Edition 13; 19th June 2020

The Trust Tribune

In this issue • Harbour Trust update

• Volunteer profile — Gary Cook

• Staff profile — James Harkness

• Memory Lane

• Did You Know?

• Expanding Online — More options to learn & experience the world from our lounge rooms

• Final word

Harbour Trust update• Biennale opened at Cockatoo Island this week. The Marina Café & Societie Overboard Café are also open with a new offering,

Mary’s On the Edge Burgers opening for Biennale

• I hope to see as many of you as possible at next week’s What’s Happening session. If you are unable to attend I will send the information to everyone after the meeting as usual.

• Visitor Numbers — Mon 8 – Sun 14 June.

North Head Sanctuary 3 983

Headland Park 21 381

Sub Base Platypus 6 465

Cockatoo Island 1 630

Total 31 829

No Friend but the Mountains, Ibrahim Mahama, 2012-2020, featured at the 22nd Biennale of Sydney, Cockatoo Island.

Not less expensive than gold, ArTree Nepal, 2019, featured at the 22nd Biennale of Sydney, Cockatoo Island.

Volunteer profile Volunteer: Gary Cook.

Harbour Trust Role: Volunteer Speaker.

How long have you been with the Trust: Since late 2006.

Memorable moments or achievements: In 2009, when presenting to a community group, and relating the story of the attempted assassination of Prince Alfred at Clontarf Beach in 1868, I received quite a surprise. A woman in the audience revealed that she was a direct descendant of William Vial, the Grand Master of the Masonic Lodge, who had tackled the attempted assassin and saved the Prince’s life. Only a week later, another audience member told me that she was a descendant of Emily Thorne, who was in attendance and sketched a number of scenes of the incident. Both the sketches and Prince Alfred’s pocket watch which he gave to William Vial are in the State Library’s collection.

Why I Volunteer with the Trust: After my retirement, I realised that I needed to know much more about the history of my country, but more particularly that of Sydney, where I have lived almost my entire life. What better way of doing so than being a volunteer for three institutions heavily focussed on that pursuit — Harbour Trust, Sydney Living Museums and the State Library. Being in the privileged position to impart the knowledge I have gained to Sydneysiders, but also visitors from the country, interstate and overseas has been a great highlight. An important part of my role as a speaker is to encourage visitation to our sites.

Other Interests: I love to travel and with a daughter and family in London, hardly need an excuse, although the current restrictions will put paid to that for a while. Gardening is also a great form of relaxation as well as being productive.

Work Background: I worked for two Sydney breweries for most of my working life — Tooths and its successor, Carlton and United — in the hotel property section and for the last four years as a property consultant to Woolworths, developing petrol stations and liquor stores.

Something we don’t know about you: I suspect that some of my volunteer colleagues are aware, but for most of you, forty plus years ago I was the leading Rugby League referee in NSW and officiated at three Sydney Grand Finals — almost a distant memory now.

Book & TV to recommend: Non-fiction is my preference in books and, in the main, history — Australian and World War I. I do stray occasionally to a favourite author, Edward Rutherfurd who writes fiction based on history. SBS on Demand has a rich source of material. Scandinavian thrillers grab my attention. Two to recommend — Greyzone and Below the Surface.

Superpower I would like to have: I am happy with my existing powers and consider myself fortunate. It would be satisfying to enhance the lives of those less fortunate who not only don’t have any superpowers but, in many cases are deprived of the necessities of life.

Staff profile Name: James Harkness.

Role: Digital Engagement Officer (Note: I’m not an IT guru as legend would have it).

Joined the Trust: I joined the Harbour Trust in May 2018 and recently celebrated two years with the agency.

Work prior to the Trust: Prior to working at the Harbour Trust, I was the editor (and sole writer) for an online startup and small to medium business publication. It was an incredible opportunity to speak with some of Australia’s leading innovators and business minds and share their wisdom with our readership. Before that, I worked for an online WHS publication, created web and eNews content for two inner city business chambers, wrote film articles (incl. reviews and interviews) for City Hub, and Bondi View (https://cityhubsydney.com.au/author/james-harkness), and during university worked at a cinema.

Something we don’t know about you: During primary school, I played Elrond and Gollum in a two-part production of The Hobbit as well as Robert the Bruce and Murron in a production of Braveheart.

Most unexpected aspect of the Trust: I don’t know if it’s unexpected but… the breathtaking sites we look after continue to inspire me and I’m proud to work with such a wonderful group of people.

Most memorable work moment: The launch of the revamped Harbour Trust and Cockatoo Island websites in June 2019 after approximately 8 months of full-on work.

Superpower you have or would like to have: The ability to pause time so I can fit more into my day.

Favourite way to wind down: Being a film buff, I love sitting back with a beer and watching something engrossing or deviating, be it a schlocky 80s horror, a 60s psychological thriller, a 70s sci-fi or a 40s wartime drama. They’re super underappreciated, so I’ll shout out Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, two of the most inventive directors ever. Check out The life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943), A Matter of Life and Death (1946), Black Narcissus (1947) and — a huge influence on Black Swan — The Red Shoes (1948).

Memory LaneIn 2019 the Harbour Trust in conjunction with Mosman Council took part in the Festival of Sydney. The T5 Tank Sound Project installation took place in the disused WWII Fuel Tanks on our Headland park site. This was another opportunity for the Trust to showcase our sites and utilise its unique features for public access.

Tank Sound Project. Image Ian Evans. Fuel Tanks 25 August 1942.

Did you know? Australia’s Memorial Walk, North Head

On 1 December 2012, over 250 people gathered at North Head to witness the dedication of Australia’s Memorial Walk, by Her Excellency Professor Marie R Bashir AC CVO. Construction of the walkway commenced in 1999 following a grant from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. The majority of the funding however was sourced from the public and organisations. The Walk links five monuments dedicated to the Colonial Wars, the First World War, the Second World War, Post Second World War conflicts and peacekeeping, and was built along the route of an old track that ran through the bush at North Head. The pathway contains engraved pavers that have been donated by friends, families, local organisations and military units, while the entrance to the Walk has a sandstone block bearing the badges of the Royal Australian Navy, the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces, the Royal Australian Air Force and the Australian Merchant Navy.

Australia’s Memorial Walk, North Head.

Expanding online • DigiTalk — Just one more weekly DigiTalk remains, featuring Bungaree’s Farm at Georges Heights.

Register your spot at www.harbourtrust.gov.au/digitalks We will continue this series but more likely monthly than weekly.

• Manly Art Gallery & Museum online www.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/arts-and-culture/manly-art-gallery-museum

Final word 15-21 June 2020 marks Men’s Health Week. The aim is to heighten awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.

Did you know?

• The health status of males in most countries, including Australia, is generally poorer than that of females.

• More males die at every stage of life.

• More males have accidents.

• More males take their own lives.

• More males suffer from lifestyle-related health conditions than females at the same age.

If you or someone you know needs assistance, especially in these very difficult times, check out these links:

• http://menshealthweek.org.au

• www.beyondblue.org.au

• www.blackdoginstitute.org.au

It is more important than ever that we look out for each other.

Regards

Catherine and Alison

Register for our next DigiTalk — Bungaree’s Farm at Georges Heights (24 June) at www.harbourtrust.gov.au/digitalks