The Foundation

The (Eryldene House and Garden) Foundation was established in 1991 to raise funds for the long term future of the house and garden. The Foundation is administered by an elected board and it provides funds for major maintenance projects. 

The Foundation Directors are Penny Holden, Rosemary Milkins, Geoff O’Conor, Don Perlgut and Michael Waterhouse. Sheridan Burke and Jonathan Karanikas are Ex-Officio Directors.

For more information on how you can become involved with Eryldene and support one of the nation's most important historic properties contact us at 02 9498 2271 / 0422 596 292 or join our mailing list.

Please note that our volunteers aren’t always in the office - they might be out pruning the camellias - so please leave a voicemail if you don’t get through.

OUR BOARD

Penny Holden, Director

Penny Holden is a town planner by profession, working with historic towns, suburbs and places.  She has supported Eryldene as a volunteer and Trustee for more than two decades sourcing funding and recording and presenting its history and details of family life.  Her knowledge of the house and garden, its collections and its operations is extraordinary and benefits Eryldene everyday.  Penny acts as the Eryldene curator, hosts interns annually and plays a vital role training volunteers.  Her knowledge of the conventions of afternoon tea is acknowledged best practice.

Rosemary Milkins, Director

Rosemary Milkins PSM, had a 40 year career in the NSW Government sector including in Police, Fire, Health and Education. Her expertise includes reform programs, finances, human resources, planning and infrastructure. She now works part time in her own consultancy and serves on several committees. She loves travelling with a special interest in Cambodia. Other interests include history, art, reading and music. She is excited to contribute to the Foundation and work with the Trust and volunteers to strengthen Eryldene’s future.

Don Perlgut, PhD, Director

Dr Don Perlgut was previously the CEO and Company Secretary of Community Colleges Australia (CCA), a not-for-profit association representing adult and community education providers. Prior to CCA, he was CEO of the Rural Health Education Foundation and the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils, as well as an Outreach Manager with ASIC. He is a former lecturer in urban planning at University of New England, and specialist in housing design. He holds a PhD in communications from Macquarie University; a Master of City Planning from the University of California, Berkeley; and a B.A. (Government) from Cornell University.

Michael Waterhouse, Director

Michael Waterhouse PSM is a mediator and lawyer. For 19 years he was General Counsel at the NSW Department of Education and has also worked as a director and policy advisor in education. In 2018 he was awarded the Public Service Medal for outstanding service to education through legal counsel roles in NSW.  He is one of Professor EG Waterhouse's 13 grandchildren and is currently trying to channel his grandfather's linguistic acumen by learning Spanish.