Friends of National Trust Newcastle/Hunter Valley

13/10/2026

🏛️ 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞’𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲, 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐡
📍 7 Robert Street, Morpeth

Known as J.G White’s Furniture Factory, and later the Morpeth Trading Post, this historic building is an important part of Morpeth’s heritage.

The site is currently locally heritage-listed, but the community is calling for stronger protection and is petitioning Maitland Council to seek State Heritage-level protection.

Today, the building is privately owned and in poor condition, making its future a matter of real concern.

The building has a remarkable history of a family business operated for 120+ years. Museums & Galleries NSW historian notes that Joseph George White’s cabinetry business, continued by his sons until 1968, was “the longest running family business in Australia.”

The building also contains a historic well believed to date back to early to mid 1800s.

The National Trust Newcastle/Hunter Valley Branch supports the community’s efforts to ensure this important building is protected and cared for into the future.

📣 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩
Sign the petition asking Maitland Council to pursue stronger heritage protection.
👉 Petition https://c.org/hp5vJTghp5

Keep up to date with the building at Morpeth Trading Post NSW Australia

📸 Rediscovered Newcastle P.Deane, Cr Ben Whiting, Morpeth Museum

11/10/2026

History Illuminated is coming up in Lake Macquarie ✨ Check out the events on offer. https://library.lakemac.com.au/Whats-On/Festivals-Exhibitions/History-Illuminated

07/10/2026

Step into a magical evening at Grossmann & Brough Houses — two beautiful heritage houses in the heart of Maitland.

This October, explore the houses after dark, see the gardens transformed by stunning projections, and enjoy spring drinks and canapés among the roses. 🌹

📅 Saturday, 17 October 2026
🎟️ Every ticket helps the National Trust care for these special heritage places.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/event/twilight-delights-at-grossmann-brough-houses-2/

Grossmann & Brough House - National Trust of Australia NSW

📸 Grossman & Brough House National Trust NSW

19/09/2026

Newcastle Ocean Baths Stage 2 — amended DA is open for public comment, until 24 September.
👇
The original proposal attracted significant community concern and has since been amended. Some changes are welcome — including improvements to the change room layout and removal of the visually dominant wave-form roof.

However, the Newcastle/Hunter Valley National Trust Branch objects to the amended DA, because significant concerns remain about the proposed changes to heritage, character and use as a public space.

Among the key concerns are:
𝐀 𝐦𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐮𝐬𝐞:
A licensed restaurant, bookable community space and outdoor dining area could occupy up to 33% of the Ocean Baths’ built footprint. The Baths are Crown Land reserved for public bathing and recreation, a modest cafe/kiosk would meet the needs without the commercial space taking up so much public space.

𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞:
Restaurant patrons would get exclusive use of a large shaded area, while shaded family picnic tables drop from 8 to zero. (4 family picnic tables without shade will be relocated). Overall, usable and accessible public space would be reduced by more than 20%.

𝟏𝟎𝟒 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧-𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐮𝐬𝐞:
The revised design still does not retain unroofed areas over the men’s and women’s locker rooms — changing an important heritage part of how the Baths have been used.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧, including a glass roof, is complex with practical challenges. This complex arrangement may face several challenges including stormwater drainage and rain ingress, salt-laden air, strong winds and maintenance burden. Moisture, mould, heat build-up and salt haze may become issues with the glass roof.

📅 Community feedback closes 24 September.
🏊 If you care about the future of Newcastle Ocean Baths — its heritage, character and continued use as a public place — please make a submission.

📄 Submission form (Select “lodge submission”)
https://cn.t1cloud.com/apps/Applications/Details/MyServices/Application_Details/1626086

If you need guidance with a submission, Friends of Newcastle Ocean Baths Incorporated has compiled the documents: www.savenewcastlebaths.com/revised-da

www.savenewcastlebaths.com/revised-da

17/09/2026

A little piece of the Lambton Mechanics Institute’s history has returned.

Following the 1989 earthquake, one of the building’s ornamental finials came down. 37 years later, thanks to a restoration project it has been recreated and returned to the roof.

The restoration, completed last month, also saw the second finial replaced due to deterioration. This finial has been retained and is now in storage, with plans for it to go on display in the future.

With a 3D model of the original, Melgrand recreated the new finials out of Glass Reinforced Concrete, and High Works Services installed them.

👏 Well done to everyone involved in bringing these beautiful details back to the Lambton skyline and helping preserve our local heritage.

🏛️ Built 1894. Architect: Peter Bennett
📍Elder Street, Lambton
📄 Heritage status: Locally heritage-listed under the LEP (Local Environmental Plan).

📸 1: Melgrand. 2/3/4: Robert Watson. 5: Ralph Snowball, Newcastle Libraries, 1894.

04/08/2026

New exhibit starting this weekend. 🖼️

Discover the inspiring NSW Schools Reconciliation Challenge exhibition, featuring artworks and writing by students exploring this year's theme, "Feeding Connection – Learning from Country."

Come and experience these powerful works celebrating Country, culture, and reconciliation.

📍Brough House 73 Church Street Maitland
🎟️ Entry via gold coin donation.
Exhibit runs 8- 30 August 2026. Open Saturday, Sunday 10:30AM – 3PM.
More information: https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/event/nsw-schools-reconciliation-challenge-exhibition-2026/

& Brough House - National Trust of Australia NSW

📸 Left: Welcome to our Dinner Table by Plunkett Street Public School.
Top Right: Fixing Broken Generations by Minmi Public School
Lower Right: Panania – ‘sun rising in the east and shining on the hills’ by East Hills Girls Technology High School.

27/07/2026

Before it became Eddie's, this building was Gunner's Cottage—also known as Shepherds Hill Cottage.
Now it’s an example of adaptive reuse, the historic cottage has been transformed into a café.
The cottage has served many roles, including accommodation and an Officers' Mess. Built in timber because while the underground masonry gun emplacements were protected—the cottage was exposed and designed to be easily rebuilt if damaged.

📍41 The Terrace, Newcastle
🏛️ State Heritage listed. Built in the early 1890’s.
⛰️ The highest part of Shepherd's Hill is a place of cultural significance to the Awabakal people, who call it Khanterin.

📷 Aerial images: City Of Newcastle, Plans: NAA, B&W Images: Living Histories University of Newcastle, all others National Trust Hunter Valley/Newcastle Branch.

24/07/2026

Presented by Michael L**h, curator at the Museums of History NSW, this engaging presentation explores the remarkable diversity of wallpaper over more than 200 years, offering a fascinating glimpse into the domestic lives of Australians.

🥂 🌺 Accompanied by homemade canapes and a complementary glass of sparkling w**e, to be enjoyed in the garden of 1870 Victorian Brough House.

All proceeds go towards the ongoing maintenance of the National Trust Brough and Grossmann townhouses and their gardens.

📅 Saturday 22 August 2026, 2 - 4PM
📍Brough House 73 Church Street Maitland
🎟️ Tickets and further info:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/paperhangings-of-the-past-a-history-of-wallpapers-in-australia-lecture-tickets-1985775365574

24/07/2026

👉A reminder to Maitland Heritage owners. Applications close in a week, Friday 31 July 2026.

23/07/2026

If you’re interested in local history, industrial heritage, or the role engineering has played in shaping Newcastle, this tour is for you.

Telford. Watt. Bolton. Newcomen. Wolfe. Perkins. Brown. Parnell....

They’re more than just Newcastle C*D street names — they honour some of history’s greatest engineers.

Join us on a guided tour through Newcastle to discover why these names matter and uncover interesting facts from the city’s engineering past.

📅 Saturday 29 August 2026, 9.45am - 1.30pm
🎟️ $10
https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/event/2022/05/site-visit-inner-newcastle-heritage-walk-2026-c1f98f82