Burnett House

About

The National Trust of Australia (NT) is a community based not for profit heritage charity dedicated to promoting and conserving the heritage of the NT

Story

It is not a government organisation or department. It was established by an Act of the Legislative Assembly in 1976, and is affiliated with the Australian Council of National Trusts.

The Trust concerns itself with:
Raising public awareness of heritage through events, tours, and
publications
Lobbying the government about heritage issues
Managing a number of historic properties across the Territory
Maintaining reference libraries and archival material and a register of
significant places.

The work of the National Trust is supported by individual members, volunteers and a professional staff who have proven experience and expertise in all areas of heritage conservation and interpretation.

Mission

The most important objective of the National Trust is to promote the preservation of our heritage in whatever form that takes – buildings, places of historic, social, scientific or aesthetic significance or more intangible cultural heritage.

Products

The Trust in the Northern Territory maintains a property portfolio of nineteen historic buildings, several of which are open to the public. Some properties feature interpretive displays drawing on the history and setting of the sites. Other properties are leased and only open to the public on special occasions.

Through Branches in Darwin, Katherine, Borroloola, and Alice Springs as well as a presence in Timber Creek, Tennant Creek and Pine Creek, the National Trust reaches our into the community and monitors heritage issues throughout the Territory. Through the Branches there are many opportunities to volunteer for the Trust. Community involvement in its work is highly valued. Without it the Trust could not survive.

The National Trust has built and maintains an archive and research library relating to historic places. The Register of Significant Places is the most comprehensive collection of historic material relating to buildings and places available to researchers in the Northern Territory.

One of the ongoing major tasks of the National Trust is to act as an advocate for conservation and to lobby governments in matters of cultural heritage, legislation and conservation.