I am suprised at the latest annual report from the National Trust of Victoria to see that the organisation has turned a profit after many years of losing money.

The sale of heritage assets has obviously helped them to turn things around financially.

However the sad matter of fact is that although the Trust might be turning the corner it has largely failed to deliver on its core promise of heritage advocacy.  The report does indeed acknowledge this fact.   Though the overt profit boasting from the CEO does beg the question.  I thought the only not-for-profit organisations that go out of their way to announce positive margins were financially struggling football clubs.  Perhaps, sadly, this report is more about personal egos than mission statements.

I have nothing but the utmost respect for their dedicated campaigns staff who have achieved virtual miracles with little to nothing to work with.  Unfortunately the cost cutting has also neutered the profile of the National Trust, which for both media and general public is at an all time low.  There is a whole new generation who wouldn’t even know that the Trust existed.  The organisation appears to have slipped into a sedentary state of museum pieces and school excursions.  Melbourne is rapidly developing and now more than ever the public needs an organisation like the National Trust of Victoria to safeguard our heritage.  However the majority of the Trust’s focus in recent times has been on regional and rural properties and landscape protection.  Lately they pretty much play the role of willing consultants in terms of city development.  They are custodians of a handful of properties, but rarely allocate the resources to stick their neck out and be seen as a campaigning force to be reckoned with.   The Trust seems weak to tap into their potential supporters and the many public fundraising opportunities that they could bring.  Sadly its website has been redeveloped time and time again and each iteration substantially misses the mark because they don’t understand the technology, its growing use in their core demographic and the benefits it can bring.  Additionally, I think they’ve even lost the capacity to know who their members are.

Now that Heritage Victoria is the government’s primary authority on heritage issues, someone impartial is needed to keep the Heritage Council in check and to keep them clear of the issues of power and corruption.   But the trust is effectively a puppy chasing a bulldozer and many people see the Trust as the only organisation playing this role.

One could only hope that now that the Trust has its house in order, that they might start picking up the pieces, put this blog out of a job and start actively campaigning.

But don’t hold your breath.  The Trust’s strategic plan for 2009-2013 again effectively puts campaigning on the backburner indefinitely.

Unfortunately for many of our buildings it is too late and I predict that without a vocal advocate for heritage we will see a massive deterioration of our heritage over that time.

One can only hope that another more aggressive campaigner for our heritage will emerge – and soon.

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