Glenn Coxhill as deputy chair, Heather Nicholls as secretary and John Miller as treasurer were all elected unopposed.

The remaining board positions are made up of Elizabeth Griffin, newcomer to Orange Mary-Grace Allchurch, Jennie Pearce, Beverly Duncan and Helen James.

In his chairman's report, Mr Dryland emphasised the importance of the trust engaging as many helpers as possible in the next year to ensure the success of planned events.

He said the Festival of Roses, to be held at the 'Badine" property near Orange on November 19 and 20 in conjunction with the Holy Trinity Trust Foundation, is expected to draw hundreds of visitors who have a passion for roses.

"We already have indications there will be many people coming from Sydney, so it really will be an important event for us," said Mr Dryland.

Mr Dryland also outlined details of an opera recital to be held in Holy Trinity Church on December 17 with three artists from Opera Australia, and local soprano Helen Barnett.

Mr Dryland said a highlight of the Trust's activities in Orange in the past 12 months was the visit to Orange by the organisation's patron, NSW Governor Marie Bashir, and the historic walk in the eastern area of Orange and colonial supper as part of FOOD Week activities.

Yesterday the National Trust of Australia (NSW) announced the National Trust Heritage Festival to be held from April 1-16 next year would take on the theme "Industrial Heritage - Our Working Lives".

A spokesperson for the NSW Branch of the trust said for the first time the organisation would participate in Seniors Week to provide a number of cross-generational encounters.

It would give the younger generation the chance to learn about the past working lives of older, local personalities through shared stories and demonstrations of activities or trades from times gone by.