Lifetime achievement award to Phil Jenkyn

Philip Jenkyn is a retired barrister, former Hunters Hill Councillor, and community activist.  From his Joubert-built sandstone villa in Hunters Hill, which he shares with wife Gloria and daughter Victoria, Phil has been variously a stirrer, trouble maker, asker of difficult questions and opinion builder.  This award from the National Trust salutes Phil’s contribution to heritage conservation in New South Wales and Sydney, which has been serial and various, and not without controversy:

• in the 1980s/90s the purchase and establishment of “Vienna”, the cottage house museum in Hunters Hill, conserved and established with early, appropriate regard for the Burra Charter, and run by local volunteers under the auspices of the National Trust ;
• more recently, as the effective, targeted lobbying by the Defenders of the Sydney Harbour Foreshores, and Protectors of Public Lands, which helped secure the establishment of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, to conserve and manage former Commonwealth defence sites around Sydney Harbour ;
• Phil’s current passion, the delineation and promotion of public walking trails, around Sydney Harbour, and along the City’s coastal frontage – from Palm Beach to Cronulla. This has also included his role in Discover Hunters Hill, celebrating and interpreting the historic suburb where he lives.  It is the protection, enhancement and enjoyment of the public domain which has been Phil’s particular passion. His friends, colleagues and adversaries acknowledge Phil’s energy, determination, and capacity to bring people on board for the particular cause or journey he is promoting. In 2005, Phil was honoured with an OAM for his contribution to the protection of the environment.

Thank you Phil and congratulations.