’s wedding ensemble (c1822), a marble-topped cedar table from Elizabeth Bay House (c1830) and soft furnishings at Vaucluse House including portieres, bed-hangings, valances and mosquito nets.

LIVING COLLECTIONS

Mrs Macquarie’s 1814 cello was played at two events during the year: one with the Australian Opera and Ballet orchestra at The Mint, and another in Bathurst with the local Bathurst Chamber Orchestra, as part of Bathurst’s bicentenary celebrations. Preparing the instrument involved collaboration between HHT collections staff, a musical instrument conservator/restorer and highly skilled cellists.

MUSEUMS DISCOVERY CENTRE

HHT staff have been working with the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS) and the Australian Museum on the design and development of a new shared storage facility at the MAAS site in Castle Hill. The new development comprises a three-storey purpose-built collection store and a visitors centre.

SHARING OUR COLLECTIONS

We continue to share our collections through loans to cultural organisations. In 2014–15, new and ongoing loans saw 148 objects loaned to 12 organisations, including four located interstate.

ACQUIRING NEW COLLECTION MATERIAL

In 2014–15 the HHT acquired items for the Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection (CSL&RC), Meroogal, the Hyde Park Barracks Museum and The Mint:

W H ROCKE & CO FURNITURE CATALOGUE

This trade catalogue was published by a Melbourne firm in 1874 and is the earliest known surviving Australian furniture pattern book, predating by 20 years a furniture pattern book published by the Sydney firm David Jones & Co. The Rocke catalogue, provenanced to a 19th-century Tasmanian cabinetmaker, was acquired in February 2015 for the CSL&RC. The CSL&RC also holds the David Jones pattern book.

MEROOGAL KITCHEN CLOCK

This cased clock once stood atop a cedar meat safe in the kitchen at Meroogal, and was repatriated to the house by the Nowra Museum and Shoalhaven Historical Society. The clock had originally been in the kitchen of the Mackenzie family home, Fairfield, at Cambewarra.

OTHER ACQUISITIONS

Key acquisitions for the Hyde Park Barracks Museum collection included an 1820 convict pardon with seal granted to Michael Gorman for capturing ‘The Wild Colonial Boy’, bushranger John Donohoe, a 1957 miniature painting of the barracks by George Byfield (c1902–1982), engravings depicting convicts and immigrant women, and an early 19th-century brickmaking hack barrow. New additions to The Mint collection include a gold sovereign balance and a Morgan gold melting crucible.

TRANSFER OF HAMILTON ROUSE HILL COLLECTION

Miriam Hamilton nee Terry (1924–2014) was the daughter of Roderick Terry (1899–1980). Roderick and his brother Gerald were the last Rouse family members to permanently reside at Rouse Hill House. Through Rod and Gerald the house and contents were retained in family ownership, as per their mother Nina’s wishes, until the property was resumed by the NSW Government in 1978. Miriam and her husband, Ian Hamilton, bought Rod’s share of Rouse Hill in 1977. They lived there with him until his death, and eventually left the property in 1983.

Miriam had a lifelong interest in the history and heritage of Rouse Hill House, its garden and contents and, with the HHT, agreed to the setting up of the Hamilton Rouse Hill Trust to preserve and retain at the property her substantial collection of furniture, family memorabilia and effects. As a director of the Trust, Miriam maintained a close and active working relationship with HHT curatorial and property staff, sharing her extraordinary personal knowledge of Rouse Hill in the 20th century.

Following Miriam’s passing in October 2014, the Hamilton Rouse Hill Trust was wound up in accordance with the Trust Deed and the collection was formally transferred to the HHT. Miriam’s children have now generously offered the HHT a further significant donation of objects, manuscripts, photographs and research material related to the histories of Rouse Hill House and Meroogal. To be known as The Miriam and Ian Hamilton Collection, these items will be located at Rouse Hill House, Meroogal and in the CSL&RC at The Mint.

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ENDANGERED HOUSES FUND

We reconstructed the kilometre-long access driveway into Beulah from Appin Road, balancing cut-and-fill requirements on site so we only needed to bring new topping material to the property. We engaged a historical archaeologist to study and document original sections of road construction that were uncovered during the work and preserved these intact under the new surface. We also adapted the decayed 1850s sandstone and timber bridge across Woodhouse Creek; the bridge is now accessible by modern vehicles carrying up to a 13-tonne load. This involved carefully preserving the fine sandstone abutments and headwalls while we constructed a new reinforced concrete bridge floating above the original construction. No loads are carried by the 19th-century structure, but the headwalls and culvert still maintain their original function in channelling the creek.

The Appin Men’s Shed Group repaired and replaced timber-framed sash windows and doors at Beulah homestead in order to secure the building while we prepare documentation for a major restoration program.

Left The 1836-46 stone and timber bridge spanning Woodhouse Creek on Bealah, Appin. Photo © Paolo Busato

Below The restored Beulah bridge. Photo Richard Taylor

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KEY ACQUISITIONS

OIL PAINTING OF QUEENS SQUARE DEPICTING THE HYDE PARK BARRACKS

The HHT bought a c1954 painting by William Edwin Pidgeon (1909-1981) in July 2014 for the Hyde Park Barracks Museum collection. It is an important representation of the barracks in its mid-20th-century streetscape and shows buildings in the courtyard that are no longer extant.


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CONVICT LOVE TOKEN

The HHT acquired a convict love token in November 2014 for the Hyde Park Barracks Museum collection. This particular token carries the chilling message, ‘Joseph Smyth/CAST FOR DEATH/4 July 1817/Aged 33’ on the obverse, with the name ‘Mary Ann Smyth/Aged 27’ engraved on the reverse. Joseph Smith, a master brickmaker, was tried for burglary in London on 2 July 1817 and sentenced to death. His sentence was commuted to transportation for life and he arrived in Sydney on 5 April 1818. His wife, Mary Ann, was also sentenced to transportation for life, arriving in the colony in 1820.

KALMAR MID-20TH-CENTURY FURNITURE

A small suite of furniture designed by Steven Kalmar (1909–1989) in Sydney in the early 1950s was donated to the CSL&RC in May 2015. Kalmar was a Sydney-based furniture designer whose company, Kalmar Interiors, promoted contemporary and affordable furnishings, especially suitable for the postwar open-plan houses being built in Australia’s suburbs. Kalmar was born in Hungary, trained as an architect and was one of a number of émigré Europeans who helped introduce Australians to modernism in design.

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THROSBY PARK

The homestead and various farm buildings at Throsby Park contained a diverse assortment of furniture, ephemera, farm machinery, buggies and domestic goods. Much of this material had been acquired by the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) after 1975 to assist in the presentation of Throsby Park as a model house museum.

HHT collections and curatorial staff removed most of the contents of the Throsby Park homestead in December 2014 and January 2015. Items for the HHT’s permanent collection were accessioned and recorded and have been temporarily placed in secure storage. An auction of other furniture and chattels not being retained by the HHT was held in Sydney on 17 April 2015. These comprised items previously passed in at auctions of Miss Dell Throsby’s personal effects, plus furniture and objects acquired by the NPWS. A loan agreement with the lessee covering 71 items of furniture and pictures to be retained at Throsby Park homestead was executed. Of particular significance is a fine colonial long-case clock by watchmaker James Oatley supplied to Charles Throsby in 1823 for his residence in Casula.

The HHT offered a long-term lease of Throsby Park homestead and estate through an open public tender. There was significant competition and we received a number of credible offers, including interesting propositions for commercial activation and sympathetic rural land use.

Following tender evaluation, we negotiated with a leading tenderer to reach a best and final offer acceptable to both the lessee and the HHT. The lease was taken by a distant descendant of the original owner, Dr Charles Throsby. Tim Throsby’s offer included extensive heritage restoration, major repairs and maintenance, and viable long-term use of the property as a family home.

TopNew lessee Tim Throsby on the verandah of Throsby Park. Photo © Nicholas Watt. RightBedroom 1, set up as a museum history room, Throsby Park. Photo © Douglas Riley


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Clockwise from topView of Throsby Park house and front drive. Photo © Douglas Riley; Australian cedar sofa in Greek Revival style from the Throsby Park Collection, c1840. Photo © Rob Little/ RLDI; the servery; hallway at Throsby Park. Photos © Douglas Riley

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4 STABILITY

The HHT becomes a more resilient organisation with a secure future.

Our aims include investing in and developing our properties, increasing self-generated revenue, improving public awareness of the HHT, better controlling our costs and reducing our carbon footprint.

FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP

The HHT successfully manages its costs by rigorously monitoring its expenses against the budget and prioritising the use of its funds in line with its objectives. The 30 June 2015 result was a surplus of $2.652 million and increase on budget of $1.177 million (80%). This year the NSW Government provided an additional $904,000 of the approved new capital maintenance program valued at $4.399 million over three years, with $1 million carried forward to 2015–16.

GENERATING INCOME/COMMERCIAL SERVICES

Income from commercial venue hire rose slightly from the previous year, with 593 bookings. The Mint continued to lead HHT properties, with venue hire revenue increasing 18% on the back of stronger corporate sector events. Museum of Sydney venue hire returned to growth, with revenue increasing 14%, and a new venue hire operating model for Elizabeth Bay House increased the site’s revenue by 131%. Commercial leasehold income increased 38%, due to new hospitality partnerships at The Mint and the Museum of Sydney, and a new commercial office tenant being secured for the Young Street Terraces, Museum of Sydney.

TWO MAJOR FEDERAL GRANTS

In May 2015 the HHT received two federal grants under the Protecting National Historic Sites Programme for the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hyde Park Barracks and the site of first Government House (upon which the Museum of Sydney now stands). The program supports activities that protect, manage, maintain and conserve places listed on the National Heritage List and also contributes to the management and long-term sustainability of these sites. The $1.82 million in new funds along with an HHT cash contribution of $364,000 provides $2.184 million to undertake conservation, planning and interpretation improvements over two years with all works expected to be completed by 30 June 2017.

The funding will enable us to continue to meet UNESCO World Heritage standards at the Hyde Park Barracks as well as undertake the first phase of improvements to interpretation and visitor experience ahead of the site’s 2019 bicentenary. We will revise the existing Conservation Management Plan and Museum Plan, undertake qualitative and quantitative audience research and improve the visitor entry experience and site interpretation.

The site of first Government House, with its intact archaeological collection, is significant as the only tangible link to the first year of European settlement and as a place of first contact, colonial government and the development of Sydney. Twenty-five years after the site’s landmark urban archaeological excavations and as we near its 230-year anniversary in 2018, this funding will allow us to develop a

Conservation Management Plan for the site, extend the viewing trench exposing the 1788 foundations, add new interpretation and design to increase visibility and accessibility of the archaeological remains and refine the key relationship with the Edge of the trees installation.

MEMBERSHIP

In October 2014 the HHT launched its new in-house membership program. Core benefits include unlimited access to our portfolio of museums and house museums, discounts on programs, 10% discount at our cafes, restaurants and retail outlets, a program of exclusive events and behind-the-scenes tours, the opportunity to buy tickets to popular programs first and previews of our new exhibitions. Additional member benefits include a subscription to the HHT’s quarterly magazine and discounts to our talks, tours, concerts and events. New members also receive two complimentary guest passes.

The new members program has a particular focus on families and children, and includes membership for up to four children in every category. The new program also features a flexible structure that allows two people with different addresses to join as a duo membership.

A number of member exclusives were delivered during the year including an exclusive members’ preview of the Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks exhibition and an exclusive members’ preview and curator-led tour of the Toys through Time exhibition.

The membership program plays a vital role in preserving the HHT’s sites and collections for future generations, and helps to support acquisitions and our heritage conservation works.

RAISING AWARENESS OF THE HHT

Broadcast, print and digital media have all played an important role in raising awareness of the HHT, and in showcasing the initiatives, events and exhibitions that bring our places to life. In 2014–15 there were 2655 stories across print, broadcast and online media. This figure includes media stories that have been syndicated across television, print and online, where known.

Media highlights for our exhibitions included feature stories in national and NSW metro and suburban newspapers on Harry Seidler: Painting Toward Architecture, Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks, Toys through Time, Notorious Criminals and Breakers. These exhibitions also featured across the national TV networks with prime-time news reports on channels Seven, Nine, SBS and ABC as well as reports and live crosses to breakfast programs TODAY, Weekend TODAY, Weekend sunrise and ABC news breakfast. Radio coverage was also substantial, with interviews on 702 ABC Sydney, ABC Radio National, 2UE, 2GB, 2SER and Eastside FM.

Coverage of Towers of Tomorrow was particularly extensive from the December 2014 launch to the end of March 2015 and was independently assessed at $3.25 million in public relations value. Sydney Open, held in November 2014, also attracted significant publicity with coverage on Seven, Nine and ABC TV news as well as a live cross to ABC TV News Breakfast, feature stories in the Sydney Morning Herald, Daily Telegraph, mX, Sydney suburban newspapers and a selection of design and lifestyle magazines, interviews on 2UE,

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2SER, and 702 ABC Sydney and editorial across a broad range of arts, design, what’s on and lifestyle websites. Total publicity achieved was independently assessed at over $1.4 million in public relations value.

Our broad range of public programs, including Fifties Fair, Celestial Tables, Salon Music, Mayhem, Museum of Sydney’s Movie Club, Colonial Gastronomy, Archikidz PLAY[ground], Autumn Harvest, the Christmas market and school holiday activities, also received consistent publicity throughout the year, with coverage across the Sydney Morning Herald, Daily Telegraph, Sun-Herald, Time Out Sydney, mX, local suburban newspapers, AM radio, and what’s-on websites such as Arts Hub, Broadsheet, The Urban List and Concrete Playground.

The events commemorating the bicentenary of the death of Arthur Phillip (see page 46) generated coverage through major state and national news outlets.

Editorial around the launch of our new membership program included feature reports in the Sydney Morning Herald, mX and on 2UE, while the announcement of the new lessee for Throsby Park resulted in coverage in the Sun-Herald, Illawarra Mercury, Property Observer and on ABC Illawarra. Our volunteer program was also featured in local suburban newspapers.

There has been significant television coverage of our places, with the Justice & Police Museum, Vaucluse House, the Museum of Sydney and Elizabeth Farm appearing in prime-time programs including Channel Seven’s Weekend sunrise, Better homes and gardens and Sydney weekender, Channel Ten’s Let’s do coffee and Channel Nine’s Weekend TODAY.

Throughout the year the Minister for Heritage or his nominated representative also participated in media opportunities with the HHT for Sydney Open 2014, the exhibition Female Immigration Depot 1848–1886 at the Hyde Park Barracks Museum, Arthur Phillip bicentenary, the UNESCO recognition of Exeter Farm, NAIDOC Week at Rouse Hill House & Farm and the launch of the Unlocking Heritage education subsidy program. These various opportunities resulted in coverage across print and broadcast media including Channel Nine and ABC TV, The Australian, Sydney Morning Herald, Daily Telegraph, suburban newspapers, and across Radio National, 702 ABC Sydney, 2UE and 2GB.

REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

We aim to reduce our ecological, including carbon, footprint, by managing our properties sustainably. Measures during 2014–15 included:

• standard use of E10 fuel in the majority of our small fleet of motor vehicles;

• moving towards greater use of electronic communications to reduce the amount of office printing;

• continuing to use paper certified by the Forestry Stewardship Council, guaranteed to have been sourced from sustainably managed plantation timber, for necessary printing;

• wider implementation of the TRIM records management system to reduce the need for paper files;

• continuing use of the NSW Government electricity contracts, including a provision for 6% green power;

• continuing to partner with AGL Energy to offer commercial event clients at the Museum of Sydney and The Mint the option of powering their events with 100% green energy;

• progressively replacing halogen and fluorescent lamps with low-voltage, energy-efficient LED fittings at various properties for both interior and exterior purposes;

• continuing to recycle and repurpose structural elements from exhibition installations to reduce our use of new materials with high embedded energy;

• planning capital upgrades to property plant and equipment with more energy-efficient models.

GOVERNMENT HOUSE SYDNEY

From 1 July 2015 the HHT with the Department of Premier and Cabinet and Government House Sydney (GHS) agreed that all aspects of the management and operations of Government House, including visitor services, guided tours, education programs and other public engagement activities, will be managed by GHS. This is the final stage in the transfer of services to GHS following an announcement in 2011 by the NSW Government to re-establish Government House as the official residence of the Governor of New South Wales.

Above Board of Trustees Chairman, Michael Rose, speaking at the Arthur Phillip Commemorative Reception at Government House. Photo © James Horan

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SERVING UP THE PAST

The HHT’s long-established reputation for sensitively balancing the need for conservation with the need to present new and engaging ways for people to experience our historic places was further enhanced with the formal opening of The Governors Table Bar & Dining at the Museum of Sydney and the French-inspired Bistro Mint at The Mint in July 2014.

AN OLD-IS-NEW APPROACH

Located on the site of Australia’s first Government House, The Governors Table Bar & Dining draws inspiration from the site’s history and architecture, using materials sympathetic to the site including stone, timber and steel. Modern timbers and bespoke driftwood add elegance to the bar and dining space, while bronze and copper mirrors adorn the walls. The use of stone, timber and steel reflects the materials of the Edge of the trees installation in the museum’s forecourt. A key feature of the restaurant is the Governors Table, a bespoke 16-seat French oak banquet table.

A TASTE OF FRANCE COMES TO MACQUARIE STREET

Positioned on the first floor of The Mint, Bistro Mint is the result of an extensive yet sensitive refurbishment. The Mint’s rich heritage has been given a contemporary edge by esteemed architectural firm Mills Gorman.

The careful restoration ensures that past and present truly co-exist. It is considerate of the building’s architecture, culture and history while looking to create a memorable dining experience.

Bistro Mint offers a contemporary dining environment within a heritage setting that provides guests and visitors to The Mint with a modern interpretation of classic French weekday dining.

This pageThe Governors Table Bar & Dining at the Museum of Sydney. Photos © Fresh Catering.


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This pageBistro Mint at The Mint. Photos © Bistro Mint

SPECIAL PROJECT

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5 WELLBEING

The wellbeing of our staff improves.

HUMAN RESOURCES REVIEW

An independent Human Resources Review was completed in November 2014 to assess the structure of the HHT. Recommendations included combining our house museums – Rose Seidler House, Vaucluse House, Elizabeth Bay House, Rouse Hill House & Farm, Elizabeth Farm and Meroogal – into a single property portfolio, the House Museums Portfolio. The review also looked at how to strengthen our curatorial focus and, in response, we have created the Curatorial & Public Engagement Division, incorporating the Curatorial & Exhibitions Team, the Programs Team, the new House Museums Portfolio and the City Portfolio, which includes the Museum of Sydney, the Justice & Police Museum and Susannah Place Museum. The new division comes into effect on 1 July 2015.

From 24 February 2014 we implemented the new assessment-based recruitment model as required under the Government Sector Employment Act 2013 (GSE) and associated GSE Rules and Regulations. This new method of recruitment allows the HHT to clearly identify specific capability sets required for every advertised role, and enhances our ability to attract the most suitable and skilled candidates.

Another requirement of the GSE was that all casual and temporary employees be re-recruited. This special requirement, along with other regular recruitment action, led to the advertisement of 166 roles, which resulted in 1773 job applications for processing, 333 assessment interviews with 167 recruitments completed in 2014–15.

PEOPLE MATTER EMPLOYEE SURVEY

Every two years the Public Service Commission (PSC) undertakes a survey of staff across the NSW public sector to measure employees’ wellbeing, engagement, the adoption of organisational values and the perception of workplace practices.

The People Matter Employee Survey 2014 was the second time all employees from across the NSW public sector were given the opportunity to answer questions about workplace values and experiences.

This survey provided the HHT with the opportunity to identify our workplace strengths and weaknesses, and to compare our organisation to our agency, the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH), and the wider public sector, and see how we have changed as an organisation since the last survey in 2012.

The HHT response rate was an impressive 76% (168 responses), well above our cluster (Planning & Environment, which includes OEH, 40.4%) and the whole public sector (19.4%). This was significantly higher than 2012 results (18%, 43 responses). As a small agency, this high response rate ensures the findings from the report will be considered robust and meaningful.

On more than 90% of response items (relating to engagement, values and conduct, workplace experiences, diversity, wellbeing and future intentions), our staff responded more positively to their workplace environment than staff in the department (OEH/Planning) or the public sector. Importantly, assessment of the HHT improved significantly against staff responses from the 2012 report.

Our notable strengths were:

• our values – diversity, integrity, trust, service and accountability – are strongly reflected in workplace experiences, have improved significantly since 2012 and are above the sector. For example, we have a strong drive for client and customer satisfaction (99%) with a high respect for our customers (97%);

• our organisation’s involvement with the community is strongly linked to our purpose (81%); this involvement helps motivate our staff (92%);

• at the HHT, neither gender nor sexual orientation is seen as a barrier to success (97% for both) and our employees believe women can lead just as effectively as men (99%);

• our staff believe the HHT is committed to developing its employees (74%), has a clear direction for the future (70%) and is making the necessary improvements to meet our future challenges (81%).

On the important ‘engagement index’ – which is linked to higher productivity, decreased turnover, lower absenteeism, improved customer service and better health and safety outcomes – HHT staff rated their engagement at 74%, well above the sector (65%) and the department (66%). This demonstrates the pride, personal attachment, inspiration and motivation HHT staff feel towards the institution and the value of our work.

The results highlight areas for further improvement where we rated below the department and/or the sector, notably: improving opportunities for career development, job security and appropriate pay levels; communication between managers and staff to assist performance improvement and clarify expectations; and the reporting and resolution of workplace grievances and bullying incidents.

Collectively, these results provide a confident endorsement of the strength of values, experience, passion and productivity of our workplace and institution.

DEVELOPING SKILLS AND TRAINING

In 2014–15 we gave priority to professional development training to support the implementation of the new Performance Development Plan (PDP) framework nominated as mandatory by the NSW Government. A new online e-performance module improved both ease of staff access and reporting analytics.

During 2014–15, HHT employees participated in more than 1800 hours of training including new diversity training, ‘Communicating effectively with groups from other cultures’.

The HHT also supports our staff by offering flexible work practices such as flex days and rostered days off, maternity leave, and family and community service leave. We provide opportunities for development through expressions of interest (EOIs) and higher duties allowances for temporary appointments. We also continue to support staff affected by organisational change through our Employee Assistance Program.

The HHT ensures diversity of representation on recruitment panels and internal bodies such as the Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Committee, and to the union through the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC).

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IMPROVING WORK HEALTH & SAFETY

We continued to implement our Work Health & Safety and Injury Management (WHS & IM) Plan. Our performance was comparable to the previous year; there were no new significant employee workers compensation claims, no new serious ongoing incidents and only one public liability claim. Specific elements of our WHS & IM Plan include:

• recruitment in 2015–16 of a dedicated WHS Coordinator to develop and implement strategic approaches to WHS planning across the HHT to ensure risks are effectively and promptly managed at corporate, business and operational levels;

• ensuring two accredited Return-to-Work Coordinators are in our Human Resources team to better respond to workers compensation claims;

• maintenance of our Hazardous Chemical Register at all our properties and regular review and culling of chemicals no longer required;

• continued formal inspection and risk assessment at our properties by WHS Committee representatives at least annually;

• provision of access for all staff, via the intranet, to the minutes of every WHS Committee meeting;

• participation by 67 employees in our annual protective Workplace Immunisation Program in May 2015;

• a new Dealing With Unreasonable Behaviour Policy that provides guidance about how HHT staff should respond to the unreasonable behaviour of customers or members of the public. This new policy helps to ensure our staff provide a consistent, transparent response to unreasonable behaviour and maintain a safe and secure environment for both ourselves and our visitors;

• provision of training in Resolving Conflict through Negotiation and Dealing with Difficult Customers was undertaken by our front-of-house reception staff at The Mint;

• a new First Aid Policy ensures an official first-aid officer is available across all our sites whenever they are open to the public to effectively respond in the event of an injury;

• mandatory training in first aid, and refresher courses in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), for all our front-of-house staff;

• support, by means of an Events Manual that covers WHS requirements as well as risk-management information and instructions, for our staff responsible for planning large events;

• site tours and WHS instructions for all our events volunteers;

• specialised training in disaster management for each property portfolio specific to the needs of its sites, eg Bushfire Control & Management undertaken by staff working at Rouse Hill House & Farm;

• Contractor Induction Procedures, which require on-site contractors to sign the visitor book and fire register, sight the relevant Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) and take part in an induction specific to the site;

• further compliance training for staff across the organisation in areas including white card construction (for exhibition installation), blue card traffic controller (for managing car parking at major public events at our properties), fire warden, child protection, servicing power tools, testing and tagging electrical equipment, Level 3 chemical accreditation, responsible service of alcohol and safe handling of handguns (for staff at the Justice & Police Museum).

Right Volunteer Susan Smith and gardener Stuart Macpherson at Vaucluse House. Photo © James Horan

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OUR ACHIEVEMENTS

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6 KNOWLEDGE

We use our knowledge and expertise, and work with others, to change the way people think about heritage and the past.

DREAM HOME, SMALL HOME

A new exhibition at the Museum of Sydney Dream Home, Small Home (23 August – 23 November 2014) explored the great era of do-it-yourself home building in 1950s Sydney. In 1952 more than half of the new houses under construction in NSW were being built by their owners. They were mostly modest houses, built by low-to middle-income earners. The extraordinary number of owner-builders was the result of an unusual combination of postwar circumstances: an extreme shortage of housing, scarcities of building materials and labour, and full employment. These same conditions drove architects to focus on the challenges of designing small houses and to search for ways to simplify construction and make more efficient use of space. Newsagents sold books of home plans, Sunday papers publicised a new plan each week and home magazines issued a new design each month.

Curated by Head, Collections & Access, Megan Martin, with curator Michael Lech, the exhibition showcased the history of these homes and detailed new building materials, in-vogue colour schemes and modernist ideas of open-plan living. The exhibition included historical photographs, pattern books, vintage home publications, architectural floor plans and a Hudson Homes architectural model. A key focus of our Home & Architecture program, it provided an excellent platform to showcase the Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection (CSL&RC) as the leading library of homes, interiors and gardens in Australia. The exhibition was also part of Art & About Sydney 2014, with the theme ‘Endangered – What We’ve Lost or are in Danger of Losing.’

MRS MACQUARIE’S CELLO

We developed a partnership with Opera Australia to deliver Salon Music, four concerts held at The Mint, Elizabeth Bay House and Vaucluse House. Curated and performed by musicians from the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, the artistic programs were inspired by our historic places. Curatorial interpretation ranged from talks and tours to the playing of Mrs Macquarie’s cello at The Mint alongside an exhibition at the CSL&RC. The series received positive feedback from audiences, with visitors commenting on the personalised experience.

Mrs Macquarie’s cello, or more correctly violoncello, was made in 1814. It is likely the instrument that Elizabeth Macquarie, wife of Governor Lachlan Macquarie, presented to Mary Ann Piper prior to the departure of the Macquaries from NSW. In a letter dated 9 February 1822, Mrs Macquarie wrote, ‘I have to request your & Captain Piper’s acceptance of a Violoncello, which I hope will be found to sound well in your house at Point Piper’. When financial disaster forced the Pipers to retire to their property Alloway Bank at Bathurst, the cello went with them.

Left Cellist Teije Hylkema and soprano Leah Thomas performing in the garden at Vaucluse House as part of the Salon Music concert series. Photo © James Horan

The cello was bought by the HHT in 1992. It had been in the ownership of a family with a connection to Bathurst and a family story linking the cello to the Pipers. On 29 April 2015 a special performance by the Bathurst Chamber Orchestra featured the violoncello as part of the city’s bicentenary celebrations. The performance was titled Remembering Mrs Macquarie: bringing her cello home, and the instrument was played by David Pereira, one of Australia’s most accomplished cellists.

ARTHUR PHILLIP COMMEMORATIVE EVENTS

The life, achievements and legacy of Arthur Phillip were honoured at a series of commemorative events in 2014. Phillip was commander of the First Fleet and founding governor of the NSW colony and 31 August 2014 marked the 200th anniversary of his death at his home in Bath, England. The HHT developed an exciting program of events exploring Phillip’s life, and his pivotal role in the early history of Sydney and the development of the modern nation of Australia.

A key event was the dedication of the Captain Arthur Phillip RN memorial bust at the Museum of Sydney on the site of first Government House on 26 August. The bust is on long-term loan, courtesy of the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, for permanent display on the museum forecourt, First Government House Place. On the day, speeches by Michael Rose, HHT Chairman, the Hon Rob Stokes MP, then Minister for Heritage, and Professor The Honourable Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO, then Governor of New South Wales, were complemented by the singing of the St Andrew’s Cathedral Choir, Donna Ingram delivering a powerful Welcome to Country and Clarence Slockee performing ‘Burra Bulla’ (‘Bennelong’s song’). The Governor also attended an HHT Foundation function honouring Phillip at Government House on the evening of 31 August 2014.

A sellout symposium on the significance of Phillip’s legacy, ‘The First Governor’, was held at the Museum of Sydney on 5 September 2014. The program featured new research by HHT Trustees Professor Grace Karskens and Andrew Tink AM, and historians Michael Flynn, Michael Pembroke and Gary Sturgess. Papers by HHT staff members Jane Kelso and Jacqui Newling were also presented.

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OUR ACHIEVEMENTS

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EXTERNAL ACTIVITIES AND ENGAGEMENT

During 2014–15, HHT staff gave various public presentations, or had their work published, as follows:

PUBLICATIONS

• Jane Kelso, ‘Miriam Ann Hamilton 29 October 1924 – 15 October 2014’, Australiana, the magazine of the Australiana Society, February 2015

• Megan Martin’s entry on Rachel Roxburgh (1915-1991), artist, educator, conservationist and architectural heritage campaigner, for the Australian Dictionary of Biography was published online in December 2014 http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/roxburgh-rachel-mary-15615

• Jacqui Newling, ‘A tale of two Sydneys: the perils of provisioning Norfolk Island’, Signals, the journal of the Australian National Maritime Museum, no 108, spring 2014, pp22–7

• Jacqui Newling, ‘Stories from the governor’s table’, Aristologist: An Antipodean Journal of Food History, edited by Duncan Galletly, Kowhiti House, Wellington, New Zealand, no 4, November 2014 [the paper was originally presented at the 18th Australian Symposium of Gastronomy, April 2013]

PRESENTATIONS (including conferences, chairing events, etc)

• Aleema Ash, lecture about cultural and community planning and development at UNSW Art and Design, 20 April 2015

• Dr Caroline Butler-Bowdon, ‘User-generated museums: from monologue to dialogue’ with Rachel Healy, executive manager, Culture for the City of Sydney, Communicating the Museum conference, Sydney, 6 November 2015

• Dr Caroline Butler-Bowdon, ‘Heritage begins at home’ at Architecture on Show, Australian Institute of Architects, Herb Greedy Hall, Marrickville, 1 October 2014

• Georgia Connolly, Chair, parallel session, Museums Australia National Conference Sydney, 21–24 May 2015

• Amy Eastwood, guest speaker on Design, Innovation and Creativity, University of Western Sydney, 1 April 2015

• Amy Eastwood, ‘The great outdoors’, Museums Australia National Conference, 23 May 2015

• Beth Hise, Chair for plenary session and masterclass at Museums Australia National Conference, Sydney, 21–24 May 2015

• Beth Hise, Chair, parallel session at Communicating the Museum conference, Sydney, 4–11 November 2014

• Ian Innes, ‘Sydney Living Museums, towards a sustainable model for adaptive re-use of heritage buildings’, Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors Conference, Hong Kong, 9 January 2015

• Michael Lech, ‘European labour only: stamping of Chinese-Australian furniture, 1880–1930’, Chinese Women’s Association of Australia Inc, Sydney Mechanics School of Arts, 14 February 2015

• Dr Sophie Lieberman, Chair, ‘A socially inclusive cacophony’, Museums Australia National Conference, 21–24 May 2015

• Megan Martin, ‘Reading the Napoleonic Wars’, presented at ‘Waterloo: the significance for Australia’, a one-day seminar organised by the Royal Australian Historical Society, May 2015

• Jacqui Newling, ‘The Johnston Collection – Regency spicing 2 – tasting empire’, Fairhall Museum, Melbourne, 24 September 2014

• Jacqui Newling, ‘Gastronomy in the museum: interpretation and programming through food’, Villages of the Heart project, 24 October 2014

• Jacqui Newling, ‘History on the menu’, Orange Wine Week, 25 October 2014

• Jacqui Newling assisted Carcoar Hospital museum to develop, promote and present a public program, ‘Farewell Dr Rowland’, a colonial-themed dinner based on historical records from the museum, Villages of the Heart project, 21 March 2015

• Jacqui Newling, presented on food in the early settlement of NSW to interested residents at The Montefiore Centre in Randwick, 27 May 2015

• Sarah-Jane Rennie, ‘Sustainability and environmental standards for cultural collections’, Council of Australian Museum

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Directors/Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Materials, 14 September 2014

• Sarah-Jane Rennie, Museums Australia Remote, Regional and Community Museums Day, 21 May 2015

• Sarah-Jane Rennie, ‘Caring for archaeology collections in museums’, Sydney University Archaeology Society, 14 March 2015

• Sarah-Jane Rennie, Accessible Arts 2014 Arts Activated Conference, 29 October 2014

• Julie Turpie co-presented with Dr Caroline Butler-Bowdon, ‘Making a bigger entrance – digital and audience cut-through with a major program initiative across 12 museums’, Museums & Galleries of NSW annual conference, Museum & Galleries of NSW, 20 August 2014

• Fabienne Virago, Edward Washington and Susan Bee, ‘Building historical inquiry into museum education programs’, Museums Australia National Conference, 23 May 2015

• Edward Washington informed teachers about a Commerce/Legal Studies program called ‘A Trial Run’ and our partnership with the NSW Police Prosecutors, as well as hosting an HHT stand, Economics and Business Educators NSW Annual Legal Update Conference, 14 October 2015

WORKSHOPS

• Nerida Campbell and Beth Hise, ‘Darkness into light: interpreting crime scene images from the NSW Police Forensic Photography Archive’, Interpret Europe Conference, Krakow, Poland, 6–9 June 2015 [presented by Beth Hise]

BOARDS, COMMITTEES AND PANELS

• Dr Caroline Butler-Bowdon, member of Government House Sydney Advisory Panel 2015 (ongoing)

• Dr Caroline Butler-Bowdon, Judge for NSW Premier’s History Prizes 2015

• Dr Caroline Butler-Bowdon, Panel Assessor, ArtsNSW History fellowship 2015

• Dr Caroline Butler-Bowdon, Judge for School Art Prize (St Martha’s School, Strathfield) and presentation focusing on ‘The importance of creative and interactive learning for children’s development’, 24 October 2014

• Georgia Connolly, committee member, Australian Registrars Committee (ARC)

• Scott Hill, Trustee on the Belgenny Farm Trust. This position is held in the capacity as the Curator of Elizabeth Farm

• Beth Hise, Chair, Exhibitions National Network, Museum Australia (ongoing)

• Beth Hise, HHT representative, Network of Australasian Museum Exhibitors (NAME) (ongoing)

• Beth Hise, Judge, MAGNA awards, Museums Australia, 20 May 2015

• Dr Sophie Lieberman, committee member, Sydney Arts Management Advisory Committee (SAMAG)

• Dr Sophie Lieberman, board director, Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP)

• Megan Martin, board member of the History Council of New South Wales

• Megan Martin, Honorary Fellow of the Library Council of New South Wales

• Megan Martin, board member of the Society of Australian Genealogists

• Megan Martin, member of the UNESCO Australian Memory of the World Committee

• Joanna Nicholas, reviewer for the Standards Committee for Museums & Galleries of NSW

• Joanna Nicholas, member of the Collections Committee for the National Trust of Australia (NSW)

• Sarah-Jane Rennie, Director (board member) Accessible Arts, through to 15 April 2015

• Sarah-Jane Rennie, standards assessor for Museum and Gallery Services Queensland

• Sarah-Jane Rennie, AICCM NSW committee

• Sarah-Jane Rennie, Chair, AICCM Preventive SIG

• Sarah-Jane Rennie, member of the assessment panel for ArtsNSW Visual Arts, Museums and Literature annual program grants

• Dr Fiona Starr represented the Hyde Park Barracks and the NSW Sites on the World Heritage Australian Convict Sites Steering Committee, 2014–2015

From far left Joanna Nicholas, Curator, at Rose Seidler House. Photo © James Horan; Fiona Starr, Curator, at Hyde Park Barracks Museum. Photo © Scott Finneran; Dr Matthew Stephens, Research Librarian, in the Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection. Photo © James Horan; Nerida Campbell, Curator, at Justice & Police Museum. Photo © Stuart Miller; Anita Rayner, Horticulture Team Leader, at Vaucluse House. Photo © Katrina James; Sarah-Jane Rennie, Head of Collection Care, in the Judges Common Room. Photo © Katrina James

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OUR ACHIEVEMENTS

OUR ORGANISATION

WHO WE ARE

The Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales (HHT) operates under the Historic Houses Act 1980 (NSW) to manage, conserve and interpret the properties vested in it for the education and enjoyment of the public. We are a NSW statutory authority, administered through the Office of Environment and Heritage in the Department of Planning and Environment. We are one of Australia’s largest state museum bodies. Over the past 35 years we have grown from a small organisation into one of the state’s major heritage and cultural institutions, managing and conserving sites of historical and cultural importance that tell a story about the history and development of NSW.

We care for portfolio assets valued at more than $245 million, including buildings, land and museum collections. Our built assets comprise 13 historic buildings dating between 1793 and 1950, and include several of the earliest surviving colonial buildings in Australia, as well as major public buildings of the Macquarie era.

We maintain and open 12 museums to the public: Elizabeth Bay House, Elizabeth Farm, Hyde Park Barracks Museum, Justice & Police Museum, Meroogal, Museum of Sydney on the site of first Government House, Rose Seidler House, Rouse Hill House & Farm, Susannah Place Museum, The Mint and the Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection, and Vaucluse House. We also provided public access to Government House, until 30 June 2015, after which date all aspects of the management and operations of the house, including visitor services, facilitation of guided tours, education programs and other public engagement activities, were transferred to Government House Sydney.

All our museums are listed on the NSW State Heritage Register. The Museum of Sydney and the Hyde Park Barracks are also on the National Heritage list, and the Hyde Park Barracks is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. (See also pages 50-53.)

The HHT also maintains 38 hectares of land, including public spaces, farmland and gardens, as well as infrastructure such as roads, farm dams, 8 kilometres of fencing, and gates. Our principal landscapes include the formal historical colonial gardens, public park and beach at Vaucluse House, and 18 hectares of farm and open land at Rouse Hill House & Farm. Our gardens include some of the oldest and best surviving historical plant collections in Australia found outside botanical gardens.

We collect, catalogue and conserve material relating to our core themes of domestic material culture, the history of art, architecture and design, and aspects of Sydney’s social history related to our sites. The collections held at our museums are valued at more than $31 million and comprise 250,000 archaeological artefacts, more than 45,000 objects, more

than 130,000 glass-plate negatives, a library collection and a small but important digital collection, all of cultural and heritage significance to the history of NSW.

In 2014–15 we generated 31% of our total income through commercial activities, paid admissions and non-recurrent allocation such as grants, corporate partnerships and donations from individuals, companies or government. We have a strong venue-hire business, four commercial cafes/restaurants and merchandising. Our properties are in demand as locations for both film and photography shoots.

Revenue raised from our commercial operations facilitates our innovative program of public and educational events and activities. Every year at our properties more than 50,000 schoolchildren, across all stages from Kindergarten to Year 12, attend education programs linked closely to the school curriculum. The Connected Classrooms program allows children throughout NSW to enjoy our programs via new media technology. We stage approximately 200 public programs and events each year, ranging from large outdoor festivals to small specialist tours, which are enjoyed by around 28,000 visitors.

Our Sydney Living Museums brand firmly positions our sites and their collections at the core of what we offer, enabling us to promote all our properties as a collective, as well as single destinations.

We are constantly building our digital content to support the brand by providing greater online accessibility to our houses and museums, collections and stories.

Our innovative exhibitions and public programs bring history to life through exploration of various themes such as architecture, convicts, crime and policing, Aboriginal history, and Sydney’s places and people, past and present. Each exhibition and program is addressed in a unique way to create an engaging experience for our visitors.

We work with and are supported by a foundation, sponsors and hundreds of volunteers. We form partnerships with other cultural and heritage institutions, artists, community groups, universities and voluntary organisations.

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OUR ORGANISATION

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OUR MUSEUMS

CITY PORTFOLIO

JUSTICE & POLICE MUSEUM

The Justice & Police Museum houses a unique collection of objects relating to crime, policing and legal history including a significant forensic photography archive of more than 130,000 glass-plate negatives. The building complex, developed in three separate stages – Water Police Court (1856), Water Police Station (1858) and Police Court (1886) – is the work of NSW colonial architects Edmund Blacket, Alexander Dawson and James Barnet. As a group, the buildings are extraordinarily intact surviving examples of civic buildings of the mid- to late 19th century. Blacket and Barnet designed and built dozens of similar courthouse complexes across NSW based on this early form established in Sydney.

The museum features the popular exhibition City of Shadows: Inner-city Crime and Mayhem 1912–1948, which showcases images from the NSW Police Forensic Photography Archive. The museum also displays spinechilling weapons, bushranging artefacts and physical evidence from notable crimes. Daily education activities reveal the worlds of justice and policing to school students.

MUSEUM OF SYDNEY

The modern Museum of Sydney on the site of first Government House was opened to the public in 1995. Designed by one of Sydney’s best known architects, Richard Johnson, it occupies the site of Australia’s first Government House, built in 1788 as home and office for the colony’s first governor, Arthur Phillip. Preserved below the museum forecourt, known as first Government House Place, are the remaining foundations of the original building. Above ground, the installation Edge of the trees marks the site of first contact between the British colonisers and the Gadigal people. The museum’s evocative displays take visitors on a journey to explore Sydney’s people, places and culture, then and now. Visitors can learn about our city’s first people, inspect models of the First Fleet ships and peer into the archaeological remains of first Government House. An exciting program of changing exhibitions reveals the distinctiveness of this great city.


Susannah Place Museum is a terrace of four houses incorporating a re-created 1915 corner grocer’s shop. Located in the heart of The Rocks, it was built in 1844 by Irish immigrants and continually occupied until 1990. The terrace survived largely unchanged through the slum clearances of the 1900s and the area’s redevelopment in the 1970s. It is a rare surviving example of workers’ housing from the mid-19th century, once ubiquitous but now almost vanished. In 1993 the HHT worked with the (then) Sydney Cove Authority to develop and open Susannah Place as a museum. Today the museum tells the stories, often overlooked, of the lives of ordinary people. Susannah Place was home to more than 100 different families; their occupancy is still evident in the many layers of paint, wallpapers, linoleums, modifications and repairs that have survived.

Above, left to right Justice & Police Museum; Museum of Sydney. Photos © Douglas Riley; aerial view of Susannah Place Museum, showing the Gloucester Street facade. Photo © James Horan

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EASTERN SYDNEY PORTFOLIO

ELIZABETH BAY HOUSE

Designed by architect John Verge, Elizabeth Bay House was built during the years 1835-39 for Colonial Secretary Alexander Macleay and his family. A superb example of a Greek Revival villa, it enjoys a magnificent setting overlooking Sydney Harbour and was originally the centrepiece of a renowned landscape garden developed by Macleay on the slope above Elizabeth Bay. The saloon, with its elegant cantilevered staircase, is regarded as the finest interior in Australian colonial architecture. The house’s interiors are notable for their detailing, particularly the quality of the joinery, plaster and stonework.

The house was restored by the state government and transferred from the Elizabeth Bay House Trust to the newly formed HHT in 1980. A favourite of students of design and social history, Elizabeth Bay House presents an evocative picture of early 19th-century life before the economic depression of the early 1840s, when Macleay was forced to leave the house.

With its extensive collection of early 19th-century furniture, fittings and domestic goods, as well as scientific instruments and specimens, Elizabeth Bay House is evocative of the life of a distinguished gentleman collector.

ROSE SEIDLER HOUSE

Architect Harry Seidler was just 24 years old when he designed a new house for his parents, Max and Rose, on a bushland site at Wahroonga. Built between 1948 and 1950, Rose Seidler House is one of the earliest intact examples of mid-20th-century modern domestic architecture in Australia, and was strongly influenced by American prototypes. Its original furniture brought by Seidler from New York forms one of the most important post-World War II design collections in the country. Seidler was awarded the Sulman Medal in 1952 for his design of Rose Seidler House, and at the time the house was highly influential, stimulating much social comment and intellectual debate as a manifestation of the modernist principles of space, the unity of arts and architecture coupled with structural engineering, and industrial design. It embodied new design and style ideals that gave impetus to the direction of architecture in Australia. With panoramic views of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Rose Seidler House is presented in its original 1950s scheme.

VAUCLUSE HOUSE

Vaucluse House was the country estate of colonial statesman, explorer, lawyer, publisher and politician William Charles Wentworth, his wife, Sarah, and their ten children. At its core a Georgian farmhouse, it was expanded and embellished by Wentworth with Gothic Revival turrets and crenellations to create a romanticised eye-catcher in an Arcadian landscape setting. One of only a few surviving harbourside estates from the early years of the colony, Vaucluse House retains the ornamental gardens, kitchen garden and outbuildings of what was once a self-sufficient small estate. The estate was purchased in 1827 by Wentworth, who took a leading role in the achievement of responsible government for NSW in 1856. The NSW Government purchased part of the Vaucluse estate in 1910 to provide public access to the Sydney Harbour foreshores. The house was opened to the public in 1912 and, since that time, has been an important place for the presentation of Australian history. The property has been restored and furnished to reflect the Wentworth family’s occupation during the years 1827–53 and 1861–62, and its grandly appointed rooms contain many items typically owned by a wealthy upper-middle-class family of the time.

Above, left to right Elizabeth Bay House. Photo © Douglas Riley; Rose Seidler House. Photo © Nicholas Watt; Vaucluse House. Photo © Douglas Riley53

OUR ORGANISATION

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MACQUARIE STREET PORTFOLIO MEROOGAL & WESTERN SYDNEY PORTFOLIO


The Hyde Park Barracks was built by convicts between 1817 and 1819 to the design of the first colonial architect (and former convict) Francis Greenway, and is considered one of the finest colonial Georgian buildings in Australia. Here at the colony’s principal convict establishment, more than 50,000 convicts were mustered in the yard, slept in the dormitories, ate in the mess halls, attended trial and received punishment. Placed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2010, the Hyde Park Barracks is one of the 11 Australian Convict Sites considered to have outstanding universal value for their role in history’s largest and longest running penal transportation system. From 1848 the barracks served as Sydney’s Female Immigration Depot, and Asylum for Aged and Destitute Women, providing shelter for over 40,000 women and their children until 1886. From 1887 it was a legal hub, housing numerous courts and government offices. Today the HHT uses the fabric and spaces of the building, and the rich collection of 120,000 archaeological artefacts, to unravel the stories of its thousands of occupants.

THE MINT

Built in 1811–16 as part of Governor Lachlan Macquarie’s General ‘Rum’ Hospital, this elegant colonnaded building is one of the oldest surviving buildings in central Sydney. Providing surgeons’ accommodation, a medical stores depot and dissecting room at the rear, and later as the Sydney Infirmary and Dispensary, this hospital wing was integral to the medical care of convicts and paupers in the early to mid-19th century. In 1855 the site became the first overseas branch of the Royal Mint, with a Coining Factory constructed at the rear. The Sydney Mint, a centre for colonial science, industry and invention, processed 1200 tonnes of colonial gold into 150 million sovereigns – the principal currency used throughout the British Empire. From 1927 the site housed a succession of government departments, and extensive conservation and adaptive re-use of the site has been undertaken since 1979. The Mint now hosts the HHT head office, the Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection (see page 57), a restaurant and venue hire spaces. The site has been in continuous public use since 1816.

OUR MUSEUMS

Above left to right Hyde Park Barracks Museum; The Mint; Elizabeth Farm. Photos © Douglas Riley

ELIZABETH FARM

Elizabeth Farm is Australia’s oldest surviving colonial homestead, incorporating the original cottage built in 1793 for the family of John and Elizabeth Macarthur. It once stood within a 1000-acre (405-hectare) property with river frontage on two sides. This was Darug country, sustained by the Burramattagal people. By the late 1820s the prosperous Macarthurs had transformed their humble farmhouse into a spacious bungalow surrounded by ‘pleasure grounds’ rich in exotic plants and fruit trees. In the late 19th century, urban and industrial development chipped away at the estate. In 1904 the homestead, now on less than 5 acres (2 hectares), was bought by the Swanns, a large household of resourceful women who occupied and protected the property until 1968. Elizabeth Farm has been managed by the HHT since 1983. The hands-on, experience-based house museum opened in 1984.

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MEROOGAL

Meroogal, in the NSW South Coast town of Nowra, is a fascinating Gothic Revival timber house, designed by Kenneth McKenzie and built in 1885. The timber-framed building, clad in weatherboard, is possibly based on American pattern book designs popular in the late 19th century. Home to four generations of women from the Thorburn/Macgregor family, who lived there until 1985, Meroogal has a rich collection of personal objects that provide insights into the family’s daily routines, domestic chores and social lives. Ownership of Meroogal and the support of family enabled the Thorburn and Macgregor women to live independent lives of gentility without undertaking paid employment. The house was both a home and an economic resource, with food and fuel provided from the garden, and rent from occasional paying guests and tenants. The house with its rich intact collection was acquired by the HHT in 1985 and opened as a museum in 1988.

Meroogal’s last owner, June Wallace, a descendant of Henry Thorburn, was keenly aware of its significance and worked closely with the HHT in its preservation.


Sited midway between Parramatta and Windsor, Rouse Hill House & Farm was built by colonial settler and contractor Richard Rouse between 1813 and 1819. The fine Georgian homestead is surrounded by one of Australia’s earliest surviving gardens. Originally the centrepiece of a much larger agricultural estate, the house was one of the oldest continuously occupied homes in Australia. Its significance lies in the survival of its richly layered interiors, furnishings and collection of objects from six generations of the Rouse family. The estate contains a section of the original Windsor Road turnpike laid down by Governor Macquarie in 1812–1813 and the site of the failed ‘Vinegar Hill’ convict rebellion. The estate was bought by the state government in 1978. In 1987 it was transferred to the HHT, and opened to the public in 1999.

In 2003 the Department of Education transferred the Rouse Hill Public School to the HHT, which has since restored the building to its original appearance.

Above left to right Meroogal. Photo © Nicholas Watt; Rouse Hill House & Farm. Photo © Douglas Riley55

OUR ORGANISATION

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ACQUIRED PROPERTY OPENED STATUS

1980 Vaucluse House 1980 Museum

1980 Elizabeth Bay House 1980 Museum

1984 Elizabeth Farm 1984 Museum

1984 Lyndhurst (sold 2005) Offices and library

1985 Meroogal 1988 Museum

1987 Rouse Hill House & Farm 1999 Museum

1988 Rose Seidler House 1991 Museum

1990 Hyde Park Barracks Museum 1991 Museum

1990 Justice & Police Museum 1991 Museum

1990 Museum of Sydney on the site of first Government House

1995 Museum

1990 Young Street terraces – Offices

1990 Susannah Place Museum 1993 Museum

1993 Walter Burley Griffin House (sold 1995) Conservation project

1996 Government House 1996State house and garden (transferred to DPC* in Dec 2013)

1998 The Mint 1998 & 2004 Offices and library

2003 Former Rouse Hill Public School 2010 Museum and education facilities

2007 Tusculum – Leased until May 2086†

2007 Exeter Farm (sold 2012) Endangered Houses Fund project

2007 Glenfield (sold 2013) Endangered Houses Fund project

2008 Nissen hut – Endangered Houses Fund project

2009 Moruya Presbyterian manse (sold 2013) Endangered Houses Fund project

2010 Throsby Park (leased 2015) Endangered Houses Fund project‡

2010 Beulah – Endangered Houses Fund project

* Department of Premier and Cabinet† Leased to the Australian Institute of Architects‡ Leased to Mr Tim Throsby

OUR PROPERTIES

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OUR COLLECTIONS

Each HHT property holds collections of historical and modern material related to the house and site. The collections include furniture, ceramics, silverware, soft furnishings, household and personal accessories, costumes, artworks, photographs and archaeological artefacts. Most of the objects in our collections are on show to the public.

Electronic access to the collections is provided to the public through a suite of online catalogues including the Library Catalogue, the Pictures Catalogue, the Colonial Plants Database and the Museums Collections Catalogue. Digital content is added to these catalogues as resources allow. The HHT also contributes to national aggregated data services including TROVE, Design and Art Australia Online, the Australian Dress Register, and the Museum Metadata Exchange.

CAROLINE SIMPSON LIBRARY & RESEARCH COLLECTION

The Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection was established as the Lyndhurst Conservation Resource Centre in 1984. In 2004 it was renamed in honour of the late Caroline Simpson OAM (1930–2003), whose outstanding collection of Australian colonial furniture, pictures and objets d’art was gifted by her children to the HHT. The collection is a specialised research resource available to anyone – staff, scholars, heritage and conservation practitioners, museum professionals – with an interest in the history of house and garden design and interior furnishing in NSW from the 19th century to the present day. It includes architectural pattern books and fragments, wall and floor coverings, manufacturers’ trade catalogues and sample books, garden ornaments, fittings, soft furnishings, personal papers and manuscripts, pictures, photographs, books and periodicals.

PHOTOGRAPHIC COLLECTION

The HHT cares for a significant collection of photographs including more than 130,000 glass-plate negatives created by the NSW Police Force between 1910 and 1964. The collection is housed at the Justice & Police Museum.

Above, left to right NSW policewomen working in the Criminal Investigation Branch, Sydney, 1938, photographer unknown. Justice & Police Museum; seed packet for apple cucumbers, 1928. Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection

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OUR ORGANISATION

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ENDANGERED HOUSES FUND

The HHT began its work of conserving endangered houses in 1993, when the organisation acquired the then threatened GSDA No 1 Dwelling, a display house at Castlecrag designed by Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin, restoring the house and financing the construction of a new house adjacent to the property. The HHT then sold both properties (having arranged statutory protection and private covenants), saving a key work of two important 20th-century architects.

Due to the success of this conservation project, the HHT established the Endangered Houses Fund (EHF) in 2005, supported by the Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales. The EHF is an HHT conservation program that identifies significant ‘at risk’ properties and saves them from demolition or unsympathetic development.

The HHT applies its expertise in order to conserve and protect properties, which are then offered back to the marketplace for the enjoyment of future generations; funds revolve and more houses can be saved over time, avoiding long-term recurrent costs to government. Many EHF properties are opened to the public during Heritage Week.

LYNDHURST, DARGHAM STREET, GLEBE

Built in 1837 for surgeon James Bowman and his wife, Sarah Macarthur, Lyndhurst was designed by the fashionable architect John Verge and is an exceptional example of a ‘marine villa’. The house, acquired by the HHT in 1983, had faced demolition for future roadworks and was in a dilapidated condition. An extensive refurbishment led by conservation architect Clive Lucas OBE introduced new concepts of conservation practice, reinstating the verandahs and portico using modern materials in the absence of detailed knowledge of the original form, and rebuilding missing internal elements.

Lyndhurst was sold in 2005, returning to its original use as a private residence.

WALTER BURLEY GRIFFIN ‘GSDA NO 1 DWELLING’, CASTLECRAG

This house was built in 1920 as a display home to attract buyers to build in a 94-acre suburban development being led by the American architect Walter Burley Griffin and his wife, Marion Mahony Griffin.

The building exemplifies Griffin’s sensitivity to landform and setting through its size, massing and sandstone construction. When it became in danger of demolition, the house was purchased by the HHT in 1993, which oversaw its careful restoration and the construction of a new house adjacent that offset the conservation cost.

GLENFIELD, CASULA, 1817

Glenfield was built for pioneer settler Dr Charles Throsby and is regarded as one of the most complete small rural estates of the Macquarie era. It is a sophisticated bungalow form with wide protective verandahs framing a suite of finely proportioned rooms with well-executed red cedar joinery and fittings, all of a particularly good quality for the period.

The property was transferred to the HHT in 2007 in a dilapidated condition, and underwent extensive repairs and refurbishment before it was sold to a new owner in 2013.

TUSCULUM, ORWELL STREET, POTTS POINT

Tusculum, built for businessman Alexander Brodie Sparks, is one of only three surviving colonial villas of the 1820s designed by John Verge. Now surrounded by 1920s flats, it originally sat in two acres of grounds facing Sydney town.

Derelict and in danger of collapsing, the villa was compulsorily acquired by the Heritage Council in 1985 and restored by the Australian Institute of Architects as their headquarters under the terms of a 99-year lease agreement. Tusculum was transferred to the HHT in 2007.

Above, left to right Tusculum, Potts Point. Photo © Douglas Riley; Exeter Farm, Glenwood. Photo © Nicholas Watt58


EXETER FARM, MEURANTS LANE, GLENWOOD

Exeter Farm is a rare surviving example of a timber-slab settler’s hut built in the 1830s and continually occupied until the 1980s. Its survival provides evidence of the early development of western Sydney and the Cumberland Plain for agriculture in the form of small holdings. The modestly sized cottage features much original timber construction and internal joinery, with a detached kitchen in a smaller building at the rear.

Transferred to the HHT in 2006, the cottage was dilapidated, nearing collapse, before undergoing extensive repairs and refitting. It was sold to new owners in 2013 and in 2014 was the recipient of an Asia-Pacific UNESCO Award for conservation.

PRESBYTERIAN MANSE, MORUYA

This simple weatherboard home was built in 1885 and extended in the early 20th century. When acquired it was a rare intact cottage retaining much of its original fabric including many examples of late-19th-century decorative wallpapers. The property had been neglected but was repaired and extended to allow for more convenient contemporary living while retaining as much original fabric as possible. It was sold to a new owner in 2013.

THROSBY PARK ESTATE, MOSS VALE

Throsby Park was the second home of pioneer settler Dr Charles Throsby, and is an exceptional colonial-era homestead set in 74 hectares of farm land. It is regarded as one of the finest colonial houses in NSW, containing red cedar joinery, white marble and Marulan mudstone fireplaces and a large collection of original furniture and fittings. The estate also features a very fine late-19th-century stable block, farm buildings and landscape gardens.

Transferred to the HHT in 2010, the house underwent repairs and conservation to return it to a condition suitable for living in. A long-term lease was signed in 2015, which included a commitment to significant further capital investment by the lessee to ensure Throsby Park’s long-term preservation.

NISSEN HUT, BELMONT NORTH

Nissen Hut is one of more than 50 such huts erected at Belmont North in 1951, to provide temporary migrant housing. The HHT purchased this mostly intact example in 2008 to demonstrate the conservation options for modern industrial buildings. Designed during World War I by British engineer Peter Nissen, these demountable buildings were widely used in the 1940s and 1950s for temporary accommodation at various locations in NSW. Surviving Nissen huts are often unsympathetically altered or demolished.

BEULAH, APPIN ROAD, GILEAD

Beulah is a highly significant early-colonial rural property granted by Governor Lachlan Macquarie in 1817. The site covers more than 90 hectares over four titles, and includes over 50 hectares of Cumberland Plain Woodland vegetation, in addition to an 1830s farmhouse in dilapidated condition and a colonial-era bridge with sandstone abutments. The HHT’s approach to conserving the property includes assessing potential development options for a future owner to offset the capital cost of restoration and preservation. There is significant urban development pressure in the area south of Campbelltown that makes sites such as Beulah vulnerable to unsympathetic redevelopment.

Above, left to right Throsby Park, Moss Vale. Photo © Douglas Riley; Beulah homestead. Photo © Paolo Busato59

OUR ORGANISATION

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The Historic Houses Act 1980 (NSW) provides that the HHT Board of Trustees shall be the governing body of the HHT. The HHT Board of Trustees is constituted under section 6 of the Act. The nine members of the Board are members of the public nominated by the Minister for Heritage and appointed by the Governor of New South Wales. The trustees are subject to the direction and control of the Minister. The Act stipulates that members of the Board of Trustees must include:

• at least one person who ‘has knowledge or experience in history’; and

• at least one person who ‘has knowledge or experience in architecture’.

Current Board members who fulfil these requirements are Alastair Baxter, Keith Cottier AM, Associate Professor Grace Karskens and Siobhan Toohill.

The trustees represent a diversity of expertise and experience in business, law, architecture, urban design, history, conservation, information technology, retail and online commerce, education, media and marketing, sustainability and management.

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. Trustees do not receive any remuneration for their Board activities.

Trustees attended Board meetings as per the table below.

TABLE OF TRUSTEE ATTENDANCE

NAME ATTENDEDLEAVE OF ABSENCE

ELIGIBLE TO ATTEND

Michael Rose (Chairman)

5 1 6

Alastair Baxter 6 – 6

Paddy Carney 5 1 6

Keith Cottier 5 1 6

Grace Karskens 5 1 6

Louise McElvogue 6 – 6

Naseema Sparks 4 2 6

Andrew Tink 5 1 6

Siobhan Toohill 6 – 6

TRUSTEES

Michael Rose, BA, LLB (Chairman) is the Chief Executive Partner of law firm Allens. Michael is also Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Sydney, Global Chairman of ChildFund Alliance, an international development NGO, Chairman of the Indigenous Engagement Task Force of the Business Council of Australia and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He lives in Sydney with his wife, Jo D’Antonio, and their three children. Michael was appointed as a trustee in June 2010 and his current term expires on 31 December 2018.

Alastair Baxter, BScArch, BArch, RAIA, GAICD is a practising architect, board member, sustainability engagement consultant, TV sports commentator, and former Australian and NSW professional rugby union player. Alastair has more than 13 years’ experience as an architect at Cox Richardson Architects and Planners with extensive experience in master planning, major sports, leisure, convention and exhibition facilities in Australia and internationally. Outside of architecture, he is a principal of the Sustainable Forward Consulting Group, which addresses environmental, social and economic sustainability issues in Australia and the South Pacific. He is a director on the NSW Waratahs Rugby Board and the Foundation of the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales Board, and has a number of roles as a TV sports commentator. Alastair played for the Wallabies and Waratahs from 1999 to 2011 and finished his rugby career as Australia’s most capped test prop. He was appointed as a trustee on 2 April 2014 and his current term expires on 1 April 2017.

Paddy Carney, CA, BSc (Hons) is a registered company auditor. She is a partner at PwC and also a member of its Board of Partners in Australia. She has more than 20 years’ financial experience with PwC in the United Kingdom and Australia across a broad range of clients, with a focus on the retail and consumer sector. She is also a governor of the Sir David Martin Foundation, which aims to get more young people off the streets, away from unhealthy situations and into care and rehabilitation. Paddy is the Chair of the HHT’s Audit and Risk Committee. She was appointed as a trustee in March 2013 and her current term expires on 5 March 2016.

Keith Cottier, AM, AASTC, LFRAIA is a former director of the highly awarded architectural firm Allen Jack+Cottier. 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 served as a commissioner of the Australian Heritage Commission, as a member of the Heritage Council of New South Wales, and as a member of the Sydney Cove Authority and the City West Development Corporation. His high-profile projects include Wylie’s Baths, the Argyle Centre, the Submarine Mine Depot at Chowder Bay and Penfold’s Magill Estate in Adelaide. Keith was appointed as a trustee on 1 January 2007 and his final term expires on 31 December 2015.

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Associate Professor Grace Karskens, BA, MA, PHD FAHA teaches Australian history at the University of New South Wales. Grace has published extensively including Inside The Rocks: the archaeology of a neighbourhood, the multi-award-winning The Rocks: life in early Sydney and The colony: a history of early Sydney, which won the 2010 Prime Minister’s Literary Award for Non-Fiction. She is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities, and is on the boards of the Dictionary of Sydney, the National Museum of Australia’s reCollections journal and a number of international scholarly journals. Grace was appointed as a trustee on 1 January 2008 and her current term expires on 21 January 2017.

Louise McElvogue, BA, MA, GAICD is a principal of Macleod Media, which advises on strategy, technology and media. She works with boards, government and executives to set business strategy and policy, and to develop e-business, partnerships and digital efficiencies. She has worked in the United States, Europe and Australia for clients including McDonald’s, Invensys, the ABC, News Limited, Channel 4, the BBC and Société Générale. Louise was a member of the federal government’s Convergence Review in 2012. This landmark review of Australia’s media and internet regulatory framework recommended a new approach to regulation. She has a background in journalism and her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, Financial Times Media, The Wall Street Journal TV, the BBC and CNN. She was appointed as a trustee in March 2013 and her current term expires on 5 March 2016.

Naseema Sparks, FAICD is an experienced company director and serves on a number of ASX-listed advisory boards as well as government regulatory bodies. Naseema is a ‘top-line growth’ director: she has a deep understanding of consumers, as well as hands-on management and operational experience in organisations where the main driver of growth and differentiation is innovation and human capital. Her expertise includes retail, online commerce, media and marketing, technology services and manufacturing. Naseema’s executive career was as the managing director of global communications company M&C Saatchi, and she holds an MBA from the Melbourne Business School. She was appointed as a trustee on 2 April 2014 and her current term expires on 1 April 2017.

Andrew Tink, AM BA, LLB, HonDLitt is an Adjunct Professor at Macquarie University’s law school. After eight years at the bar and 19 years in the NSW Parliament, where his roles included Shadow Attorney-General and Shadow Leader of the House, Andrew stepped back from active politics to focus on writing. In 2010 his biography of William Charles Wentworth won the Nib CAL Waverley Award for Literature. His second book, a biography of Lord Sydney, was published in 2011, and his third, the story of Canberra’s air disaster in 1940, was released in 2013. His most recent book, Australia 1901–2001: a narrative history, was released in November 2014. Andrew is also the president of the Library Council of NSW. He was appointed as a trustee on 22 May 2012 and his current term expires on 6 June 2018.

Above, left to right Paddy Carney, Michael Rose, Siobhan Toohill, Alastair Baxter, Associate Professor Grace Karskens, Louise McElvogue, Keith Cottier, Naseema Sparks and Andrew Tink. Photo © James Horan

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OUR ORGANISATION

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TRUSTEES continued

Siobhan Toohill, BScArch, BArch, Grad Dip Urban Design is the Head of Group Sustainability and Community at Westpac. She is responsible for the organisation’s sustainability strategy, responding to pressing social issues including demographic change, economic solutions to environmental challenges and helping customers to achieve sustainable financial futures. Her role also encompasses community partnerships, the Westpac Foundation, the Westpac Bicentennial Foundation and Indigenous engagement. Previously she established the sustainability function at Stockland and has held senior design roles with Stockland, Lend Lease and the NSW Government’s Urban Design Advisory Service. Siobhan is also the Deputy Chair of the Green Building Council of Australia, Director of the Australian Building Codes Board and co-founder of the podcast Out the Front. She was appointed as a trustee on 2 April 2014 and her current term expires on 1 April 2017.

COMMITTEES

There are four Board advisory committees that provide advice to trustees: Audit and Risk Committee, Commercial and Marketing Advisory Committee, Creative Services Advisory Committee, and Heritage and Endangered Houses Advisory Committee. All four committees are convened per section 9 of the Historic Houses Act 1980 (NSW).

There are two HHT standing committees that provide advice to management and involve staff representation: the Joint Consultative Committee, which facilitates discussions between the union and management, and the Work Health & Safety Committee. Committees operating are listed in the Appendices on pages 73-74.

CORPORATE PLANNING

A corporate plan is developed on a five-year cycle by HHT staff and trustees; the current plan covers the period 2010–2015. Using the goals and strategies set out in the corporate plan, an annual budget plan is developed for both recurrent and capital expenditure across the financial year.

These plans set the direction and budget for the HHT’s operational business year. The directions also reflect the agency’s alignment with the NSW Government’s priorities outlined in NSW2021: A plan to make NSW number one. Progress against the plans is reported to the trustees at bimonthly board meetings.


EXECUTIVE

AS AT 30 JUNE 2015

Mark Goggin, BA (Hons), EMPA is the Executive Director, and commenced on 6 August 2013. He has 20 years’ experience in leadership across the museum, cultural and health sectors as CEO, festival producer, educator and researcher. Before joining the HHT he spent ten years as general manager of Marketing, Programs and Commercial Services at the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences. Mark built the museum’s brand profile and audiences, and was responsible for leading entrepreneurial exhibitions and creating innovative programs, such as the annual citywide festival Sydney Design. He oversaw the renewal of the heritage Sydney Observatory site and successfully launched the publicly accessible Powerhouse Discovery Centre: Collection Stores at Castle Hill. Originally trained as a psychologist, he has an Executive Masters of Public Administration from the Australian and New Zealand School of Government.

Dr Caroline Butler-Bowdon, BA (Hons), MA, PhD is Assistant Director, Creative Services, with responsibility for the City Portfolio. Caroline has worked in the cultural/heritage sector for more than 15 years, holding posts at the Museum of Sydney and the Art Gallery of NSW, and casual teaching positions at the University of Sydney and the University of New South Wales. She is an award-winning writer and curator on many aspects of Australian history and provides advice on many panels such as the NSW Premier’s History Prizes. In 2009 Caroline completed her PhD at the University of New South Wales on the history of apartment living in Sydney.

Ian Innes, BScArch, BLArch is Assistant Director, Heritage, with responsibility for the Eastern Sydney Portfolio. He has more than 20 years’ experience in cultural landscape management and conservation, having previously held senior management roles at the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney, and Centennial Parklands. He studied architecture and, later, landscape architecture, and his ongoing professional interests relate to conservation of the built environment, including architectural and landscape design, heritage theory and practice, cultural landscape management and strategic asset management.

Julie Turpie, BA (Hons) is Assistant Director, Commercial and Marketing Services, with responsibility for the Macquarie Street Portfolio. Julie has more than 20 years’ experience in brand development, destination marketing, commercial venue hire and public programming. She worked for the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority for six years, managing their sponsorship, business development program and annual events portfolio. From 2008 to 2011 Julie was the director of City Marketing and Major Events at Brisbane Marketing, where she was responsible for city branding strategies, destination marketing campaigns and delivering a major events strategy for Brisbane.

Trish Kernahan is Assistant Director, Operations. In this position Trish has responsibility for the Finance, Human Resources, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), and Compliance and Knowledge teams, as well as the Meroogal and Western Sydney Portfolio. Previously, Trish spent 16 years at the Art Gallery of NSW working in corporate strategic planning and governance. During her 38 years in the NSW public sector she has worked in management and operational roles across six government agencies.

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HHT GROUPS & PORTFOLIOS

The HHT is structured around four groups – Commercial and Marketing Services, Creative Services, Heritage, and Operations – and four portfolios – City Portfolio, Eastern Sydney Portfolio, Macquarie Street Portfolio, and Meroogal and Western Sydney Portfolio. From September 2013, each of the assistant directors became responsible for one of the portfolios.

COMMERCIAL & MARKETING SERVICES GROUP

The Commercial and Marketing Services Group sets and drives the HHT’s revenue-generating strategies, as well as developing and projecting the image, brand and profile of the institution through marketing, design and public relations activities. The group comprises four teams: Audience and Research Development, Commercial Services (including venues, leaseholds and retail), Development and Fundraising, and Marketing and Communications.

The Audience and Research Development team is responsible for the development and management of the HHT’s audience and research strategies, providing data, statistical analysis and research findings to inform and enhance the HHT’s activities and audience engagement strategies, and visitor experience.

The Commercial Services team is responsible for venue hire, commercial leaseholds and retail. It manages the commercial hire of the HHT’s unique and specialty venues for corporate and private events, including for filming and photography.

The Development and Fundraising team manages the HHT’s corporate partnerships and membership program to maximise external funding, increase awareness of the HHT and strengthen our engagement with donors, corporate partners and members while working with the Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales to support the work of the organisation.

The Marketing and Communications team provides strategic direction on and implementation of marketing, design and communications (including media and public relations) activities to support our properties, exhibitions, public programs and events. It also manages the HHT box office.

CREATIVE SERVICES GROUP

The Creative Services Group produces exhibitions at our museums, interprets our properties, presents stories from our collections, runs educational and public programs, and produces publications and web content to engage our audiences – the people who visit our sites, and with whom we connect online, both in Sydney and in regional areas. The group also manages web and social-media platforms. Through its programs and services it is involved in interpretation, education, providing public access to our collections and facilitating community participation, including encouraging those interested to join the HHT’s volunteering programs.

The Collections and Access team provides online access to our research, disseminating knowledge about the HHT’s collections, sites and buildings. It is also responsible for the development of the Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection, a publicly accessible research facility.

The Interpretations and Exhibitions team takes a multidisciplinary approach to interpretation, exhibition, design and publication projects. The team interprets our stories and research for the public in innovative and accessible ways that enhance the visitor experience and allow audience participation.

The Programs team drives the development and delivery of public programs to engage our various audiences. It provides access to our knowledgeable people, our collections, our museums and our city for a wide range of visitors, and coordinates our Volunteer Program.

The Web and Screen Media team drives the development and delivery of web- and screen-based content to enrich the visitor experience and engage new audiences.

Above, left to right Trish Kernahan, Mark Goggin, Julie Turpie, Ian Innes and Dr Caroline Butler-Bowdon. Photo © James Horan

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HERITAGE GROUP

The Heritage Group manages the conservation and care of the HHT’s houses, museums and landscapes, as well as the Endangered Houses Fund (EHF) program, through place management, asset maintenance, capital works, conservation management planning, collections care, conservation and landscaping.

The Heritage team provides technical leadership and specialist skills in the care, conservation and maintenance of the HHT’s buildings, interiors, landscapes and moveable heritage.

OPERATIONS GROUP

The Operations Group supports the business of the HHT and its position as a leading history and cultural heritage organisation in NSW. This group is responsible for strategic advice and management across four key corporate governance teams: Compliance and Knowledge, Finance, Human Resources, and Information and Communications Technology (ICT). It also oversees the engagement of legal services.

The Compliance and Knowledge team manages the development, evaluation and review of policies and procedures to ensure the HHT has the knowledge and processes to comply with a range of legislative and audit requirements in relation to organisational policy, including records management and risk management. This team is also responsible for coordinating the transport and storage logistics of an organisation operating across multiple sites.

The Finance team provides strategic financial advice and accurate information to ensure the HHT manages its budget prudently, maintains high standards of internal control, maintains our insurance coverage and is compliant with the relevant statutory and Australian Accounting Standards.

The Human Resources team provides strategic leadership in employee relations planning, practice and policy development, as well as operational services such as payroll delivery and staff training.

The ICT team develops and manages the strategic services required to achieve the HHT’s business requirements, and ensures our ICT network, business applications and telecommunications systems are operating at optimum integrity and performance.


Through conservation and interpretation, Eastern Sydney Portfolio staff facilitate access to and enjoyment of Elizabeth Bay House, Vaucluse House and Rose Seidler House, as well as their grounds and collections, for a variety of audiences and purposes, including education and tour groups, general visitors, public programs and commercial venue hire.

HHT staff provide insights into the stories of the extraordinary people who built these houses – colonial pioneers Alexander Macleay and William Charles Wentworth, and modernist architect Harry Seidler – bringing to life their ambitions and achievements in the context of their family and domestic lives.

MEROOGAL & WESTERN SYDNEY PORTFOLIO

The Meroogal and Western Sydney Portfolio comprises Rouse Hill House & Farm, Elizabeth Farm near Parramatta and Meroogal in Nowra on the NSW South Coast. As well as the houses, these sites include pleasure gardens, farm pastures and livestock, an 1880s schoolhouse, a student resource and education centre, and extraordinarily intact collections linked to the families and their stories.

These three very diverse sites represent the earliest pioneering days of the expanding NSW colony, and are interpreted by the portfolio team with a strong educational and interactive focus. Our staff have a wide range of expertise and skills, from delivering educational tours and programs to looking after farm animals and livestock.

CITY PORTFOLIO

The City Portfolio includes the Museum of Sydney on the site of first Government House, the Justice & Police Museum and Susannah Place Museum. Portfolio staff research, interpret and communicate to visitors a range of stories about Sydney’s people and places from the 18th to the 21st centuries. Through this work, visitors learn about the significance of first Government House, built by Arthur Phillip in 1788, the defining moment of first contact between the Gadigal people and the English colonisers, the world of crime, policing and punishment, and the everyday lives of the families who lived in the terraces of Susannah Place.

MACQUARIE STREET PORTFOLIO

The Macquarie Street Portfolio includes The Mint (the HHT’s head office and major commercial venue) and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed site of the Hyde Park Barracks, two of Sydney’s most important early-19th-century buildings on Macquarie Street.

Portfolio staff ensure the integrity and preservation of these culturally significant buildings and their collections through judicious management and by balancing the need for conservation with the need to increase access to the sites for all visitors. Staff develop strategies to grow and diversify our audiences while strengthening our engagement with them.

VOLUNTEERS

The HHT volunteer program enables the organisation to deliver to the people of NSW meaningful experiences of our properties and collections. Whether providing an interpretative tour as a museum volunteer, undertaking research into our collections as a project volunteer or embroidering replica curtains as a soft furnishings volunteer, volunteer roles provide a deeper level of engagement to those who want to contribute their time and knowledge to help us fulfil our mission.

Our volunteers enjoy using their skills, sharing their knowledge and helping to keep HHT properties relevant and accessible. Volunteers are encouraged to provide feedback about their experiences, which is then used to develop volunteer policies and ensure the program is managed in line with best practice.

(See page 85 for a list of our volunteers in 2014–15.)


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ORGANISATIONAL CHARTAS AT 30 JUNE 2015

FOUNDATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

MINISTER FOR HERITAGE

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, HERITAGE


Interpretation & Exhibitions

Commercial Services

Finance

Web & Screen Media

Development & Fundraising

Human Resources

Heritage

Collections & Access

Marketing & Communications

Audience Research

Compliance & Knowledge

Programs

Information, Communications

& Technology

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, CREATIVE SERVICES

CITY PORTFOLIO

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, COMMERCIAL &

MARKETING SERVICES

MACQUARIE STREET PORTFOLIO

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS

MEROOGAL & WESTERN SYDNEY

PORTFOLIO

DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT

OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENT

& HERITAGE

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RISK MANAGEMENT

The HHT is committed to good corporate governance including taking a robust approach to risk-management planning that identifies and addresses both external and internal risks to our operations. Internal risks are also managed through the development of new and revised policies and procedures, and identification of appropriate risk-mitigation controls.

The NSW Government provides guidance to agencies in developing their risk-management frameworks specifically around the Australian/New Zealand Management Standards (AS/NZS ISO 310000:2009) and through the NSW Treasury Policy Paper TPP09-5. The HHT’s mandatory annual attestation is included on page 67.

The Audit and Risk Committee is an advisory committee of the Board of Trustees and an integral component of the HHT’s corporate governance arrangements. Its responsibilities cover the review of internal controls, risk management, the annual financial statements, and both internal and external audits.

The committee meets each year with senior managers of the external auditor team from the Audit Office of NSW to discuss findings from the Audit Office’s review of our financial statements and those of our related entities, which have all been issued with an unmodified audit opinion.

ETHICAL STANDARDS

Our Code of Ethics and Conduct: Staff and Volunteers policy was reviewed in 2014–15 and will be formally reissued before the Public Sector Commission implementation date of 1 September 2015. All HHT employees and volunteers will be required to sign the updated policy acknowledging they have read, understood and agree to abide by the code. There were no incidents of staff breaching the current code in this reporting year.

ICT MANAGEMENT

The ICT team has commissioned wi-fi infrastructure across all HHT properties. The solution selected allows for full coverage within our properties without any visual presence, preserving the heritage values of the buildings. Wi-fi connectivity is available for a number of purposes including: to enable visitors to use their devices of choice to connect to the internet and receive information about upcoming events; to provide secure wi-fi with guaranteed bandwidth to our venue hire customers; and to provide our employees with secure corporate wi-fi with HHT network connectivity, allowing the use of new mobile technologies across our sites without wired solutions, which are always costly and often impossible without compromising the fabric of the buildings.

Future projects will see the wi-fi system integrated with the new CiviCRM system. This will enable a personalised experience for our members and deliver a method of providing data-rich digital content to our visitors such as high-definition videos containing extensive information about the items in our collections.

The ICT team developed a number of policies critical for compliance with the NSW Government’s Digital Information

Security Policy including: ICT Acceptable Use Agreement, ICT Password Standards and ICT Security Framework. The HHT’s mandatory Digital Information Security annual attestation is included on page 69.

The robustness of our ICT network was also enhanced following an upgrade to our back-up tape system and a new fire suppression system for our server room, with both projects commencing during 2014–15.

INTERNAL AUDIT

Business-wide risk assessment

Facilitated by Deloitte, our internal auditors, a business-wide risk assessment of our operations was conducted to identify risk areas, obtain an assessment from senior management as to the effectiveness of controls in place to mitigate the identified risks and develop a three-year internal audit plan targeting those risks.

The risk assessment was considered by the Board of Trustees and the recommended three-year internal audit plan was adopted. The plan will be monitored by the HHT’s Audit and Risk Committee. The business-wide risk register was updated and will be monitored by the Board of Trustees.

Work Health and Safety Review

As part of the new three-year internal audit plan, Deloitte conducted an audit to assess the design and operating effectiveness of internal controls in relation to the HHT’s Work Health and Safety (WHS) management processes.

The report identified a number of key controls and activities that were in place, including WHS-related policies and procedures; communication, training and induction processes; and the management of employee/contractor qualification requirements. It found regular inspections at HHT properties had been conducted by the WHS Committee. Risk assessments, which included WHS, were also conducted for major programs and events. It also found that processes for the review, escalation and management of safety risks as well as processes for reporting and incident management were in place.

The report identified three moderate risk areas, and recommended improvements to: the framework and systems to manage and identify risks including the development of a consolidated register of safety risks; investigating automated systems for incident reporting; and formalising the responsibilities and governance arrangements for WHS and injury management. One low-risk area was identified, and the report recommended improvements to induction training and the documentation of training.

Recommendations from the review will be implemented by management during an agreed time frame as resources allow. The HHT’s Audit and Risk Committee monitors the implementation of internal and external audit recommendations.

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INTERNAL AUDIT AND RISK MANAGEMENT ATTESTATIONFOR THE 2014–15 FINANCIAL YEAR FOR THE HISTORIC HOUSES TRUST OF NEW SOUTH WALES

I, Mark Goggin, am of the opinion that the Historic Houses Trust of NSW (HHT) has internal audit and risk management processes in place that are, excluding the exemption described below, compliant with the core requirements set out in Treasury Circular NSW TC 09/08 Internal Audit and Risk Management Policy.

I, Mark Goggin, am of the opinion that the internal audit and risk management processes for the HHT depart from the following core requirements set out in Treasury Circular NSW TC 09/08 and that (a) the circumstances giving rise to these departures have been determined by the Portfolio Minister and (b) the HHT has implemented the following practicable alternative measures that will achieve a level of assurance equivalent to the requirement.

Ministerially Determined Departure

Reason for Departure and Description of Practicable Alternative Departure Measures Implemented

Core Requirement 3 The Chair and Members of the Audit and Risk Committee are to be appointed by the statutory body.

The alternative measures implemented to achieve an equivalent level of assurance was for the HHT to satisfy itself that the chair and members of the HHT Committee collectively possess the eight skills and knowledge as outlined in core requirement 3.4.3. The composition of the HHT Committee membership in 2014–15 met these requirements.

These processes, including the practicable alternative measures implemented, provide a level of assurance that enables the senior management of the HHT to understand, manage and satisfactorily control risk exposures.

I, Mark Goggin, am of the opinion that the Audit and Risk Committee for the HHT is constituted and operates in accordance with the independence and governance requirements of NSW Treasury Policy Paper TPP09/05. The Chair and Members of the Audit and Risk Committee are:

• Paddy Carney, independent Chair and HHT Trustee (Term 1: February 2012 – current)• Michael Rose, independent Member and Chairman HHT Trust (Term 2: August 2010 – current)• Louise McElvogue, independent Member and HHT Trustee (Term 1: June 2013 – current)

I, Mark Goggin, declare that this Internal Audit and Risk Management Attestation is made on behalf of the following controlled entities:

• Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales • The Hamilton Rouse Hill Trust

Mark GogginExecutive Director

9 September 2015

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INSURANCE

As a NSW statutory authority, the HHT’s insurable risks are covered under the Treasury Managed Fund (TMF), the NSW Government’s self-insurance scheme.

This year the HHT had one public liability claim for a business partner’s employee injured at an HHT property. The claim is ongoing and TMF have engaged the Crown Solicitor’s Office to manage the claim on our behalf. There were three property damage claims: rectification of a portrait of Prince Albert (finalised from 2013–14), damage to the roof of the Justice & Police Museum, and water damage to books and print materials. The first two matters have been resolved and the final claim is still in progress. In 2014–15 the HHT also had 13 motor vehicle claims. To date all claims have been accepted by TMF and, where relevant, repairs have been undertaken or are scheduled to be completed in due course.

JOINT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE (JCC)

The Joint Consultative Committee of the Public Service Association (PSA) represents the interests of its union members. It met with management this year to discuss the Change Management Plans, which resulted in the revision of roles across teams within the organisation and the transitioning of the provision of public access at Government House, Sydney. The PSA was also consulted about the newly developed and revised WHS policies and our participation in the 2015 Vivid Sydney festival, which saw the Museum of Sydney extend its opening hours on nine nights during the festival period.

LEGAL CHANGE

No changes were made to the Historic Houses Act 1980 (NSW) during the reporting period.

OTHER ENTITIES

Following the death in October 2014 of Miriam Hamilton, the final founding director of the Hamilton Rouse Hill Trust, the HHT implemented the wind-up of the Trust and associated company in accordance with the intention of the Trust Deed and the requirements of the Associated Incorporations Act 2009. Further information about this matter and the HHT’s other entities is contained in Note 1 of the Financial Statements (see page 97).

POLICIES & PROCEDURES

During 2014–15 the following policies and procedures were developed: Physical Security and Access to Controlled Areas, Endowment and Special Purpose Funds, Records Management, Privacy Management Plan, Online Privacy Statement, Membership Terms and Conditions, Terms and Conditions for Tickets, School Learning Programs Bookings, Child Concession and Family Prices, Exiting Worker Procedures, Corporate Credit Cards, Managing Gifts and Benefits, Access to Government Information, ICT Acceptable Use, ICT Security Framework, and Handling Suspicious Mail and Packages. Two policies under development in the prior year were approved during 2014–15: Working with Children, and Working with Children Allegation Handling.

During the year the following policies and procedures were revised: Collections Management Policy, Records Scanning and Destruction of Original Paper Copies, and WHS Committee and Health and Safety Representatives.

In addition, a further six policies have been revised and are in the consultation phase prior to approval in 2015–16.

RECORDS MANAGEMENT

The records management program continued to progress and develop during 2014–15, with a key achievement being the adoption of a records management policy.

Another important records project completed during the year was the development and submission of a draft functional retention and disposal authority to the State Records Authority of NSW. Once approved, we will be able to expand our sentencing and disposal program, which, to date, has been focused on the authorised destruction of hard copy administrative records. During the year, 11,000 cubic litres of records that had reached their disposal date were destroyed.

This year saw another surge in the implementation of digital record keeping at the HHT, with both the number of electronic records created within TRIM the (HHT’s record-keeping system) and the average monthly users increasing by 150% over the previous year.

WORK HEALTH & SAFETY (WHS)

The HHT’s Work Health and Safety Committee continued to meet regularly and to undertake site inspections of all HHT properties. The HHT proactively case manages return-to-work plans for any injured employees. Recommendations made by the committee to management are considered by the Executive. The committee was a key consultation point for the WHS policies developed and refreshed during the year.

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DIGITAL INFORMATION SECURITY ANNUAL ATTESTATION STATEMENT FOR THE 2014–15 FINANCIAL YEAR FOR THE HISTORIC HOUSES TRUST OF NEW SOUTH WALES

I, Mark Goggin, am of the opinion that the Historic Houses Trust of NSW (HHT) has made considerable progress towards having in place an Information Security Management System during the financial year being reported on consistent with the Core Requirements set out in the Digital Information Security Policy for the NSW Public Sector.

I, Mark Goggin, am of the opinion that the security controls currently in place and those planned for completion in 2015 to mitigate identified risks to the digital information and digital information systems of the HHT are adequate for the foreseeable future.

I, Mark Goggin, am of the opinion that the HHT risk profile, in accordance with the Digital Information Security Policy for the NSW Public Sector, does not warrant certified compliance with AS/NZS ISO/IEC 27001 Information Security – Security Techniques – Information security management systems – Requirements.

Mark GogginExecutive Director

9 September 2015

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OUR ORGANISATION

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FOUNDATION FOR THE HISTORIC HOUSES TRUST OF NEW SOUTH WALES

The Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales (the Foundation) is a tax concession charity (DGR 2 – deductible gift recipient) that exists solely to support the work of the HHT. It is governed by a non-executive Board of Directors, which met five times in 2014–15.

Through the generosity of donors and special appeals, the Foundation helps the HHT to achieve vital goals and initiatives in the areas of education, public engagement, acquisitions and conservation.

This year support focused on a number of critical conservation works including: structural repairs to the barn and caretaker’s cottage, and reconstruction of timber post-and-rail fencing at Rouse Hill House & Farm; re-shingling the roof of the skillion that houses the dairy and larder at Vaucluse House; and conservation of ironwork at The Mint and Vaucluse House. The Foundation provided funding to underwrite the works. These projects represent the core mission of the HHT and reflect our approach to conservation – to preserve what is there rather than repairing and replacing building features once they have deteriorated. They are also a key element of our work in reviving traditional crafts and skills.

The Foundation also supported acquisitions for the Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection (CSL&RC) including the purchase of rare pattern books, manufacturers’ trade catalogues, photographs and manuscripts. A convict love token (c1817) provenanced to Joseph Smith, a convict and brickmaker who likely stayed for a period at the Hyde Park Barracks, was acquired thanks to the support of our donors.

With the support of a $75,000 grant from the HHT Foundation, we developed and delivered a pilot program that facilitates the attendance of students from low socio-economic status schools through a bus subsidy and free participation in the Stage 1 program How Does Your Garden Grow?

A highlight of the year was the launch of the Foundation’s new donor program. The Governors’ Circle was launched with a special dinner at the Hyde Park Barracks Museum attended by current and prospective donors. The distinguished occasion was inspired by the feast hosted by Governor Lachlan Macquarie on 4 June 1819 to celebrate the king’s birthday, including a fine repast of roast beef and plum pudding. The launch of the Governors’ Circle program signifies a renewed engagement with our donors. Following the launch 11 donors were recruited to the new program.

Above Guests dining in the Silhouette Gallery at the Hyde Park Barracks Museum. Photo © James Horan

The Foundation hosts events in partnership with private sponsors and supporters. These exclusive events, held in the historical and evocative settings of our places, promote the special work of the HHT and celebrate the support of our donors. In 2014–15 these included an evening in the CSL&RC to share new acquisitions with our donors and a cocktail function as part of the Vivid Sydney festival at the Museum of Sydney, featuring Joe Snell, artist and architect, in conversation with Dr Caroline Butler-Bowdon, Assistant Director, Creative Services.

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Clockwise from top The convict love token engraved by Joseph Smyth/Smith for Mary Smyth/Smith, 1817, acquired for the Hyde Park Barracks Museum collection; Terry and Dianne Finnegan, Executive Director Mark Goggin, Joanne D’Antonio and Board of Trustees Chairman Michael Rose at the launch of the Governors’ Circle. Photos © James Horan; plate 27 from Floriated ornament: a series of thirty-one designs, Augustus Welby Pugin, 1849. Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection; roof repairs to the Vaucluse House dairy and larder. Photo © Stuart Miller

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OUR ORGANISATION

APPENDICES

APPENDICES

BOARD STANDING COMMITTEES

The Board standing committees are advisory bodies to the HHT Board of Trustees.

AUDIT & RISK COMMITTEE

The Audit and Risk Committee is an integral component of the HHT’s corporate governance arrangements. Its responsibilities cover the review and oversight of internal controls, risk management, prevention of corruption and fraud, external accountability (including for the financial statements), applicable laws and regulations, and internal and external audits.

In September 2014 the committee met with representatives from the Audit Office of NSW to discuss their review of the HHT’s financial statements for 2014–15.

In October 2014 the committee met with representatives of the HHT’s internal auditors, Deloitte, to discuss the Business-Wide Risk Review.

The members of this committee and their attendance at meetings in 2014–15 were as follows:

Members

Paddy Carney, Trustee (Chair), attended 5/5

Louise McElvogue, Trustee, 4/5

Michael Rose, HHT Chairman, 3/5

Staff

Mark Goggin, Executive Director, 4/5

Madeleine Bennison, Head of Compliance & Knowledge (minute secretary), 4/5

Dr Caroline Butler-Bowdon, Acting Executive Director, 1/1

Yaseen Dean, Head of Finance, 4/5

Trish Kernahan, Assistant Director, Operations, 4/5

Joshua Lodge, Compliance & Policy Officer (minute secretary), 1/1

COMMERCIAL & MARKETING ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Commercial and Marketing Advisory Committee comprises trustees, senior staff and industry specialists. In 2014–15 it met twice to provide advice on strategic issues relating to commercial and marketing strategies.

Members

Keith Cottier, Trustee (Chair), attended 2/2

Neville Allen, former Trustee, 1/2

Ken Knox, Project Director, The GPT Group, 2/2

Louise McElvogue, Trustee, 2/2

Siobhan Toohill, Trustee, 1/2

Naseema Sparks, Trustee, 1/2

Staff


Melanie Hopgood-Bould, Head of Marketing & Communications, 1/2

Damian Poole, Head of Commercial Services, 2/2

Julie Turpie, Assistant Director, Commercial & Marketing Services, 2/2

CREATIVE SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Creative Services Advisory Committee comprises trustees, senior staff and external experts. It met twice in 2014–15 to provide advice on strategic issues including audience development, programming, exhibitions, publications, education, web and social media, collections and research, and interpretation.

Members

Dr Jane Connors, historian, and Manager, ABC Radio National, attended 1/2

Elizabeth Ellis, inaugural Emeritus Curator, Mitchell Library, and Honorary Associate, Department of History, University of Sydney, 1/2

Professor Susan Groundwater-Smith, Honorary Professor, Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Sydney, 2/2

Associate Professor Grace Karskens, Trustee, 0/2

Andy Kent, musician, sound engineer, and Manager, Love Police Records & Tapes, 1/2

Tim Ross, comedian, radio host, author and television presenter, 1/2

Liane Rossler, designer and artist, co-founder of Dinosaur Designs, 1/2

Naseema Sparks, Trustee, 1/2

Siobhan Toohill, Trustee, 1/2

Staff

Mark Goggin, Executive Director (Chair) 2/2

Dr Caroline Butler-Bowdon, Assistant Director, Creative Services, 2/2

Julie Turpie, Assistant Director, Commercial & Marketing Services, 1/2

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APPENDICES

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APPENDICES

HERITAGE & ENDANGERED HOUSES ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Heritage and Endangered Houses Advisory Committee comprises trustees, senior staff and external experts. It meets three times a year to provide advice on strategic issues relating to the care and conservation of collections, buildings and sites, including the Endangered Houses Fund program.

Members

Keith Cottier, Trustee (Chair), attended 3/3

Alastair Baxter, Trustee 3/3

Tanya Koeneman, Senior Aboriginal Heritage Officer, Heritage Branch, 1/3

Colleen Morris, heritage consultant, 3/3

Dr Judith O’Callaghan, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Built Environment, University of New South Wales, 3/3

Peter Root, Managing Director, Root Projects, 2/3

Howard Tanner, Chair, Tanner Architects, and Senior Consultant, Tanner Kibble Denton Architects, 3/3

Andrew Tink, Trustee 3/3

Staff


Ian Innes, Assistant Director, Heritage, 3/3

Elisha Long, Head of Heritage, 1/1

HHT STANDING COMMITTEES

COLLECTIONS VALUATION COMMITTEE

The committee 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.

Megan Martin, Head of Collections & Access (Chair)

Scott Hill, Portfolio Curator, Meroogal & Western Sydney Portfolio

Joanna Nicholas, Portfolio Curator, Eastern Sydney Portfolio

Jennifer Olman, Registrar, Documentation

JOINT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE

This committee, comprising Public Service Association (PSA) representatives and an HHT employee who is a PSA member, meets as required and provides a forum that allows consensus to be reached on employee matters. In 2014–15 this committee met twice, with no industrial relationship matters needing resolution beyond discussion at this committee.

Mark Goggin, Executive Director (Chair)

Shane Jobberns, PSA Organiser

Trish Kernahan, Assistant Director, Operations (Chair)

Georgina Pearce, Head of Human Resources

Fabienne Virago, Coordinator, Learning, Programs (PSA workplace delegate)

WORK HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE

The committee comprises both management and staff representing sites and classifications, and meets bimonthly to consider and advise on work health and safety issues (WHS). In line with section 5.3 of the HHT Corporate Plan 2010–2015, the committee continued to assess and implement WHS risk-management systems across the sites. The committee also commenced a review of WHS policies and procedures to ensure it continues to meet best practice requirements and the current needs of the organisation.

Andrew Mitchell, Acting Head of Meroogal & Western Sydney Portfolio (Chair)

Michael Bennett, Building Facilities Assistant, Macquarie Street Portfolio

Thomas Hull, Building Facilities Assistant, City Portfolio

Liana Kay, Visitor and Interpretation Officer, Meroogal & Western Sydney Portfolio

Trish Kernahan, Assistant Director, Operations (management rep)

Kieran Larkin, Senior 3D Designer, Interpretation & Exhibitions

Joshua Lodge, Policy & Compliance Officer (minutes)

Stuart Macpherson, Horticulturist, Heritage (Gardens)

Georgina Pearce, Head of Human Resources (management rep)

Neil Piper, Museum Assistant, Eastern Sydney Portfolio

ASSOCIATED GROUPS

FOUNDATION FOR THE HISTORIC HOUSES TRUST OF NEW SOUTH WALES

Company directors

Curtis Smith (Chair)

Alastair Baxter

Mark Goggin

David O’Donnell (until November 2014)

Fiona Playfair (until October 2014)

Michael Rose

Edward Simpson

Judith Whelan (until November 2014)

Simon White

ROUSE HILL HAMILTON COLLECTION PTY LIMITED

The Rouse Hill Hamilton Collection Pty Limited is a private company that formed in October 1994 as Trustee for the Hamilton Rouse Hill Trust, a non-profit entity. The board of directors unanimously resolved to wind up the Rouse Hill Hamilton Trust on 16 June 2015 pursuant to clause 12 of the trust deed and transferred the collection assets valued at $944,230 to the HHT. Following the wind-up of the trust, the company directors passed a resolution on 30 June 2015 to close the company, and sought approval for voluntary deregistration with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC).

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Company directors as at 30 June 2015 were:

Mark Goggin, Executive Director (Chair)

Andrew Tink, Trustee, HHT

Ian Innes, Assistant Director, Heritage

Trish Kernahan, Assistant Director, Operations, Company Secretary

ADMISSION FEES

Tickets to the Museum of Sydney, the Justice & Police Museum and the Hyde Park Barracks Museum are: general entry $10, child/concession $5 and family $20. Tickets to all other HHT properties are: general entry $8, child/concession $4 and family $17. Entry is free to The Mint, and the garden, parklands and beach paddock of Vaucluse House. No fee is charged for access to a number of significant urban spaces, including the Hyde Park Barracks Museum courtyard and First Government House Place (the forecourt of the Museum of Sydney). A special exhibition admission fee, including museum entry of adult $15, child $15, family (4 people) $45, members $5, was applied to the Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks exhibition (13 December 2014 – 12 July 2015).

The HHT offers a range of curriculum-linked and specialised education programs for primary and high school students. Fees for education programs are structured as group prices starting at $120 for up to 30 students for a 60-minute program. Specialist programs for senior students are offered on a per-student basis of $25 per student with a minimum booking requirement of ten students. Supervising teachers are provided with free entry to programs and additional accompanying adults are charged general entry.

SELF-GENERATED REVENUE

SPONSORS

Cash

• AGL: major partner for the Museum of Sydney on the site of first Government House (MOS)

• AMP Capital: supporting partner of the exhibitions Harry Seidler: Painting Toward Architecture and Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks at MOS and supporting partner of Sydney Open 2014

• Austral Bricks: major partner of our Home & Architecture program

• City of Sydney: major partner of Sydney Open 2014

• Friends of First Government House: sponsor of the Governor Arthur Phillip memorial bust at MOS

• Kathleen Hooke Memorial Trust: sponsor of the Governor Arthur Phillip memorial bust at MOS

• Modern House: supporting partner of our Home & Architecture program

• Momento: supporting partner of regional tours of the photographic exhibitions 52 Suburbs Around the World and A Convict in the Family?

• NSW Architects Registration Board: supporting partner of the exhibitions Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks, and Built for the Bush: the Green Architecture of Rural Australia and its regional NSW tour

• QVB: major partner of Sydney Open 2014

• Seidler Architectural Foundation: supporting partner of the exhibition Harry Seidler: Painting Toward Architecture at MOS

• The GPT Group: major partner of the exhibition Harry Seidler: Painting Toward Architecture at MOS

In kind

• Architecture Foundation Australia: exhibition partner of the exhibition Iconic Australian Houses

• Architecture Media: media partner of Sydney Open 2014

• Chinese Heritage Association of Australia: support for the exhibition Celestial City: Sydney’s Chinese Story at MOS

• City of Sydney Art & About: promotional support for exhibitions and programs including 52 Suburbs Around the World at MOS and City of Shadows: Inner City Crime & Mayhem 1912–1948 at the Justice & Police Museum

• Corporate Culture: support for the exhibition Iconic Australian Houses

• Habitus Magazine: media partner of our Home & Architecture program

• Head On Photo Festival: partner of the Head On Portrait Prize and Student Prize at MOS

• Houses: media partner of Sydney Open 2014

• Imprint Street & Imprint Global: supporting partner of our Home & Architecture program

• NSW Architects Registration Board: sponsor of the regional tour of the exhibition Iconic Australian Houses

• NSW Farmers: support for the exhibition Celestial City: Sydney’s Chinese Story

• NRMA: marketing support

• ReNew magazine: promotional support for the exhibition Built for the Bush: the Green Architecture of Rural Australia

• Ria Floral: support for The Governors’ Circle Dinner

• Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority: partner for the Governor Arthur Phillip memorial bust at MOS and the Archaeology in The Rocks annual education program at Susannah Place Museum (SPM)

• Sydney Harbour YHA and The Big Dig Archaeology Education Centre: Archaeology in The Rocks annual education program at SPM

• smow Australia: support for the exhibition Iconic Australian Houses

• Snaploader: support for the exhibition Iconic Australian Houses

• Stormtech: support for the exhibition Iconic Australian Houses

• The Governors Table Bar & Dining: catering partner for the Governors’ Circle Dinner

• University of Newcastle: support for the exhibition Iconic Australian Houses

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APPENDICES

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APPENDICES

GRANTS

During the year grants of $17.135 million for recurrent allocation and $1.904 million for capital grant allocation, including year one of three years’ capital funding, were received from the NSW Government.

Additional grants were received for restricted purposes in 2014–15. These included $1.091 million from the state government for the Unlocking Heritage program, $546,000 ($1.82 million over three years) from the federal government for the Protecting National Historic Sites Programme, $300,000 from the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service for joint agency strategic projects, $131,728 from the OEH Chief Executive’s Contingency Fund, and $75,241 from the Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Program, Department of Education and Training.

PRIVATE GIVING

The Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales acknowledges donations (received in part or full since 1 July 2014, as per the HHT Gift Management Policy) as part of the newly launched Governors’ Circle program:

GOVERNORS’ CIRCLE

David Carment

Keith Cottier AM

Zeny Edwards

Terry & Dianne Finnegan

Ron & Rhonda Langley

Guy & Marian Paynter

Michael Reed

Michael Rose & Joanne D’Antonio

Edward & Annie Simpson

Susannah Sweeney & John Penton

Simon & Natalie White

PRIVACY MANAGEMENT PLAN

Clause 8 of the Annual Reports (Statutory Bodies) Regulation 2015 requires a statement of the action taken by the HHT in complying with the requirements of the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (the PPIP Act) and statistical details of any review conducted by, or on behalf of, the HHT under Part 5 of that Act.

The HHT’s Privacy Management Plan, which was reviewed this year, outlines how we comply with the principles of the PPIP Act and the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002. The plan is published on the HHT’s website at www.sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/privacy.

The HHT received no complaints regarding non-compliance with this plan during 2014–15.

The HHT processed one application under section 14 of the PPIP Act during 2014–15. The request by a former volunteer to access their personal file was refused on the basis that the HHT did not at the time of service hold personal files for volunteers. The HHT identified 48 records containing the personal and health information of the applicant, which were released to the applicant. Where those records also contained the personal information of other persons, that personal information was redacted where appropriate.

PUBLIC INTEREST DISCLOSURES

Under section 31 of the Public Interest Disclosures Act 1994, each public authority is required to prepare an annual report on their obligations under the Act. Information for the HHT on public interest disclosures for 2014–15 is in accordance with clause 4 of the Public Interest Disclosures Regulation 2011.

1. Public interest disclosures made by public officials in performing their day-to-day functions NIL

2. Public interest disclosures not covered by (1) that are made under a statutory or other legal obligations NIL

All other public interest disclosures NIL

Number of public interest disclosures relating to possible or alleged:• corrupt conduct• maladministration• serious and substantial waste of public money NIL

Total number of public interest disclosures received NIL

Total number of public interest disclosures finalised NIL

The HHT has developed an internal reporting policy that is consistent with the NSW Ombudsman’s Model Policy. The HHT takes action to ensure that staff awareness of responsibilities under section 6E(1)(b) of the Public Interest Disclosures Act 1994 is met by providing links on our intranet for staff and including messages in staff circulars.

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GOVERNMENT INFORMATION (PUBLIC ACCESS)

Under section 7 of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act), agencies must review their programs for the release of government information to identify the kinds of information that can be made publicly available. This review must be undertaken at least once every 12 months.

The HHT’s program for the proactive release of information involves reviewing the information sought and released pursuant to GIPA applications received over the financial year and considering the kinds of government information held by the HHT that may be suitable for proactive release. A more extensive review is scheduled to take place in 2015–16, consulting with HHT teams to identify additional information to be proactively released.

1. Review of proactive release program – clause 7(a)

During the reporting period, the HHT undertook a review to identify information that has been proactively released on the HHT website, some of which is listed here:

• Hyde Park Barracks Management Plan: Prepared in 2010 as part of the nomination process to the UNESCO World Heritage List, the plan provides information about the national heritage values and potential world heritage values of the Hyde Park Barracks Sydney, as well as the statutory and management framework that will ensure they are protected and conserved. http://sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/about-us/reports-plans#annual-reports

SCHEDULE 2: STATISTICAL INFORMATION ABOUT ACCESS APPLICATIONS

TABLE A: NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS BY TYPE OF APPLICANT AND OUTCOME*

Access granted in full

Access granted in part

Access refused in full

Information not held

Information already available

Refuse to deal with application

Refuse to confirm/deny whether information is held

Application withdrawn

Media – – – – – – – –

Members of Parliament – – – – – – – –

Private-sector business – – – – – – – –

Not-for-profit organisations or community groups

– – – – – – – –

Members of the public (application by legal representative)

– – – – – – – –

Members of the public (other) 1 2 – – 1 – – –

*More than one decision can be made in respect of a particular access application. If so, a recording must be made in relation to each such decision. This also applies to Table B.

• Policies & Procedures: As part of the ongoing review process, policies and procedures are assessed as to their suitability for external release to encourage proactive release. A number of new policies and procedures have been released during the reporting period including procedures for accessing government information, and policies in relation to ticketing, cancellations and membership terms. http://sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/about-us/policies

• Annual Reports: All annual reports from 2000 to the present are available on the website. http://sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/about-us/reports-plans#annual-reports

• Vaucluse Estate Plan of Management: During 2014–15 the HHT developed a Plan of Management to provide a framework for the ongoing sustainable management of the Vaucluse House estate and its surrounding landscape. The minutes of the community consultations and presentation notes are available on the website.

2. Number of access applications received – clause 7(b)

During the reporting period, the HHT received a total of three (3) valid formal access applications. The agency did not receive any applications for review. No applications were transferred to another agency.

3. Number of refused applications for Schedule 1 information – clause 7(c)

During the reporting period, our agency refused a total of nil formal access applications because the information requested was information referred to in Schedule 1 to the GIPA Act.

4. Statistical information about access applications – clause 7(d) and Schedule 2 of the Act (see tables below and overleaf)

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APPENDICES

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APPENDICES

TABLE B: NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS BY TYPE OF APPLICATION AND OUTCOME

Access granted in full

Access granted in part

Access refused in full

Information not held

Information already available

Refuse to deal with application

Refuse to confirm/deny whether information is held

Application withdrawn

Personal information applications* – – – – – – – –

Access applications (other than personal information applications)

1 2 – – 1 – – –

Access applications that are partly personal information applications and partly other

– – – – – – – –

* A personal information application is an access application for personal information (as defined in clause 4 of Schedule 4 to the Act) about the applicant (the applicant being an individual).

TABLE C: INVALID APPLICATIONS

Reason for invalidity No of applications

Application does not comply with formal requirements (section 41 of the Act) 1

Application is for excluded information of the agency (section 43 of the Act) –

Application contravenes restraint order (section 110 of the Act) –

Total number of invalid applications received 1

Invalid applications that subsequently became valid applications –

TABLE D: CONCLUSIVE PRESUMPTION OF OVERRIDING PUBLIC INTEREST AGAINST DISCLOSURE: MATTERS LISTED IN SCHEDULE 1 OF THE ACT

Number of times consideration used*

Overriding secrecy laws –

Cabinet information –

Executive Council information –

Contempt –

Legal professional privilege –

Excluded information –

Documents affecting law enforcement and public safety –

Transport safety –

Adoption –

Care and protection of children –

Ministerial code of conduct –

Aboriginal and environmental heritage –

* More than one public interest consideration may apply in relation to a particular access application and, if so, each such consideration is to be recorded (but only once per application). This also applies in relation to Table E.

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TABLE E: OTHER PUBLIC INTEREST CONSIDERATIONS AGAINST DISCLOSURE: MATTERS LISTED IN TABLE TO SECTION 14 OF THE ACT

Number of occasions when application not successful

Responsible and effective government 2

Law enforcement and security –

Individual rights, judicial processes and natural justice 2

Business interests of agencies and other persons 2

Environment, culture, economy and general matters –

Secrecy provisions –

Exempt documents under interstate Freedom of Information legislation –

TABLE F: TIMELINESS

Number of applications

Decided within the statutory timeframe (20 days plus any extensions) 3

Decided after 35 days (by agreement with applicant) –

Not decided within time (deemed refusal) –

Total 3

TABLE G: NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS REVIEWED UNDER PART 5 OF THE ACT (BY TYPE OF REVIEW AND OUTCOME)

Decision varied Decision upheld Total

Internal review – – –

Review by Information Commissioner* – – –

Internal review following recommendation under section 93 of Act – – –

Review by ADT – – –

Total – – –

* The Information Commissioner does not have the authority to vary decisions, but can make recommendations to the original decision-maker.

TABLE H: APPLICATIONS FOR REVIEW UNDER PART 5 OF THE ACT (BY TYPE OF APPLICANT)

Number of applications for review

Applications by access applicants –

Applications by persons to whom information the subject of access application relates (see section 54 of the Act) –

TABLE I: APPLICATIONS TRANSFERRED TO OTHER AGENCIES

Number of applications for review

Agency-initiated transfers –

Applicant-initiated transfers –

Requests for access to information not already available on our website will be dealt with formally. The public can make a formal request to access information under GIPA by contacting the following officer by email or letter in the first instance.

Madeleine Bennison Head of Compliance & Knowledge

Sydney Living Museums, Head Office The Mint 10 Macquarie Street Sydney NSW 2000

T 02 8239 2288 F 02 8239 2299 Email: [email protected]

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APPENDICES

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APPENDICES

CHARGES

Where a formal application is made to access information held by the HHT, an application fee of $30 applies. Where requests are complex and/or require the commitment of significant resources in order to make the information available, a processing fee of $30 per hour may apply.

CONSUMER RESPONSE

As the HHT is a service-based organisation, customer feedback is of prime importance to us and we monitor it closely. We have in place a range of evaluation measures, including visitor books and evaluation forms at each property, traditional and digital visitor books and other interactive devices in exhibitions, customer surveys following public programs, teacher evaluations following education programs and feedback forms for our venue-hire clients. In addition, a general file is maintained for written compliments and complaints. Each complaint is dealt with in writing, minor complaints by the property or team where the complaint was received, and major complaints by the executive director or a member of the executive.

During the year we received a total of 83 compliments: Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection (7), museums and houses (29), venues (3), programs (21), exhibitions (9) and publications (1), ticketing (2), conferences (1), executive (2), Arthur Phillip bicentenary commemoration (4) and miscellaneous (4). We received a total of 23 complaints: museums and houses (4), programs (2), exhibitions (2), access (2), ticketing (2) and from Vaucluse House neighbours (11).

DIGITAL DELIVERY

The following services are available via the HHT’s corporate website and associated sub-domains, sydneylivingmuseums.com.au and hht.net.au

• online resources, including articles, research, blogs, collection databases and links to HHT content on other platforms such as Facebook, Youtube and Twitter;

• all appropriate government publications (for reference only, not for sale);

• HHT annual reports from 2000–01 to 2013–14;

• e-commerce facilities for purchasing tickets and membership, and making donations.

LAND DISPOSAL

The HHT had no land disposals in 2014–15.

CREDIT CARD CERTIFICATION

The HHT has a policy for the use of credit cards by staff that is in accordance with the NSW Premier’s Memoranda and NSW Treasurer’s Directions.

HUMAN RESOURCES

EXCEPTIONAL MOVEMENTS IN EMPLOYEE WAGES, SALARIES AND ALLOWANCES

A 2.25% salary increase granted by the NSW Government for the NSW public sector came into effect in the first full pay period in July 2014 for the 2014–15 financial year.

PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PRACTICES

• We continued to implement our Work Health & Safety and Injury Management (WHS & IM) Plan.

• A compliant Performance Management Plan system was developed and implemented across the agency, as per a directive from the Public Service Commission, effective from July 2014.

• A comprehensive program of staff training was undertaken with a strong focus on employee development.

• From February 2014 the HHT was fully compliant with the new Government Sector Employment Act 2013, having amended all our recruitment practices to align with the Public Service Commission guidelines.

• Two Human Resources staff are now accredited in Mercer Job Evaluation to create and grade GSE Act-compliant role descriptions.

Future directions

Key issues for the year ahead will be: improving our service delivery through better technology and interpersonal communications with staff and management, innovatively inducting new staff, increasing our use of comparative assessments to measure applicants’ capabilities as part of our recruitment processes, further developing the skills of our existing staff and continuing to improve work health and safety.

The Human Resources team is also planning to increase staff training in accessibility skills to improve our outreach program for audiences with disabilities and work with the newly created WHS Coordinator role to refresh the HHT’s current Disability Action Plan.

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WORKFORCE DIVERSITY

Our self-assessed outcomes for the year include:

• diversity of representation on recruitment panels and the provision of Workforce Diversity information to applicants;

• diversity of representation on internal bodies such as the Work Health Safety Committee and the Joint Consultative Committee with the Public Service Association of NSW;

• flexible work practices, including flex days and RDOs, maternity leave, and family and community-service leave;

• provision of development opportunities through expressions of interest and higher duties allowance; affirmative action through sending two staff members to an International Women’s Day Conference;

• successfully obtaining a salary grant to 65% of the Coordinator of Aboriginal Interpretation and Programming clerk 7/8 role from the Elisa Dixon Employment Program, Department of Education and Training.

Future directions

The HHT will continue to explore externally funded grants with the aim of promoting diversity, innovation and service responsiveness in the NSW workforce by reducing barriers to employment and improving promotional opportunities for Indigenous people.

WORKFORCE PROFILE DATA – WORKFORCE DIVERSITY REPORT

CURRENT SELECTIONS

Cluster Reporting entity

Planning & Environment Sydney Living Museums

1 SIZE OF AGENCY (HEADCOUNT) 2013 2014 2015 % CHANGE 2014 TO 2015

Headcount at Census Date 241 231 243 5.19%

Non-casual Headcount at Census Date 183 184 181 -1.63%

2 WORKFORCE DIVERSITY (EEO) SURVEY RESPONSE RATE (NON-CASUAL HEADCOUNT AT CENSUS DATE) 2013 2014 2015

Non-casual headcount at census date 183 184 181

Non-casual Workforce Diversity Survey respondents at census date 183 184 181

Response rate 100% 100% 100%

Note: all calculated Workforce Diversity data in Tables 1 and 2 are based on employee status as at Census Date.

OVERSEAS VISITS BY EMPLOYEES

Business-related overseas visits by staff between 1 July 2014 and 30 June 2015:

NAME OF STAFF MEMBER PURPOSE OF VISIT (SUMMARY) DESTINATION(S): CITY, COUNTRY DATES OF

TRAVEL

Beth Hise To present at the Interpret Europe conference. Visit various museums.

London, UK; Krakow, Poland; Croatia; Austria; Paris, France

2–13 June 2015

Ian Innes To speak at a conference organised by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors on the theme ‘Towards a sustainable model for adaptive re-use of heritage buildings’.

Hong Kong, China 8–11 January 2015

81

APPENDICES

.

APPENDICES

3 WORKFORCE DIVERSITY ACTUAL STAFF NUMBERS (NON-CASUAL HEADCOUNT AT CENSUS DATE) 2015

Remuneration level of substantive position

Total staff (men, women & unspecified) Respondents Men Women

Unspecified gender

Aboriginal & Torres

Strait Islanders

People from racial, ethnic,

ethno-religious minority groups

People whose

language first spoken

as a child was not English

People with a

disability

People with a disability

requiring work-

related adjustment

$0 – $43,593 2 2 – 2 – – – – – –

$43,593 – $57,256 34 34 10 24 – – 4 3 – –

$57,256 – $64,008 19 19 5 14 – – 1 2 – –

$64,008 – $80,997 42 42 9 33 – – 4 1 1 –

$80,997 – $104,743 63 63 27 36 – 1 10 8 3 –

$104,743 – $130,929 17 17 5 12 – – 2 2 – –

$130,929 > (Non SES) 3 3 1 2 – – – – – –

$130,929 > (SES) 1 1 1 – – – – – – –

TOTAL 181 181 58 123 – 1 21 16 4 –

Note: Unspecified gender includes unknown, withdrawn, or indeterminate/intersex recorded values.

4 WORKFORCE DIVERSITY ACTUAL & ESTIMATED STAFF NUMBERS (NON-CASUAL HEADCOUNT AT CENSUS DATE) 2015

ACTUAL ESTIMATED



Unspecified gender

Aboriginal & Torres

Strait Islanders

People from racial,

ethnic, ethno-

religious minority groups

People whose



People with a

disability


requiring work-

related adjustment

$0 – $43,593 2 2 – 2 – – – – – –

$43,593 – $57,256 34 34 10 24 – – 4.0 3.0 – –

$57,256 – $64,008 19 19 5 14 – – 1.0 2.0 – –

$64,008 – $80,997 42 42 9 33 – – 4.0 1.0 1.0 –

$80,997 – $104,743 63 63 27 36 – 1.0 10.0 8.0 3.0 –

$104,743 – $130,929 17 17 5 12 – – 2.0 2.0 – –

$130,929 > (Non SES)

3 3 1 2 – – – – – –

$130,929 > (SES) 1 1 1 – – – – – – –

TOTAL 181 181 58 123 –

Note 1: Estimated figures are calculated on the basis of the number of employees that have responded ‘yes’ to the Workforce Diversity category as a proportion of the total number of employees who have responded to the Workforce Diversity (EEO) survey, multiplied by the total amount of employees in the salary band ie Estimated People with a Disability from salary band 1 = (Actual number of People with a Disability in salary band 1/Total number of respondents from salary band 1)* Total number of Staff in salary band 1.

Note 2: Estimated figures are only calculated for those agencies with a response rate of greater than 65%. For those agencies with response rates less than 65%, actual figures are used to calculate the representation and distribution of these groups.Note 3: Respondents are classified as employees who have provided an answer for any of the Workforce Diversity questions, whether they have chosen to withdraw their response or not ie all employees who do not have ‘missing’ as their response.

Note 4: Separated employees are excluded in the above table.

Note 5: Unspecified gender includes unknown, withdrawn, or indeterminate/intersex recorded values.

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4A WORKFORCE DIVERSITY ACTUAL AND ESTIMATED STAFF NUMBERS (NON-CASUAL HEADCOUNT AT CENSUS DATE) AS PERCENTAGE

2015

ACTUAL ESTIMATED



Unspecified gender

Aboriginal & Torres

Strait Islanders

People from racial,

ethnic, ethno-

religious minority groups

People whose



People with a

disability


requiring work-

related adjustment

$0 - $43,593 2 100.0% 0.0% 100.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%

$43,593 - $57,256 34 100.0% 29.4% 70.6% 0.0% 0.0% 11.8% 8.8% 0.0% 0.0%

$57,256 - $64,008 19 100.0% 26.3% 73.7% 0.0% 0.0% 5.3% 10.5% 0.0% 0.0%

$64,008 - $80,997 42 100.0% 21.4% 78.6% 0.0% 0.0% 9.5% 2.4% 2.4% 0.0%

$80,997 - $104,743 63 100.0% 42.9% 57.1% 0.0% 1.6% 15.9% 12.7% 4.8% 0.0%

$104,743 - $130,929 17 100.0% 29.4% 70.6% 0.0% 0.0% 11.8% 11.8% 0.0% 0.0%

$130,929 > (Non SES) 3 100.0% 33.3% 66.7% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%

$130,929 > (SES) 1 100.0% 100.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%

TOTAL 181 100.0% 32.0% 68.0% 0.0%

Note 1: Estimated percentages are calculated in a similar manner to the estimated figures in table 4, only they are expressed as a percentage i.e. Estimated Percentage of People with a Disability from salary band 1 = (Actual number of People with a Disability from salary band 1/Total number of respondents from salary band 1).

Note 2: Estimated figures are only calculated for those agencies with a response rate of greater than 65%. For those agencies with response rates less than 65%, actual figures are used to calculate the representation and distribution of these groups.Note 3: Unspecified gender includes unknown, withdrawn, or indeterminate/intersex recorded values.

5 PARLIAMENTARY ANNUAL REPORT TABLES

WORKFORCE DIVERSITY GROUP BENCHMARK/TARGET 2013 2014 2015

5a. Trends in the representation of Workforce Diversity groups

Women 50% 64.5% 66.3% 68.0%

Aboriginal People and Torres Strait Islanders 2.6% 0.0% 0.5% 0.6%

People whose First Language Spoken as a Child was not English 19.0% 8.7% 9.2% 8.8%

People with a Disability N/A 1.6% 2.7% 2.2%

People with a Disability Requiring Work-Related Adjustment 1.5% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%

5b. Trends in the distribution of Workforce Diversity groups

Women 100 90 91 92

Aboriginal People and Torres Strait Islanders 100 N/A N/A N/A

People whose First Language Spoken as a Child was not English 100 N/A N/A N/A

People with a Disability 100 N/A N/A N/A

People with a Disability Requiring Work-Related Adjustment 100 N/A N/A N/A

Note 1: A Distribution Index of 100 indicates that the centre of the distribution of the Workforce Diversity group across salary levels is equivalent to that of other staff. Values less than 100 mean that the Workforce Diversity 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, indicating that the Workforce Diversity group is less concentrated at lower salary levels.

Note 2: The Distribution Index is not calculated where Workforce Diversity group or non-Workforce Diversity group numbers are less than 20.

83

APPENDICES

.

APPENDICES

6 REPRESENTATION OF WORKFORCE DIVERSITY GROUPS

WORKFORCE DIVERSITY GROUP BENCHMARK/TARGET 2013 2014 2015

Women 50% 64.5% 66.3% 68.0%

Aboriginal People and Torres Strait Islanders 2.6% 0.0% 0.5% 0.6%

People whose First Language Spoken as a Child was not English

19.0% 8.7% 9.2% 8.8%

People with a Disability N/A 1.6% 2.7% 2.2%

People with a Disability Requiring Work-Related Adjustment

1.5% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%

PAYMENT PERFORMANCE

PAYMENTS

Aged analysis at the end of each quarter

QuarterLess than 30 days

$’00031–60 days overdue

$’00061–90 days overdue

$’000

More than 90 days overdue

$’000Total

$’000

September 2014 581 20 1 3 605

December 2014 490 25 1 5 521

March 2015 748 11 22 20 801

June 2015 1285 7 – 4 1297

Total accounts paid on time Total amount paid

Quarter Target % Actual % $’000 $’000

September 2014 100 100 6,891 6,916

December 2014 100 100 7,458 7,490

March 2015 100 99 4,932 4,984

June 2015 100 100 6,295 6,306

CONSULTANTS

PAYMENTS

Type of consultant ServiceAmount

$

General > $50,000 Organisational Review 62,749

Management Services 61,543

General < $50,000 Management Services 46,115

Organisational Review 37,337

Financial Services 26,525

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THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS

OUR VOLUNTEERS

As well as those who contributed to the HHT’s ongoing Volunteer Program, the following includes those who volunteered for Sydney Open 2014.

Andrew Abraham, Marie Antoinette Abrera, Allana Afshar, Carol Alderson, Luisa Alessi, Fatima Aliyeva, Jan Andrew, Rithy Ang, Nicholas Anning, Prue Anthony, Kim Archibald, Margo Armishaw, Paula Arnall, Samantha Attley, Sonia Audoly, Sarah Aydin, Akhtar Azhar, Mary Bagtas, Kim Bailey, Teresa Baldassarre, Alice Beattie, Jenny Beer, Andrew Bell, Margery Bennett, Mitchell Bennett, Gemma Beswick, Raelene Beuermann, Colin Bishop, Bobbie Bory, Tamara Bose, Genevieve Bourgon, John Boyd, Marta Brandtman, Ron Bray, Warren Bressler, Ingrid Brewster, Christina Brooks, Marnie Brown, Nick Bucci, Diana Bui, Wendy Bull, David Buncel, Amy Butterfield, Christine Byun, Andie Caballes, Ada Cable, Jarrod Calabria, Era Camilet, Penny Cane, Raymond Cansick, Barbara Carnie, Anne Carpenter, Steve Cartland, Vivian Chan, Estella Cheer, Benita Xi Chen, Jesse Chen, Hui-Wen Cheng, Henrietta Cheshire, Linda Cholson, Amy Chou, Amani Choudhury, Betty Chow, Stephanie Chring, Teasheen Chuah, Mariana Cidade, Tony Clapham, Terry Clarke, Georgia Clarke, Natalie Cleary, Catherine Clelland, Tom Clewer, Geoff Cocks, Yaier Cohen, Gabrielle Coleman, Alexandra Condon, James Constable, Gary Cook, Glynis Coombe, Patricia Cooper, Patrick Copas, Alexander Cork, Carlos Correa, Imelda Craglietto, Angela Cranston, Jennifer

Cross, Marife Cruz, Xinhui Cui, Autumn Cullen, Rima D’Arcy, Brooke Davidson, Stephanie Davies, Paige Davis, Romany de Silva, Grahame Deck, Lisa Denmeade, Lynn Dent, Bendeguz Devenyi-Botos, Maureen Devereaux, Sanskriti Dhanker, Laurence Dillon, Weihao Ding, Patrick Dodd, Margaret Donachy, Mal Donaldson, Elizabeth Donnelly, Nicole Doughty, Georgia Douglas, Christopher Downes, Ellie Downing, Bronwyn Duke, Priscilla Duncan, Catherine Dunkerley, Dominic Dwyer, Madeline Eades, Ariane Easton, Michael Edwards, Jenny Edwards, Joumana Elomar, Nora Etmekdjian, Julie Evans, Les Evans, Maria Fallah, Gordon Fehross, Yanfei Feng, Fay Feng, Michelle Feng, Jessamine Finlayson, Dianne Finnegan, Belinda Finocchiaro, Ronald Fisher, Athena Foo, Melissa Foong, Helen Foster, Julian Foster, Christine Fulcher, David Gan, Don Gandy, Susanne Gantert, Allan Garrick, Michele Gaudry, Neala Gautam, Karrie Gensler, Caroline Geoghegan, Tanya Gerrie, Gillian Gibbons, Rochelle Gibbs, Andrew Gillies, Diana Glenn, Lesley Goldberg, Mary Gomes, Brandon Goodwin, Elaine Graham, Neil Graham, Howard Graham, Katherine Grant, Shekhina Grant, Anna Gregory, James Griffith, Hannah Griffiths, Madison Groom, Sarah-Jane Grove, Vladimir Grudinin, Celeste Guhl, Lucie Guillard, Lea Guillemier, Robin Guthrie,

HHT Volunteers Photo Alison Waterhouse

85

APPENDICES

.

THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS

Regina Haertsch, Rob Haggett, Patricia Hale, Kerri Hancock, Shirley Hannam, Gordon Hannam, Rachel Hao, Tracey Harper, Shelley Hartle, Jane Harvey, Jacob Hatch, Gorkem Hayta, Jan Heffernan, Joseph Heng, Jonathan Henley, Linda Herrmann, Janet Heslep, Stephen Hickman, Margaret Hill, Jackie Hoang, Angela Holden, Patricia Honeyfield, Voung Hong, Somerset Hoy-Browne, Xin Hu, Allen Hu, John Hudson, Thomas Hull, Lesley Hume, Chi Lok Ernest Hung, Terence Hung, Sarah Hurley, Nouha Hussney, Sarah I’Anson, Chris Isgro, Kate Jackson, Carol Jacobson, Ken Jacobson, Peter James, Wendy James, Pam Jeffery, Stanley Jiang, Joanna Jing, Michael Jones, Sally Jones, Sue Jorgenson, Elmer Jose, Christina Juchniewicz, Rosemary Kaliappan, Dess Kammason Kelley, Zachary Karantonis, Bianca Karcher, Carla Kassab, Christine Kazub, Colin Kemp, Christine Kemp, Joanne Kennett, Graham Kerr, Bobit Khaytmatov, David Knapp, Reinhard Koch, Lada Kolonkova, Jun Ming Kong, Jiong (Bryan) Kou, Eleni Koureas, Maree Kovac, Helen Kryger, Tony Kryger, Cindy Lam, Sophie Lamaletie, Richard Lambert, Stuart Lawrence, Ellen Lawson, Helen Le, Lara Le Febvre, Caroline Le Plastrier, Patrick Lee, Greta Lee, Keung Lee, Leone Lemmer, Renee Lennon, Mollie Lenthall, Liane Leslie, Gwendolyne Lever, Christopher Levins, Cheng (Kevin) Li, Jacky Liang, Jessica Liao, Tom Lim, Amelia Lindsay, Anne Little, Rui Liu, Michelle Liu, Wei Liu, Yunshan Liu, Maggie Lo, Nick Loder, Deb Loughnan, Dennis Lovely, Pip Lovely, Mechelle Lynn, Michelle Lynn, Coralie Ma, Philip Ma, Paige Mackander, Peter Mackay, Prudence Macleod, Nicole Maguire, Ellis John Mandia, Alexander Mandziy, Wailyn Mar, Jane Marks, Judy Marshall, Avril Marshall, Keith Marshall, Thea Marshall-Behrendt, Lanie Martin, Stephen Martin, Sophia Mascia, Vicki Mavrofora, Malcolm Mawhinney, Peter Maxwell, Marion McCann, John McFadden, Carmen McGreal, Lynette McHale, Craig McIlveen, Sue McIntyre, Helen McKelleher, Elizabeth McKinnon, Charlotte McLean, Betty McLintock, Rae McLintock, April McNee, Craig McPherson, Ann Medalla, Susan Melrose, Justine Merrony, Alis Middleton, Sue Miller, Judi Mills, Belinda Mitrovich, Yajie Mo, Claude Moelan, Salar Mohammadhosseini, Mohamed Jamiru Momoh, Suyen Moncada, Freya Moore, Frances Moors, Charis Moreland, Alison Morris, Pam Morris, Leone Morrison, Miriam Morton, Valda Muller, Ross Muller, Joanne Mun, Jess Najm, Maryam Narimani, Natasha Naughton, Robin Ngai, Tam Nguyen, Therese Nguyen, Trang Nguyen, Mohan Ni, Liz Niggley, Manveer Nijjar, Violeta Nikolovska, Michael Noone, Veronica Norman, Eve North, Mirna Novosel, Charmaine O’Brien, Erin O’Connor, Sandra Ollington, Peter Onus, Rachel Palmer, Rosemary Palmer, Shivi Palod, Jane Park, Julianne Patterson, Ian Patterson, Gavin Patton, Katerina Pavlidis, Marc Pearce, Luiz Fernando Pereira Bispo, Angela Peres, Katya Pesce, Kerrie Peterson, Sophie Phan, Eesha Phanse, Susan Phillips, Glenys Pike, Adriana Piscicelli, Su-Jin Poh, Michael-Francis Polios, Marion Pollak, Ksenia Polorotov, Andrew Porter, Jeremy Portzer, Brian Powyer, Brian Pritchard, Gemma

Purves, Mengxuan Qu, YAO Qu, Jichen Quan, Michaela Ramas, Vishwa Rana, Mark Ransom, Pam Ransom, Elle Rasink, Patricia Raya, Jen Reed, Stewart Reed, Anita Reynolds, Margot Riley, Alexander Rios, Jill Robert, Sharyn Roberts, Danielle Roderick, Greg Rogan, Gloria Rogers, Ellen Rosengren-Fowler, Elizabeth Row, Karen Rowe, Margot Ryan, Claudia Sagripanti, Nikhil Sahane, Joanne Salt, Laura Sansonetti Eringa, Anna Santos, Adrian Sargeant, Emma Saunders, Kate Sayeg, Maria Schattiger, Melanie Schonfeld, David Scobie, Madeleine Scully, Helen Seale, Ben Segal, Aman Sethi, Meng Shang, Bernard Sharah, Brian Shearer, Jagjeet Shergill, Linfang Shi, Yuan (Grace) Shi, Joan Shim, John Shipp, David Siely, Renard Siew, Tony Simms, Jeanette Sims, Andrew Sinclair, Antony Skinner, Laura Sloane, Keryn Smart, Anthea Smith, Susan Smith, Duncan Smith, Annette Smith-Bridges, Alison Snow, Caecilia Soetanto, Brianna Sorensen, Paula Southcombe, Robert Squires, Zala Srot, Sarah St George, Vicki Stanton, Julie Stark, Jean Steele, Peter Stepek, Lynette Steptoe-Smith, Heather Stevens, Michael Stevens, Madeleine Stocker, Leigh Sullivan, Doreen Sully, Siska Sumual, Even Sun, Nicole Sutherland, Briana Tabone, Sik Wai Tam, Landy Tan, Valencia Tania, Alexis Tay, Ivana Taylor, Alice Taylor, Jessica Telford, Nicole Tena, Grace Teng, Susannah Tennant, Caroline Terianto, Adrian Thai, Carolyn Themel, Jo Thompson, Michael Thomson, Maedeh Timajchi, Sally Tingle, Baoying Tong, YanMan Tong, Alice Tonkinson, Kim Townsend, Queenie Tran, Sarah Troisi, Rachelle Tuddenham, Nadilya Tulekova, Rosamund Turkington, Neridah Tyler-Perry, Agnes Tyson, Elise Vanden Dool, Pamela Vaughan, Maria Isabella Vazquez, Martin Venier, Jeffrey WaiYee, Geraldeen Walker, Ian Walker, Helen Waller, Robert Wallis, Megan Walmsley, Bel Walsh, Daniel Wang, Lily Wang, Jiahui Wang, Sihui Wang, Zhichao Wang, Samantha Ward, Christine Waters, Leonard Werman, Julie Werner, Robert Wheeler, Elaine White, Craig White, Janet Whitten, Anita Wilhelm, Clarice Wilkins, Vanya Wilkinson, Rebecca Williams, Laraine Wilson, Marie Wilson, Megan Wilson, Charlotte Wittmann, Adeline Wong, Carmen Wong, Ginny Wong, Jasper Wong, Rebecca Wong, Samantha Wong, Samson Wong, Sookyan Wong, Rex Wood, Robert Wood, Jennifer Wordsworth, Barry Worswick, Valerie Worswick, Constance Wright, Ashley Wu, Denis Wu, Jiayu Yan, Yue Yang, Jill Yates, Janet Yee, Jasmine Yeung, Ron Yuan, Loretta Yuen, Mary Zarate, Yan Zen, Kim Zeng, Jennifer Zerial, Yu Zhang, Eunice Zhao, Jing Zhao, Yilin Zhong, Mengying Zhou, Ying Zhou, Edith Miriam Ziegler

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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

• statementofcomprehensiveincome

• statementoffinancialposition

• statementofchangesinequity

• statementofcashflows

The statements disclose separately the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales (HHT), which is known as the Parent Entity, and the group of organisations under the control of the HHT, which is known as the Consolidated Entity. The Consolidated Entity includes all of the entities that fall under our control:

• FoundationfortheHistoricHousesTrustofNewSouthWales

• FoundationfortheHistoricHousesTrustofNewSouthWalesLimited

• HamiltonRouseHillTrust

• RouseHillHamiltonCollectionPtyLimited

The NSW Audit Office audits the Trust and its controlled entities. The audit certificate is included with the financial statements and it states the Auditor-General’s opinion of the HHT’s financial statements.

1 STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

This statement looks at our performance over the financial year (1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015) and is reported as a surplus/deficit in delivering our services. The statement enables readers to identify the costs 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 that 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. Other comprehensive income includes changes in revaluation reserve, gains and losses.

2 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

This statement 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 the 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 those that are expected to be realised within 12 months after the reporting date or assets that are cash or cash equivalent. Current liabilities are obligations that are expected to be settled within the Trust’s normal

operating cycle and for which 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 that 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 Trust’s net worth at the end of the financial year.

3 STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

This statement recognises income and expenses, and describes the movement in equity and the source of those movements during the reporting period. All contributions or distributions are adjusted against the equity account.

4 STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

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

The statement of cash flows has only two sections:

• Thecashflowsfromoperatingactivitiessummarisesthosecashflowsthatrelatetotheprovisionofgoodsandservices.Thestatementincludescashflowsfromgovernment.

• Thecashflowsfrominvestingactivitiessummarisesthoseactivitiesthatrelatetotheacquisitionanddisposalofnon-currentassetsandotherproductiveassets,andinvestmentsnotfallingunderthedefinitionofcash,forexample,thesaleofplantandequipment.

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 to or subtracted from 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, and give more specific information and detail about items within the financial statements. Any changes to accounting standards, policy or legislation will be disclosed in the notes. The ‘note’ column indicates which note the reader can refer to for further information.

UNDERSTANDING OURFINANCIALSTATEMENTS

88


90 Independent auditor’s report

92 Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales statutory financial statements

93 Statement of comprehensive income

94 Statement of financial position

95 Statement of changes in equity

96 Statement of cash flows

97 Notes to and forming part of the financial statements

Note 1: Summary of significant accounting policies

Note 2: Expenses excluding losses

Note 3: Revenue

Note 4: Gain/(loss) on disposal

Note 5: Other gains/(losses)

Note 6: Conditions on contributions

Note 7: Service groups of entity

Note 8: Current assets – cash and cash equivalents

Note 9: Current/non-current assets – receivables

Note 10: Current assets – inventories

Note 11: Restricted assets

Note 12(a): Non-current assets – property, plant and equipment

Note 12(b): Capital works in progress

Note 13: Intangible assets

Note 14: Fair value measure of non-financial assets

Note 15: Current liabilities – payables

Note 16: Current/non-current liabilities – personnel services provisions

Note 17: Current/non-current liabilities – other provisions

Note 18: Increase/decrease in net assets from equity transfers

Note 19: Commitments for expenditure

Note 20: Contingent assets and liabilities

Note 21: Budget review

Note 22: Reconciliation of cash flows from operating activities to net result

Note 23: Non-cash financing and investing activities

Note 24: Financial instruments

Note 25: Property leases

Note 26: Events after the reporting period

FINANCIALSTATEMENTS CONTENTS

89


90


91


STATEMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 41C 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 and associated Regulation 2015, applicable Australian Accounting Standards (which include Australian Accounting Interpretations), the Treasurer’s Directions and TPP 15-01: Financial Reporting Code for NSW General Government Sector Entities;

b) The financial statements and notes thereto exhibit a true and fair view of the financial position as at 30 June 2015, 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.

Michael Rose Chairman

Dated14September2015

Caroline Butler-Bowdon Acting Executive Director

STATUTORY FINANCIALSTATEMENTSFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015


92


Theaccompanyingnotesformpartofthesefinancialstatements.

BEGINNING OF AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES CONSOLIDATED ENTITY PARENT ENTITY

Actual Budget* Actual Actual Actual2015 2015 2014 2015 2014

$’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000

EXPENSES EXCLUDING LOSSESOperating expenses

Personnel services expenses 2(a) 17,792 17,506 16,436 17,707 16,336

Other operating expenses 2(b) 7,663 8,665 9,391 7,572 9,283

Depreciation and amortisation expenses 2(c) 760 772 715 760 715

TOTAL EXPENSES EXCLUDING LOSSES 26,215 26,943 26,542 26,039 26,334

REVENUESale of goods and services 3(a) 5,512 5,545 4,414 5,512 4,414

Investment revenue 3(b) 385 378 397 291 289

Grants and contributions 3(c) 22,929 22,483 27,737 23,181 27,643

Other revenue 3(d) 153 12 224 153 216

TOTAL REVENUE 28,979 28,418 32,772 29,137 32,562Gain/(loss) on disposal 4 (1) – (93) (1) (93)Other gains/(losses) 5 (111) – (117) (111) (117)NET RESULT 2,652 1,475 6,020 2,986 6,018

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOMEItems that will not be reclassified to net resultNet increase/(decrease) in property, plant and equipment asset revaluation surplus

14,067 – 15,861 14,067 15,825

Total other comprehensive income 14,067 – 15,861 14,067 15,825TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 16,719 1,475 21,881 17,053 21,843* RefertoNote21.

STATEMENTOFCOMPREHENSIVE INCOMEFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015

93



NOTES CONSOLIDATED ENTITY PARENT ENTITYActual Budget Actual Actual Actual

2015 2015 2014 2015 2014$’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000

ASSETSCurrent assetsCash and cash equivalents 8 13,275 10,466 11,635 10,738 8,745

Receivables 9 694 603 650 658 637

Inventories 10 139 299 141 139 141

Total current assets 14,108 11,368 12,426 11,535 9,523

Non-current assetsProperty, plant and equipment

> Land and buildings 214,404 204,272 201,275 214,404 201,275

> Plant and equipment 584 172 578 584 578

> Collection assets 30,687 28,537 28,502 30,687 27,557

Total property, plant and equipment 12(a) 245,675 232,981 230,355 245,675 229,410Capital works in progress 12(b) 1,110 200 486 1,110 486

Intangible assets 13 757 460 534 757 534

Receivables 9 687 686 742 687 742

Total non-current assets 248,229 234,327 232,117 248,229 231,172TOTAL ASSETS 262,337 245,695 244,543 259,764 240,695

LIABILITIESCurrent liabilitiesPayables 15 2,554 1,744 1,699 2,540 1,686

Provisions 16/17 1,884 1,437 1,629 1,879 1,626

Total current liabilities 4,438 3,181 3,328 4,419 3,312

Non-current liabilitiesProvisions 16/17 734 806 757 734 757

Total non-current liabilities 734 806 757 734 757TOTAL LIABILITIES 5,172 3,987 4,085 5,153 4,069

NET ASSETS 257,165 241,708 240,458 254,611 236,626

EQUITYReserves 140,134 126,067 126,067 140,134 125,798

Accumulated funds 117,031 115,641 114,391 114,477 110,828

TOTAL EQUITY 257,165 241,708 240,458 254,611 236,626

STATEMENTOFFINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 30 JUNE 2015

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CONSOLIDATED ENTITYAccumulated

fundsAsset

revaluation reserve

Total

$’000 $’000 $’000BALANCE AT 1 JULY 2014 114,391 126,067 240,458Net result for the year 2,652 – 2,652Other comprehensive incomeNet increase/(decrease) in property, plant and equipment – 14,067 14,067

Total other comprehensive income – 14,067 14,067Total comprehensive income for the year 2,652 14,067 16,719Transactions with owners in their capacity as ownersIncrease/(decrease) in net assets from equity transfers (12) – (12)

BALANCE AT 30 JUNE 2015 117,031 140,134 257,165

BALANCE AT 1 JULY 2013 160,839 165,796 326,635

Net result for the year 6,020 – 6,020Other comprehensive incomeNet increase/(decrease) in property, plant and equipment – 15,861 15,861

Total other comprehensive income – 15,861 15,861Total comprehensive income for the year 6,020 15,861 21,881Transactions with owners in their capacity as ownersIncrease/(decrease) in net assets from equity transfers (52,468) (55,590) (108,058)

BALANCE AT 30 JUNE 2014 114,391 126,067 240,458

PARENT ENTITYAccumulated

fundsAsset

revaluation reserve

Total equity

$’000 $’000 $’000BALANCE AT 1 JULY 2014 110,828 125,798 236,626Net result for the year 2,986 – 2,986Other comprehensive incomeNet increase/(decrease) in property, plant and equipment – 14,067 14,067

Total other comprehensive income – 14,067 14,067Total comprehensive income for the year 2,986 14,067 17,053Transactions with owners in their capacity as ownersIncrease/(decrease) in net assets from equity transfers 663 269 932

BALANCE AT 30 JUNE 2015 114,477 140,134 254,611

BALANCE AT 1 JULY 2013 157,278 165,563 322,841

Net result for the year 6,018 – 6,018Other comprehensive incomeNet increase/(decrease) in property, plant and equipment – 15,825 15,825

Total other comprehensive income – 15,825 15,825Total comprehensive income for the year 6,018 15,825 21,843Transactions with owners in their capacity as ownersIncrease/(decrease) in net assets from equity transfers (52,468) (55,590) (108,058)

BALANCE AT 30 JUNE 2014 110,828 125,798 236,626

STATEMENTOFCHANGES IN EQUITY FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015

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STATEMENTOFCASH FLOWSFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015


NOTES CONSOLIDATED ENTITY PARENT ENTITYActual Budget Actual Actual Actual

2015 2015 2014 2015 2014$’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIESPaymentsPersonnel services (17,537) 17,506 (16,411) (17,453) (16,312)

Other (7,368) 10,320 (8,715) (7,275) (8,593)

Total payments (24,905) 27,826 (25,126) (24,728) (24,905)ReceiptsSale of goods and services 5,473 5,681 4,317 5,398 4,317

Interest received 415 380 336 341 218

Grants and contributions 22,743 21,656 26,670 23,069 26,577

Other 787 2,333 225 786 216

Total receipts 29,418 30,050 31,547 29,594 31,327NET CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 22 4,513 2,224 6,422 4,866 6,422

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIESProceeds from sale of land and building, plant and equipment, and collection assets

– – 1,211 – 1,211

Purchases of land and buildings, plant and equipment, and collection assets

(2,861) (3,304) (3,766) (2,861) (3,766)

Other (12) – – (12) –

NET CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES (2,873) (3,304) (2,555) (2,873) (2,555)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIESNET CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES – – – – –

NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH 1,640 (1,080) 3,867 1,993 3,868Opening cash and cash equivalents 11,635 11,546 7,768 8,745 4,877

CLOSING CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 8 13,275 10,466 11,635 10,738 8,745

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1 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

A) REPORTING ENTITY

The Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales (HHT) is a NSW Government entity. The Trust is a non-profit entity (as profit is not its principal objective). The HHT is endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient under items 1 and 4 of the table in Section 30-15, and Subdivision 30-D of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997. The HHT is registered as a public museum under the Act and is registered for GST. The financial statements cover the Consolidated Entity (the Trust) and the HHT as an individual Parent Entity.

The Trust as a reporting entity comprises all the entities under its control, namely:

i) 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 promotion, advancement and development of the museums under the care, custody and control of the HHT.

In the process of preparing the consolidated financial statements for the economic entity, consisting of the controlling and controlled entities, all inter-entity transactions and balances have been eliminated.

ii) 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 of acting as Trustee of the Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales and has never traded in its own right. There were no financial transactions for the year.

iii) Hamilton Rouse Hill Trust

The Hamilton Rouse Hill Trust was established on 27 October 1994. The Board of Directors unanimously resolved to wind up the Hamilton Rouse Hill Trust pursuant to clause 12 of the Trust Deed on 16 June 2015 and transferred the collection assets valued at $944,230 to the Historic Houses Trust of NSW.

iv) Rouse Hill Hamilton Collection Pty Limited

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

The Board of Directors of the Rouse Hill Hamilton Collection Pty Limited passed the resolution on the 30 June 2015 to close the Company with Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) following the wind up of the Hamilton Rouse Hill Trust on 16 June 2015. An application for voluntary deregistration will be submitted to ASIC in July. It is expected that the deregistration will be finalised in September 2015 following the usual two month period for comment from the publication date of the notice on ASIC’s website.

The consolidated financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2015 were authorised for issue by the Board of Trustees on 14 September 2015. They are consolidated as part of the NSW Total State Sector Accounts.

B) BASIS OF PREPARATION

The Trust’s financial statements are general-purpose financial statements, which were prepared in accordance with:

• AustralianAccountingStandards(whichincludeAustralianAccountingInterpretations);

• therequirementsofthePublic Finance and Audit Act 1983andthePublicFinanceandAuditRegulation2015;and

• theFinancialReportingDirectionspublishedinTPP15-01:Financial Reporting Code for NSW General Government Sector Entities,orissuedbytheTreasurer.

Property, plant and equipment, collection assets and financial assets are measured at fair value. Non-current assets held for resale are measured at the lower of carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell. Other financial statement items are prepared in accordance with the historical cost convention.

The financial statements have been prepared on an accruals basis and are 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.

Judgments, key assumptions and estimations made by management are disclosed in the relevant notes to the financial statements.

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

C) PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION

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

All controlled entities have a 30 June financial year end. All intercompany balances and transactions between entities in the Consolidated Entity, including any unrealised profits or losses, have been eliminated on consolidation.

Accounting policies of controlled entities have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with those policies applied by the Parent Entity.

D) STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE

The Consolidated and Parent entities’ financial statements and notes comply with Australian Accounting Standards, which include Australian Accounting Interpretations.

NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THEFINANCIALSTATEMENTSFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015

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E) INSURANCE

The Trust’s insurance activities are conducted through the Treasury Managed Fund, a self-insurance scheme for NSW government agencies. The expense (premium) is determined by the fund manager based on past claim experience as well as the value insured.

F) ACCOUNTING FOR THE GOODS AND SERVICES TAX (GST)

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

• theamountofGSTincurredbytheTrustasapurchaserthatisnotrecoverablefromtheAustralianTaxationOfficeisrecognisedaspartofthecostofacquisitionofanassetoraspartofanitemofexpense;and

• receivablesandpayablesarestatedwiththeamountofGSTincluded.

Cash flows are included in the Statement of Cash Flows on a gross basis. However, the GST component of the cash flows arising from investing and financing activities which is recoverable or payable to the Australian Taxation Office is classified as operating cash flows.

G) 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 or by reference to the stage of completion.

iii) Investment revenue

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: Revenue when the Trust’s right to receive payment is established.

iv) Grants and contributions

Grants and contributions include donations and grants from the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH), under the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) cluster. 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 obtained when the obligations relating to the receipt have been met and, in the case of donations, on receipt of cash. The grants and contributions income is treated in accordance with AASB 1004: Contributions.

H) ASSETS

i) Acquisition 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 is in accordance with the specific requirements of other Australian Accounting Standards.

Gifts, artworks or works acquired at no cost, or for nominal consideration, are initially recognised at their fair value at the date of acquisition.

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset in an orderly transaction between market participants at measurement date. Where payment for an asset is deferred beyond normal credit terms, its cost is the cash price equivalent, that is, the deferred payment amount is effectively discounted.

ii) Capitalisation thresholds

Property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets costing $5000 and above individually (or forming part of a network valued at more than $5000) are capitalised.

iii) Revaluation of property, plant and equipment

Physical non-current assets are valued in accordance with the policy and guidelines paper TPP 14-01: Valuation of Physical Non-Current Assets at Fair Value. This policy adopts fair value in accordance with AASB 13: Fair Value Measurement and 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 sociopolitical 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 12(a).

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

HISTORIC HOUSES TRUST OFNEWSOUTHWALESFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015

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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 surplus, 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 net result, the increment is recognised immediately as revenue in the net result.

Revaluation decrements are recognised immediately as expenses in the net result, 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 surplus. As the Trust is a non-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 surplus in respect of that asset is transferred to accumulated funds.

iv) Impairment of property, plant and equipment

As a non-profit entity with no cash-generating units, impairment under AASB 136: Impairment of Assets and impairment testing is unlikely to arise. This is because AASB 136 modifies the recoverable amount test to the higher of fair value less costs to sell and depreciated replacement cost where depreciated replacement cost is also fair value. 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.

v) Assets not able to be reliably measured

The Trust does not hold any assets other than those recognised in the statement of financial position.

vi) Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Except for 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, including original artworks and collections and heritage buildings, may not have a limited useful life because appropriate curatorial and preservation policies are adopted. Such assets are not subject to depreciation. The decision not to recognise depreciation for these assets is reviewed annually.

The estimated useful lives of items under ten major categories are:

Major category Estimated useful life

Non-heritage buildings 40–50 years

Computer equipment 4 years and major software

Mechanical and electronic 7 years office equipment

Electronic equipment 7 years

Radiocommunications equipment 7 years

Telephone installations 5 years

Office fittings 10 years

Miscellaneous tools and equipment 7 years

Mobile plant 10 years

Permanent displays 5–20 years

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

vii) 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.

viii) Leased assets

A distinction is made between finance leases that 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 does not transfer substantially all the risks and benefits. Where a non-current asset is acquired by means of a finance lease, at the commencement of the lease term, the asset is recognised at its fair value or, if lower, the present value of the minimum lease payments, at the inception of the lease. 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.

Long-term leases are deemed to be finance leases in accordance with TPP 11-01: Lessor Classification of Long-term Land Leases.

ix) Intangible assets

The Trust recognises intangible assets only if it is probable that future economic benefits will flow to the Trust and the cost of the asset can be reliably measured. 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.

All research costs are expensed. Development costs are only capitalised in accordance with AASB 138.


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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.

x) Inventories

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. 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.

xi) Financial instruments

The financial instruments arise directly from the Trust’s operations and 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.

xii) Cash and cash equivalents

Cash comprises cash on hand and bank balances. Interest is earned on daily bank balances and paid monthly at the normal commercial rate.

xii) 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 that are known to be uncollectable are written off. Any changes are recognised in the net result 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.

xiv) Investments

Investments are initially recognised at fair value plus, in the case of investments not at fair value through profit or loss, transaction costs. 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.

xv) Derecognition of financial assets and financial liabilities

A financial asset is derecognised when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial assets expire, or if the Trust transfers the financial asset:

• wheresubstantiallyalltherisksandrewardshavebeentransferredor

• wheretheentityhasnottransferredsubstantiallyalltherisksandrewards,iftheTrusthasnotretainedcontrol.

Where the entity has neither transferred nor retained substantially all the risks and rewards or transferred control, the asset is recognised to the extent of the Trust’s continuing involvement in the asset.

A financial liability is derecognised when the obligation specified in the contract is discharged or cancelled or expires.

No assets were derecognised in 2014–15.

I) LIABILITIES

i) Payables

These amounts represent liabilities for goods and services provided to the Trust and other amounts. 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.

ii) Personnel services and other provisions

A. Salaries and wages, annual leave, sick leave and on-costs

Liabilities for personnel services are stated as liabilities to the service provider, the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH). The liabilities for salaries and wages (including non-monetary benefits), annual leave and paid sick leave that are expected to be settled wholly within 12 months of the reporting date are recognised and measured in respect of employees’ service up to the reporting date at undiscounted amounts based on the amounts expected to be paid when the liabilities are settled. Long-term annual leave that is not expected to be settled within 12 months is measured at present value in accordance with AASB 119: Employee Benefits.

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.


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The outstanding amounts of payroll tax, workers compensation, insurance premiums and fringe benefits tax, which are consequential to employment, are recognised as liabilities and expenses where the employee benefits to which they relate have been recognised.

B. Long service leave and superannuation

In the financial statements of the DPE, the liabilities for long service leave and defined benefit superannuation are assumed by the Crown. Consequently, the Trust accounts for the liability as having been extinguished, resulting in the amount assumed being shown as part of the non-monetary revenue item described as ‘personnel service benefits and liabilities provided free of charge by the DPE’.

Long service leave is measured at present value in accordance with AASB 119. This is based on the application of certain factors (specified in NSWTC 14-04) to employees with five 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 Treasurer’s Directions. The expense for certain superannuation schemes (that is, Basic Benefit and First State Super) is calculated as a percentage of the employees’ salary. For other superannuation schemes (that is, State Superannuation Scheme and State Authorities Superannuation Scheme), the expense is calculated as a multiple of the employees’ superannuation contributions.

J) FAIR VALUE HIERARCHY

A number of the Trust’s accounting policies and disclosures require the measurement of fair values, for both financial and non-financial assets and liabilities. When measuring fair value, the valuation technique used maximises the use of relevant observable inputs and minimises the use of unobservable inputs. Under AASB 13, the Trust categorises, for disclosure purposes, the valuation techniques based on the inputs used in the valuation techniques as follows:

• Level1–quotedpricesinactivemarketsforidenticalassets/liabilitiesthattheTrustcanaccessatthemeasurementdate

• Level2–inputsotherthanquotedpricesincludedwithinLevel1thatareobservable,eitherdirectlyorindirectly

• Level3–inputsthatarenotbasedonobservablemarketdata(unobservableinputs).

The Trust recognises transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy at the end of the reporting period during which the change has occurred.

Refer to Notes 14 and 24(f) for further disclosures regarding fair value measurements of financial and non-financial assets.

K) EQUITY AND RESERVES

i) Revaluation surplus The revaluation surplus 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 1H(iii).

ii) Accumulated funds The category ‘accumulated funds’ includes all current

and prior-period retained funds.

iii) Separate reserve accounts are recognised in the financial statements only if such accounts are required by specific legislation or Australian Accounting Standards.

L) EQUITY TRANSFER

The transfer of net assets between entities as a result of an administrative restructure, transfers of programs/functions and parts thereof between NSW public sector entities and ‘equity appropriations’ are designated or required by Australian Accounting Standards to be treated as contributions by owners and recognised as an adjustment to ‘Accumulated Funds’. This treatment is consistent with AASB 1004: Contributions and Australian Interpretation 1038: Contributions by Owners Made to Wholly-Owned Public Sector Entities.

Transfers arising from an administrative restructure involving non-profit and for-profit government entities are recognised at the amount at which the assets and liabilities were recognised by the transferor immediately prior to the restructure. Subject to the paragraph below, in most instances this will approximate fair value.

All other equity transfers are recognised at fair value, except for intangibles. Where an intangible has been recognised at (amortised) cost by the transferor because there is no active market, the entity recognises the asset at the transferor’s carrying amount. Where the transferor is prohibited from recognising internally generated intangibles, the Trust does not recognise that asset.

M) BUDGETED AMOUNTS

The budgeted amounts are drawn from the original budgeted financial statements presented to NSW Parliament in respect of the reporting period. Subsequent adjustments to the original budget, for instance, adjustment as per section 24 of the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983 where there has been a transfer of functions between departments, are not reflected in the budgeted amounts. The published budget shows a consolidated figure for operating expenses; however, for comparative purposes the Trust reports a split between personnel services expenses and other expenses. Additionally, the published budget shows a consolidated figure for plant and equipment and collection assets as plant and equipment.


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The Trust has shown these two components separately in the Statement of Financial Position for comparative and clarity reasons. Other amendments made to the budget are not reflected in the budgeted amounts. Major variances between the original budgeted amounts and the actual amounts disclosed in the primary financial statements is explained in Note 21.

N) COMPARATIVE INFORMATION

Except when an Australian Accounting Standard permits or requires otherwise, comparative information is disclosed in respect of the previous period for all amounts reported in the financial statements.

O) CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICY, INCLUDING NEW OR REVISED AUSTRALIAN ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

(i) Effective for the first time in 2014–15 The accounting policies applied in 2014–15 are consistent

with those of the previous financial year except as a result of the following new or revised Australian Accounting Standards that have been applied for the first time in 2014–15 – AASB 10 and AASB 128 regarding consolidated financial statements and accounting for associates and joint ventures and AASB 1055 Budgetary Reporting. The impact of this Standard in the period of initial application includes reporting consolidated financial statements and original budget numbers in the financial statements with subsequent revisions and variances explained in the notes.

(ii) Issued but not yet effective NSW public sector entities are not permitted to early

adopt new Australian Accounting Standards, unless Treasury determines otherwise.

The following new Australian Accounting Standards have not been applied and are not yet effective:

• AASB9,AASB2010-7,AASB2013-9(PartC),AASB2014-1(PartE),AASB2014-7andAASB2014-8regardingfinancialinstruments

• AASB14andAASB2014-1(PartD)regardingregulatorydeferralaccounts

• AASB15andAASB2014-5regardingrevenuefromcontractswithcustomers

• AASB2014-3regardingaccountingforacquisitionsofinterestsinjointoperations

• AASB2014-4regardingacceptablemethodsofdepreciationandamortisation

• AASB2014-9regardingequitymethodinseparatefinancialstatements

• AASB2014-10regardingsaleorcontributionofassetsbetweenandinvestoranditsassociateorjointventure

• AASB2015-1regardingannualimprovementstoAustralianAccountingStandards2012–2014cycle

• AASB2015-2regardingamendmentstoAASB101disclosureinitiatives

• AASB2015-3regardingmateriality

There are no significant impacts of these standards in the period of initial application.

P) TRUSTEE BENEFITS

Andrew Tink and Grace Karskens were paid fees of $250 each on 11 September 2014 and 20 October 2014, respectively, for services as presenters at the Govenor Arthur Phillip Symposium. No other Historic Houses Trust trustee has entered into a material contract with the Trust or the Consolidated Entity since the end of the previous financial period.

Q) TAXATION STATUS

The activities of the Trust are exempt from income tax. The Trust is registered for GST purposes and has gift deductible recipient status.

R) 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.

S) BIOBANKING TRUST FUND – RECEIVABLE

The Biobanking Agreement requires that the proceeds from the sale of biobank credits are transferred into the Biobanking Trust Fund administered by the OEH. The balance of the Biobanking Trust Fund receivable represents amounts that will be made available to the Trust in order to fund the environmental works required under the Biobanking Agreement.

T) BIOBANKING RESTORATION PROVISION

The biobanking restoration provision is the environmental obligation to maintain the biodiversity of the land in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Biobanking Agreement. It will be funded by the amounts receivable from the Biobanking Trust Fund.


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NOTES CONSOLIDATED ENTITY PARENT ENTITY2015 2014 2015 2014

$’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 2 EXPENSES EXCLUDING LOSSES(a) Personnel services expenses

Salaries and wages (including annual leave) 14,387 13,647 14,313 13,562

Superannuation – defined benefit plans 78 83 78 83

Superannuation – defined contribution plans 1,292 1,225 1,286 1,217

Long service leave 831 252 831 252

Workers compensation insurance 139 185 138 184

Payroll tax on superannuation – defined benefit plan 4 5 4 5

Payroll tax and fringe benefits tax 873 843 869 837

Redundancy termination payments 188 196 188 196

17,792 16,436 17,707 16,336(b) Other operating expenses

Advertising and publicity 518 405 514 405

Auditors’ remuneration – internal 43 – 43 –

Auditors’ remuneration – external 96 101 85 90

Books, publications and subscriptions 34 32 34 31

Contract cleaning 538 640 538 640

Contract staff 196 299 196 299

Cost of sales 122 249 122 249

Entertainment and catering expenses 25 32 22 31

Exhibition fees and related costs 564 329 564 329

Fees for services rendered 963 1,019 954 980

Function expense 122 119 95 75

Gas and electricity 520 624 520 624

Insurance 198 235 198 235

Maintenance 974 1,520 974 1,520

Office printing contracts 194 183 194 183

Marketing and promotion 529 629 502 624

Motor vehicle running costs 141 122 141 122

Operating lease rental expenses 263 209 263 209

Other expenses 248 283 247 282

Postage 35 37 35 36

Printing 53 70 47 66

Public programs 333 285 333 285

Rates 48 68 48 68

Stores and IT maintenance 516 476 515 476

Telecommunications 341 325 341 325

Travel and accommodation 49 37 47 36

Services provided free of charge 23 – 1,063 – 1,063

7,663 9,391 7,572 9,283(c) Depreciation and amortisation expenses

Buildings 271 320 271 320

Plant and equipment 271 258 271 258

Intangibles 218 137 218 137

760 715 760 715


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$’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 3 REVENUE(a) Sale of goods and services

Sale of goodsMerchandise, book and publication sales 279 461 279 461

279 461 279 461 Rendering of servicesAdmission fees 2,169 1,452 2,169 1,452

Special activities and openings 661 399 661 399

Venue hire and catering 1,244 1,231 1,244 1,231

Rental – commercial activities 1,126 789 1,126 789

Filming and photography 33 82 33 82

5,233 3,953 5,233 3,953 5,512 4,414 5,512 4,414

(b) Investment revenueTCorp Hour-Glass investment facilities 43 84 40 76

Interest income – term deposit 292 276 207 176

Interest income – other 50 37 44 37

385 397 291 289 (c) Grants and contributions

From DPERecurrent grants 17,135 17,903 17,135 17,903

Capital grants 1,904 1,000 1,904 1,000

Personnel service benefits and liabilities provided free of charge by the DPE

> Superannuation (defined benefit) 78 83 78 83

> Long service leave 831 252 831 252

> Payroll tax 4 5 4 5

Voluntary redundancy recoupment 185 196 185 196

20,137 19,439 20,137 19,439 From other institutions and individualsDonations – cash 217 836 469 782

Sponsorship – cash 195 138 195 98

Grants – other 2,268 6,258 2,268 6,258

Donations – in kind 12(a) & 23 112 3 112 3

Other services provided free of charge 23 – 1,063 – 1,063

2,792 8,298 3,044 8,204 22,929 27,737 23,181 27,643 (d) Other revenue

Other revenue 153 224 153 216

153 224 153 216


104



$’000 $’000 $’000 $’0004 GAIN/(LOSS) ON DISPOSAL

Property, plant and equipment (1) (1) (1) (1)

Non-current assets held for sale – (92) – (92)

(1) (93) (1) (93)5 OTHER GAINS/(LOSSES)

Inventory – (117) – (117)

Intangibles (111) – (111) –

(111) (117) (111) (117)

6 CONDITIONS ON CONTRIBUTIONSThe Trust receives monies and gifts of property subject to restrictions. The aggregate of these contributions received for the year has been stated as revenue. This revenue is provided for expenditure in the current year and future years. Where the gift is a property, it is recognised as a restricted asset as reflected in Note 11.

7 SERVICE GROUPS OF ENTITYThe Trust cares for the State’s historically and culturally significant heritage properties, and operates as a single service group.

8 CURRENT ASSETS – CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTSCash at bank and on hand 4,648 2,430 4,111 2,132

Other investments – term deposits 8,627 9,205 6,627 6,613

13,275 11,635 10,738 8,745

Cash and cash equivalents (per Statement of Financial Position)

13,275 11,635 10,738 8,745

Closing cash and cash equivalents (per Statement of Cash Flows) 13,275 11,635 10,738 8,745

For the purpose of the Statement of Cash Flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash at bank, cash on hand and short-term deposits. Cash and cash equivalent assets recognised in the Statement of Financial Position are reconciled at the end of the financial year to the Statement of Cash Flows as above.

Details regarding credit risk, liquidity risk and market risk, including financial assets that are either past due or impaired, are disclosed in Note 24.

9 CURRENT/NON-CURRENT ASSETS – RECEIVABLESCurrentSale of goods and services 262 277 262 277

Accrued income 99 131 64 114

Prepayments 93 85 93 85

Other receivables 188 109 187 113

Biobanking funds receivable 52 48 52 48

694 650 658 637 Non-currentBiobanking funds receivable 687 742 687 742

687 742 687 742



105



$’000 $’000 $’000 $’00010 CURRENT ASSETS – INVENTORIES

Held for resale 139 141 139 141

139 141 139 141 11 RESTRICTED ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents 11,716 7,514 9,180 4,625

Land & Building 4,623 4,039 4,623 4,039

Collections 924 639 924 639

17,263 12,192 14,727 9,303

Cash and fixed assets are restricted assets to the extent that they represent bequests, grants and donations held by the Trust to be used in accordance with the deed of trust, caveats or other documents governing these funds.

12(a) NON-CURRENT ASSETS – PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENTLand and buildingsGross carrying amount – fair value 216,799 203,680 216,799 203,680

Accumulated depreciation and impairment (2,395) (2,405) (2,395) (2,405)

Land and buildings at fair value 214,404 201,275 214,404 201,275 Plant and equipmentGross carrying amount – fair value 2,563 2,564 2,563 2,564

Accumulated depreciation and impairment (1,979) (1,986) (1,979) (1,986)

Plant and equipment at fair value 584 578 584 578 Collection assetsGross carrying amount – fair value 30,687 28,502 30,687 27,557

Collection assets at fair value 30,687 28,502 30,687 27,557TOTAL PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT AT FAIR VALUE 245,675 230,355 245,675 229,410

Collection assets are not depreciated. Refer to Note 1H(vi).


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RECONCILIATION

A reconciliation of the carrying amount of each class of property and equipment at the beginning and end of each reporting period is shown below:

Land and buildings

Plant and equipment

Collection assets Total

CONSOLIDATED ENTITY $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000Year ended 30 June 2015Net carrying amount at start of year 201,275 578 28,502 230,355

Additions 1,356 58 51 1,465

Contributed assets (donations) – – 112 112

Disposals – (1) (1) (2)

Transfer of capital work in progress – 220 – 220

Transfer between asset class (639) – 639 –

Depreciation expense (271) (271) – (542)

Net revaluation increments less revaluation decrements 12,684 – 1,383 14,067

NET CARRYING AMOUNT AT END OF YEAR 214,405 584 30,686 245,675

Year ended 30 June 2014Net carrying amount at start of year 280,991 719 38,021 319,731

Additions 237 121 71 429


Disposals – (4) – (4)

Acquisitions/transfers through administrative restructures (98,134) – (9,924) (108,858)

Transfer of capital work in progress 2,971 – – 2,971


Net revaluation increments less revaluation decrements 15,530 – 331 15,860


Land and buildings

Plant and equipment

Collection assets Total

PARENT ENTITY $'000 $'000 $'000 $'000YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015Net carrying amount at start of year 201,275 578 27,558 229,411Additions 1,356 58 51 1,465


Disposals – (1) (1) (2)

Acquisitions/transfers through administrative restructures – – 944 944

Transfer of capital work in progress – 220 – 220

Transfer between asset class (639) – 639 –


Net revaluation increments less revaluation decrements 12,684 – 1,383 14,067


YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2014Net carrying amount at start of year 280,991 719 37,113 318,823

Additions 237 121 72 430


Disposals – (4) – (4)

Acquisitions/transfers through administrative restructures (98,134) – (9,924) (108,057)

Transfer of capital work in progress 2,971 – – 2,971


Net revaluation increments less revaluation decrements 15,530 – 294 15,823



107


LAND AND BUILDING VALUATION SCHEDULE

Property name Property locationDate valued

Valuation method adopted 30 June 2015

Current use 30 June 2015

Accredited valuer

1 Throsby Park Throsby Park Rd, Moss Vale

Jun 2011 Replacement cost EHF* (Leased) Former Land & Property Management Authority (LPMA)

2 Beulah 767 Appin Rd, Gilead

Jun 2011 Replacement cost EHF LPMA

3 Tusculum 1–3 Manning St, Potts Point

Jun 2011 Net recoverable amount

Leased LPMA

4 Hyde Park Barracks Museum

Macquarie St, Sydney

Jun 2015 Fair value Museum Land & Property Information (LPI)

5 Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice St, Rosehill

Jun 2015 Fair value Museum LPI

6 Vaucluse House Wentworth Rd, Vaucluse


7 Wentworth Mausoleum Chapel Rd, Vaucluse


8 Rouse Hill House & Farm 356 Annangrove Rd, Rouse Hill


9 Rose Seidler House 71 Clissold Rd, Wahroonga


10 Elizabeth Bay House 7 Onslow Ave, Elizabeth Bay


11 Meroogal 35 West St, Nowra



108


Property name Property locationDate valued

Valuation method adopted 30 June 2015

Current use 30 June 2015

Accredited valuer

12 The Mint building 10 Macquarie St, Sydney


13 The Mint, Head Office (Coining Factory)

10 Macquarie St, Sydney

Jun 2015 Fair value Museum/ office space

LPI

14 Museum of Sydney 37 Phillip St, Sydney


15 Young Street terraces 36–42 Young St, Sydney

Jun 2015 Fair value Commercial office space

LPI

16 Nissen hut 4 Somerset St, Belmont,

Jun 2015 Fair value EHF LPI

17 Justice & Police Museum 8 Phillip St, Circular Quay


*EndangeredHousesFund(EHF)

ENDANGERED HOUSES FUND (EHF) PROPERTIES

Land and buildings include properties and attached assets (2015: $4.623m; 2014: $4.678m) and collections assets (2015: $0.924m; 2014: $0.639m) acquired under the EHF program. Through the EHF program the HHT identifies significant at-risk properties and saves them from demolition or unsympathetic development. The program provides for the selective restoration of these properties and their subsequent sale or lease with heritage protection conditions. In 2014–15, the Throsby Park property was placed on a long-term lease.

COLLECTIONS VALUATION

i) 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 expert curatorial staff of the Collections Valuations Committee, which was established by the then Trust’s Finance and Audit Committee.

ii) The list overleaf identifies individual property collections valued at 30 June 2015 and earlier, valued by accredited valuers and expert in-house valuers.


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COLLECTIONS REVALUED AT 30 JUNE 2015

Collection Date valued Accredited valuer

RoseSeidlerHouse 30 Jun 2015 Andrew Shapiro

MuseumofSydney 30 Jun 2015 Adrienne Carlson

Justice&PoliceMuseum 30Jun2015 Adrienne Carlson

ThrosbyPark 30 Jun 2015 JonathanAlford

SusannahPlaceMuseum 30 Jun 2015 Adrienne Carlson

Thesevaluesdonotdiffermateriallyfromtheirfairvaluesatreportingdate.

COLLECTIONS TO BE REVALUED IN LATER YEARS (PAST 30 JUNE 2015)

Collection Date valued Accredited valuer

VaucluseHouse 30Jun2014 JonathanAlford

RouseHillHouse&Farm 30Jun2014JonathanAlford,AndrewSimpson,PatriciaBailie

Archaeologycollections 30 Jun 2014 RHAS (Rodney Hyman Asset Services)

RouseHillHamiltonCollection 30 Jun 2014 JonathanAlford,AndrewSimpson

Meroogal 30 Jun 2013 Phillip Morris

ElizabethBayHouse 30Jun2012 AdrienneCarlson

ElizabethFarm 30Jun2012 AdrienneCarlson

CarolineSimpsonLibrary&ResearchCollection 30 Jun 2011 Various external valuers

HydeParkBarracksMuseum 9 Jun 2011 Simon Storey Valuers

FirstGovernmentHouse 9 Jun 2011 Simon Storey Valuers

TheMint 9 Jun 2011 Simon Storey Valuers


110



$’000 $’000 $’000 $’00012(b) CAPITAL WORKS IN PROGRESS

Buildings 1,097 215 1,097 215

Software 8 151 8 151

Plant and equipment 5 120 5 120

1,110 486 1,110 486 13 INTANGIBLE ASSETS Software

Cost (gross carrying amount) 1,868 1,427 1,868 1,427

Accumulated amortisation and impairment (1,111) (893) (1,111) (893)

NET CARRYING AMOUNT 757 534 757 534

RECONCILIATIONNet carrying amount at start of year 534 396 534 396

Additions 441 275 441 275

Amortisation (218) (137) (218) (137)

NET CARRYING AMOUNT AT END OF YEAR 757 534 757 534

14 FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT OF NON-FINANCIAL ASSETS(a) Fair value hierarchy

CONSOLIDATED ENTITYLevel 1 $’000

Level 2 $’000

Level 3 $’000

Total fair value $’000

2015Property, plant and equipment (Note 12a)Land – 85,793 – 85,793

Buildings – – 128,611 128,611

Collection assets – – 30,687 30,687

– 85,793 159,298 245,0912014Property, plant and equipment (Note 12a)Land – 81,430 – 81,430

Buildings – – 119,845 119,845


– 81,430 148,347 229,777


111


PARENT ENTITYLevel 1$’000

Level 2$’000

Level 3$’000

Total fair value$’000

2015Property, plant and equipment (Note 12a)

Land – 85,793 – 85,793

Buildings – – 128,611 128,611


– 85,793 159,298 245,0912014Property, plant and equipment (Note 12a)

Land – 81,430 – 81,430

Buildings – – 119,845 119,845


– 81,430 147,402 228,832

(b) Valuation techniques, inputs and processes

The land and buildings are valued at fair value consistent with the NSW Treasury Accounting Policy TPP14-1 Valuation of Physical Non-Current Assets at Fair Value and Australian Accounting Standard AASB 13 Fair Value Measurement and AASB 116. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (AASB 13). The buildings have been valued using the cost approach. The land has been valued using the market approach. Valuers have considered matters such as zoning, location, topography, aspect, frontage, size, shape, date of valuation and current market sentiment. Replacement costs are based on actual costs provided by HHT and checked against the Rawlinson’s Construction Handbook 2014.

Collection assets are valued by external and internal experts to reflect the fair value. The collection assets are reviewed for external revaluation at least every five years as part of a rolling revaluation schedule across the Trust. The review is undertaken by the Trust’s Collection Valuations Committee – comprised of curatorial representatives from the properties as well as Register, Documentation and the Head of Collections & Access – which is convened annually to identify those collection formats which might have altered since the last valuation, whether or not that valuation was made within the five-year rolling schedule. The Committee contracts one or more external valuers with appropriate expertise in the collection formats that have been identified for revaluation.

Non-specialised assets with short useful lives measured using depreciated historical cost as an approximation of fair value do not require fair value hierarchy disclosures under AASB 13.


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(c) Reconciliation of recurring Level 3 fair value measurements

Buildings Collection assets

Total recurring Level 3 fair value

CONSOLIDATED ENTITY $’000 $’000

Fair value as at 1 July 2014 119,845 28,502 148,347

Additions 1,356 164 1,520

Revaluation increments/decrements recognised in Net result – included in the line item ‘Other gains/(losses)’

– – –

Revaluation increments/decrements recognised in other comprehensive income – included in the line item ‘Net increase/(decrease) in property, plant and equipment revaluation surplus’

8,320 1,383 9,703

Disposals – (1) (1)

Depreciation (271) – (271)

Transfers from capital work in progress – – –

Transfers between asset class (639) 639 –

Fair value as at 30 June 2015 128,611 30,687 159,298

Fair value as at 1 July 2013 142,779 38,021 180,800

Additions 237 74 311


– – –

Revaluation increments/decrements recognised in other comprehensive income –included in the line item ‘Net increase/(decrease) in property, plant and equipment revaluation surplus’

11,812 331 12,143

Disposals (37,634) (9,924) (47,558)


Transfers from capital work in progress 2,971 – 2,971


Buildings Collection assets

Total recurring Level 3 fair value

PARENT ENTITY $’000 $’000Fair value as at 1 July 2014 119,845 27,558 147,403Additions 1,356 164 1,520Revaluation increments/decrements recognised in Net result – included in the line item ‘Other gains/(losses)’

– – –


8,320 1,383 9,703

Disposals – (1) (1)


Transfers from capital work in progress/other asset categories – 944 944

Transfers between asset class (639) 639 –


Fair value as at 1 July 2013 142,779 37,113 179,892Additions 237 75 312Revaluation increments/decrements recognised in Net result – included in the line item ‘Other gains/(losses)’

– – –


11,812 294 12,106

Disposals (37,634) (9,924) (47,558)


Transfers from capital work in progress 2,971 – 2,971

Fair value as at 30 June 2014 119,845 27,558 147,403 113



$’000 $’000 $’000 $’00015 CURRENT LIABILITIES – PAYABLES

PayablesCreditors 965 664 962 664

Unearned revenue 675 240 675 240

Accrued expenses 812 697 801 684

Sundry payables 102 98 102 98

2,554 1,699 2,540 1,686

16 CURRENT/NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES – PERSONNEL SERVICES PROVISIONSCurrent provisions expected to be settled within 12 monthsPersonnel services provisionsAnnual leave 1349 1,207 1,345 1,205

Long service leave on-costs 361 277 361 277

1,710 1,484 1,706 1,482Current provisions expected to be settled after 12 monthsPersonnel services provisionsAnnual leave 72 64 71 63

Long service leave on-costs 19 15 19 15

91 79 90 781,801 1,563 1,796 1,560

NON-CURRENTLong service leave on-costs 33 15 33 15

33 15 33 15Aggregate personnel services provisionsProvisions – current 1,801 1,563 1,796 1,560

Provisions – non-current 33 15 33 15

1,834 1,578 1,829 1,575

17 CURRENT/NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES – OTHER PROVISIONS*Current provisions expected to be settled within 12 monthsCarrying amount at the beginning of the financial year 66 96 66 96

Additional provisions recognised 56 48 56 48

Amounts used (39) (78) (39) (78)

83 66 83 66NON-CURRENTCarrying amount at the beginning of the financial year 742 791 742 791

Additional provisions recognised 15 – 15 –

Amounts used (56) (49) (56) (49)

701 742 701 742*ThebiodiversityrestorationprovisionsarefortheBeulahpropertyandthesinkingfundprovisionisforTheMintbuilding.


114


18 INCREASE/DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM EQUITY TRANSFERSOn 20 December 2013, the Government House property was transferred from the Trust to the Crown as per NSW Government Gazette No 177. The budget for managing and maintaining Government House has also been transferred to the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC). Government House endowment of $12k was transferred to DPC in 2015.

THE FAIR VALUE OF ASSETS TRANSFERRED WERE AS FOLLOWS:

NOTES CONSOLIDATED ENTITY2015 2014

$’000 $’000Land and building – 98,134

Collections – 9,924

Cash and cash equivalents 12 –

TOTAL 12(a) 12 108,058


$’000 $’000 $’000 $’00019 COMMITMENTS FOR EXPENDITURE(a) Capital commitments

Aggregate of capital expenditure for the acquistion of various property, plant and equipment contracted for at balance date and not provided for:

• Notlaterthanoneyear(underoneyear) 813 163 813 163

• Laterthanoneyearbutnotlaterthanfiveyears – – – –

• Laterthanfiveyears – – – –

TOTAL (INCLUDING GST) 813 163 813 163

(b) Operating lease commitmentsFuture non-cancellable operating lease rentals not provided for and payable:

• Notlaterthanoneyear(underoneyear) 481 458 481 458

• Laterthanoneyearbutnotlaterthanfiveyears 704 1,102 704 1,102

• Laterthanfiveyears – – – –

TOTAL (INCLUDING GST) 1,185 1,560 1,185 1,560Theoperatingleasesareformotorvehicles,officeprintersandrentalleasefortheHHTstoragefacilityatPymble.

20 CONTINGENT ASSETS AND LIABILITIESThe Treasury Managed Fund normally calculates rolling 3 year and 5 year hindsight premiums each year. There are no other contingent assets or liabilities. It is not practicable to estimate any potential financial effect.

21 BUDGET REVIEW

Net results

The net result of the Trust exceeded surplus budget by $1.2m despite postponing $1m of the three-year capital maintenance program grant to 2015–16. This is due to a $1.09m grant received from OEH for the Unlocking Heritage Program, $300k grant received from NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services for consultancy work for the Shoreline and Rouse Hill Master planning strategy projects and a $542k federal grant received for Protecting National Heritage sites for the Hyde Park Barracks Museum and the site of first Government House projects. The Trust also delivered a record-breaking Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks exhibition, which increased visitation by 119% on the same period last year at the Museum of Sydney. Furthermore, the operational expenses were tightly controlled, passing $728k in savings.

Assets and liabilities

There were no significant variances between the actual and budgeted net assets, except for the increase in total property value due to an increase in valuation of land, building and collection assets.

Cash flows

The actual net cash flow is greater than budget due to the funding received for the Unlocking Heritage Program from OEH and federal funding received for Protecting National Heritage sites. This money is restricted funding for specific purposes.

115


CONSOLIDATED ENTITY PARENT ENTITY2015 2014 2015 2014

$’000 $’000 $’000 $’00022 RECONCILIATION OF CASH FLOWS FROM

OPERATING ACTIVITIES TO NET RESULT Reconciliation of the net result for the year to net cash flows from operating activitiesNet cash generated from operating activities 4,513 6,422 4,866 6422

Net gain/(loss) on property, plant and equipment and intangibles

(112) (1) (112) (1)

Net gain/(loss) on sale of non-current assets held for sale – (92) – (92)

Depreciation (760) (715) (760) (715)

Donation of collection/previously unrecognised assets 112 3 112 3

(Increase)/decrease in trade and other payables (1,388) 484 (1,388) 474

Increase/(decrease) in trade and other receivables 289 93 270 101

Increase/(decrease) in inventories (2) (174) (2) (174)

Net Result 2,652 6,020 2,986 6,018

23 NON-CASH FINANCING AND INVESTING ACTIVITIESThe following items are brought to account as expenses in the Statement of Comprehensive Income and are credited as income in the form of non-cash sponsorship, non-cash donations or services provided free of charge.

Donations of collections items 112 3 112 3

112 3 112 3 Security services by NSW Police – 747 – 747

Maintenance by Royal Botanic Gardens Trust – 316 – 316

– 1,063 – 1,063 112 1,066 112 1,066

The Trust received security services and gardening services free of charge for Government House from the NSW Police and the Royal Botanic Gardens Trust respectively. Government House was transferred to the Crown on 20 December 2013. The Trust’s work was also assisted by volunteers. These services were provided free of charge and it is considered not possible to estimate their value.

24 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTSThe Trust’s 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 these financial statements.

The Executive Director has the overall responsibility for the establishment and oversight of risk management and reviews, and agrees to 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.

NOTES CATEGORIES CONSOLIDATED ENTITY PARENT ENTITY2015 2014 2015 2014

$’000 $’000 $’000 $’000(a) Financial instrument categories

Financial assets class

Cash and cash equivalents 8 NA 13,275 11,635 10,738 8,745

Receivables 9 Loans and receivables (at amortised cost)

361 408 326 391

Financial liabilities classPayables 15 Financial liabilities

measured at amortised cost965 664 962 664


116


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. 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 Trust, including cash, receivables and authority deposits. No collateral is held by the Trust. The Trust has not granted any financial guarantees. Credit risk associated with the Trust’s financial assets, other than receivables, is managed through the selection of counterparts and the establishment of minimum credit rating standards. Authority deposits held with NSW TCorp are guaranteed by the State.

i) Cash

Cash comprises cash on hand and bank balances, and bank balances within NSW Treasury’s banking system. Interest is earned on daily bank balances at the daily rate set by the bank on restricted funds only since the introduction of NSWTC 15/01 Cash Management – Expanding the Scope of Treasury and Banking System. The TCorp Hour-Glass cash facility is discussed in Note 24(e).

ii) Receivables – trade debtors

All trade debtors are recognised as amounts receivable at balance date. The collectability 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 that are known to be uncollectable 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 from a single trade debtor or group of debtors. Based on past experience, debtors that are not past due (2015: $272,879; 2014: $274,910) and less than six months past due (2015: $117,818; 2014: $97,541) are not considered impaired and together represent 100% of the total trade debtors. There are no debtors that are currently 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 statement of financial position.

CONSOLIDATED ENTITY $’000 PARENT ENTITY $’000Total Past due but

not impairedConsidered

impairedTotal Past due but

not impairedConsidered

impaired2015< 3 months overdue 115 115 – 115 115 –

3 months – 6 months overdue 3 3 – 3 3 –

> 6 months overdue – – – – – –

2014< 3 months overdue 69 69 – 69 69 –

3 months – 6 months overdue 37 37 – 37 37 –

> 6 months overdue – – – – – –

iii) Authority deposits

The Trust has placed funds on deposit with TCorp. 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 30 June 2015 were earning an average interest rate of 2.92% (2014: 3.62%), while over the year the weighted average interest rate was 3.27% (2014: 3.79%) on a weighted average balance during the year of $0.88m (2014: $5.04m). 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 continually manages risk through monitoring future cash flows and maturities planning to ensure adequate holding of high-quality liquid assets.


117


During the current and prior years, there were 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 as 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 NSWTC 11-12: Payments of Accounts. 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. NSWTC 11-12 allows the Minister to award interest for late payment. No interest was paid during the financial year 2014–15 (2013–14: nil).

All of the Trust’s liabilities mature in less than 12 months and are non-interest-bearing.

(d) Market risk

Market risk is the risk the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market prices. The Trust’s exposure to market risk is primarily through price risks associated with the movement in the unit price of the TCorp investment facilities. The Trust has no exposure to foreign currency risk and does not enter into commodity contracts.

(e) Interest rate risk

The Trust’s exposure to interest rate risk is set out in the table below. A reasonably possible change of +/- 1% is used, consistent with current trends in interest rates (based on official RBA interest-rate volatility over the past five years). The basis will be reviewed annually and amended where there is a structural change in the level of interest-rate volatility.

CONSOLIDATED ENTITY $’000-1% 1%

Carrying amount Profit Equity Profit Equity2015Financial assetsCash and cash equivalents 13,275 (133) (133) 133 133

Receivables 694 – – – –

Financial liabilitiesPayables 4,437 – – – –

2014Financial assetsCash and cash equivalents 11,635 (116) (116) 116 116


Financial liabilitiesPayables 664 – – – –

PARENT ENTITY






Financial liabilitiesPayables 664 – – – –


118


OTHER PRICE RISK – TCORP HOUR-GLASS

Exposure to ‘other price risk’ primarily arises through investment in TCorp Hour-Glass investment facilities, which are held for strategic rather than trading purposes. The Trust has no direct equity investments. The Trust held units in the following Hour-Glass investment facility in 2014. With the introduction of NSWTC 15/01 Cash Management – Expanding the Scope of Treasury and Banking System, the Trust moved all at-call funds and invested it in the Treasury Banking System.

CONSOLIDATED ENTITY PARENT ENTITY

FacilityInvestment

sectorsInvestment

horizon2015

$’0002014

$’0002015

$’0002014

$’000Cash facility Cash, money

market instrumentsUp to 1.5 years – 1,173 – 933

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 the trustee for each of the above facilities and is required to act in the best interests of the unit holders 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 to by the parties. However, TCorp acts as manager for part of the cash facility and strategic cash facilities and also manages the Australian Bond Portfolio. 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 (that is, 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 as set out below.

CONSOLIDATED ENTITY PARENT ENTITY

Facility Change in unit price2015

$’0002014

$’0002015

$’0002014

$’000Hour-Glass investment – cash facility + /-1% – 12 – 9


119


(f) Fair value measurement

i) Fair value compared to carrying amount

Financial instruments are generally recognised at cost, with the exception of the TCorp Hour-Glass facilities, which are measured at fair value.

Except where specified overleaf, the amortised cost of financial instruments recognised in the statement of financial position approximates the fair value, because of the short-term nature of many of the financial instruments.

ii) Fair value recognised in the statement of financial position

The Trust uses the following hierarchy for disclosing the fair value of financial instruments by valuation techniques:

• Level1–derivedfromquotedpricesinactivemarketsforidenticalassets/liabilities;

• Level2–derivedfrominputsotherthanquotedpricesthatareobservabledirectlyorindirectly;

• Level3–derivedfromvaluationtechniquesthatincludeinputsfortheassets/liabilitiesnotbasedonobservablemarketdata(unobservableinputs).

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.

CONSOLIDATED ENTITYLevel 1

$’000

Level 2 $’000

Level 3 $’000

Total $’000

2015Financial assets at fair valueTCorp Hour-Glass cash facility – – – –

– – – –

2014Financial assets at fair valueTCorp Hour-Glass cash facility – 1,173 – 1,173

– 1,173 – 1,173

PARENT ENTITY2015Financial assets at fair valueTCorp Hour-Glass cash facility – – – –

– – – –

2014Financial assets at fair valueTCorp Hour-Glass cash facility – 933 – 933

– 933 – 933

There were no transfers between Level 1 or 2 during the reporting periods.


120



25 PROPERTY LEASES

Properties owned under long-term lease

The HHT is the registered proprietor of the property Tusculum. This property is a Regency mansion built 1831–37 and has considerable heritage significance. The property was independently valued at 30 June 2011. The fair value of the property is $7.425m. The property is encumbered by a long-term lease with the Australian Institute of Architects. The lease commenced on 22 May 1987 for a term of 99 years with provision for an option to renew. The lease was in place at the time of the transfer of responsibility for this property in 2007 from the Minister administering the Heritage Act 1977. The terms of the lease are $1 rent per annum over the term of the lease with provision for renewal at the end of the lease. The terms of the lease provide for any renewal being at commercial rental rates. The market rental for this property, assessed independently by the NSW Government Land and Property Valuation Services as at 30 June 2011, was $262,500 per annum. The Trust has no responsibility for funding the cost of maintenance or insurance.

The Trust’s responsibilities are limited to ensuring maintenance and insurance are adequate. In accordance with TPP 11-01: Lessor Classification of Long-term Land Leases, the property has been valued at $1 in the accounts of the Trust. As the property has restrictions on its use, it is recognised at $1 being the present value of future cash flows.

Throsby Park lease

Throsby Park was transferred from National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to the HHT, through an Act of NSW Parliament. The Trust has leased Throsby Park in accordance of its powers under the Historic Houses Act 1980 for a 40-year lease with a yearly rental payment, which will be annually reviewed for CPI adjustment. The Trust received $500k one-off upfront payment, which has been amortised over a five-year term to align with the benefit derived from the leased asset. The lessee is to comply with the conservation management plan and agrees to spend $2.4 million during the first five years of the lease term on conservation, restoration and maintenance of the property. The lease includes the option for another 40-year lease renewal after end of lease if the lessee complies with the contract agreement.

2015$’000

Operating lease

Rent recognised as income in the current period 28

Future non-cancellable operating lease rentals:

• Notlaterthanoneyear(underoneyear) 23

• Laterthanoneyearbutnotlaterthanfiveyears 96

• Laterthanfiveyears 1,342

TOTAL (INCLUDING GST) 1,489

26 EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD

No significant 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

121


FOUNDATIONFINANCIALSTATEMENTS

123

FOUNDATION FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

124


125 124


STATEMENT BY THE DIRECTORS OF THE FOUNDATION FORTHEHISTORICHOUSESTRUSTOFNEWSOUTHWALESLIMITEDFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015


The Directors of the Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales Limited, being the Trustee of the Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales, declare that:

a) The accompanying financial statements and notes thereto comply with applicable Australian Accounting Standards (which include Australian Accounting Interpretations), the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983 and Regulation 2015;

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 statements to be misleading or inaccurate;

f) The financial statements have been properly drawn up and the associated records have been properly kept for the period from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015, in accordance with the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 (NSW) 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

Edward Simpson Chair


126


NOTES ACTUAL ACTUAL2015 2014

$ $EXPENSES EXCLUDING LOSSESOperating expensesPersonnel services expenses 2(a) 85,917 99,763

Other operating expenses 2(b) 417,152 177,336

TOTAL EXPENSES EXCLUDING LOSSES 503,069 277,099REVENUEInvestment revenue 3(a) 93,857 109,748

Grants and contributions 3(b) 74,323 161,378

Other revenue 3(c) – 8,000

TOTAL REVENUE 168,180 279,126NET RESULT (334,889) 2,027OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOMEItems that will not be reclassified to net resultsNet increase/(decrease) in property, plant and equipment asset revaluation surplus – –

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME – –

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (334,889) 2,027



$ $ASSETSCurrent assetsCash and cash equivalents 6 2,536,363 2,890,416

Receivables 7 35,464 16,513

Total current assets 2,571,827 2,906,929TOTAL ASSETS 2,571,827 2,906,929

LIABILITIESCurrent liabilitiesPayables 9 14,614 16,154

Personnel provisions 10 4,102 2,775

Total current liabilities 18,716 18,929TOTAL LIABILITIES 18,716 18,929

NET ASSETS 2,553,111 2,888,000

EQUITYAccumulated funds 2,553,111 2,888,000

TOTAL EQUITY 2,553,111 2,888,000




127 126


STATEMENTOFCHANGES IN EQUITYFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015

NOTES ACTUAL ACTUALAccumulated

fundsTotal

equity$ $

BALANCE AT 1 JULY 2014 2,888,000 2,888,000Net result (334,889) (334,889)

Other comprehensive income – –

Total comprehensive income for the year (334,889) (334,889)BALANCE AT 30 JUNE 2015 2,553,111 2,553,111BALANCE AT 1 JULY 2013 2,885,973 2,885,973Net result 2,027 2,027

Other comprehensive income – –

Total comprehensive income for the year 2,027 2,027BALANCE AT 30 JUNE 2014 2,888,000 2,888,000

STATEMENTOF CASH FLOWSFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015


$ $CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIESPaymentsPersonnel services (84,590) (99,249)

Grants and subsidies (326,000) (68,000)

Other (92,692) (121,259)

Total payments (503,282) (288,508)

ReceiptsInterest received 74,906 117,886

Grants and contributions 74,323 161,378

Other – 8,000

Total receipts 149,229 287,264NET CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 11 (354,053) (1,244)

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIESNET CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES – –

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIESNET CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES – –

NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH (354,053) (1,244)Opening cash and cash equivalents 2,890,416 2,891,660

CLOSING CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 6 2,536,363 2,890,416Theaccompanyingnotesformpartofthesefinancialstatements.

128



A) REPORTING ENTITY

The Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales (Foundation) was formed on 14 November 2001 and commenced operation in October 2002. The Foundation is a non-profit entity (as profit is not its principal objective). The Foundation is a public ancillary fund with deductible gift recipient status (DGR item 2) and charitable tax concessions. The Foundation’s role is to encourage private and corporate support for the activities of the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales (HHT) that are not funded by the New South Wales Government. The Foundation is administered by a Trustee, the Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales Limited (Trustee). Directors of the Trustee receive and review submissions for project funding from the HHT. Funding decisions are made by the Directors and are consistent with the objectives of the Foundation and the specific requirements of corporate and private donors to the Foundation.

The Foundation is a controlled entity of the HHT and is part of the Trust’s consolidated accounts. The financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2015 were authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 22 September 2015. They are consolidated as part of the NSW Total State Sector Accounts.


These general-purpose financial statements are prepared in accordance with the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983 and Public Finance and Audit Regulation 2015, the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 and the Financial Reporting Directions published in TPP 15-01: Financial Reporting Code for NSW General Government Sector Entities, or issued by the Treasurer, and applicable Australian Accounting Standards (which include Australian Accounting Interpretations). The financial statements are for the Foundation as an individual entity. The financial statements have been prepared on an accruals basis, and are based on historical costs modified by the revaluation of selected financial assets and financial liabilities for which the fair value basis of accounting has been applied where applicable. Judgments, key assumptions and estimations management has made are disclosed in the relevant notes to the financial statements. All amounts are rounded to the nearest dollar and are expressed in Australian currency.

C) STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE

The Foundation’s financial statements and notes comply with Australian Accounting Standards, which include Australian Accounting Interpretations.

D) INSURANCE

The Foundation’s insurance arrangements are made 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 as well as the value insured.

E) ACCOUNTING FOR THE GOODS AND SERVICES TAX (GST)

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

• theamountofGSTincurredbytheFoundationasapurchaserthatisnotrecoverablefromtheAustralianTaxationOfficeisrecognisedaspartofthecostofacquisitionofanassetoraspartofanitemofexpense;and

• receivablesandpayablesarestatedwiththeamountofGSTincluded.

Cash flows are included in the statement of cash flows on a gross basis. However, the GST component of the cash flows arising from investing and financing activities which is recoverable or payable to the Australian Taxation Office is classified as operating cash flows.

F) PERSONNEL SERVICES AND OTHER PROVISIONS

The Department of Planning and Environment which includes the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH), provides personnel services to HHT which in turn provided administration services to the Foundation for a charge on the basis of cost recovery. The costs recovered by the HHT are reviewed and approved by Directors of the Trustee company. The costs are classified as ‘personnel services’ in these financial statements.

i) Other provisions

The Foundation recognises the personnel services related provision payable to the HHT for the staff providing administrative services.

G) 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) Donations and contributions

Donations and contributions from individuals and other bodies (including grants and donations)

NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OFTHEFINANCIALSTATEMENTSFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015

129 128


are generally recognised as income when the Foundation obtains control over the assets comprising the appropriations/contributions. Control over appropriations and contributions is normally obtained upon the receipt of cash.

ii) Investment revenue

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: Revenue when the Foundation’s right to receive payment is established.

H) ASSETS

i) Cash and cash equivalents

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.

iii) Investments

Investments are initially recognised at fair value plus, in the case of investments not at fair value through profit or loss, transaction costs. The Foundation determines the classification of its financial assets after initial recognition and, when allowed and appropriate, re-evaluates this at each financial year end.

I) LIABILITIES

i) Payables

These amounts represent liabilities for goods and services provided to the Foundation, and other amounts. 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.

J) EQUITY AND RESERVES

The category ‘accumulated funds’ includes all current and prior-period retained funds.

K) FAIR VALUE HIERARCHY

A number of the Foundation’s accounting policies and disclosures require the measurement of fair values, for both financial and non-financial assets and liabilities. When measuring fair value, the valuation technique used maximises the use of relevant observable inputs and minimises the use of unobservable inputs. Under AASB 13, the Trust categorises, for disclosure purposes, the valuation techniques based on the inputs used in the valuation techniques as follows:




The Foundation recognises transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy at the end of the reporting period during which the change has occurred.

Refer to Note 12 for further disclosures regarding fair value measurements of financial and non-financial assets.

L) COMPARATIVE INFORMATION

Except when an Australian Accounting Standard permits or requires otherwise, comparative information is disclosed in respect of the previous period for all amounts reported in the financial statements. As a controlled entity of the HHT, the Foundation has adopted to comply with TPP 15–01: Financial Reporting Code for NSW General Government Sector Entities. The comparative figures for the previous year have been adjusted where applicable.

NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015

130


M) CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICY, INCLUDING NEW OR REVISED AUSTRALIAN ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

(i) Effective for the first time in 2014–15 The accounting policies applied in 2014–15 are

consistent with those of the previous financial year except as a result of the following new or revised Australian Accounting Standards that have been applied for the first time in 2014–15 – AASB 10 and AASB 128 regarding consolidated financial statements and accounting for associates and joint ventures. The impact of this Standard in the period of initial application includes reporting consolidated financial statements.

(ii) Issued but not yet effective NSW public sector entities are not permitted

to early adopt new Australian Accounting Standards, unless Treasury determines otherwise.













N) TAXATION STATUS

The activities of the Foundation are exempt from income tax. The Foundation is registered for GST purposes and has gift-deductible recipient status.

131 130


NOTES2015 2014

$ $2 EXPENSES EXCLUDING LOSSES(a) Personnel services expenses

Salaries and wages (including recreation leave) 74,524 85,862Superannuation – defined contribution plans 6,550 7,167Long service leave 88 –Workers’ compensation insurance 578 1,050Payroll tax and fringe benefits tax 4,177 5,684

85,917 99,763(b) Other operating expenses

Auditors’ remuneration 11,300 11,000Books, publications and subscriptions 110 99Donations to the HHT 326,000 68,000Entertainment and catering expenses 3,683 1,324Fees for services rendered 9,253 40,735Function expense 27,094 44,591Marketing and promotion 30,190 5,494Other expenses 1,295 983Postage 181 343Printing 5,906 3,509Stores and IT maintenance 487 226Travel and accommodation 1,653 1,032

417,152 177,3363 REVENUE(a) Investment revenue

TCorp Hour-Glass investment facilities 3,221 8,357Interest income 84,408 100,552Interest income – other 6,228 839

93,857 109,748(b) Grants and contributions

From DPEPersonnel service benefits and liabilities provided free of charge by DPELong service leave 88 –

88 –From other institutions and individualsDonations – cash 74,235 121,378Sponsorship – cash – 40,000

74,235 161,37874,323 161,378

(c) Other revenueOther revenue – 8,000

– 8,000


132


FOUNDATIONFORTHEHISTORICHOUSESTRUSTOFNEWSOUTHWALESFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015

* ThesefundshavebeenspecificallyrestrictedinaccordancewithBoardresolutionsand,whereapplicable,donorrequirements,tobeusedontheprojectsidentified.ThisallocationismadeafterathoroughevaluationofavailableprojectsputforwardbytheHHT.Thebalancealsoincludesacontingencyfundof$50,000.

† Thesefundshavenotatthecurrentdatebeenallocatedtoaspecificproject.Thenumberandvalueofprojectsunderconsiderationisinexcessofthecurrentbalanceofcashandinvestments.

Fundingforsuchprojectswillrelyuponuseoftheunrestrictedcashandinterestearnedoncashandcashequivalents,futurebequestsanddonations.

5 SERVICE GROUPS OF ENTITYThe Foundation’s role is to encourage private and corporate support for the activities of the HHT that are not funded by the New South Wales Government.

6 CURRENT ASSETS – CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTSCash at bank and on hand 536,363 57,971

TCorp Hour-Glass cash facility – 240,509

Other investments – term deposits 2,000,000 2,591,936

2,536,363 2,890,416 Cash and cash equivalents (per statement of financial position) 2,536,363 2,890,416 Closing cash and cash equivalents (per statement of cash flows) 2,536,363 2,890,416

For the purpose of the statement of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash at bank, cash on hand and short-term deposits. Cash and cash equivalent assets recognised in the statement of financial position are reconciled at the end of the financial year to the statement of cash flows as above.

7 CURRENT/NON-CURRENT ASSETS – RECEIVABLESAccrued income 34,939 16,448

Other receivables 525 65

35,464 16,513


8 RESTRICTED ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents 2,536,363 2,890,416

2,536,363 2,890,416

Cash and fixed assets are restricted assets to the extent that they represent bequests and donations held by the Foundation to be used in accordance with the deed of trust, caveats or other documents governing these funds.

NOTES2015 2014

$ $4 CONDITIONS ON CONTRIBUTIONS

Details of restrictionsAllocated funds*

Minimum contingency fund 50,000 50,000Museum of Sydney 395,741 395,741Endangered Houses Fund and other projects (donations) 1,845,906 2,178,692RHHF Barn stabilisation 50,000 –VH Kitchen Wing Roof Shingling 38,000 –RHHF Fence Conservation 13,000 –RHHF Caretakers Cottage 75,000 –Mint Fence – Repair of Ironwork 25,000 –VH Fence – Repair of Ironwork 25,000 –Grow your Garden project – 75,000Creditor payments – HHT 18,716 18,929TOTAL ALLOCATED FUNDS 2,536,363 2,718,362Unallocated funds† – 172,053TOTAL RESTRICTED FUNDS 2,536,363 2,890,415

133 132



NOTES2015 2014

$ $9 CURRENT LIABILITIES – PAYABLES

PayablesCreditors 3,285 111

Accrued expenses 11,160 13,280

Payable to the HHT 169 2,763

14,614 16,154

10 CURRENT – PERSONNEL PROVISIONSCurrent provisions expected to be settled within 12 monthsPersonnel services provisionsAnnual leave 3,897 2,636

3,897 2,636Current provisions expected to be settled after 12 monthsPersonnel services provisionsAnnual leave 205 139

205 139TOTAL PROVISIONS 4,102 2,775

11 RECONCILIATION OF CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES TO NET RESULTReconciliation of the net result for the year to net cash flows from operating activitiesNet cash inflows from operating activities (354,053) (1,244)

(Increase)/decrease in trade and other payables 213 11,409

(Increase)/decrease in provisions 18,951 (8,138)

NET RESULT (334,889) 2,027

12 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Foundation’s principal financial instruments are outlined overleaf. 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 on the following pages, along 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 Finance and Legal Committee has overall responsibility for the establishment and oversight of risk management, and reviews and agrees on 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 Finance and Legal Committee.

134


NOTES CATEGORIES2015 2014

$ $a) Financial instrument categories

Financial assets classCash and cash equivalents 6 N/A 2,536,363 2,890,416

Receivables 7 Loans and receivables (at amortised cost) 35,464 16,513

Financial liabilities classPayables 9 Financial liabilities measured

at amortised cost 14,614 16,154

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 counterparts limiting exposure to any particular counterpart, and the establishment of minimum credit rating standards.

i) 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 12(e).

ii) Receivables – trade debtors

All trade debtors are recognised as amounts receivable at balance date. Collectability 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 that are known to be uncollectable 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 Foundation is not materially exposed to concentrations of credit risk from a single trade debtor or group of debtors. Based on past experience, debtors that are not past due are not considered impaired and these represent 100% of the total trade debtors. There are no debtors that are currently past due or impaired whose terms have been renegotiated.

Statutory receivables are excluded, as these are not within the scope of AASB 7: Financial Instruments: Disclosures.

iii) Authority deposits

The Foundation has funds on deposit with various Australian incorporated banks. 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 may vary. The term deposits at balance date were earning an average interest rate of 3.41% (2014: 3.63%). The weighted average interest rate over the year was 3.38% (2014: 3.77%) on a weighted average balance during the year of $887,500 (2014: $1,866,012). None of these assets are past due or impaired.


135 134


b) Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Foundation will be unable to meet its payment obligations when they fall due. The Foundation continually manages risk through monitoring future cash flows and maturities planning to ensure adequate holding of high-quality liquid assets.

During the current and prior years, there were no defaults or breaches on amounts 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 NSW TC 11/12: Payment of Accounts.

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 financial year 2014–15 (2013–14: nil).

All of the Foundation’s liabilities mature in less than 12 months and are non-interest-bearing.

c) 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 exposure to market risk is primarily through other price risks associated with the movement in the unit price of the TCorp Hour-Glass investment facilities. The Foundation has no exposure to foreign currency risk and does not enter into commodity contracts.

d) Interest rate risk

Exposure to interest rate risk arises primarily through the Foundation’s interest-bearing liabilities. The Foundation 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 Foundations’s exposure to interest rate risk is set out in the table below.

The effect on profit and equity due to a reasonably possible change in risk variables is outlined in the information on the following pages for interest rate risk and other price risk. A reasonably possible change in risk variables has been determined after taking into account the economic environment in which the entity operates and the time frame for the assessment (that is, until the end of the next annual reporting period). The sensitivity analysis is based on risk exposures in existence at the date of the statement of financial position. The analysis is performed on the same basis as for 2014. The analysis assumes that all other variables remain constant.

-1% 1%Carrying amount Profit Equity Profit Equity

2015Financial assetsCash and cash equivalents 2,536,363 (25,364) (25,364) 25,364 25,364

Receivables 35,464 – – – –


2014Financial assetsCash and cash equivalents 2,890,415 (28,904) (28,904) 28,904 28,904

Receivables 16,513 – – – –



136


e) Other price risk – TCorp Hour-Glass facilities

Exposure to ‘other price risk’ primarily arises through 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 held units in the following Hour-Glass investment facility in 2014. With the introduction of NSWTC 15/01 Cash Management – Expanding the Scope of Treasury and Banking System, the Foundation moved all at-call funds and invested it in the Treasury Banking System.

FacilityInvestment

sectorsInvestment

horizon2015

$2014

$Cash facility Cash, money market instruments Up to 1.5 years – 240,509

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 the trustee for the above facility and is required to act in the best interests of the unit holders and to administer the trusts in accordance with the trusts’ deeds. As trustee, TCorp has appointed external managers to manage the performance and risks of each facility in accordance with a mandate agreed to 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 (that is, 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 as set out below.

FacilityChange in unit price

2015$

2014$

Hour-Glass investment – cash facility + /-1% – 2,405

(f) Fair value measurement

i) Fair value compared to carrying amount

The Foundation has no financial instruments, 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.


137 136


ii) Fair value recognised in the statement of financial position

The Foundation uses the following hierarchy for disclosing the fair value of financial instruments by valuation techniques:

> Level 1 – derived from quoted prices in active markets for identical assets/liabilities;

> Level 2 – derived from inputs other than quoted prices that are observable directly or indirectly;

> Level 3 – derived from valuation techniques that include inputs for the asset/liability not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

2015Level 1

$Level 2

$Level 3

$Total

$Financial assets at fair valueTCorp Hour-Glass cash facility – – – –

– – – –2014

Financial assets at fair valueTCorp Hour-Glass cash facility – 240,509 – 240,509

– 240,509 – 240,509

There were no transfers between Level 1 and 2 during the reporting periods.

13 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.

2015 2014a) Transactions with related entities $ $

Contributions to the HHT 326,000 68,000

Current payables – controlling entity 169 2,763

(b) Transactions with the Trustee

There were no transactions between the Trustee and the Foundation. No Director of the Trustee receives remuneration for his/her duties as a Director of the Foundation.

14 CHARITABLE FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES

Results 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:


138


2015 2014$ $

Donations 74,235 121,378

Sponsorship – 40,000

Gross income from fundraising A 74,235 161,378

Cost of fundraising (excluding administration expenses) B (79,731) (56,864)

Net surplus/(deficit) from fundraising C (5,496) 104,513

Cost of services provided* D – –

Transferred to/(from) accumulated funds (5,496) 104,514

List of all forms of appeals – events and appealsHow appeal moneys are appliedDistributions to the HHT 326,000 68,000

Comparative figures and ratiosCost of fundraising to gross income from fundraising B/A 107% 35%

Net surplus/(deficit) from fundraising to gross income from fundraising C/A (7%) 65%

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%

* Thecostoffundraisingservicesiszero,asadministrativeandfinancialserviceshavebeenprovidedbytheHHTfreeofcharge.

There is no information of a material matter or occurrence to report.

Fundraising income includes donations and sponsorships. Where funding is received for specific projects, these projects may not be completed by the end of the year in which the funds are received. There was a net deficit from fundraising of $5,496. The deficit reflects the cost of production of materials for the relaunch of The Governor’s Circle, which will service the fundraising campaign for the next several years.

15 BUDGET NOTE

The net result for the Foundation was a deficit of $335K, which is mainly as a result of the distribution of $326K to HHT. This funded five core strategic conservation projects: i) structured stabilisation of the barn at Rouse Hill; ii) caretaker’s cottage at Rouse Hill; iii) Vaucluse House dairy and larder reshingling; iv) ironwork conservation at The Mint and at Vaucluse House; and v) timber farm fence replacement at Rouse Hill House & Farm.

16 CONTINGENT ASSETS OR LIABILITIES

There are no contingent assets or liabilities existing at the close of this report.

17 EVENTS AFTER THE REPORTING PERIOD

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 Foundation, the results of those activities, or its state of affairs in the ensuing or any subsequent financial year.



139 138


FOUNDATION LIMITEDFINANCIALSTATEMENTS

FOUNDATION FOR THE HISTORIC HOUSES TRUST OF NEW SOUTH WALES COMPANY DIRECTORS:

Alastair Baxter Former international rugby player, and architect at Cox Richardson Architects

Mark Goggin Executive Director, Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales

David O’Donnell Consultant, Addisons Lawyers

Fiona Playfair Company Director

Michael Reid Director, Michael Reid Gallery (until February 2014)

Michael Rose Chief Executive Partner, Allens

Edward Simpson Company Director

Curtis Smith Partner, KPMG

Judith Whelan News Editor, The Sydney Morning Herald

Simon White Barrister and Senior Counsel

The above-named directors held office during and since the end of the financial year unless otherwise stated.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

The principal activity of the Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales (Foundation) during the financial year was to act as the Trustee of the Foundation and to do all things such as are necessary, incidental and conducive to acting as the Trustee of the Foundation.

There was no change in the principal activity of the Foundation during the financial year.

REVIEW OF OPERATIONS

The net deficit of the Foundation for the financial year ended 30 June 2015 was $334,889.

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 STATE OF AFFAIRS

One resignation from the Board was accepted during the year. During the financial year 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

No other matter or circumstance has arisen since the end of the financial year that has significantly affected, or may significantly affect, the activities of the Foundation or its state of affairs in the ensuing or any subsequent financial year.

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 was made to the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales (HHT) during the financial year 2014–15 of $326,000.

REPORT BY THE DIRECTORS OF THE FOUNDATION FOR THE HISTORIC HOUSES TRUST OF NEW SOUTH WALES LIMITED, BEING TRUSTEE FOR THE FOUNDATION FOR THE HISTORIC HOUSES TRUST

REPORT BY THE DIRECTORS OF THE FOUNDATION FORTHEHISTORICHOUSESTRUSTOFNEWSOUTHWALESLIMITEDFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015

141

FOUNDATION LIMITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS

The HHT (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.

DIRECTORS’ MEETINGS

The tables below 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 were held: six board meetings and five Finance and Legal Committee Meetings.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

DIRECTORS HELD ATTENDED

Curtis Smith (Chair) 6 4

Alastair Baxter 6 5

David O'Donnell 6 6

Fiona Playfair 6 4

Mark Goggin 6 6

Michael Reid 2 1

Michael Rose 6 3

Edward Simpson 6 3

Judith Whelan 6 1

Simon White 6 4

FINANCE AND LEGAL COMMITTEE

DIRECTORS HELD ATTENDED

Curtis Smith (Chair from Apr 2013) 5 1

David O’Donnell 5 2

Simon White 5 5

REPORT BY THE DIRECTORS OF THE FOUNDATION FORTHEHISTORICHOUSESTRUSTOFNEWSOUTHWALESLIMITEDFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015

142


143


144


STATEMENT BY THE DIRECTORS OF THE FOUNDATION FORTHEHISTORICHOUSESTRUSTOFNEWSOUTHWALESLIMITEDFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015

Pursuant to Section 41C(1B) and (1C) of the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983 and the Corporations Act 2001, the Directors of the Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales Limited state that:

a) The accompanying financial statements and notes present a true and fair view of the financial position and performance of the company at 30 June 2015, and the results of its operations and transactions for the year on that date ended;

b) The financial statements and notes have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983 and Regulation 2015, and the Corporations Act 2001 and Regulations 2001;

c) The financial statements and notes have been prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards (which include Australian Accounting Interpretations);

d) We are not aware of any circumstances which would render any particulars included in the financial reports to be misleading or inaccurate; and

e) There are reasonable grounds to believe that the company will be able to pay its debts as and when they fall due.

Signed in accordance with a resolution of the Directors made pursuant to Section 295(5) of the Corporations Act 2001.

On behalf of the Directors,


Edward Simpson Chair


145


STATEMENTOF COMPREHENSIVE INCOMEFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015


$ $EXPENSES – –

TOTAL EXPENSES – –

REVENUE – –

TOTAL REVENUE – –

NET RESULT – –

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME – –

Total other comprehensive income – –

TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME – –



$ $ASSETSCurrent assets – –

Total current assets – –

Non-current assets – –

Total non-current assets – –TOTAL ASSETS – –LIABILITIESCurrent liabilities – –

Total current liabilities – –Non-current liabilities – –

Total non-current liabilities – –TOTAL LIABILITIES – –

NET ASSETS – –EQUITYAccumulated funds – –

TOTAL EQUITY 6 – –



146





funds Total$ $

BALANCE AT 1 JULY 2014 – –

Net result for the year – –

BALANCE AT 30 JUNE 2015 6 – –BALANCE AT 1 JULY 2013 – –


BALANCE AT 30 JUNE 2014 – –



$ $CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES – –

NET CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES – –

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES – –NET CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES – –

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES – –NET CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES – –

NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH – –Opening cash and cash equivalents – –

CLOSING CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS – –

147




A) REPORTING ENTITY

The Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales Limited is a company limited by guarantee, incorporated and domiciled in Australia. The company was incorporated on 13 September 2001. The company is a non-profit entity (as profit is not its principal objective).

The company’s registered office (and principal place of business) is: The Mint, 10 Macquarie Street, Sydney, New South Wales. The company is a controlled entity of the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales (HHT) and is consolidated with the HHT as part of the NSW Total State Sector Accounts.

The financial statements were authorised for issue by the Directors on 22 September 2015.


The financial statements are general-purpose financial statements that have been prepared in accordance with:

• theCorporations Act 2001;

• applicableAustralianAccountingStandards(whichincludeAustralianAccountingInterpretations);

• therequirementsofthePublic Finance and Audit Act 1983andRegulation2015;and

• Treasurer’sDirections.

The financial statements are for the Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales Limited as an individual entity.



All amounts are rounded to the nearest dollar and are expressed in Australian currency.

C) CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICY, INCLUDING NEW OR REVISED AUSTRALIAN ACCOUNTING STANDARDS


consistent with those of the previous financial year except as a result of the following new or revised Australian Accounting Standards that have been applied for the first time in 2014–15 – AASB 10 and AASB 128 regarding consolidated financial

statements and accounting for associates and joint ventures. The impact of this Standard in the period of initial application includes reporting consolidated financial statements.
















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

148


2 TRUSTEE

The company acts as Trustee of the Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales (the Foundation). Income and property under the control of the company must be applied to the promotion and achievement of the objectives of the company. No portion shall be paid or transferred, directly or indirectly, to members or directors of the company. The financial statements of the Foundation are prepared from books of accounts kept by the HHT. The financial statements of the Foundation are presented with the company’s financial statements.

3 COMPANY AND TRUST EXPENSES

Operating costs of the company have been met by the Foundation. All expenses incurred by the company were in its capacity as Trustee.

4 RIGHT OF INDEMNITY OUT OF TRUST ASSETS

The assets of the Foundation at 30 June 2015 are sufficient to meet the Trustee’s rights of indemnity out of the Trust assets for liabilities incurred on behalf of the Trust, as and when they fall due.

5 AUDIT FEES

Audit fees for the financial year 2014–15 of $3100 (2013-14: $3300) inclusive of GST for the company accounts are to be paid by the Foundation.

6 MEMBERS’ LIABILITY

The company is limited by guarantee. Every member of the company and every ex-member within one year of ceasing to be a member is liable in the event of winding up for an amount not exceeding $10. There were 12 members at the end of the financial year.

7 CONTROLLING ENTITY

The HHT is considered to be the controlling entity of the Foundation. The HHT provided the Foundation and company with a range of administrative support services. These services have been provided at no charge to the company and comprised the provision of:

• officeaccommodationfacilities

• accountingandadministrativeservices

• electricityandotherutilityservices

• humanresources.

8 ASSETS AND LIABILITIES FOR WHICH THE COMPANY IS TRUSTEE

Details of the underlying assets and liabilities for the Foundation at 30 June 2015 are as follows:

ACTUAL ACTUAL2015 2014

$ $Current assetsCash 2,536,363 2,890,416

Receivables 35,464 16,513

TOTAL ASSETS 2,571,827 2,906,929Current liabilitiesPayables 14,614 16,154

Provisions 4,102 2,775

TOTAL LIABILITIES 18,716 18,929NET ASSETS 2,553,111 2,888,000

9 REMUNERATION OF DIRECTORS

No directors of the company during the financial year received income from the company in connection with the management of the affairs of the company whether as executive officer or otherwise.

10 CONTINGENT ASSETS OR LIABILITIES

There are no contingent assets or liabilities existing at the close of this report.

11 SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

No significant 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 company, the results of those activities, or its state of affairs in the ensuing or any subsequent financial year.


END OF AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS149


HAMILTON ROUSE HILL TRUSTFINANCIALSTATEMENTS

151

HAMILTON ROUSE HILL TRUST FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

152


STATEMENT BY THE DIRECTORS OFTHEROUSEHILLHAMILTONCOLLECTIONPTYLIMITEDFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015

Pursuant to Section 41C(1C) of the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983, we state that:

a) The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983 and Regulation 2010, applicable Australian Accounting Standards (which include Australian Accounting Interpretations) and the Treasurer’s Directions;

b) In our opinion, the financial statements show a true and fair view of the financial position and transactions of the trust; and

c) There are no circumstances that would render any particulars included in the financial report to be misleading or inaccurate.

This statement is made in accordance with a resolution of the Board of Directors and is signed for and on behalf of the Directors by:

Mark Goggin Executive Director

Dated6August2015

153 152




$ $EXPENSES – –

TOTAL EXPENSES – –

REVENUE – –

TOTAL REVENUE – –

NET RESULT – –

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOMEItems that will not be reclassified to net result Net increase in property, plant and equipment asset revaluation surplus 3 – 36,242

Total other comprehensive income – 36,242TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME – 36,242



$ $ASSETSCurrent assetsCash receivable 2 – 10Total current assets – 10

Non-current assets – –

Collection assets 3 – 944,230

Total non-current assets – 944,230TOTAL ASSETS – 944,240LIABILITIESTOTAL LIABILITIES – –

NET ASSETS – 944,240EQUITYOther reserve (Trust settlement) – 10

Accumulated funds – 675,000

Asset revaluation surplus 3 – 269,230

TOTAL EQUITY – 944,240



154




NOTES

Accumulated funds

Asset revaluation

surplusOther reserve – Trust settlement Total

$ $ $ $BALANCE AT 1 JULY 2014 675,000 269,230 10 944,240

Net result for the year – – – –

Other comprehensive incomeNet increase in property, plant and equipment 3 – – – –

Total other comprehensive income – – – –

Transactions with owners in their capacity as ownersIncrease/(decrease) in net assets from equity transfers (675,000) (269,230) (10) (944,240)

BALANCE AT 30 JUNE 2015 – – – –

BALANCE AT 1 JULY 2013 675,000 232,988 10 907,998

Net result for the year – – – –

Other comprehensive incomeNet increase in property, plant and equipment 3 – 36,242 – 36,242

Total other comprehensive income – 36,242 – 36,242

BALANCE AT 30 JUNE 2014 675,000 269,230 10 944,240







NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH – –Opening cash and cash equivalents – 10

CLOSING CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS – 10

155 154




The Hamilton Rouse Hill Trust was established on 27 October 1994 as a non-profit entity to hold collection items in and about Rouse Hill House. As a New South Wales Government entity it is consolidated into the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales (HHT) accounts, which are part of the NSW Total State Sector Accounts.

The Board of Directors unanimously resolved to wind up the Trust pursuant to clause 12 of the Trust Deed on 16 June 2015 and transferred the collection assets valued at $944,230 to the Historic Houses Trust of NSW.

The financial statements were authorised for issue by the Directors of the Trust on 6 August 2015.

A) BASIS OF PREPARATION



• therequirementsofthePublic Finance and Audit Act 1983 andRegulation2010;and

• NSWTreasurer’sDirections.

The financial statements are for the Hamilton Rouse Hill Trust as an individual entity.



B) CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICY, INCLUDING NEW OR REVISED AUSTRALIAN ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

















c) Statement of compliance


156


D) COLLECTIONS

Collections are valued in accordance with TPP 14-1: Guidelines for the Valuation of Physical Non-Current Assets at Fair Value. This policy adopts fair value in accordance with AASB 116: Property, Plant and Equipment and AASB 13: Fair Value. There is no substantive difference between the fair value methodology and the previous valuation methodology adopted in the NSW public sector.

The Trust’s collections have been valued by accredited valuers at their fair market value and are brought to account at those values. They are not depreciated.

Revaluation increments are credited directly to the asset revaluation surplus, 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 net result, the increment is recognised immediately as revenue in the net result.

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

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.

E) FAIR VALUE HIERARCHY

A number of the Trust’s accounting policies and disclosures require the measurement of fair values, for both financial and non-financial assets and liabilities. When measuring fair value, the valuation technique used maximises the use of relevant observable inputs and minimises the use of unobservable inputs. Under AASB 13, the Trust categorises, for disclosure purposes, the valuation techniques based on the inputs used in the valuation techniques as follows:




The Trust recognises transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy at the end of the reporting period during which the change has occurred.

2 CASH RECEIVABLES

The Hamilton Rouse Hill Trust does not have a separate bank account.

3 COLLECTION ASSETS

Pursuant to a chattels sale agreement, the Hamilton Rouse Hill Collection was acquired on 27 October 1994.

Collection assets were revalued in 2014 at fair value using techniques outlined in Note 4(b) by external valuers Andrew Simpson and Jonathan Alford conforming to AASB 116 and in accordance with TPP 14-01.

Following the decision to wind up the Trust these collection assets have been formally transferred to the Historic Houses Trust of NSW effective from 30 June 2015.


$ $Net carrying amount at start of year 944,230 907,988Net revaluation increments less revaluation decrements – 36,242

Transfers upon wind up (944,230) –

NET CARRYING AMOUNT AT END OF YEAR – 944,230


157 156


4 FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT OF NON-FINANCIAL ASSETS(a) Fair value hierarchy

Level 1$’000

Level 2$’000

Level 3$’000

Total Fair Value$’000

2015Property, plant and equipment Collection assets – – – –

– – – –2014Property, plant and equipmentCollection assets – – 944,230 944,230

– – 944,230 944,230

(b) Valuation techniques, inputs and processes

Collection assets are valued by external and internal experts to reflect the fair value. The collection assets are reviewed for external revaluation at least every five years as part of a rolling revaluation schedule across the HHT. The review is undertaken by the HHT Valuations Committee, comprised of curatorial representatives from the properties as well as Register, Documentation and the head of Collections and Access, which is convened annually to identify those collection formats which might have altered since the last valuation, whether or not that valuation was made within the five-year rolling schedule. The committee contracts one or more external valuers with appropriate expertise in the collection formats that have been identified for revaluation.

(c) Reconciliation of recurring Level 3 fair value measurements

Collection assetsTotal Recurring

Level 3 Fair value$’000 $’000

Fair value as at 1 July 2014 944,230 944,230

Additions – –


– –


– –

Disposals/transfers (944,230) (944,230)

Fair value as at 30 June 2015 – –

Fair value as at 1 July 2013 907,988 907,988

Additions – –


– –


36,242 36,242

Disposals/transfers – –

Fair value as at 30 June 2014 944,230 944,230

158


5 SERVICES PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE

A management agreement was entered into on 27 October 1994 between the company and the HHT, whereby the HHT, in consideration for allowing the collection to remain in its care and safe keeping, accepts sole responsibility for the management and conservation of the entire collection. An HHT Trustee, the Executive Director and the Assistant Director, Heritage & Portfolio of the HHT are Directors of the company and the Assistant Director, Operations is the Secretary of the company and their services are provided free of charge.

6 AUDIT FEES

Audit fees for the financial year 2014–15 of $4950 (2013–14: $4950) inclusive of GST were paid by the HHT.

7 EVENTS SUBSEQUENT TO BALANCE DATE

Following the formal windup of the Trust on 16 June 2015, all collection items were transferred to the Historic Houses Trust of NSW. No other significant matter or circumstance has arisen since the windup.


159 158


ROUSE HILL HAMILTON COLLECTION PTY LIMITEDFINANCIALSTATEMENTS

161

ROUSE HILL HAMILTON COLLECTION PTY LIMITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

162


STATEMENT BY THE DIRECTORS OF THE ROUSE HILL HAMILTON COLLECTION PTY LIMITEDFOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015

Pursuant to Section 41C(1B) and (1C) of the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983, the Directors of the Rouse Hill Hamilton Collection Pty Limited state that:

a) The accompanying financial statements and notes present a true and fair view of the financial position and performance of the company at 30 June 2015 and the results of its operations and transactions for the year on that date ended;

b) The financial statements and notes have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983 and Regulation 2010;

c) The financial statements and notes have been prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards (which include Australian Accounting Interpretations);

d) We are not aware of any circumstances which would render any particulars included in the financial reports to be misleading or inaccurate; and

e) There are reasonable grounds to believe that the company will be able to pay its debts as and when they fall due.

Signed in accordance with a resolution of the Directors.

Mark Goggin Executive Director

Dated6August2015

163




$ $EXPENSES – –TOTAL EXPENSES – –REVENUE – –TOTAL REVENUE – –

NET RESULT – –

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME – –Total other comprehensive income – –TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME – –





$ $ASSETSCurrent assetsCash 2 2

Total current assets 2 2Non-current assets – –

Total non-current assets – –TOTAL ASSETS 2 2LIABILITIESTOTAL LIABILITIES – –

NET ASSETS 2 2EQUITYAccumulated funds 6 2 2

TOTAL EQUITY 2 2

164





funds Total$ $

BALANCE AT 1 JULY 2014 2 2


BALANCE AT 30 JUNE 2015 6 2 2BALANCE AT 1 JULY 2013 2 2


BALANCE AT 30 JUNE 2014 2 2







NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH – –Opening cash and cash equivalents 2 2

CLOSING CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 2 2

165




A) REPORTING ENTITY

The Rouse Hill Hamilton Collection Pty Limited is a company limited by shares, incorporated and domiciled in Australia. The company was incorporated on 26 October 1994. The company is a non-profit entity (as profit is not its principal objective). It is a New South Wales Government entity and is consolidated in the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales (HHT) accounts. The company’s registered office (and principal place of business) is: The Mint, 10 Macquarie Street, Sydney, New South Wales.

The Board of Directors passed the resolution on the 30 June 2015 to close the Company with Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) following the wind up of the Hamilton Rouse Hill Trust on 16 June 2015. An application for voluntary deregistration will be submitted to ASIC in July. It is expected that the deregistration will be finalised in September 2015 following the usual two month period for comment from the publication date of the notice on ASIC’s website.

The financial statements were authorised for issue by the Directors on 6 August 2015.




• therequirementsofthePublic Finance and Audit Act 1983andRegulation2010;and

• NSWTreasurer’sDirections.

The financial statements are for the Rouse Hill Hamilton Collection Pty Limited as an individual entity.




C) CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICY, INCLUDING NEW OR REVISED AUSTRALIAN ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

















166




2 TRUSTEE

The company acts as Trustee of the Hamilton Rouse Hill Trust.

The Board of Trustees of the Trust unanimously resolved to wind up the Trust pursuant to clause 12 of the Trust Deed on 16 June 2015 and transferred the collection assets valued at $944,230 to the Historic Houses Trust of NSW.

3 COMPANY AND TRUST EXPENSES

Operating costs of the company have been met by the HHT. All expenses incurred by the company were in its capacity as Trustee.

4 AUDIT FEES

Audit fees for the financial year 2014–15 of $3300 (2013–14: $3300) inclusive of GST for the company accounts are to be met by the HHT.

5 RIGHT OF INDEMNITY OUT OF THE TRUST ASSETS

The assets of the company as at 30 June 2015 are sufficient to meet the Trustees’ rights of indemnity out of trust assets for liabilities incurred on behalf of the Trust, as and when they fall due.

6 ACCUMULATED FUNDS


$ $Issued capital2 shares of $1 fully paid 2 2

7 RELATED PARTIES

A) DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION

The Directors act in an honorary capacity and do not receive remuneration in connection with managing the affairs of the company or of the Trust for which the company acts as Trustee.

B) CONTROLLING ENTITY

The HHT is considered to be the controlling entity of the Rouse Hill Hamilton Collection Pty Limited.

C) SUPPORT

The HHT provided the Rouse Hill Hamilton Collection Pty Limited with a range of administrative support services. These services have been provided at no charge to the Rouse Hill Hamilton Collection Pty Limited and comprised the provision of:

• officeaccommodationfacilities

• accountingandadministrativeservices.

8 REMUNERATION OF DIRECTORS

No directors of the company during the financial year received income from the company in connection with the management of the affairs of the company whether as executive officer or otherwise.

9 CONTINGENT ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

There are no contingent assets or liabilities.

10 SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Following the resolution by the Directors to close the company, no other significant 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 company.


END OF AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS167


CONTACTS

All properties are closed on Good Friday and Christmas Day. Visit sydneylivingmuseums.com.au for opening hours during NSW school holidays and NSW public holidays.


Head Office The Mint 10 Macquarie Street Sydney NSW 2000 T 02 8239 2288 F 02 8239 2299 E [email protected] Open Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm Infoline 02 8239 2442 TTY 02 8239 2377 www.sydneylivingmuseums.com.au

Bistro Mint Open Mon-Fri, 8am–4pm T 02 9232 2293

CAROLINE SIMPSON LIBRARY & RESEARCH COLLECTION

The Mint 10 Macquarie Street Sydney NSW 2000 T 02 8239 2233 F 02 8239 2433 E [email protected] Open Tues–Fri, 10am–4pm

ELIZABETH BAY HOUSE

7 Onslow Avenue Elizabeth Bay NSW 2011 T 02 9356 3022 F 02 9357 7176 Open Fri–Sun, 11am–4pm Schools and booked groups by arrangement

ELIZABETH FARM

70 Alice Street Rosehill NSW 2142 T 02 9635 9488 F 02 9891 3740 Open Sat & Sun, 10.30am–3.30pm Schools and booked groups by arrangement

Elizabeth Farm Tearooms Open Sat & Sun, 10.30am–3pm T 02 9635 9488


Queens Square Macquarie Street Sydney NSW 2000 T 02 8239 2311 F 02 8239 2322 Open daily, 10am–5pm Schools and booked groups by arrangement

Hyde Park Barracks Cafe Open daily T 02 9222 1815

JUSTICE & POLICE MUSEUM

Cnr Albert and Phillip streets Circular Quay NSW 2000 T 02 9252 1144 F 02 9251 5966 (MOS) Open Sat & Sun, 10am–5pm Schools and booked groups by arrangement

MEROOGAL

Cnr West and Worrigee streets Nowra NSW 2541 T 02 4421 8150 F 02 4421 2747 Open Sat, 10.30am–3.30pm Entry by guided tour only, on the hour Schools and booked groups by arrangement

MUSEUM OF SYDNEY

on the site of first Government House Cnr Bridge and Phillip streets Sydney NSW 2000 T 02 9251 5988 F 02 9251 5966 Open daily, 10am–5pm Schools and booked groups by arrangement

The Governors Table Bar & Dining Open daily T 02 9241 1788

ROSE SEIDLER HOUSE

71 Clissold Road Wahroonga NSW 2076 T 02 9989 8020 F 02 9487 2761 Open Sun, 11am–4pm Schools and booked groups by arrangement


356 Annangrove Road (PO Box 3123) Rouse Hill NSW 2155 T 02 9627 6777 F 02 9627 6776 Open Sat & Sun, 10.30am–3.30pm bookings advisable) Schools and booked groups by arrangement


58–64 Gloucester Street The Rocks NSW 2000 T 02 9241 1893 F 02 9241 2608 Open daily, 2–5pm Access by guided tour only Schools and booked groups by arrangement

VAUCLUSE HOUSE

Wentworth Road Vaucluse NSW 2030 T 02 9388 7922 F 02 9337 4963 Open Fri–Sun, 11am–4pm Schools and booked groups by arrangement

Vaucluse House Tearooms Open Wed–Sun T 02 9388 8188

168


THANK YOU TO OUR PROGRAM SUPPORTERS & PARTNERS

We thank the many people and groups who have assisted the HHT this year for their generosity, support and expertise, including:

• HHTVolunteers

• HHTFoundationBoard,GovernorsandSupporters

EDUCATION & PUBLIC PROGRAM SUPPORTERS

Agenda

Angove Family Winemakers

Archikidz!

The Big Dig & Youth Hostels Australia

Chinese Heritage Association of Australia

Expanded Architecture

Food and Words

History Council of NSW

Museums and Galleries of NSW

Museum of Applied Arts and Science

New South Wales Bar Association

NSW Board of Studies

NSW Farmers’ Association

NSW Department of Education & Communities

Opera Australia

State Library of New South Wales

Sydney Architecture Festival

Sydney Harbour Federation Trust

Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority

Sydney Water

The Festivalists

The Sydney Journal

The Rocks Educators Network

VideoConferencing Australia

Vivid Ideas

INTERPRETATION & EXHIBITIONS SUPPORTERS

Architecture Foundation Australia

Chinese Heritage Association of Australia

Corporate Culture (designer furniture)

Head On Photo Festival

NSW Architects Registration Board

NSW Farmers

Seidler Architectural Foundation

smow Australia

Snaploader

Stormtech

University of Newcastle

Visions of Australia

MUSEUM SUPPORTERS

Elizabeth Farm

Harris Park Community Centre

Harris Park Neighbourhood Committee

Parramatta City Council

Parramatta Heritage Partners which incorporates:

Parramatta & District Historical Society – Hambledon Cottage

Old Government House & Experiment Farm Cottage – National Trust

Lancer Barracks Museum

Whitlam Institute at the Female Orphan School

Parramatta Heritage Centre – Parramatta city council

Hyde Park Barracks Museum

The Great Irish Famine Commemoration Committee

Justice & Police Museum

NSW Police Force

Meroogal

Bundanon Trust

Museum of Sydney

AGL

Friends of First Government House

Rouse Hill House & Farm

Baulkham Hills Shire Council

Darug elders and descendants (Rouse Hill House & Farm interpretation)

Hawkesbury, Hills and Riverland Tourism – HHART

Hawkesbury Museum

Hawkesbury Shire Council

Muru Mittigar

NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service

Susannah Place Museum

Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority

Vaucluse House

Australia Council

La Perouse Aboriginal Community (Vaucluse House interpretation)

169

APPENDICES

INDEX

A

Aboriginal

employment 17

programming 16, 17

access to government information 77

access to information 76–80

acquisitions 34, 36–7, 70

admission fees 75

archaeology 30

assets 6, 51

audiences

family 18

regional 16

Audit & Risk Committee 62, 66, 73

auditors’ reports 90–1, 123–25, 143–44, 151–52, 161–62

awards 7, 17

B

Beulah 16, 35, 59

board standing committees 73

brand, Sydney Living Museums 7, 17, 26, 51

C

carbon footprint, reduction in 41

Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection 7, 9, 34, 37, 46, 51, 54, 57, 63, 70, 80

Chairman’s overview 2

City Portfolio 44, 52, 62, 63, 64, 65

collections 34, 36–7, 51, 57

acquiring new collection material 34, 70

archaeology, see archaeology

photographic 30, 57

Throsby Park 7, 38–9

Collections Valuation Committee 74

Commercial & Marketing

Advisory Committee 73

Services Group 63

commercial leasehold income 7, 40

commercial services 40, 51

committees 62

conservation projects 30–3, 58–9

consultants, payment of 84

consumer response 80

corporate

framework 5

planning 62

Creative Services

Advisory Committee 62, 73

Group 63, 65

credit card certification 80

D

digital

content 26, 51, 57, 66

delivery 80

engagement 26–7

strategy 26

Digital Information Security Annual Attestation Statement 69

disability awareness 80

donations 6, 51, 76, 80

E

Eastern Sydney Portfolio 34, 53, 63, 64, 65

education programs 10, 41, 51, 63, 64

Elizabeth Bay House 7, 20, 30, 33, 34, 40, 44, 46, 51, 53, 64

Elizabeth Farm 16, 20, 30, 31, 41, 44, 51, 54, 64

Endangered Houses Fund 16, 35, 58–9, 64, 74

see also Beulah, Exeter Farm, Glenfield, GSDA no 1 Dwelling, Lyndhurst, Nissen hut, Throsby Park

ethical standards 66

events, see public programs

Executive Director’s overview 3

Executive team 62

Exeter Farm 17, 41, 59

exhibitions 7, 16, 17, 18, 24–5, 26, 28, 40, 51, 63

expenditure 6

external activities and engagement 48–9

F

financial statements 87–167

Financial stewardship 40

first Government House 7, 28, 40, 42, 46

First Government House Place 52

food programs 16

Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of NSW 8, 31, 33, 46, 58, 63, 65, 70, 74, 76

financial statements of 122

Foundation Limited financial statements 140

fundraising 70

see also Governors’ Circle

G

Glenfield 16, 58

Government House 20, 41, 51, 68

transfer of 41, 68

Governors’ Circle 70, 76

GSDA no 1 Dwelling 58

H

Hamilton Rouse Hill Trust 34, 68, 74


Heritage & Endangered Houses Advisory Committee 74

Heritage Group 64

HHT standing committees 62, 74

Home & Architecture program 8, 9, 12, 18, 46

hospitality 20–1, 40

human resources 44–5, 64, 80–4

Hyde Park Barracks Museum 7, 11, 14, 16, 18, 20, 30, 34, 37, 41, 51, 54, 70

I

ICT management 66

income, generation of 6, 40, 51

insurance 68

Internal Audit and Risk Management Attestation 67

interpretation 17, 40, 46

Interpretation & Exhibitions team 63

170


J

Joint Consultative Committee 44, 62, 68, 74

Justice & Police Museum 20, 41, 44, 45, 51, 52, 57, 64, 68

L

land disposal 80

legal change 68

loans 34

Lyndhurst 57, 58

M

Macquarie Street Portfolio 54, 63, 64, 65

magazine, see Unlocked

maintaining our properties 30–3

media coverage 40–1

membership 7, 40, 41, 63

Meroogal 7, 8, 20, 34, 44, 51, 55, 64

Meroogal & Western Sydney Portfolio 54–5, 63, 64, 65

Meroogal Women’s Art Prize 7, 8

Mint, The 7, 14, 20, 30, 32, 34, 40, 42, 46, 51, 54, 64, 70

see also Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection

mission statement 5

Moruya Manse 59

Museum of Sydney 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 21, 26, 28, 30, 32, 40, 41, 42, 44, 46, 51, 52, 64, 70

museums 20–1, 51, 52–5

contact info 168

list of 56

see also Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection, Elizabeth Bay House, Elizabeth Farm, Hyde Park Barracks Museum, Justice & Police Museum, Meroogal, Mint, Museum of Sydney, Rose Seidler House, Rouse Hill House & Farm, Susannah Place Museum, Vaucluse House

N

NAIDOC Week 17, 41

Nissen hut 59

NSW Police Forensic Photography Archive 57

O

Operations Group 64

organisational chart 65

outreach, regional 6, 20, 21, 24

P

paid admissions 7, 20, 21, 28, 51

partnerships 7, 8, 12, 16, 18, 40, 46, 51, 63

payment performance 84

Performance Development Plan (PDP) 44

personnel policies and practices 80

policies and procedures 64, 66, 68

Privacy Management Plan 76

properties 20–1, 51, 52–5

list of 56

see also museums

public awareness 26, 40–1

public programs 20–1, 24, 41, 51, 63

R

raising awareness 40–1

records management 41, 64, 68

regional audiences 10, 16, 25, 63

risk management 64, 66–9

Rose Seidler House 12, 21, 30, 32, 44, 51, 53, 64

Rouse Hill Hamilton Collection Pty Limited 74


Rouse Hill House & Farm 7, 16, 17, 21, 30, 31, 41, 44, 51, 55, 64, 70

S

self-generated revenue 6, 40, 75

skills and training 44

social media 26–7, 63

sponsors/sponsorship 6, 51, 70, 75

staff

distribution 81–4

training 7, 44–5, 64, 66, 80

wellbeing 44–5

strategic direction 5

Susannah Place Museum 21, 30, 44, 51, 52, 64

Sydney Living Museums brand 7, 17, 26, 51

Sydney Open 7, 8, 12, 20, 24, 26, 40, 41

T

Throsby Park 7, 16, 38–9, 41, 59

TRIM, see records management

Trustees, Board of 60–2, 65, 66, 73

Tusculum 58

U

UNESCO World Heritage listing 7, 40, 51, 54, 64

Unlocked: The Sydney Living Museums Gazette 17

Unlocking Heritage program 7, 10–11, 41, 76

V

Vaucluse House 7, 9, 16, 18, 21, 30, 33, 34, 41, 46, 51, 53, 64, 70

venues 20–1, 30, 40, 51, 63

vision 5

visitation 6, 7, 8, 18, 20–1, 24, 26, 28

volunteers 8, 31, 41, 63, 64

list of 85–6

program 8, 41, 63, 64

W

website 7, 17, 26, 27, 77

Western Sydney Portfolio, see Meroogal & Western Sydney Portfolio

workforce diversity 81–4

work health and safety (WHS) 45, 66, 68

Work Health & Safety Committee 74

171

APPENDICES

CORPORATE PARTNERS

The HHT would like to thank the following sponsors for their support:

MAJOR PARTNERS

MEDIA PARTNERS

CATERING PARTNERS

SUPPORTING PARTNERS

172


Cover Elizabeth Farm. Photo © Douglas Riley

Page 4 Year 4 students from Yagoona Public School enjoying the hammocks at the Hyde Park Barracks Museum as part of the new Unlocking Heritage education subsidy program. Photo © James Horan

Page 50 Objects from the Caroline Simpson Library and Research Collection on permanent display in the Scholars’ Gallery, Caroline Simpson Library. Photo © Nicholas Watt

Page 72 At the launch of the Governors’ Circle program, the table setting included reproductions of items from the Hyde Park Barracks Museum collection. Photo © James Horan

Page 87 Visitors cracking the safe at Justice & Police Museum. Photo © James Horan

Page 122 Table decorations at the Hyde Park Barracks Museum for an HHT Foundation event. Photo © James Horan

Page 140 Vaucluse House. Photo © Katrina James

Page 150 Rouse Hill House & Farm. Photo © James Horan

Page 160 Rouse Hill House & Farm. Photo © James Horan

Page 173 Paving floor tiles and metal sign (detail), Justice & Police Museum. Photo © Haley Richardson & Stuart Miller

The Historic Houses Trust of NSW, incorporating Sydney Living Museums, cares for significant historic places, buildings, landscapes and collections. It is a statutory authority of, and principally funded by, the New South Wales Government.