- Sydney Living Museums

Transcription

ANNUAL REPORT
2014–2015
HISTORIC
HOUSES TRUST
OF NEW
SOUTH WALES
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 Chairman 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.
Mark Goggin
Executive Director
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
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
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
APPENDICES72
HHT FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
87
Contacts 168
Program supporters & partners 169
Index 170
Corporate Partners 172
1
.
ANNUAL REPORT 2014–15
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
 Michael Rose
Photo Scott Hill
$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
2
INTRODUCTION
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,
 Mark Goggin
Photo © Stuart Miller
they are set to substantially increase the accessibility of curriculumlinked 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.
Mark Goggin, Executive Director
3
OUR
ACHIEVEMENTS
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.
VISION
A future for the past
MISSION
INVOLVEMENT
ACCESS &
ENJOYMENT
CONSERVATION
& CURATORSHIP
We provide more
people and a wider
range of people access
to our properties,
collections, programs
and knowledge.
Our properties and
collections are handed
on to future generations
in good heart.
STABILITY
WELLBEING
KNOWLEDGE
The HHT becomes
a more resilient
organisation with
a secure future.
The wellbeing of
our staff improves.
We use our knowledge
and expertise, and work
with others, to change the
way people think about
heritage and the past.
A wider range of
people are involved
in understanding,
interpreting and
caring for the past.
To care for
significant historic
places, buildings,
collections and
landscapes with
integrity, and
enable people to
enjoy and learn
about them
5
.
PERFORMANCE
VISITATION
SELF-GENERATED REVENUE
July 2012 – June 2015
July 2012 – June 2015
$9.102m
$7.751m
700,667
647,051
$6.474m
2014–15
2013–14
2012–13
2014–15
2013–14
2012–13
592,518
O
utreach and travelling exhibition visitation
Property visitation
EXPENDITURE 2014–15
$26.215 million
68% Personnel services
24% Other operating costs
3% Maintenance
3%Depreciation
1%
Contract staff
1% Insurance
SELF-GENERATED REVENUE 2014–15
$7.751 million
32%Donations and sponsorships
27%Commercial services*
25%Admissions
7%Programs and exhibitions†
4% Investments
3%Retail
2% Other income
TOTAL ASSETS AS AT 30 JUNE 2015
$262.337 million
82% Land and buildings
12%
Collection assets
5%
Cash and cash equivalents
1%
Other assets
*Commercial services include venue hire, catering
and rental income from commercial leases.
†Includes public programs
such as Sydney Open, exhibitions and
travelling exhibitions.
6
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
1 INVOLVEMENT
3 CONSERVATION & CURATORSHIP
• 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 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 developed and launched Unlocking Heritage, a program
that enables primary school students from low socioeconomic 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.
• 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.
7
.
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.
 Above Sharnie Shield wearing part of her first-prize-winning artwork
Collars in the afternoon in the bedroom at Meroogal. Photo © James Horan
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.
8
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
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.
 Above ‘Kandos’ wallpaper with ‘Kandos’ lampshade in an alternative
colourway. Photo © Ella and Sofia
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.
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-inresidence 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.
9
.
UNLOCKING HERITAGE
EDUCATION SUBSIDY
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 Heritagelisted Hyde Park Barracks. Over 1700 schools across
NSW are eligible for Unlocking Heritage funding.
 B
elow
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
10
SPECIAL PROJECT
 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
11
.
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-seenbefore 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
12
SPECIAL PROJECT
C
lockwise 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
13
.
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.
14 th InternatIonal ConferenCe
DeDICateD to MUSeUM ProfeSSIonalS
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
StrateGIC PartnerS
ConferenCe PartnerS
 Clockwise from top right
Marketing material for Communicating the
Museum 2014; conference speakers and guests
around Sydney. Photos © Cedric Tourasse
14
SPECIAL PROJECT
C
lockwise from left
Conference goes outside the Museum of
Sydney and in various locations around Sydney.
Photos © Cedric Tourasse
15
.
2
CCESS AND
A
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 ninevenue 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.
 Above Visitors tour Beulah as part of the Heritage House Tours
during Heritage Week 2015. Photo Richard Taylor
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).
16
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
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
 A
bove Produce from the
Autumn Harvest market at
Rouse Hill House & Farm.
Photo © James Horan
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.
17
.
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 familyfocused 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.
T
op 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
18
SPECIAL PROJECT
C
lockwise
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
19
.
PROPERTY VISITATION
ELIZABETH
BAY HOUSE
ELIZABETH
FARM
HYDE PARK
BARRACKS
MUSEUM
JUSTICE
& POLICE
MUSEUM
MEROOGAL
THE MINT
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
–
419
1,408
2,486
136
167
–
–
–
–
–
–
1,284
371
8,511
15,982
5,797
121
493
Education visits
371
8,511
15,982
5,797
121
–
Library education visits†
–
–
–
–
–
493
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
–
–
–
–
–
–
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
6,432
20,807
116,399
25,191
1,871
31,349
Grounds||
–
–
–
–
–
18,933
Travelling exhibitions
–
–
–
–
–
–
6,432
20,807
116,399
25,191
1,871
50,282
2015 SUMMARY
General admissions*
Free admissions
Library non-school visits
†
Education
Public programs‡
§
Hospitality admissions
TOTAL ADMISSIONS
TOTAL AUDIENCE REACH
TOTAL VISITATION
PROPERTY VISITATION
OUTREACH VISITATION
TOTAL VISITATION
2015
2014
2013
2015
2014
2013
2015
2014
2013
202,382
168,959
178,774
800
1,397
1,275
203,182
170,356
180,049
50,629
51,619
49,243
1,548
1,193
2,311
52,177
52,812
51,554
28,152
19,707
10,808
63,186
22,256
61,461
91,338
41,963
72,269
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
79,873
83,086
34,424
–
–
–
79,873
83,086
34,424
–
–
–
89,473
157,176
135,437
89,473
157,176
135,437
545,660
465,029
392,034
155,007
182,022
200,484
700,667
647,051
592,518
General admissions*
Education
Public programs including
Sydney Open‡§
Additional audiences
Grounds||
*
†
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.
||
20
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
MUSEUM OF
SYDNEY
ROSE
SEIDLER
HOUSE
ROUSE HILL
HOUSE &
FARM
SUSANNAH
PLACE
MUSEUM
VAUCLUSE
HOUSE
OUTREACH
2015 TOTAL
2015 SUMMARY
General admissions*
91,501
1,804
4,674
9,143
13,365
800
203,182
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
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
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
–
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
226,968
3,936
12,278
12,540
68,956
155,007
WHERE VISITORS CAME FROM*
184,624
700,667
Education
Public programs‡
WHERE SYDNEY VISITORS CAME FROM*
47%Sydney
31%Overseas
9%Regional NSW
5%Qld
5%Vic
4% Other states‡
25%
21%
17% 15%
12%
12% Northern Sydney
Inner city
Eastern Suburbs
Western Sydney
South Sydney
Inner West
* Includes general admissions and public programs.
‡
Other states include ACT, NT, SA, Tas and WA
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
528
704
849
52,177
52,812
51,554
Adult
TOTAL
21
.
his page,
T
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
 O
pposite page
50 Martin Place
during Sydney Open
2014. Photo © Haley
Richardson
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
.
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 573
& Police Museum
14 Feb and 8 May 2015
PLAY[ground]
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
48,639
2 November 2014
Various
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
28 Jun 2014 – ongoing
Notorious Criminals: a Snapshot of Sinister Sydney
Justice & Police Museum
18 Oct 2014 – ongoing
Breakers: the Dying Art of Safebreaking
18 Oct 2014 – ongoing
Meroogal Women’s Art Prize
Meroogal
20 Sept 2014 – 26 Jan 2015
24
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
TRAVELLING EXHIBITIONS 2014–15
KEY TITLE
52 Suburbs Around the World
A Convict in the Family?
LOCATION
EXHIBITION DATES
VISITORS*
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
Western Australian Museum, Albany
3 Aug – 21 Sept 2014
4,638
Museum of the Riverina, Wagga Wagga 10 Oct 2014 – 26 Jan 2015
Iconic Australian Houses:
an Exhibition by
Karen McCartney
5,515
Newcastle Museum
9 Feb – 27 Apr 2015
Liverpool City Library
20 Jun – ongoing
Glasshouse, Port Macquarie
5 Dec 2014 – 15 Feb 2015
8,427
JamFactory, Adelaide
30 Apr – ongoing
6,890
GRAND TOTAL
30,886
286
89,473
* All visitation figures are to 30 June 2015
 Below
Iconic Australian
Houses. Photo ©
Jamie North
Armidale
•
Port Macquarie
Newcastle
Liverpool
Wagga Wagga
•
•
•
•
25
.
DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT
DIGITAL
SOCIAL MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
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.
PEOPLE WATCHING VIDEOS FOR LONGER
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.
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.
26
SPECIAL PROJECT
DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT
2014–15
TOTAL WEBSITE VISITS
2013–14
2012–13
1,178,859
929,194
786,316
2,902,017
2,385,788
1,908,427
Page views
Main website
E-commerce
132,214
172,822
173,396
Microsites/blogs*
85,888
145,604
342,789
Collections
Page views total
eNEWS SUBSCRIBERS†
174,828
283,641
314,200
3,294,947
2,987,855
2,738,812
27,000
45,203
13,202
2,318
1,610
1,062
29,425
17,101
6,931
bove, left to right
A
Sydney Open
2014 website;
the #SLMtowers
hashtag on
Instagram for the
Towers of Tomorrow
with LEGO® Bricks
exhibition.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Twitter followers
Facebook followers
Facebook impressions
‡
Instagram followers
1,861,984
–
–
2,700
960
150
71,687
37,887
19,864
153,053
47,155
3,165
VIDEOS
Video plays
Minutes watched on YouTube
* 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.
27
.
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.
op to bottom
T
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
28
SPECIAL PROJECT
 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
29
.
3
ONSERVATION
C
& 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 groundfloor 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.
30
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
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.
 Above
Soft Furnishing Group
members Henrietta
Cheshire and Dianne
Finnegan with Curator
Joanna Nicholas in the
Elizabeth Bay House
dining room. Photo
© James Horan
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.
31
.
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
 C
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
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.
32
SPECIAL PROJECT
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.
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.
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.
 C
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
33
.
CARING FOR OUR COLLECTIONS
ACQUIRING NEW COLLECTION MATERIAL
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.
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:
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, mid19th-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.
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.
34
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
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 timberframed 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
35
.
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.
36
SPECIAL PROJECT
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.
37
.
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.
Top
New lessee Tim Throsby
on the verandah of
Throsby Park. Photo
© Nicholas Watt.
 Right
Bedroom 1, set up as
a museum history
room, Throsby Park.
Photo © Douglas Riley
38
SPECIAL PROJECT
 Clockwise from top
View 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
39
.
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 Heritagelisted 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,
40
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
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.
• 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 lowvoltage, 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.
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;
 A bove
Board of Trustees Chairman, Michael Rose, speaking at the Arthur Phillip
Commemorative Reception at Government House. Photo © James Horan
• 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;
41
.
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 page
The Governors Table
Bar & Dining at the
Museum of Sydney.
Photos © Fresh
Catering.
42
SPECIAL PROJECT
This page
Bistro Mint at The Mint.
Photos © Bistro Mint
43
.
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).
44
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
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-ofhouse 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
45
.
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 ownerbuilders 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.
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.
 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
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.
46
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
.
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, ‘Usergenerated 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
48
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
 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
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 cutthrough 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)
• Megan Martin, Honorary Fellow of the
Library Council of New South Wales
• Megan Martin, board member of the
Society of Australian Genealogists
• Dr Caroline Butler-Bowdon, Judge for
NSW Premier’s History Prizes 2015
• Megan Martin, member of the UNESCO
Australian Memory of the World Committee
• Dr Caroline Butler-Bowdon, Panel
Assessor, ArtsNSW History fellowship 2015
• Joanna Nicholas, reviewer for the
Standards Committee for Museums &
Galleries of NSW
• 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)
• 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
• Dr Sophie Lieberman, board director,
Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP)
• Megan Martin, board member of the
History Council of New South Wales
49
OUR ORGANISATION
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.
51
.
OUR MUSEUMS
CITY PORTFOLIO
JUSTICE & POLICE MUSEUM
MUSEUM OF SYDNEY
SUSANNAH PLACE 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 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.
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.
 A
bove, 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
52
OUR ORGANISATION
EASTERN SYDNEY PORTFOLIO
ELIZABETH BAY HOUSE
ROSE SEIDLER HOUSE
VAUCLUSE 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.
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-20thcentury 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 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.
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.
 A
bove, left to right Elizabeth Bay House. Photo © Douglas Riley; Rose Seidler House. Photo © Nicholas Watt; Vaucluse House. Photo © Douglas Riley
53
.
OUR MUSEUMS
MACQUARIE STREET PORTFOLIO
MEROOGAL & WESTERN SYDNEY PORTFOLIO
HYDE PARK BARRACKS MUSEUM
THE MINT
ELIZABETH FARM
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.
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.
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.
 A bove left to right Hyde Park Barracks Museum; The Mint; Elizabeth Farm. Photos © Douglas Riley
54
OUR ORGANISATION
MEROOGAL
ROUSE HILL HOUSE & FARM
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.
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.
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.
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.
 A bove left to right Meroogal. Photo © Nicholas Watt; Rouse Hill House & Farm. Photo © Douglas Riley
55
.
OUR PROPERTIES
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
1999
Museum
1988
Rose Seidler House
1991
Museum
1990
1991
Museum
1990
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
1996
State 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)
2008
Nissen hut
–
2009
Moruya Presbyterian manse
(sold 2013)
2010
Throsby Park
(leased 2015)
Endangered Houses Fund project‡
2010
Beulah
–
*
Department of Premier and Cabinet
†
Leased to the Australian Institute of Architects
‡
Leased to Mr Tim Throsby
56
OUR ORGANISATION
OUR COLLECTIONS
 A
bove, 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
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 glassplate negatives created by the NSW Police Force
between 1910 and 1964. The collection is housed at
the Justice & Police Museum.
57
.
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.
LYNDHURST, DARGHAM STREET, GLEBE
GLENFIELD, CASULA, 1817
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.
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.
Lyndhurst was sold in 2005, returning to its
original use as a private residence.
TUSCULUM, ORWELL STREET, POTTS POINT
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.
WALTER BURLEY GRIFFIN ‘GSDA NO 1
DWELLING’, CASTLECRAG
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.
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.
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, 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.
 A bove, left to right Tusculum, Potts Point. Photo © Douglas Riley; Exeter Farm, Glenwood. Photo © Nicholas Watt
58
OUR ORGANISATION
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.
THROSBY PARK ESTATE, MOSS VALE
BEULAH, APPIN ROAD, GILEAD
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.
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.
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.
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.
PRESBYTERIAN MANSE, MORUYA
NISSEN HUT, BELMONT NORTH
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-19thcentury 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.
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.
 A bove, left to right Throsby Park, Moss Vale. Photo © Douglas Riley; Beulah homestead. Photo © Paolo Busato
59
.
CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
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:
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.
• at least one person who ‘has knowledge or experience
in history’; and
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.
• 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
ATTENDED
LEAVE OF
ABSENCE
ELIGIBLE
TO ATTEND
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
NAME
Michael Rose
(Chairman)
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.
60
OUR ORGANISATION
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-awardwinning 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.
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.
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.
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.
 A bove, 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
61
.
CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE
TRUSTEES continued
EXECUTIVE
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.
AS AT 30 JUNE 2015
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.
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.
62
OUR ORGANISATION
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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
 Above, left to right Trish Kernahan, Mark Goggin, Julie Turpie,
Ian Innes and Dr Caroline Butler-Bowdon. Photo © James Horan
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.
63
.
CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE
HERITAGE GROUP
MEROOGAL & WESTERN SYDNEY PORTFOLIO
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
EASTERN SYDNEY PORTFOLIO
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.
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.)
64
OUR ORGANISATION
ORGANISATIONAL
CHART
AS AT 30 JUNE 2015
FOUNDATION
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR,
HERITAGE
Heritage
EASTERN SYDNEY
PORTFOLIO
MINISTER FOR
HERITAGE
DEPARTMENT
OF PLANNING &
ENVIRONMENT
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
OFFICE OF
ENVIRONMENT
& HERITAGE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR,
CREATIVE SERVICES
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR,
COMMERCIAL &
MARKETING SERVICES
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR,
OPERATIONS
Collections
& Access
Commercial
Services
Compliance
& Knowledge
Interpretation
& Exhibitions
Development &
Fundraising
Finance
Programs
Marketing &
Communications
Human Resources
Web & Screen
Media
Audience Research
Information,
Communications
& Technology
CITY PORTFOLIO
MACQUARIE
STREET PORTFOLIO
MEROOGAL &
WESTERN SYDNEY
PORTFOLIO
65
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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.
66
OUR ORGANISATION
INTERNAL AUDIT AND
RISK MANAGEMENT
ATTESTATION
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 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 Goggin
Executive Director
9 September 2015
67
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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.
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.
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.
68
OUR ORGANISATION
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 Goggin
Executive Director
9 September 2015
69
.
FOUNDATION FOR THE
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.
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.
 Above
Guests dining in the
Silhouette Gallery
at the Hyde Park
Barracks Museum.
Photo © James
Horan
70
OUR ORGANISATION
 C
lockwise 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
71
APPENDICES
APPENDICES
APPENDICES
BOARD STANDING COMMITTEES
Staff
The Board standing committees are advisory bodies to the
HHT Board of Trustees.
Mark Goggin, Executive Director, 1/2
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.
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.
The members of this committee and their attendance at
meetings in 2014–15 were as follows:
Members
Members
Dr Jane Connors, historian, and Manager,
ABC Radio National, attended 1/2
Paddy Carney, Trustee (Chair), attended 5/5
Louise McElvogue, Trustee, 4/5
Michael Rose, HHT Chairman, 3/5
Staff
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.
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
Members
Mark Goggin, Executive Director (Chair) 2/2
Keith Cottier, Trustee (Chair), attended 2/2
Dr Caroline Butler-Bowdon,
Assistant Director, Creative Services, 2/2
Neville Allen, former Trustee, 1/2
Ken Knox, Project Director, The GPT Group, 2/2
Louise McElvogue, Trustee, 2/2
Julie Turpie, Assistant Director,
Commercial & Marketing Services, 1/2
Siobhan Toohill, Trustee, 1/2
Naseema Sparks, Trustee, 1/2
73
.
APPENDICES
HERITAGE & ENDANGERED HOUSES ADVISORY COMMITTEE
WORK HEALTH & SAFETY 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.
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.
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
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
Howard Tanner, Chair, Tanner Architects, and
Senior Consultant, Tanner Kibble Denton Architects, 3/3
Trish Kernahan, Assistant Director, Operations (management rep)
Andrew Tink, Trustee 3/3
Joshua Lodge, Policy & Compliance Officer (minutes)
Staff
Stuart Macpherson, Horticulturist, Heritage (Gardens)
Georgina Pearce, Head of Human Resources (management rep)
Ian Innes, Assistant Director, Heritage, 3/3
Neil Piper, Museum Assistant, Eastern Sydney Portfolio
Elisha Long, Head of Heritage, 1/1
HHT STANDING COMMITTEES
COLLECTIONS VALUATION COMMITTEE
Kieran Larkin, Senior 3D Designer, Interpretation & Exhibitions
ASSOCIATED GROUPS
FOUNDATION FOR THE HISTORIC HOUSES TRUST
OF NEW SOUTH WALES
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.
Company directors
Megan Martin, Head of Collections & Access (Chair)
David O’Donnell (until November 2014)
Scott Hill, Portfolio Curator, Meroogal &
Western Sydney Portfolio
Fiona Playfair (until October 2014)
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
Curtis Smith (Chair)
Alastair Baxter
Mark Goggin
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).
Fabienne Virago, Coordinator, Learning, Programs
(PSA workplace delegate)
74
APPENDICES
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
• 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
SPONSORS
• NSW Farmers: support for the exhibition Celestial City: Sydney’s
Chinese Story
Cash
• NRMA: marketing support
• 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
• 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)
• Austral Bricks: major partner of our Home &
• Sydney Harbour YHA and The Big Dig Archaeology Education Centre:
Archaeology in The Rocks annual education program at SPM
• City of Sydney: major partner of Sydney Open 2014
• smow Australia: support for the exhibition Iconic Australian Houses
• Friends of First Government House: sponsor of the Governor
Arthur Phillip memorial bust at MOS
• Snaploader: support for the exhibition Iconic Australian Houses
• Kathleen Hooke Memorial Trust: sponsor of the Governor
Arthur Phillip memorial bust at MOS
• The Governors Table Bar & Dining: catering partner for the
Governors’ Circle Dinner
• Modern House: supporting partner of our Home &
• University of Newcastle: support for the exhibition
Iconic Australian Houses
• Stormtech: support for the exhibition Iconic Australian Houses
• Momento: supporting partner of regional tours of the
photographic exhibitions 52 Suburbs Around the World and
A Convict in the Family?
75
.
APPENDICES
GRANTS
PRIVACY MANAGEMENT PLAN
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.
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.
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
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
Susannah Sweeney & John Penton
2. Public interest disclosures not covered by (1) that are
made under a statutory or other legal obligations
NIL
Simon & Natalie White
All other public interest disclosures
NIL
Michael Rose & Joanne D’Antonio
Edward & Annie Simpson
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.
76
APPENDICES
GOVERNMENT INFORMATION (PUBLIC ACCESS)
• 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
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.
• 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.
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:
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.
• H
yde 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
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)
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 Information Refuse to
Refuse to
Application
not held
already
deal with
confirm/
withdrawn
available
application deny whether
information
is held
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.
77
.
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 Information Refuse to
not held
already
deal with
available
application
Refuse to
Application
confirm/deny withdrawn
whether
information
is held
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.
78
APPENDICES
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]
79
.
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).
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.
DIGITAL DELIVERY
Future directions
The following services are available via the HHT’s
corporate website and associated sub-domains,
sydneylivingmuseums.com.au and hht.net.au
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.
• 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 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.
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.
80
APPENDICES
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
WORKFORCE DIVERSITY
• 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.
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;
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.
• 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;
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 W
ORKFORCE 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
100%
100%
100%
Response rate
Note: all calculated Workforce Diversity data in Tables 1 and 2 are based on employee status as at Census Date.
81
.
APPENDICES
3 WORKFORCE DIVERSITY ACTUAL STAFF NUMBERS (NON-CASUAL HEADCOUNT AT CENSUS DATE)
Remuneration level of
substantive position
$0 – $43,593
Total staff
(men, women
Unspecified
& unspecified) Respondents Men Women
gender
Aboriginal
& Torres
Strait
Islanders
People from
racial, ethnic,
ethnoreligious
minority
groups
2015
People
whose
language
first spoken
as a child
was not
English
People with
a disability
requiring
People
workwith a
related
disability adjustment
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
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
181
181
58
123
–
1
21
16
4
–
TOTAL
Note: Unspecified gender includes unknown, withdrawn, or indeterminate/intersex recorded values.
4 WORKFORCE DIVERSITY ACTUAL & ESTIMATED STAFF NUMBERS (NON-CASUAL HEADCOUNT AT CENSUS DATE)
ACTUAL
Remuneration
level of substantive
position
$0 – $43,593
2015
ESTIMATED
Total staff
(men, women
Unspecified
& unspecified) Respondents Men Women
gender
Aboriginal
& Torres
Strait
Islanders
People
People
from racial,
whose
ethnic,
language
ethno- first spoken
religious
as a child
minority
was not
groups
English
People with
a disability
requiring
People
workwith a
related
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
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
181
181
58
123
–
TOTAL
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.
82
APPENDICES
4A W
ORKFORCE DIVERSITY ACTUAL AND ESTIMATED STAFF NUMBERS
2015
(NON-CASUAL HEADCOUNT AT CENSUS DATE) AS PERCENTAGE
ACTUAL
Remuneration
level of substantive
position
ESTIMATED
Total staff
(men, women
& unspecified) Respondents
$0 - $43,593
2
100.0%
Aboriginal
& Torres
Unspecified
Strait
Men Women
gender Islanders
0.0% 100.0%
People
People
from racial,
whose
ethnic,
language
ethno- first spoken
religious
as a child
minority
was not
groups
English
People with
a disability
requiring
People
workwith a
related
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%
181
100.0% 32.0%
68.0%
0.0%
TOTAL
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%
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%
Women
100
90
91
92
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
100
N/A
N/A
N/A
People with a Disability Requiring Work-Related Adjustment
100
N/A
N/A
N/A
People whose First Language Spoken as a Child was not English
5b. Trends in the distribution of Workforce Diversity groups
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
6 REPRESENTATION OF WORKFORCE DIVERSITY GROUPS
WORKFORCE DIVERSITY GROUP
BENCHMARK/TARGET
2013
2014
2015
Women
50%
64.5%
66.3%
68.0%
2.6%
0.0%
0.5%
0.6%
19.0%
8.7%
9.2%
8.8%
N/A
1.6%
2.7%
2.2%
People with a Disability Requiring
Work‑Related Adjustment
1.5%
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
People whose First Language Spoken as a
Child was not English
PAYMENT PERFORMANCE
PAYMENTS
Aged analysis at the end of each quarter
Quarter
Less than 30 days 31–60 days overdue 61–90 days overdue
$’000
$’000
$’000
More than
90 days overdue
$’000
Total
$’000
September 2014
581
20
1
3
605
December 2014
490
25
1
5
521
March 2015
748
11
22
20
801
1285
7
–
4
1297
June 2015
Total accounts paid on time
Quarter
Total amount paid
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
Amount
$
Type of consultant
Service
General > $50,000
Organisational Review
62,749
Management Services
61,543
Management Services
46,115
Organisational Review
37,337
Financial Services
26,525
General < $50,000
84
APPENDICES
THANK YOU
TO OUR VOLUNTEERS
 H
HT Volunteers
Photo Alison
Waterhouse
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,
85
.
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 SteptoeSmith, 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
86
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
UNDERSTANDING
OUR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
This information is to assist readers to understand our
financial statements, which are made up of four reports
and accompanying notes:
• statement of comprehensive income
• statement of financial position
• statement of changes in equity
• statement of cash flows
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:
• Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales
• Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales Limited
• Hamilton Rouse Hill Trust
• Rouse Hill Hamilton Collection Pty Limited
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. Noncurrent 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:
• The cash flows from operating activities
summarises those cash flows that relate to the
provision of goods and services. The statement
includes cash flows from government.
• The cash flows from investing activities summarises
those activities that relate to the acquisition and
disposal of non-current assets and other productive
assets, and investments not falling under the definition
of cash, for example, the sale of plant and equipment.
A resulting net increase or decrease in cash results from
the total of the cash flows from operating and investing
activities. This is then added 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.
88
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONTENTS
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: 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: 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
Expenses excluding losses
Restricted assets
89
90
91
HISTORIC HOUSES TRUST OF NEW SOUTH WALES
STATUTORY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015
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
Caroline Butler-Bowdon
Acting Executive Director
Dated 14 September 2015
92
BEGINNING OF AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
NOTES
CONSOLIDATED ENTITY
PARENT ENTITY
Actual
Budget*
Actual
Actual
Actual
2015
2015
2014
2015
2014
$’000
$’000
$’000
$’000
$’000
EXPENSES EXCLUDING LOSSES
Operating 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
2(c)
760
772
715
760
715
26,215
26,943
26,542
26,039
26,334
Depreciation and amortisation expenses
TOTAL EXPENSES EXCLUDING LOSSES
REVENUE
Sale 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
28,979
28,418
32,772
29,137
32,562
TOTAL REVENUE
Gain/(loss) on disposal
4
(1)
–
(93)
(1)
(93)
Other gains/(losses)
5
(111)
–
(117)
(111)
(117)
2,652
1,475
6,020
2,986
6,018
14,067
–
15,861
14,067
15,825
NET RESULT
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Items that will not be reclassified
to net result
Net increase/(decrease) in property,
plant and equipment asset
revaluation surplus
Total other comprehensive income
14,067
–
15,861
14,067
15,825
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
16,719
1,475
21,881
17,053
21,843
* Refer to Note 21.
The accompanying notes form part of these financial statements.
93
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
AS AT 30 JUNE 2015
NOTES
CONSOLIDATED ENTITY
Actual
Budget
Actual
PARENT ENTITY
Actual
Actual
2015
2015
2014
2015
2014
$’000
$’000
$’000
$’000
$’000
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
14,108
11,368
12,426
11,535
9,523
214,404
204,272
201,275
214,404
201,275
584
172
578
584
578
ASSETS
Current assets
Total current assets
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
> Land and buildings
> Plant and equipment
30,687
28,537
28,502
30,687
27,557
Total property, plant and equipment
> Collection assets
12(a)
245,675
232,981
230,355
245,675
229,410
Capital 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
231,172
TOTAL ASSETS
262,337
245,695
244,543
259,764
240,695
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Payables
Provisions
15
2,554
1,744
1,699
2,540
1,686
16/17
1,884
1,437
1,629
1,879
1,626
4,438
3,181
3,328
4,419
3,312
Total current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Provisions
16/17
Total non-current liabilities
TOTAL LIABILITIES
NET ASSETS
734
806
757
734
757
734
806
757
734
757
5,172
3,987
4,085
5,153
4,069
257,165
241,708
240,458
254,611
236,626
140,134
126,067
126,067
140,134
125,798
117,031
115,641
114,391
114,477
110,828
257,165
241,708
240,458
254,611
236,626
EQUITY
Reserves
Accumulated funds
TOTAL EQUITY
94
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
CONSOLIDATED ENTITY
Accumulated
funds
BALANCE AT 1 JULY 2014
Net result for the year
Asset
revaluation
reserve
Total
$’000
$’000
$’000
114,391
126,067
240,458
2,652
–
2,652
–
14,067
14,067
–
14,067
14,067
2,652
14,067
16,719
Other comprehensive income
Net increase/(decrease) in property, plant and equipment
Total comprehensive income for the year
Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners
Increase/(decrease) in net assets from equity transfers
(12)
–
(12)
BALANCE AT 30 JUNE 2015
117,031
140,134
257,165
160,839
165,796
326,635
6,020
–
6,020
–
15,861
15,861
–
15,861
15,861
6,020
15,861
21,881
(52,468)
(55,590)
(108,058)
114,391
126,067
240,458
PARENT ENTITY
Accumulated
funds
Asset
revaluation
reserve
Total
equity
$’000
$’000
$’000
110,828
125,798
236,626
2,986
–
2,986
–
14,067
14,067
–
14,067
14,067
2,986
14,067
17,053
663
269
932
114,477
140,134
254,611
157,278
165,563
322,841
6,018
–
6,018
–
15,825
15,825
–
15,825
15,825
6,018
15,825
21,843
(52,468)
(55,590)
(108,058)
110,828
125,798
236,626
95
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
NOTES
CONSOLIDATED ENTITY
PARENT ENTITY
Actual
Budget
Actual
Actual
Actual
2015
2015
2014
2015
2014
$’000
$’000
$’000
$’000
$’000
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Payments
Personnel services
(17,537)
17,506
(16,411)
(17,453)
(16,312)
Other
(7,368)
10,320
(8,715)
(7,275)
(8,593)
(24,905)
27,826
(25,126)
(24,728)
(24,905)
5,473
5,681
4,317
5,398
4,317
Total payments
Receipts
Interest received
415
380
336
341
218
22,743
21,656
26,670
23,069
26,577
Other
787
2,333
225
786
216
29,418
30,050
31,547
29,594
31,327
4,513
2,224
6,422
4,866
6,422
–
–
1,211
–
1,211
(2,861)
(3,304)
(3,766) (2,861)
(3,766)
(12)
–
–
(12)
–
(2,873)
(3,304)
(2,555)
(2,873)
(2,555)
–
–
–
–
–
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH
1,640
(1,080)
3,867
1,993
3,868
Opening cash and cash equivalents
11,635
11,546
7,768
8,745
4,877
13,275
10,466
11,635
10,738
8,745
Total receipts
NET CASH FLOWS FROM
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
22
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from sale of land and
building, plant and equipment,
and collection assets
Purchases of land and buildings, plant
and equipment, and collection assets
Other
NET CASH FLOWS FROM
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
NET CASH FLOWS FROM
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
CLOSING CASH AND
CASH EQUIVALENTS
8
96
NOTES TO AND FORMING PART OF
1SUMMARY 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:
• A
ustralian Accounting Standards (which include Australian Accounting Interpretations);
• t he requirements of the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983 and the Public Finance and Audit Regulation 2015; and
• t he Financial Reporting Directions published in TPP 15-01: Financial Reporting Code for NSW
General Government Sector Entities, or issued by the Treasurer.
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.
97
OF NEW SOUTH WALES
E)INSURANCE
H)ASSETS
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:
• the amount of GST incurred by the Trust as a purchaser
that is not recoverable from the Australian Taxation
Office is recognised as part of the cost of acquisition of
an asset or as part of an item of expense; and
• receivables and payables are stated with the amount of
GST included.
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.
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
98
OF NEW SOUTH WALES
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.
The estimated useful lives of items under ten major
categories are:
Major category
Non-heritage buildings
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.
Estimated useful life
40–50 years
Computer equipment
and major software
4 years
Mechanical and electronic
office equipment
7 years
Electronic equipment 7 years
Radiocommunications equipment
7 years
Telephone installations
5 years
Office fittings
Miscellaneous tools and equipment
Mobile plant
Permanent displays
10 years
7 years
10 years
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.
99
OF NEW SOUTH WALES
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.
• w
here substantially all the risks and rewards have
been transferred or
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.
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.
• where the entity has not transferred substantially all the
risks and rewards, if the Trust has not retained control.
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.
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)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.
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:
x)Inventories
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.
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.
100
OF NEW SOUTH WALES
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:
• L evel 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical
assets/liabilities that the Trust can access at the
measurement date
• Level 2 – inputs other than quoted prices included within
Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly
• Level 3 – inputs that are not based on observable market
data (unobservable inputs).
The Trust recognises transfers between levels of the fair
value hierarchy at the end of the reporting period during
which the change has occurred.
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.
Refer to Notes 14 and 24(f) for further disclosures regarding fair
value measurements of financial and non-financial assets.
101
OF NEW SOUTH WALES
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:
• AASB 9, AASB 2010-7, AASB 2013-9 (Part C), AASB 2014-1 (Part E), AASB 2014-7 and AASB 2014-8
regarding financial instruments
• AASB 14 and AASB 2014-1 (Part D) regarding
regulatory deferral accounts
• AASB 2015-2 regarding amendments to AASB 101 disclosure initiatives
• AASB 2015-3 regarding materiality
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.
• AASB 15 and AASB 2014-5 regarding revenue from
contracts with customers
• AASB 2014-3 regarding accounting for acquisitions of
interests in joint operations
• AASB 2014-4 regarding acceptable methods of
depreciation and amortisation
• AASB 2014-9 regarding equity method in separate
financial statements
• AASB 2014-10 regarding sale or contribution of assets between and investor and its associate or joint venture
• AASB 2015-1 regarding annual improvements to
Australian Accounting Standards 2012–2014 cycle
102
OF NEW SOUTH WALES
NOTES
CONSOLIDATED ENTITY
PARENT ENTITY
2015
2014
2015
2014
$’000
$’000
$’000
$’000
14,387
13,647
14,313
13,562
78
83
78
83
1,292
1,225
1,286
1,217
Long service leave
831
252
831
252
Workers compensation insurance
139
185
138
184
4
5
4
5
873
843
869
837
2 EXPENSES EXCLUDING LOSSES
(a) Personnel services expenses
Salaries and wages (including annual leave)
Superannuation – defined benefit plans
Superannuation – defined contribution plans
Payroll tax on superannuation – defined benefit plan
Payroll tax and fringe benefits tax
Redundancy termination payments
188
196
188
196
17,792
16,436
17,707
16,336
518
405
514
405
(b) Other operating expenses
Advertising and publicity
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
141
122
141
122
Operating lease rental expenses
263
209
263
209
Other expenses
248
283
247
282
35
37
35
36
Motor vehicle running costs
Postage
Printing
Public programs
53
70
47
66
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
–
1,063
–
1,063
7,663
9,391
7,572
9,283
Buildings
271
320
271
320
Plant and equipment
271
258
271
258
Intangibles
218
137
218
137
760
715
760
715
Services provided free of charge
23
(c) Depreciation and amortisation expenses
103
OF NEW SOUTH WALES
NOTES
CONSOLIDATED ENTITY
PARENT ENTITY
2015
2014
2015
2014
$’000
$’000
$’000
$’000
3 REVENUE
(a) Sale of goods and services
Sale of goods
Merchandise, book and publication sales
279
461
279
461
279
461
279
461
2,169
1,452
2,169
1,452
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
Rendering of services
Admission fees
Special activities and openings
Filming and photography
33
82
33
82
5,233
3,953
5,233
3,953
5,512
4,414
5,512
4,414
43
84
40
76
292
276
207
176
50
37
44
37
385
397
291
289
Recurrent grants
17,135
17,903
17,135
17,903
Capital grants
1,904
1,000
1,904
1,000
78
83
78
83
831
252
831
252
4
5
4
5
185
196
185
196
20,137
19,439
20,137
19,439
Donations – cash
217
836
469
782
Sponsorship – cash
195
138
195
98
2,268
6,258
2,268
6,258
(b) Investment revenue
TCorp Hour-Glass investment facilities
Interest income – term deposit
Interest income – other
(c) Grants and contributions
From DPE
Personnel service benefits and liabilities
provided free of charge by the DPE
> Superannuation (defined benefit)
> Long service leave
> Payroll tax
Voluntary redundancy recoupment
From other institutions and individuals
Grants – other
Donations – in kind
Other services provided free of charge
12(a) & 23
112
3
112
3
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
OF NEW SOUTH WALES
NOTES
4
5
CONSOLIDATED ENTITY
PARENT ENTITY
2015
2014
2015
2014
$’000
$’000
$’000
$’000
GAIN/(LOSS) ON DISPOSAL
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
Non-current assets held for sale
–
(92)
–
(92)
(1)
(93)
(1)
(93)
(117)
OTHER GAINS/(LOSSES)
Inventory
Intangibles
–
(117)
–
(111)
–
(111)
–
(111)
(117)
(111)
(117)
6
CONDITIONS ON CONTRIBUTIONS
The 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 ENTITY
The 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 EQUIVALENTS
Cash at bank and on hand
Other investments – term deposits
(per Statement of Financial Position)
Closing cash and cash equivalents
(per Statement of Cash Flows)
4,648
2,430
4,111
2,132
8,627
9,205
6,627
6,613
13,275
11,635
10,738
8,745
13,275
11,635
10,738
8,745
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 – RECEIVABLES
Current
262
277
262
277
Accrued income
99
131
64
114
Prepayments
93
85
93
85
188
109
187
113
52
48
52
48
694
650
658
637
687
742
687
742
687
742
687
742
Other receivables
Biobanking funds receivable
Non-current
Biobanking funds receivable
105
OF NEW SOUTH WALES
NOTES CONSOLIDATED ENTITY
PARENT ENTITY
2015
2014
2015
2014
$’000
$’000
$’000
$’000
10 CURRENT ASSETS – INVENTORIES
Held for resale
11
139
141
139
141
139
141
139
141
11,716
7,514
9,180
4,625
Land & Building
4,623
4,039
4,623
4,039
924
639
924
639
17,263
12,192
14,727
9,303
RESTRICTED ASSETS
Collections
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 EQUIPMENT
Land and buildings
Gross carrying amount – fair value
216,799
203,680
216,799
203,680
Accumulated depreciation and impairment
(2,395)
(2,405)
(2,395)
(2,405)
214,404
201,275
214,404
201,275
2,563
2,564
2,563
2,564
Accumulated depreciation and impairment
(1,979)
(1,986)
(1,979)
(1,986)
584
578
584
578
Land and buildings at fair value
Plant and equipment
Plant and equipment at fair value
Collection assets
30,687
28,502
30,687
27,557
Collection assets at fair value
30,687
28,502
30,687
27,557
245,675
230,355
245,675
229,410
TOTAL PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT AT FAIR VALUE
Collection assets are not depreciated. Refer to Note 1H(vi).
106
OF NEW SOUTH WALES
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 Plant and Collection
buildings equipment
assets
CONSOLIDATED ENTITY
Total
$’000
$’000
$’000
$’000
201,275
578
28,502
230,355
1,356
58
51
1,465
112
Year ended 30 June 2015
Net carrying amount at start of year
Additions
Contributed assets (donations)
–
–
112
Disposals
–
(1)
(1)
(2)
Transfer of capital work in progress
–
220
–
220
(639)
–
639
–
Transfer between asset class
Depreciation expense
(271)
(271)
–
(542)
12,684
–
1,383
14,067
214,405
584
30,686
245,675
280,991
719
38,021
319,731
237
121
71
429
–
–
3
3
Disposals
–
(4)
–
(4)
(108,858)
Net revaluation increments less revaluation decrements
NET CARRYING AMOUNT AT END OF YEAR
Year ended 30 June 2014
Additions
Acquisitions/transfers through administrative restructures
(98,134)
–
(9,924)
2,971
–
–
2,971
(320)
(258)
–
(578)
PARENT ENTITY
15,530
–
331
15,860
201,275
578
28,502
230,355
Land and Plant and
buildings equipment
Collection
assets
Total
$'000
$'000
$'000
$'000
201,275
578
27,558
229,411
1,356
58
51
1,465
–
–
112
112
Disposals
–
(1)
(1)
(2)
–
–
944
944
YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2015
Additions
Transfer between asset class
–
220
–
220
(639)
–
639
–
(271)
(271)
–
(542)
12,684
–
1,383
14,067
214,405
584
30,686
245,675
280,991
719
37,113
318,823
237
121
72
430
–
–
3
3
–
(4)
–
(4)
(98,134)
–
(9,924)
(108,057)
YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2014
Additions
Disposals
2,971
–
–
2,971
(320)
(258)
–
(578)
15,530
–
294
15,823
201,275
578
27,558
229,411
107
OF NEW SOUTH WALES
LAND AND BUILDING VALUATION SCHEDULE
Property name
Property location
Date
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
Jun 2015
Fair value
Museum
LPI
7 Wentworth Mausoleum
Chapel Rd,
Vaucluse
Jun 2015
Fair value
Museum
LPI
8 Rouse Hill House & Farm
356 Annangrove Rd,
Rouse Hill
Jun 2015
Fair value
Museum
LPI
9 Rose Seidler House
71 Clissold Rd,
Wahroonga
Jun 2015
Fair value
Museum
LPI
10 Elizabeth Bay House
7 Onslow Ave,
Elizabeth Bay
Jun 2015
Fair value
Museum
LPI
11 Meroogal
35 West St,
Nowra
Jun 2015
Fair value
Museum
LPI
108
OF NEW SOUTH WALES
Property name
Property location
Date
valued
Valuation
method adopted
30 June 2015
Current use
30 June 2015
Accredited
valuer
12 The Mint building
10 Macquarie St,
Sydney
Jun 2015
Fair value
Museum
LPI
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
Jun 2015
Fair value
Museum
LPI
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
Jun 2015
Fair value
Museum
LPI
* Endangered Houses Fund (EHF)
ENDANGERED HOUSES FUND (EHF) PROPERTIES
COLLECTIONS VALUATION
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.
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.
109
OF NEW SOUTH WALES
COLLECTIONS REVALUED AT 30 JUNE 2015
Collection
Date valued
Accredited valuer
Rose Seidler House
30 Jun 2015
Andrew Shapiro
Museum of Sydney
30 Jun 2015
Adrienne Carlson
30 Jun 2015
Adrienne Carlson
Throsby Park
30 Jun 2015
Jonathan Alford
30 Jun 2015
Adrienne Carlson
These values do not differ materially from their fair values at reporting date.
COLLECTIONS TO BE REVALUED IN LATER YEARS (PAST 30 JUNE 2015)
Collection
Date valued
Accredited valuer
Vaucluse House
30 Jun 2014
Jonathan Alford
30 Jun 2014
Jonathan Alford, Andrew Simpson, Patricia Bailie
Archaeology collections
30 Jun 2014
RHAS (Rodney Hyman Asset Services)
Rouse Hill Hamilton Collection
30 Jun 2014
Jonathan Alford, Andrew Simpson
Meroogal
30 Jun 2013
Phillip Morris
Elizabeth Bay House
30 Jun 2012
Adrienne Carlson
Elizabeth Farm
30 Jun 2012
Adrienne Carlson
Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection 30 Jun 2011
Various external valuers
9 Jun 2011
Simon Storey Valuers
First Government House
9 Jun 2011
The Mint
9 Jun 2011
110
OF NEW SOUTH WALES
NOTES CONSOLIDATED ENTITY
PARENT ENTITY
2015
2014
2015
2014
$’000
$’000
$’000
$’000
Buildings
1,097
215
1,097
215
Software
8
151
8
151
12(b) CAPITAL WORKS IN PROGRESS
5
120
5
120
1,110
486
1,110
486
Cost (gross carrying amount)
1,868
1,427
1,868
1,427
Accumulated amortisation and impairment
(1,111)
(893)
(1,111)
(893)
757
534
757
534
534
396
534
396
Additions
441
275
441
275
Amortisation
(218)
(137)
(218)
(137)
757
534
757
534
Plant and equipment
13 INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Software
NET CARRYING AMOUNT
RECONCILIATION
14
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT OF NON-FINANCIAL ASSETS
(a)
Fair value hierarchy
CONSOLIDATED ENTITY
Level 1
$’000
Level 2
$’000
Level 3
$’000
Total fair value
$’000
Land
–
85,793
–
85,793
Buildings
–
–
128,611
128,611
Collection assets
–
–
30,687
30,687
–
85,793
159,298
245,091
Land
–
81,430
–
81,430
Buildings
–
–
119,845
119,845
Collection assets
–
–
28,502
28,502
–
81,430
148,347
229,777
2015
Property, plant and equipment (Note 12a)
2014
111
OF NEW SOUTH WALES
PARENT ENTITY
Level 1
$’000
Level 2
$’000
Level 3
$’000
Total fair value
$’000
Land
–
Buildings
–
85,793
–
85,793
–
128,611
Collection assets
128,611
–
–
30,687
30,687
–
85,793
159,298
245,091
Land
–
81,430
–
81,430
Buildings
–
–
119,845
119,845
Collection assets
–
–
27,557
27,557
–
81,430
147,402
228,832
2015
2014
(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.
112
(c) Reconciliation of recurring Level 3 fair value measurements
Buildings
CONSOLIDATED ENTITY
Fair value as at 1 July 2014
Additions
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’
Disposals
Depreciation
Transfers from capital work in progress
Collection
Total recurring
assets Level 3 fair value
$’000
$’000
119,845
28,502
148,347
1,356
164
1,520
–
–
–
8,320
1,383
9,703
–
(1)
(1)
(271)
–
(271)
–
–
–
Transfers between asset class
(639)
639
–
Fair value as at 30 June 2015
128,611
30,687
159,298
142,779
38,021
180,800
237
74
311
–
–
–
11,812
331
12,143
(37,634)
(9,924)
(47,558)
Depreciation
(320)
–
(320)
2,971
–
2,971
119,845
28,502
148,347
Additions
income –included in the line item ‘Net increase/(decrease) in property,
Disposals
Buildings
PARENT ENTITY
Collection
Total recurring
assets Level 3 fair value
$’000
$’000
119,845
27,558
147,403
1,356
164
1,520
–
–
–
8,320
1,383
9,703
–
(1)
(1)
(271)
–
(271)
–
944
944
Transfers between asset class
(639)
639
–
128,611
30,687
159,298
142,779
37,113
179,892
237
75
312
–
–
–
11,812
294
12,106
(37,634)
(9,924)
(47,558)
Depreciation
(320)
–
(320)
2,971
–
2,971
119,845
27,558
147,403
Additions
Disposals
Depreciation
Transfers from capital work in progress/other asset categories
Additions
Disposals
113
OF NEW SOUTH WALES
NOTES
CONSOLIDATED ENTITY
PARENT ENTITY
2015
2014
2015
2014
$’000
$’000
$’000
$’000
15 CURRENT LIABILITIES – PAYABLES
Payables
Creditors
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
1349
1,207
1,345
1,205
16 CURRENT/NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES –
PERSONNEL SERVICES PROVISIONS
Current provisions expected to be settled within 12 months
Personnel services provisions
Annual leave
Long service leave on-costs
361
277
361
277
1,710
1,484
1,706
1,482
Annual leave
72
64
71
63
19
15
19
15
91
79
90
78
1,801
1,563
1,796
1,560
Current provisions expected to be settled after 12 months
NON-CURRENT
33
15
33
15
33
15
33
15
1,801
1,563
1,796
1,560
33
15
33
15
1,834
1,578
1,829
1,575
Aggregate personnel services provisions
Provisions – current
Provisions – non-current
17 CURRENT/NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
– OTHER PROVISIONS*
Carrying amount at the beginning of the financial year
66
96
66
96
Additional provisions recognised
56
48
56
48
(39)
(78)
(39)
(78)
83
66
83
66
742
791
742
791
15
–
15
–
(56)
(49)
(56)
(49)
701
742
701
742
Amounts used
NON-CURRENT
Carrying amount at the beginning of the financial year
Additional provisions recognised
Amounts used
*The biodiversity restoration provisions are for the Beulah property and the sinking fund provision is for The Mint building.
114
18
INCREASE/DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM EQUITY TRANSFERS
On 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 ENTITY
2015
2014
$’000
$’000
Land and building
–
98,134
Collections
–
9,924
12
–
TOTAL
12(a)
NOTES
12
108,058
CONSOLIDATED ENTITY
PARENT ENTITY
2015
2014
2015
2014
$’000
$’000
$’000
$’000
19 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:
• Not later than one year (under one year)
813
163
813
163
• Later than one year but not later than five years
–
–
–
–
• Later than five years
–
–
–
–
813
163
813
163
TOTAL (INCLUDING GST)
(b) Operating lease commitments
Future non-cancellable operating lease rentals
not provided for and payable:
481
458
481
458
704
1,102
704
1,102
–
–
–
–
1,185
1,560
1,185
1,560
The operating leases are for motor vehicles, office printers and rental lease for the HHT storage facility at Pymble.
20 CONTINGENT ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
The 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
OF NEW SOUTH WALES
CONSOLIDATED ENTITY
PARENT ENTITY
2015
2014
2015
2014
$’000
$’000
$’000
$’000
4,513
6,422
4,866
6422
(112)
(1)
(112)
(1)
–
(92)
–
(92)
(760)
(715)
(760)
(715)
112
3
112
3
(1,388)
484
(1,388)
474
289
93
270
101
(2)
(174)
(2)
(174)
2,652
6,020
2,986
6,018
22 RECONCILIATION OF CASH FLOWS FROM
OPERATING ACTIVITIES TO NET RESULT
Reconciliation of the net result for the year to
net cash flows from operating activities
Net cash generated from operating activities
Net gain/(loss) on property, plant and equipment and
intangibles
Net gain/(loss) on sale of non-current assets held for sale
Depreciation
Donation of collection/previously unrecognised assets
(Increase)/decrease in trade and other payables
Increase/(decrease) in trade and other receivables
Increase/(decrease) in inventories
Net Result
23 NON-CASH FINANCING AND INVESTING ACTIVITIES
The 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 INSTRUMENTS
The 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 ENTITY
2015
2014
2015
2014
$’000
$’000
$’000
$’000
(a) Financial instrument categories
Financial assets class
8
NA
13,275
11,635
10,738
8,745
Receivables
9
Loans and receivables
(at amortised cost)
361
408
326
391
15
Financial liabilities
measured at amortised cost
965
664
962
664
Financial liabilities class
Payables
116
OF NEW SOUTH WALES
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.
Total
CONSOLIDATED ENTITY $’000
Past due but
Considered
not impaired
impaired
Total
PARENT ENTITY $’000
Past due but
Considered
not impaired
impaired
2015
< 3 months overdue
115
115
–
115
115
–
3 months – 6 months overdue
3
3
–
3
3
–
> 6 months overdue
–
–
–
–
–
–
< 3 months overdue
69
69
–
69
69
–
3 months – 6 months overdue
37
37
–
37
37
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
2014
> 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
OF NEW SOUTH WALES
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
he Trust’s exposure to interest rate risk is set out in the table below. A reasonably possible change of +/- 1% is used,
T
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
Equity
13,275
(133)
(133)
133
133
694
–
–
–
–
4,437
–
–
–
–
11,635
(116)
(116)
116
116
408
–
–
–
–
664
–
–
–
–
10,738
(107)
(107)
107
107
658
–
–
–
–
4,419
–
–
–
–
8,745
(87)
(87)
87
87
391
–
–
–
–
664
–
–
–
–
2015
Financial assets
Receivables
Payables
2014
Financial assets
Receivables
Payables
PARENT ENTITY
2015
Financial assets
Receivables
Payables
2014
Financial assets
Receivables
Payables
118
OF NEW SOUTH WALES
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
Facility
Cash facility
Investment
sectors
Cash, money
market instruments
Investment
horizon
Up to 1.5 years
2015
$’000
–
2014
$’000
1,173
PARENT ENTITY
2015
$’000
–
2014
$’000
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
Facility
Hour-Glass investment – cash facility
PARENT ENTITY
Change in unit price
2015
$’000
2014
$’000
2015
$’000
2014
$’000
+ /-1%
–
12
–
9
119
OF NEW SOUTH WALES
(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:
• 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;
• L evel 3 – derived from valuation techniques that include inputs for the assets/liabilities not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).
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 ENTITY
Level 1
Level 2
$’000
Level 3
$’000
Total
$’000
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
$’000
2015
Financial assets at fair value
TCorp Hour-Glass cash facility
2014
–
1,173
–
1,173
–
1,173
–
1,173
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
PARENT ENTITY
2015
2014
–
933
–
933
–
933
–
933
There were no transfers between Level 1 or 2 during the reporting periods.
120
OF NEW SOUTH WALES
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:
23
96
1,342
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
FOUNDATION
FOUNDATION FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
123
124
125
STATEMENT BY THE DIRECTORS OF THE
FOUNDATION FOR THE HISTORIC HOUSES
TRUST OF NEW SOUTH WALES LIMITED
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
ACTUAL
2015
2014
$
$
85,917
99,763
Operating expenses
Personnel services expenses
2(a)
Other operating expenses
2(b)
TOTAL EXPENSES EXCLUDING LOSSES
417,152
177,336
503,069
277,099
REVENUE
Investment revenue
3(a)
93,857
109,748
3(b)
74,323
161,378
Other revenue
3(c)
–
8,000
168,180
279,126
(334,889)
2,027
Net increase/(decrease) in property, plant and equipment asset revaluation surplus
–
–
–
–
(334,889)
2,027
ACTUAL
2015
ACTUAL
2014
$
$
2,536,363
2,890,416
TOTAL REVENUE
NET RESULT
Items that will not be reclassified to net results
AS AT 30 JUNE 2015
NOTES
ASSETS
Current assets
6
Receivables
7
35,464
16,513
2,571,827
2,906,929
TOTAL ASSETS
2,571,827
2,906,929
9
14,614
16,154
10
4,102
2,775
18,716
18,929
TOTAL LIABILITIES
18,716
18,929
2,553,111
2,888,000
2,553,111
2,888,000
2,553,111
2,888,000
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Payables
Personnel provisions
NET ASSETS
EQUITY
Accumulated funds
TOTAL EQUITY
127
NOTES
Net result
Net result
ACTUAL
ACTUAL
Accumulated
funds
Total
equity
$
$
2,888,000
2,888,000
(334,889)
(334,889)
–
–
(334,889)
(334,889)
2,553,111
2,553,111
2,885,973
2,885,973
2,027
2,027
–
–
2,027
2,027
2,888,000
2,888,000
NOTES
ACTUAL
2015
ACTUAL
2014
$
$
Payments
Personnel services
Grants and subsidies
Other
Total payments
(84,590)
(99,249)
(326,000)
(68,000)
(92,692)
(121,259)
(503,282)
(288,508)
Receipts
Interest received
74,906
117,886
74,323
161,378
Other
Total receipts
NET CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
11
–
8,000
149,229
287,264
(354,053)
(1,244)
–
–
–
–
NET CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
NET CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
CLOSING CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
6
(354,053)
(1,244)
2,890,416
2,891,660
2,536,363
2,890,416
128
NOTES TO AND FORMING PART
OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
A)REPORTING ENTITY
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:
• t he amount of GST incurred by the Foundation
as a purchaser that is not recoverable from the
Australian Taxation Office is recognised as part of
the cost of acquisition of an asset or as part of an
item of expense; and
• r eceivables and payables are stated with the
amount of GST included.
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)
129
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.
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.
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.
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:
• Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for
identical assets/liabilities that the Trust can access
at the measurement date
• Level 2 – inputs other than quoted prices included
within Level 1 that are observable, either directly
or indirectly
• Level 3 – inputs that are not based on observable
market data (unobservable inputs).
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.
130
M)CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICY, INCLUDING NEW
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.
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.
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:
• AASB 9, AASB 2010-7, AASB 2013-9 (Part C), AASB 2014-1 (Part E), AASB 2014-7 and AASB
2014-8 regarding financial instruments
• AASB 15 and AASB 2014-5 regarding revenue
from contracts with customers
• AASB 2014-3 regarding accounting for
acquisitions of interests in joint operations
• AASB 2014-4 regarding acceptable methods
of depreciation and amortisation
• AASB 2014-9 regarding equity method in
separate financial statements
• AASB 2014-10 regarding sale or contribution of
assets between and investor and its associate
or joint venture
• AASB 2015-1 regarding annual improvements
to Australian Accounting Standards 2012–2014 cycle
There are no significant impacts of these
standards in the period of initial application.
131
NOTES
2
2015
2014
$
$
74,524
85,862
6,550
7,167
(a) Personnel services expenses
Salaries and wages (including recreation leave)
Superannuation – defined contribution plans
Long service leave
Workers’ compensation insurance
Payroll tax and fringe benefits tax
88
–
578
1,050
4,177
5,684
85,917
99,763
11,300
11,000
(b) Other operating expenses
Auditors’ remuneration
Books, publications and subscriptions
Donations to the HHT
99
326,000
68,000
Entertainment and catering expenses
3,683
1,324
Fees for services rendered
9,253
40,735
Function expense
27,094
44,591
Marketing and promotion
30,190
5,494
1,295
983
Other expenses
Postage
181
343
Printing
5,906
3,509
487
226
Stores and IT maintenance
Travel and accommodation
3
110
1,653
1,032
417,152
177,336
REVENUE
(a) Investment revenue
TCorp Hour-Glass investment facilities
Interest income
Interest income – other
3,221
8,357
84,408
100,552
6,228
839
93,857
109,748
(b) Grants and contributions
From DPE
Personnel service benefits and liabilities provided free of charge by DPE
Long service leave
88
–
88
–
From other institutions and individuals
Donations – cash
Sponsorship – cash
74,235
121,378
–
40,000
74,235
161,378
74,323
161,378
–
8,000
–
8,000
(c) Other revenue
Other revenue
132
FOUNDATION FOR THE HISTORIC HOUSES TRUST OF NEW SOUTH WALES
NOTES
4
2015
2014
$
$
CONDITIONS ON CONTRIBUTIONS
Details of restrictions
Allocated funds*
Minimum contingency fund
50,000
50,000
Museum of Sydney
395,741
395,741
Endangered Houses Fund and other projects (donations)
1,845,906
2,178,692
RHHF 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
–
–
75,000
Grow your Garden project
Creditor payments – HHT
TOTAL ALLOCATED FUNDS
Unallocated funds†
TOTAL RESTRICTED FUNDS
18,716
18,929
2,536,363
2,718,362
–
172,053
2,536,363
2,890,415
* T
hese funds have been specifically restricted in accordance with Board resolutions and, where applicable, donor requirements, to be used
on the projects identified. This allocation is made after a thorough evaluation of available projects put forward by the HHT. The balance
also includes a contingency fund of $50,000.
† T
hese funds have not at the current date been allocated to a specific project. The number and value of projects under consideration is in
excess of the current balance of cash and investments.
5
unding for such projects will rely upon use of the unrestricted cash and interest earned on cash and cash equivalents, future bequests
F
and donations.
SERVICE GROUPS OF ENTITY
The 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 EQUIVALENTS
Cash at bank and on hand
536,363
57,971
–
240,509
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
Other investments – term deposits
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 – RECEIVABLES
Accrued income
Other receivables
34,939
16,448
525
65
35,464
16,513
8
RESTRICTED ASSETS
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.
133
NOTES
9
2015
2014
$
$
Creditors
3,285
111
Accrued expenses
11,160
13,280
169
2,763
14,614
16,154
CURRENT LIABILITIES – PAYABLES
Payables
Payable to the HHT
10 CURRENT – PERSONNEL PROVISIONS
Annual leave
3,897
2,636
3,897
2,636
205
139
Current provisions expected to be settled after 12 months
Annual leave
TOTAL PROVISIONS
11
205
139
4,102
2,775
(354,053)
(1,244)
213
11,409
18,951
(8,138)
(334,889)
2,027
RECONCILIATION OF CASH FLOWS FROM
OPERATING ACTIVITIES TO NET RESULT
Reconciliation of the net result for the year to net cash
flows from operating activities
Net cash inflows from operating activities
(Increase)/decrease in trade and other payables
(Increase)/decrease in provisions
NET RESULT
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
CATEGORIES
2015
2014
$
$
a) Financial instrument categories
Financial assets class
6
N/A
2,536,363
2,890,416
Receivables
7
Loans and receivables
(at amortised cost)
35,464
16,513
Financial liabilities measured
at amortised cost
14,614
16,154
Financial liabilities class
Payables
9
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
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
2,536,363
(25,364)
(25,364)
25,364
25,364
35,464
–
–
–
–
14,614
–
–
–
–
2,890,415
(28,904)
(28,904)
28,904
28,904
16,513
–
–
–
–
16,154
–
–
–
–
2015
Financial assets
Receivables
Payables
2014
Financial assets
Receivables
Payables
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.
Investment
sectors
Investment
horizon
2015
$
2014
$
Cash, money market instruments
Up to 1.5 years
–
240,509
Facility
Cash facility
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.
Facility
Hour-Glass investment – cash facility
Change in
unit price
+ /-1%
2015
$
–
2014
$
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
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;
> L evel 3 – derived from valuation techniques that include inputs for the asset/liability not based on observable
2015
Level 1
$
Level 2
$
Level 3
$
Total
$
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
2014
–
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
a) Transactions with related entities
Contributions to the HHT
Current payables – controlling entity
2014
$
$
326,000
68,000
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
Donations
Sponsorship
2015
2014
$
$
74,235
121,378
–
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
–
–
(5,496)
104,514
326,000
68,000
Transferred to/(from) accumulated funds
List of all forms of appeals – events and appeals
How appeal moneys are applied
Distributions to the HHT
Comparative figures and ratios
Cost 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%
D/(B+D)
0%
0%
D/A
0%
0%
Cost of services provided to total expenditure
Cost of services provided to gross income from fundraising
* The cost of fundraising services is zero, as administrative and financial services have been provided by the HHT free of charge.
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
FOUNDATION LIMITED
FOUNDATION LIMITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
REPORT BY THE DIRECTORS
OF THE FOUNDATION FOR THE
HISTORIC HOUSES TRUST OF NEW SOUTH WALES LIMITED
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
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 GogginExecutive Director, Historic Houses
Trust of New South Wales
David O’DonnellConsultant, Addisons Lawyers
Fiona Playfair
Company Director
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
Michael ReidDirector, Michael Reid Gallery
(until February 2014)
The net deficit of the Foundation for the financial year
ended 30 June 2015 was $334,889.
Michael RoseChief Executive Partner, Allens
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.
Edward Simpson
Company Director
Curtis Smith Partner, KPMG
Judith WhelanNews 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.
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.
141
REPORT BY THE DIRECTORS
INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS
DIRECTORS’ MEETINGS
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.
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
FINANCE AND LEGAL COMMITTEE
DIRECTORS
HELD
ATTENDED
Curtis Smith (Chair)
6
4
Alastair Baxter
6
David O'Donnell
DIRECTORS
HELD
ATTENDED
Curtis Smith (Chair from Apr 2013)
5
1
5
David O’Donnell
5
2
6
6
Simon White
5
5
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
142
143
144
STATEMENT BY THE DIRECTORS
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
STATEMENT OF
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
NOTES
ACTUAL
ACTUAL
2015
2014
$
$
EXPENSES
–
–
TOTAL EXPENSES
–
–
REVENUE
–
–
TOTAL REVENUE
–
–
NET RESULT
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
ACTUAL
ACTUAL
2015
2014
$
$
Current assets
–
–
–
–
Non-current assets
–
–
–
–
TOTAL ASSETS
–
–
AS AT 30 JUNE 2015
NOTES
ASSETS
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
–
–
–
–
Non-current liabilities
–
–
Total non-current liabilities
–
–
TOTAL LIABILITIES
–
–
NET ASSETS
–
–
EQUITY
Accumulated funds
TOTAL EQUITY
6
–
–
–
–
146
NOTES
ACTUAL
ACTUAL
Accumulated
funds
Total
$
$
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
ACTUAL
ACTUAL
2015
2014
$
$
6
NOTES
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
147
1 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
A) REPORTING ENTITY
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:
• the Corporations Act 2001;
• applicable Australian Accounting Standards (which
include Australian Accounting Interpretations);
• the requirements of the Public Finance and
Audit Act 1983 and Regulation 2015; and
• Treasurer’s Directions.
The financial statements are for the Foundation for
the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales Limited
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 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.
or joint venture
The financial statements and notes comply with
Australian Accounting Standards, which include
Australian Accounting Interpretations.
All amounts are rounded to the nearest dollar and
are expressed in Australian currency.
C)CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICY, INCLUDING NEW
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
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
ACTUAL
2015
2014
$
$
2,536,363
2,890,416
35,464
16,513
2,571,827
2,906,929
16,154
Current assets
Cash
Receivables
TOTAL ASSETS
Current liabilities
Operating costs of the company have been met by the
Foundation. All expenses incurred by the company were
in its capacity as Trustee.
Payables
14,614
Provisions
4,102
2,775
18,716
18,929
4 RIGHT OF INDEMNITY OUT OF TRUST ASSETS
NET ASSETS
2,553,111
2,888,000
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
TOTAL LIABILITIES
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.
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:
• office accommodation facilities
• accounting and administrative services
• electricity and other utility services
• human resources.
149
HAMILTON
ROUSE HILL TRUST
HAMILTON ROUSE HILL TRUST FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
151
152
OF THE ROUSE HILL HAMILTON
COLLECTION PTY LIMITED
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
Dated 6 August 2015
153
NOTES
ACTUAL
ACTUAL
2015
2014
$
$
EXPENSES
–
–
TOTAL EXPENSES
–
–
REVENUE
–
–
TOTAL REVENUE
–
–
NET RESULT
–
–
Items that will not be reclassified to net result
Net increase in property, plant and equipment
asset revaluation surplus
–
36,242
3
–
36,242
–
36,242
ACTUAL
ACTUAL
2015
2014
$
$
AS AT 30 JUNE 2015
NOTES
ASSETS
Current assets
–
10
–
10
Non-current assets
–
–
Cash receivable
Collection assets
2
–
944,230
3
–
944,230
TOTAL ASSETS
–
944,240
TOTAL LIABILITIES
–
–
NET ASSETS
–
944,240
LIABILITIES
EQUITY
Other reserve (Trust settlement)
–
10
Accumulated funds
–
675,000
Asset revaluation surplus
TOTAL EQUITY
3
–
269,230
–
944,240
154
NOTES
Asset
Accumulated revaluation
funds
surplus
Other reserve –
Trust settlement
Total
$
$
$
$
675,000
269,230
10
944,240
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(675,000)
(269,230)
(10)
(944,240)
–
–
–
–
675,000
232,988
10
907,998
–
–
–
–
–
36,242
–
36,242
–
36,242
–
36,242
675,000
269,230
10
944,240
3
3
NOTES
ACTUAL
ACTUAL
2015
2014
$
$
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
10
–
10
155
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
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
he financial statements are general-purpose
T
accordance with:
• t he requirements of the Public Finance and Audit
Act 1983 and Regulation 2010; and
• NSW Treasurer’s Directions.
The financial statements are for the Hamilton Rouse
Hill Trust as an individual entity.
B)CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICY, INCLUDING NEW
or joint venture
c) Statement of compliance
156
D)COLLECTIONS
2 CASH RECEIVABLES
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 Hamilton Rouse Hill Trust does not have a separate
bank account.
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.
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
Net revaluation increments
less revaluation decrements
Transfers upon wind up
NET CARRYING AMOUNT
AT END OF YEAR
ACTUAL
ACTUAL
2015
2014
$
$
944,230
907,988
–
36,242
(944,230)
–
–
944,230
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:
• L evel 1 – quoted prices in active markets for
identical assets/liabilities that the Trust can access
at the measurement date
• Level 2 – inputs other than quoted prices included
within Level 1 that are observable, either directly
or indirectly
• Level 3 – inputs that are not based on observable
The Trust recognises transfers between levels of the
fair value hierarchy at the end of the reporting period
during which the change has occurred.
157
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
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
2015
Collection assets
2014
Collection 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
Total Recurring
Collection assets Level 3 Fair value
Additions
Disposals/transfers
Additions
Disposals/transfers
$’000
$’000
944,230
944,230
–
–
–
–
–
–
(944,230)
(944,230)
–
–
907,988
907,988
–
–
–
–
36,242
36,242
–
–
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
ROUSE HILL HAMILTON
ROUSE HILL HAMILTON COLLECTION PTY LIMITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
161
162
OF THE ROUSE HILL HAMILTON
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
Dated 6 August 2015
163
NOTES
ACTUAL
ACTUAL
2015
2014
$
$
EXPENSES
–
–
TOTAL EXPENSES
–
–
REVENUE
–
–
TOTAL REVENUE
–
–
NET RESULT
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
ACTUAL
ACTUAL
2015
2014
$
$
AS AT 30 JUNE 2015
NOTES
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash
2
2
2
2
Non-current assets
–
–
–
–
TOTAL ASSETS
2
2
TOTAL LIABILITIES
–
–
NET ASSETS
2
2
LIABILITIES
EQUITY
Accumulated funds
TOTAL EQUITY
6
2
2
2
2
164
NOTES
6
ACTUAL
ACTUAL
Accumulated
funds
Total
$
$
2
2
–
–
2
2
2
2
–
–
2
2
ACTUAL
ACTUAL
2015
2014
$
$
NOTES
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
2
2
2
2
165
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
C)CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICY, INCLUDING NEW
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.
The financial statements are general-purpose
accordance with:
• the requirements of the Public Finance and Audit
Act 1983 and Regulation 2010; and
or joint venture
• NSW Treasurer’s Directions.
The financial statements are for the Rouse Hill
Hamilton Collection Pty Limited as an individual entity.
he financial statements have been prepared on
T
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.
• AASB 2015-3 regarding materiality There are no significant impacts of these
166
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.
2 TRUSTEE
The company acts as Trustee of the Hamilton Rouse
Hill Trust.
B) CONTROLLING ENTITY
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.
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:
• office accommodation facilities
• accounting and administrative services.
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.
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.
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.
9 CONTINGENT ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
6 ACCUMULATED FUNDS
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.
ACTUAL
ACTUAL
2015
2014
$
$
2
2
There are no contingent assets or liabilities.
10 SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Issued capital
2 shares of $1 fully paid
167
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.
OF NEW SOUTH WALES
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
HYDE PARK BARRACKS MUSEUM
ROSE SEIDLER HOUSE
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
71 Clissold Road
Wahroonga NSW 2076
T 02 9989 8020
F 02 9487 2761
Open Sun, 11am–4pm
Schools and booked groups by
arrangement
Hyde Park Barracks Cafe
Open daily
T 02 9222 1815
ROUSE HILL HOUSE & FARM
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
arrangement
MEROOGAL
The Mint
10 Macquarie Street
Sydney NSW 2000
T 02 8239 2233
F 02 8239 2433
E [email protected]
Open Tues–Fri, 10am–4pm
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
by arrangement
ELIZABETH BAY HOUSE
MUSEUM OF SYDNEY
7 Onslow Avenue
Elizabeth Bay NSW 2011
T 02 9356 3022
F 02 9357 7176
Open Fri–Sun, 11am–4pm
by arrangement
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
by arrangement
ELIZABETH FARM
The Governors Table Bar & Dining
Open daily
T 02 9241 1788
70 Alice Street
Rosehill NSW 2142
T 02 9635 9488
F 02 9891 3740
Open Sat & Sun, 10.30am–3.30pm
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)
by arrangement
SUSANNAH PLACE MUSEUM
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
by arrangement
VAUCLUSE HOUSE
Wentworth Road
Vaucluse NSW 2030
T 02 9388 7922
F 02 9337 4963
Open Fri–Sun, 11am–4pm
by arrangement
Vaucluse House Tearooms
Open Wed–Sun
T 02 9388 8188
Elizabeth Farm Tearooms
Open Sat & Sun, 10.30am–3pm
T 02 9635 9488
168
APPENDICES
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:
• HHT Volunteers
• HHT Foundation Board, Governors and Supporters
EDUCATION & PUBLIC PROGRAM SUPPORTERS
Agenda
Angove Family Winemakers
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
Archikidz!
Old Government House & Experiment
Farm Cottage – National Trust
The Big Dig & Youth Hostels Australia
Lancer Barracks Museum
Chinese Heritage Association of Australia
Whitlam Institute at the Female
Orphan School
Expanded Architecture
Food and Words
History Council of NSW
Parramatta Heritage Centre –
Parramatta city council
Museums and Galleries of NSW
Museum of Applied Arts and Science
New South Wales Bar Association
The Great Irish Famine
Commemoration Committee
NSW Board of Studies
NSW Farmers’ Association
NSW Police Force
NSW Department of Education & Communities
Meroogal
Opera Australia
Bundanon Trust
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
Museum of Sydney
AGL
Friends of First Government House
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
Chinese Heritage Association of Australia
Corporate Culture (designer furniture)
Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority
Head On Photo Festival
Vaucluse House
NSW Architects Registration Board
Australia Council
NSW Farmers
La Perouse Aboriginal Community
(Vaucluse House interpretation)
Seidler Architectural Foundation
smow Australia
Snaploader
Stormtech
University of Newcastle
Visions of Australia
169
INDEX
A
consultants, payment of 84
F
Aboriginal
consumer response 80
financial statements 87–167
employment 17
corporate
Financial stewardship 40
programming 16, 17
framework 5
first Government House 7, 28, 40, 42, 46
access to government information 77
planning 62
First Government House Place 52
access to information 76–80
Creative Services
food programs 16
acquisitions 34, 36–7, 70
Advisory Committee 62, 73
admission fees 75
Group 63, 65
Foundation for the Historic Houses Trust
of NSW 8, 31, 33, 46, 58, 63, 65, 70, 74, 76
archaeology 30
credit card certification 80
financial statements of 122
Foundation Limited financial statements 140
assets 6, 51
fundraising 70
audiences
D
family 18
digital
regional 16
see also Governors’ Circle
content 26, 51, 57, 66
Audit & Risk Committee 62, 66, 73
delivery 80
G
auditors’ reports 90–1, 123–25,
143–44, 151–52, 161–62
engagement 26–7
Glenfield 16, 58
strategy 26
Government House 20, 41, 51, 68
awards 7, 17
Digital Information Security Annual
Attestation Statement 69
B
disability awareness 80
GSDA no 1 Dwelling 58
Beulah 16, 35, 59
donations 6, 51, 76, 80
board standing committees 73
brand, Sydney Living Museums 7, 17, 26, 51
transfer of 41, 68
Governors’ Circle 70, 76
H
E
Hamilton Rouse Hill Trust 34, 68, 74
Eastern Sydney Portfolio 34, 53, 63, 64, 65
C
education programs 10, 41, 51, 63, 64
carbon footprint, reduction in 41
Elizabeth Bay House 7, 20, 30, 33,
34, 40, 44, 46, 51, 53, 64
Heritage & Endangered Houses
Advisory Committee 74
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
Heritage Group 64
Elizabeth Farm 16, 20, 30, 31, 41, 44, 51, 54, 64
HHT standing committees 62, 74
Endangered Houses Fund 16, 35, 58–9, 64, 74
Home & Architecture program 8, 9, 12, 18, 46
hospitality 20–1, 40
see also Beulah, Exeter Farm,
Glenfield, GSDA no 1 Dwelling,
Lyndhurst, Nissen hut, Throsby Park
ethical standards 66
archaeology, see archaeology
events, see public programs
photographic 30, 57
Executive Director’s overview 3
Throsby Park 7, 38–9
Executive team 62
Collections Valuation Committee 74
Exeter Farm 17, 41, 59
Commercial & Marketing
exhibitions 7, 16, 17, 18, 24–5, 26, 28, 40, 51, 63
Advisory Committee 73
expenditure 6
Services Group 63
external activities and engagement 48–9
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
commercial leasehold income 7, 40
interpretation 17, 40, 46
commercial services 40, 51
Interpretation & Exhibitions team 63
committees 62
conservation projects 30–3, 58–9
170
APPENDICES
J
O
T
Joint Consultative Committee 44, 62, 68, 74
Operations Group 64
Throsby Park 7, 16, 38–9, 41, 59
Justice & Police Museum 20, 41,
44, 45, 51, 52, 57, 64, 68
organisational chart 65
TRIM, see records management
outreach, regional 6, 20, 21, 24
Trustees, Board of 60–2, 65, 66, 73
Tusculum 58
L
P
land disposal 80
paid admissions 7, 20, 21, 28, 51
legal change 68
U
partnerships 7, 8, 12, 16, 18, 40, 46, 51, 63
loans 34
UNESCO World Heritage listing 7, 40, 51, 54, 64
payment performance 84
Lyndhurst 57, 58
Performance Development Plan (PDP) 44
Unlocked: The Sydney Living
Museums Gazette 17
personnel policies and practices 80
Unlocking Heritage program 7, 10–11, 41, 76
M
policies and procedures 64, 66, 68
Macquarie Street Portfolio 54, 63, 64, 65
Privacy Management Plan 76
magazine, see Unlocked
properties 20–1, 51, 52–5
maintaining our properties 30–3
list of 56
Vaucluse House 7, 9, 16, 18, 21, 30,
33, 34, 41, 46, 51, 53, 64, 70
media coverage 40–1
see also museums
venues 20–1, 30, 40, 51, 63
membership 7, 40, 41, 63
public awareness 26, 40–1
vision 5
Meroogal 7, 8, 20, 34, 44, 51, 55, 64
public programs 20–1, 24, 41, 51, 63
visitation 6, 7, 8, 18, 20–1, 24, 26, 28
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
V
volunteers 8, 31, 41, 63, 64
R
list of 85–6
raising awareness 40–1
program 8, 41, 63, 64
records management 41, 64, 68
regional audiences 10, 16, 25, 63
W
risk management 64, 66–9
website 7, 17, 26, 27, 77
mission statement 5
Rose Seidler House 12, 21, 30, 32, 44, 51, 53, 64
Moruya Manse 59
Rouse Hill Hamilton Collection Pty Limited 74
Western Sydney Portfolio, see Meroogal
& Western Sydney Portfolio
Museum of Sydney 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 21, 26, 28,
30, 32, 40, 41, 42, 44, 46, 51, 52, 64, 70
workforce diversity 81–4
see also Caroline Simpson
Library & Research Collection
museums 20–1, 51, 52–5
Rouse Hill House & Farm 7, 16, 17, 21,
30, 31, 41, 44, 51, 55, 64, 70
contact info 168
list of 56
S
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
self-generated revenue 6, 40, 75
work health and safety (WHS) 45, 66, 68
Work Health & Safety Committee 74
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
N
wellbeing 44–5
NAIDOC Week 17, 41
strategic direction 5
Nissen hut 59
Susannah Place Museum 21, 30, 44, 51, 52, 64
NSW Police Forensic Photography Archive 57
Sydney Living Museums brand 7, 17, 26, 51
Sydney Open 7, 8, 12, 20, 24, 26, 40, 41
171
CORPORATE
PARTNERS
The HHT would like to thank the following sponsors for their support:
MAJOR PARTNERS
SUPPORTING PARTNERS
MEDIA PARTNERS
CATERING 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.
Page 160 Rouse Hill House & Farm.
Page 173 Paving floor tiles and metal
sign (detail), Justice & Police Museum.
Photo © Haley Richardson & Stuart Miller
Gates at Hyde Park Barracks Museum. Photo © Douglas Riley
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.

- Sydney Living Museums

Transcription

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