Protect & Save
The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) is the state’s premier community-based heritage advocacy organisation. We are a non-statutory, non-government, not-for-profit, membership organisation formed in 1956. Our role is to provide leadership as an independent, respected and responsible advocate for the identification, protection, conservation, and celebration of Victoria’s cultural heritage – to demonstrate and communicate why heritage matters and the value it brings to life and communities.
What We Protect
The National Trust has an interest in ensuring that a wide range of natural, cultural, social and Indigenous heritage values are protected, respected and celebrated, contributing to strong, vibrant and prosperous communities. Heritage refers to the qualities of a society that are valued and passed on to future generations. Heritage can be tangible and intangible, built and environmental, an object and a practise. Heritage is not a frozen example in time, it is dynamic and adaptive. Heritage it is valued because it carries meaning and stories, which are shared across communities and social barriers.
How We Protect
Whilst we are an independent and non-government organisation, we work collaboratively with government, local councils, businesses, local community groups and individuals, to strengthen heritage protection, increase community involvement in heritage conservation, and provide expertise and support for the many heritage custodians across the state.
As an organisation with a uniquely diverse portfolio across the heritage sector our key advocacy tools include proactive participation in policy making, education, and leading by example through programming and custodianship of our places. We are the bridge between community and government, working towards our Vision that Victoria’s past and future heritage is protected, understood and shared, enriching communities and contributing to an inclusive and connected society.
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Heritage Protection
Protecting our shared heritage involves retaining and managing places that have importance to the community. In Victoria, there are a number of ways that places of Indigenous, cultural and natural heritage significance are recorded and protected. -
National Trust Heritage Register
The National Trust has the most comprehensive single heritage register in Victoria, covering all types of cultural and natural heritage, including significant trees. This is known as the National Trust Heritage Register. -
Advocacy Campaigns
Since 1956 the National Trust has been lobbying for the preservation of Victoria's heritage - and advocacy remains at the heart of all that we do. As the largest community-based heritage organisation in Victoria, we are the lead voice campaigning to protect our irreplaceable heritage. -
Toolkits and Resources
Find our free resources including as toolkits, discussion papers and reports designed to empower the community to be independent and confident heritage champions. -
Trust Advocate Blog
Stay up to date with the National Trust's heritage advocacy activities, including the most recent campaigns and submissions, by visiting the Trust Advocate Blog.
Meet our Advocacy Team
The Advocacy Team supports a range of ongoing campaigns and programs to protect and celebrate Victoria’s built, cultural, environmental, and Indigenous heritage.
Advocacy through the decades
Many of Victoria’s most significant buildings, gardens, trees and landscapes would not be here without the advocacy of the National Trust, the state’s leading independent heritage organisation since 1956.
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1950sComo House & Gargen
The early days of heritage protectionDuring the post-war boom period, Victoria experienced significant losses of historic places and public open space. This spurred the creation of the Victorian branch of the National Trust, and in 1956 Como House and Garden became the first National Trust property, protecting it from the development threats that led to the loss of many similar places. To this day it remains open to the public, with free access to the remarkable gardens. -
1960s
Como House & Gargen
The early days of heritage protectionDuring the post-war boom period, Victoria experienced significant losses of historic places and public open space. This spurred the creation of the Victorian branch of the National Trust, and in 1956 Como House and Garden became the first National Trust property, protecting it from the development threats that led to the loss of many similar places. To this day it remains open to the public, with free access to the remarkable gardens. -
1970s
Como House & Gargen
The early days of heritage protectionDuring the post-war boom period, Victoria experienced significant losses of historic places and public open space. This spurred the creation of the Victorian branch of the National Trust, and in 1956 Como House and Garden became the first National Trust property, protecting it from the development threats that led to the loss of many similar places. To this day it remains open to the public, with free access to the remarkable gardens.