National Trust volunteers treated 'like servants', inquiry hears

Volunteers with the National Trust of South Australia (NTSA) are being treated like "servants" and require more government oversight, a parliamentary inquiry was told.

The Environment, Resources and Development Committee heard testimony at Moonta Town Hall from locals impacted by the NTSA's February closure of the Moonta Mines Heritage Precinct. The closure followed months of disagreements between NTSA management and the local Moonta governing committee. Although a legal dispute resulted in the local committee's reinstatement last month, the conflict exposed divisions within the charity, which manages over 80 historic properties across South Australia.

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They're like lord of the manor and we're like servants.

Sharron Ward, chair of the NTSA's Moonta branch, told the inquiry that the organization lacks respect for its volunteers and needs to modernize its practices. "They're like lord of the manor and we're like servants," Ms. Ward stated, emphasizing the need for a mutually beneficial relationship. She accused the NTSA head office of using "embellishments and distortion" to justify her committee's dismissal over alleged compliance breaches, which she claimed originated from a "disgruntled former staff member."

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These actions assumed that the breaches were accurate without any attempts to investigate their validity.

Ms. Ward further explained that the NTSA head office provided details of the alleged breaches only three weeks later, implying a lack of initial investigation into their validity. The Moonta branch seeks "autonomy" from the broader organization, including more control over their properties and finances, while retaining the National Trust name. She noted that the National Trust Act, last significantly updated in 1955, does not adequately outline operational procedures, leaving branches feeling "at their beck and call."

In response, the NTSA issued a statement affirming its cooperation with the parliamentary inquiry. The trust indicated it has agreed to work with the Moonta branch to reopen and operate the heritage sites following recent mediation. The NTSA stated it would refrain from commenting on evidence presented regarding potential changes to its structure or operations due to the ongoing inquiry. However, the parties have agreed to implement measures to improve the administration of branch affairs and their future working relationship. Meanwhile, Neil Windsor, chair of the Copper Coast Residents and Ratepayers Association, reported a significant decline in visitors to Moonta during the closure.

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At the current time, we're at their beck and call.