Trustee – Treasurer

Trustee – Treasurer

The Eryldene Trust | Volunteer Governance Role

Help safeguard one of Sydney’s significant heritage properties for future generations.

The Eryldene Trust is seeking a Trustee with a Treasurer focus to join its governing body and contribute financial expertise to the stewardship and long-term sustainability of Eryldene Historic House and Garden in Gordon, Sydney.
This is an opportunity to combine your financial and governance skills with a meaningful community purpose: helping preserve an exceptional historic house and garden and ensuring that Eryldene continues to be accessible to the public for education, enjoyment and cultural engagement.

About Eryldene
Eryldene, at 17 McIntosh Street, Gordon, is a significant heritage-listed former family residence and house museum. Designed by architect William Hardy Wilson and built between 1913 and 1936, the property is listed as a state significant heritage item on both the NSW State Heritage Register and the Ku-ring-gai Local Environmental Plan.

The surrounding garden was laid out by Professor E.G. Waterhouse and contains one of Australia’s most significant camellia collections, including many cultivars bred by Professor Waterhouse himself. With hundreds of camellias, some irreplaceable, Eryldene is much more than a historic house and garden: it is an important cultural asset with significant social, historical and horticultural value.

Established in 1979, the Eryldene Trust is responsible for conserving and presenting the property in accordance with Professor Waterhouse’s wishes. The Trust oversees public Open Days, cultural and educational activities, garden hire and the ongoing maintenance and care of the property.

The Opportunity
As a Trustee – Treasurer, you will be a member of the governing body of the Eryldene Trust, with particular responsibility for financial oversight and Treasurer duties.
Working with the Chair, Secretary, other Trustees, volunteers and professional advisers, you will help ensure that the Trust’s financial affairs are well managed, transparent and sustainable.

The role is broader than bookkeeping. It involves providing financial insight and practical advice to support sound governance and decision-making, while overseeing the Trust’s financial reporting, budgeting, cash flow, controls and financial risks.
The role is unpaid and undertaken on a voluntary basis.

Key Responsibilities
As a Trustee, you will contribute to:

• The conservation, maintenance and appropriate presentation of Eryldene’s historic house, outbuildings and garden.
• The Trust’s governance, compliance and long-term sustainability.
• Public programs, Open Days, cultural and educational activities and garden hire.
• Strategic planning and decision-making.
• Effective engagement with volunteers, community members and other stakeholders.

As Treasurer, you will:

• Provide regular financial updates and advice to the Trustees.
• Prepare or oversee financial reports for Trustee meetings and, where required, general meetings.
• Monitor the Trust’s cash flow and overall financial position.
• Assist with the development and monitoring of the annual budget.
• Identify and advise on significant financial issues, risks and opportunities.
• Help ensure appropriate financial controls and approval processes are maintained.
• Liaise with the Trust’s bookkeeper, accountant, auditor or other financial advisers as appropriate.
• Support annual reporting, audit processes and grant acquittals where required.

Major financial decisions, expenditure approvals and commitments remain matters for the Trustees collectively in accordance with the Trust’s governing rules and financial procedures.

Who We’re Looking For
We are particularly interested in someone who brings:

Essential

• Experience in bookkeeping, accounting, financial management or a related field.
• Confidence in interpreting financial information and explaining it clearly to other Trustees.
• An understanding of financial controls, risk management and sound record keeping.
• Strong attention to detail, organisation and reliability.
• The ability to contribute constructively to governance and strategic decision-making.
• A collaborative approach to working with Trustees, volunteers and professional advisers.
• An interest in supporting Eryldene’s purpose and long-term sustainability.
  Desirable
• Previous experience as a Treasurer, Trustee, Director or committee member.
• Experience in a charitable, community, cultural or not-for-profit organisation.
• Experience with fundraising, grants, philanthropy or developing strategic partnerships.
• Experience in heritage, museums, historic houses, gardens, property or cultural organisations.
• An understanding of heritage conservation and the challenges of maintaining significant historic properties.

You do not need to have experience in every area. We are looking for someone who can bring sound financial judgement, a willingness to contribute and an appreciation of Eryldene’s unique heritage and community role.

The Commitment
The expected commitment is approximately 12 Trustee meetings per year, including the AGM, generally held monthly and with meetings held either at Eryldene or virtually.
Additional time will be required from time to time for preparation and financial matters such as budgeting, annual reporting, audit, grant acquittals and other Trustee responsibilities. The workload is likely to vary throughout the year.

Why Join the Eryldene Trust?
This is a chance to make a tangible contribution to the future of an exceptional heritage property.

As Trustee – Treasurer, you will help strengthen the Trust’s financial sustainability and governance while contributing to the conservation of a unique house, garden and camellia collection for future generations.

You will work alongside committed Trustees and volunteers and have the opportunity to make a practical difference to a much-loved part of Sydney’s cultural and community heritage.

Apply
If you would like to contribute your financial and governance expertise to the future of Eryldene, we would love to hear from you.

Please submit an Expression of Interest to eryldene@eryldene.org.au.

If you need more information, please get in touch with Mark Brandon 0439 280 000.
Applications close at 5pm, Friday 9 October 2026.

Join us in safeguarding Eryldene’s heritage and helping ensure that this remarkable place continues to inspire, educate and delight the community for generations to come.