Held to celebrate the 400^th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the new world it was, at the time, the largest world fair ever staged.

Colonial NSW was one of a large number of international exhibitors at the fair.

Emily Twynam, whose family lived at Riversdale for many years, was encouraged by her sister Mary, Lady Windyer, to enter her work.

A prominent suffrage campaigner, Lady Windyer was president of the NSW Women's Committee for the fair and chief organiser of the preliminary Women's Work exhibition held in Sydney the previous year.

It was at this exhibition that Emily exhibited a knitted counterpane (quilt), which won first prize and was awarded a silver medallion.

Sent to Chicago, it won another prize.

Emily was awarded, this time, a bronze medallion and also received a handsome certificate, which hangs on display at Riversdale today.

Lady Windyer was also the major figure in charge of NSW contributions to the 1907 Women's Work Exhibition in Melbourne and Emily, in partnership with her friend and neighbour Louise De Laurent, produced five embroidered panel.

One of these the five panels was awarded a prize at the exhibition.

The three surviving panels hang in the drawing room at Riversdale.

Leaves, leaves everywhere!

Different seasons bring their own changes to the garden, none more than the autumn season.

At Riversdale we have been treated to displays of amber gold and yellow leaves as they change colour ready to fall.

Perhaps the most beautiful of all the deciduous trees at Riversdale is the row of English Elms, which line the original driveway at the back of the house.

Thought to have been planted in the 1840s by Ann Richards, who oversaw the building of the Riversdale homestead, the elms have put on a stunning display of their autumn colours.

They have now started to drop their leaves to make their yearly contribution to the compost heap!

Melissa Green, the National Trust (NSW) volunteer coordinator will be attending the Goulburn Mulwaree Council's Volunteer Expo.

The expo this year will be held on Friday May 24 at the Community Centre, 155 Auburn Street, from 10am to 1pm.

National Trust volunteers at Riversdale contribute their time and energy in a variety of roles.

Our volunteers are including tour guides, gardeners, jams and preserve making, catering/events, committee, collections management, and administration and marketing.

If you have expertise and skills you would like to dedicate to the conservation, protection or education of cultural, built and natural heritage, why not pop in to see us at the expo and have a chat to Melissa and the Riversdale volunteers at the National Trust (NSW) stall.

The Riversdale gift shop now has a specials basket full of goodies at reduced prices. Drop by and have a browse.

Check out our unique range of books, cards, candles, luxury and home items and even Miss Mollie's lollies, along with our homemade jellies and chutney, jams, conserves and pickles made from produce grown in the Riversdale garden and orchard.

Why not combine your visit to the shop with a Devonshire Tea this Sunday May 19.

Treat yourself to a homemade scone and cuppa, a walk in the garden and, of course, make a visit to the shop.

National Trust (NSW)'s Riversdale house and garden is open Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10am to 2pm, 2 Twynam Drive, Goulburn.