MUSEUMS AUSTRALIA (WA) ABOUT US

Transcription

1 ANNUAL REPORT 2011

2 MUSEUMS AUSTRALIA (WA) ABOUT US Museums Australia is a national membership-based not-for-profit organisation representing the interests of museums, galleries, cultural centres and keeping places, and any activities associated with the collection, conservation and interpretation of cultural and natural heritage. Its vision is for natural and cultural heritage to be valued, sustained and communicated as it represents the shared histories and identities of all Australians. [2] Museums Australia defines a museum as an institution that helps people understand the world by using objects and ideas to interpret the past and present and explore the future. Museums Australia recognises museums of art, history and science may be given alternate names, and the following may qualify as museums under this definition: natural and archaeological sites and historical monuments collections of living specimens of animals and plants such as zoos and botanical gardens science and cultural centres. Museums Australia works through a network of state and territory branches. As a state branch, Museums Australia (WA) fulfils national objectives by: advocating for the development of museums, galleries, collections and heritage sites in Western Australia encouraging interaction between museums and those concerned with the creation, conservation and interpretation of cultural material through the exchange of ideas and skills promoting national standards of collections management providing professional development for all people engaged in museum work sharing information with the museum sector and wider community hosting an annual state conference providing advice and referral services to members and non-members encouraging community involvement in museums. Our mission is to empower the museums sector, its members, staff and supporters to benefit everyone in Western Australia. We are guided by the following values: to champion the museum sector as a resource for building social capital, promoting equity and social inclusion, and supporting cultural diversity to promote an understanding of heritage as cultural and natural, tangible and intangible, conserved through objects and people, sites and places, events and narratives, digital creative activity, music and performance, scientific research, history and other human activities that convey knowledge and bear cultural meaning to share responsibility for the conservation and communication of the State s heritage with government bodies and communities organisations to recognise the distinct work museums and communities do preserves the State s memory to encourage critical engagement with the State s cultural and natural heritage to recognise Australia s Indigenous populations as the nation s First Peoples and ensure they are active in the control, management and interpretation of their cultural heritage to support the International Council of Museums (ICOM) Australian Committee as an important resource for extending networks, partnerships and the exchange of information to recognise achievement and celebrate success. We pursue the following Strategic Goals: Advocacy One of our major tasks is to promote the vital role museums play in society by raising awareness of their contribution to conservation and communication of contemporary and historical cultural heritage. We do this by lobbying all levels of government, through our publications, the internet and social media sites, with special events like Museum Week, and by taking part in broader cultural forums and debates. Development Our professional development program and annual state conference aim to raise standards in museums to ensure collections and heritage sites are well-managed and accessible to the wider community, for they help to build social capital and promote understanding of human interaction with the social and natural world. Organisational Sustainability Our branch office strives to run a sustainable operation by pursuing diverse income streams and drawing support from the State Committee, our advisory groups, and many volunteers.

3 MUSEUMS AUSTRALIA (WA) HIGHLIGHTS SECTOR Western Australian Museum submitted a business case to the State Government for the development of the new museum During the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) the Western Australian Museum hosted Extraordinary Stories, an exhibition from the British Museum, and the Art Gallery of Western Australia hosted Princely Treasures, an exhibition from the Victoria and Albert Museum The importance of disaster preparedness came to the fore again with devastating fires and floods impacting members of the sector MEMBERSHIP BY CATEGORY INDIVIDUAL INSTITUTIONAL TOTAL MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES In 2011 our membership comprised 134 individuals and 140 institutions. Institutional members represent a broad range of collecting bodies including State museums and galleries, Aboriginal cultural centres, university collections, local government collections, galleries and museums, schools, archives and libraries, heritage organisations and a diverse range of community groups. Individual members include people who work in the museums sector, volunteers, students and anyone else who values the contribution museums and collections make to society. RAISING THE PROFILE OF MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES Museums Australia (WA) Life Member Dr Brian Shepherd received a Heritage Council Award for Outstanding Contribution to Heritage by a Professional in the Heritage Industry 45 museums, galleries and keeping places contributed 66 separate events to Museum Week Peel Regional Museum and Heritage Brochure launched at Rockingham Museum Musing was published three times during the year with a special edition produced to promote the National Conference PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND REGIONAL ACTIVITIES Museums Australia (WA) hosted the National Conference in Perth in partnership with Interpretation Australia, attracting over 500 delegates and an impressive line-up of distinguished speakers from oversees, interstate and Western Australia A special day was set aside at the National Conference for Community, Regional and Specialist Museums Bursaries were distributed to enable members to attend the National Conference and Edith Cowan University Museum Studies Course 2011 Annual General Meeting was held at Heathcote Museum and Gallery and featured a talk by Christen Bell called The Roleystone and Kelmscott Bush Fire: Collecting a Disaster Over 1300 people attended our events, seminars and workshops during professional development workshops were held in metropolitan and regional areas, including a Master Class series run in partnership with the Office of Heritage An education symposium held at the Western Australia Museum looked at ways to tailor museum education programs to the new Australian history curriculum A museum sector Training Needs Review was commissioned Our regional chapters continued to meet in the Great Southern, Mid West, Peel, South West and Wheatbelt regions Six workshops were held in regional areas to promote Lotterywest s Interpretation of Cultural Heritage Grants Three Master Classes supported by the Office of Heritage were held in the metropolitan area TOURING EXHIBITION Wetlands: From Bunyip to Beautiful toured metropolitan museums: Mandurah Community Museum in January Revolutions, Whiteman Park from February to April Wanneroo Museum from April to June Subiaco Museum from July to September Claremont Museum from October to December [3]

4 MUSEUMS AUSTRALIA (WA) PRESIDENT S REPORT Many members and friends of Museums Australia took the time to participate in and enjoy the 2011 Museums Australia National Conference, held in Perth from the 14th to the 18th of November, and hosted by the State branch in partnership with Interpretation Australia. [4] The conference sparked many thoughts/ ideas and animated many conversations over the five days, and the new State Theatre Centre saw over five hundred delegates participate from around the world and across Australia. The success of this premiere event was made possible through the wonderful work of the state branch, the organising committee and most importantly the many volunteers who ensured visitors were made welcome. Many delegates commented on their diligence, warmth and friendliness. The conference brought together Museums Australia and Interpretation Australia in a collaboration exploring our natural, built and social environments, and providing a springboard for dialogue on the notion of the frontier and the diverse ways in which museums engage with it; in the past, right now and into the future. The conference saw the cooperation of the Northbridge cultural precinct institutions/stakeholders, bringing together shared capacity and extending the possibilities for future collaborations in the sector. The City of Perth was featured at its best, and visitors were able to experience a number of key exhibitions including Extraordinary Treasures at the Western Australian Museum, Princely Treasures at the Art Gallery of Western Australia, the Canning Stock Route exhibition at the Convention Centre and Alternating Currents - Japanese Art After March 2011 at the Perth Institute of Contemporary Art. Through the generous support of Lotterywest and the Western Australian Department of Culture and the Arts, a number of bursaries and grants gave delegates the opportunity to attend, allowing for a good representation from our regional areas. On the MAWA professional development front, the popular Master Classes offered in 2011 in partnership with State Heritage Office were booked to capacity, dealing with important aspects of interpretation and attracting museum and gallery professionals as well as people from outside the sector. Another series is being developed for Lotterywest workshops on interpretation conducted in regional areas including Bremer Bay, Esperance, Manjimup, Pinjarra, Ravensthorpe and Wongan Hills, as well as in the metropolitan area, were well-attended, providing testimony to the importance of our regional focus. A symposium on education, with a specific focus on the new National Curriculum and the opportunities it offers to local history collections, gave some insightful perspectives on the role that museums can play in life-long learning and the educational future of the country. Museum Week took place from the 14th to the 18th of May, involving forty-five museums and galleries throughout the Western Australia, with a total of sixty-six events. The week attracted over $4,000 worth of free publicity. Sadly we bade farewell to Executive Officer Jane King in November 2011, as she took up a new position with the State Library of Western Australia Foundation. Her verve will be missed although she remains close to the heartbeat of the museum community. The State Committee and staff would like to acknowledge her important contribution to the sector. MAWA will remain in touch with Jane through its contribution to the work of the Western Australian Chamber of Arts and Culture, ensuring a strong voice in the cultural sector persists. MAWA commented on the Review of the Heritage Act through attendance at a number of consultation forums and through its written submission, as well as the Department of Culture and the Arts cultural facilities audit. Representation for the museums and gallery sector in the National Cultural Policy was co-ordinated through the State branch and National Council, as well as individual members. One of our long standing museum advocates, Dr Brian Shepherd was nominated for a Heritage Award, winning the category for outstanding professional contribution. A popular exhibition managed by MAWA, Wetlands: From Bunyip to Beautiful, continued to tour throughout 2011, with exhibitions at Whiteman Park, Wanneroo Museum, Subiaco Museum, Claremont Museum and at the Western Australian Museum during the Museums Australia National Conference. Wetlands has been a very popular travelling exhibition focusing on the historical and environmental significance of wetlands in WA, and each exhibiting organisation has added modules pertaining to their local area that provide some specialised interpretation for their communities. Musings magazine continued to cover the sector Statewide, producing a bumper issue prior to the National Conference exploring issues important to various communities, such as the Armadale and Toodyay bush fires. These case studies provided much food for thought to readers about the way the museum sector copes with disaster as well as triumph. The Kalgoorlie-Boulder pilot Regional Hub project, a three year project which funds a dedicated Collections Coordinator to support their work across the region and provide professional guidance, has seen some exceptional work. We continue to raise awareness of the value of our heritage and cultural organisations, to advocate for improved funding across the sector, and to support the call for a much-needed new State museum. Soula Veyradier President Museums Australia (WA)

5 MUSEUMS AUSTRALIA (WA) ADVOCACY The primary focus for Museums Australia (WA) in 2011 was hosting the National Conference in Perth. This event provided a forum where a number of advocacy issues could be aired. NEW STATE MUSEUM AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE MATTERS In 2011, the Western Australian Museum s Francis Street building was demolished and support grew for a new State museum. Additionally, other State institutions also had ongoing and urgent needs, including storage space issues for both the Art Gallery of Western Australia and State Records Office. Our collegiate support on these issues was considered invaluable, and we acknowledge the activities undertaken by the Committee for Perth, the History Council of Western Australia, and the recently formed Western Australian Chamber of Arts and Culture. STATE INSTITUTIONS FUNDING We continue to urge the government to provide sufficient ongoing operational funding to our collecting institutions to enable them to preserve the State s moveable cultural heritage. MUSEUM POLICY We continue to press for recommendations of the Museum Policy Reference Group Report 2006 and the Collections Sector Action Plan to be developed into a formal State Museum Policy. SUPPORT FOR REGIONAL COLLECTIONS: During 2011, we continued to advocate for improvements for regional and community collections, and structured support from both State and Local Government. We also continued to monitor and support the Collections Care Regional Hub in Kalgoorlie-Boulder through our continued involvement on the advisory committee, and through support at the national level. [5] LOTTERYWEST CULTURAL HERITAGE INTERPRETATION GRANT Administration and promotion of the annual Cultural Heritage Interpretation Grant round continued in Our contract with Lotterywest supports the delivery of a series of information workshops, mentoring applicants, assessment of submission and follow-up. INDUSTRY FORUMS AND PARTNERSHIPS Museums Australia (WA) represents and supports the sector through collaborations, membership, partnerships and joint ventures with a number of industry groups and forums. In 2011, we extended our stakeholder group through alliances formed with a number of cultural and heritage organisations and agencies during planning for the National Conference. These collaborations have built awareness of Museums Australia (WA) and opened up opportunities for future partnerships: Art Gallery of Western Australia Art on the Move Australia Business Arts Foundation (AbaF) Collections Sector Advisory Committee Community Arts Network (CAN WA) Commission for Children and Young People Country Arts WA Department of Culture and the Arts East Perth Redevelopment Authority Future Now Creative and Leisure Industries Training Council History Council of Western Australia Interpretation Australia Lotterywest National Trust of Australia (WA) Office of Heritage Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts Regional Development Commissions Regional and metropolitan community groups and historical societies State Library of Western Australia State Library of Western Australia Foundation State Theatre Centre Western Australian Chamber of Arts and Culture WA Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA) Western Australian Museum and its branches in Albany, Geraldton and Kalgoorlie-Boulder Western Australian State Government departments and Local Government authorities

6 NATIONAL CONFERENCE AT THE FRONTIER: EXPLORING THE POSSIBILITIES Perth s new State Theatre Centre provided an inspiring venue for the joint National Conference hosted by Museums Australia and Interpretation Australia in mid November. Attracting over 500 delegates from Australia s museum and interpretation worlds, the conference stimulated debate about the frontiers of practice across our sectors. M US E U M S AUS T R A L I A. W E S T E R N AUS T R A L I A. A N N UA L R E P O R T [6] This was the first time the two organisations have collaborated, providing an opportunity for cross-sector conversations that extended thinking, tested boundaries and opened up possibilities. The experimental nature of frontiers was a defining theme throughout, and the conference allowed new methods and creative approaches to be shared. The conference program took a broad approach, beyond the exclusively museological or interpretive, by looking for linkages across our cultural landscapes, a platform connecting our heritage, museums and interpretive experiences. Keynote speaker John Holden explored new directions in culture, showing that old models separating high art, popular culture and homemade culture are now less relevant, replaced by a more complex and fluid model, where the tools of culture are available to all. Digital platforms have shifted content production to the hands of our audience, who are our co-producers in culture, heritage and museums. The theme of historical representation wove through the conference with keynotes exploring how to ethically represent past lives and events. Storytelling is part of this and Susan Cross reminded us that we are all telling stories in our practice across museums and interpretation. Andrea Witcomb advocated for interpretation that allows space for the visitor s own response. Ethical representation of the past, she argues, requires independent critical reflection so that contemporary audiences can learn from the past. Witcomb cautions against prescriptive interpretive experiences. Denis Byrne explored the notion of twilight heritage as a form of heritage that hovers at the edge of perception. He described the twilight heritage of Bali, an island paradise with a traumatic past, unacknowledged within the contemporary landscape of tourism and mythology of cultural authenticity. Byrne reflected on the value of recovering hidden stories for landscapes of reconciliation in Australia. Peter Read took this further, in the closing keynote address, by recounting how the history of the disappeared in Chile is suppressed in heritage sites or glossed over through bland interpretation. Read invoked challenging questions about memory, traces, absence and presence. He showed how an opportunity for reconciliation exists through interpretation that honours the primary voice. The conference highlighted that people across our sectors are grappling with creative, collaborative and meaningful forms of engagement in this sphere. Connections have been made and new partnerships are forming across practice and research; a lasting legacy of the conference. Dr Kate Gregory Chair Conference Program Committee

7 THE PROGRAM INCLUDED: Plenary sessions on 15, 16, 17 and 18 November Parallel sessions on 15, 16, 17 and 18 November Community, Regional and Specialist Museum Day on 16 November Complementary functions and events A range of special tours Several public events STATISTICS Total Attendance Abstracts Submitted Abstracts Selected Keynote and Plenary Speakers - 15 Exhibition Booths - 6 [7] DELEGATE POINT OF ORIGIN STATISTICS ACTUAL NUMBERS % Australian Capital Territory 37 7% New South Wales 73 14% Northern Territory 7 1% Queensland 18 3% South Australia 21 4% Tasmania 15 3% Victoria 46 9% Western Australia % Australia 1 Total from Australia % International 11 2% No Country Given 41 8% Total International 52 10% Grand Total 516 MEMBERSHIP TYPE Museums Australia 236 Interpretation Australia 45 Member IA and MA 31

8 TREASURER S REPORT FINANCIAL YEAR 1 JANUARY 31 DECEMBER 2011 Several factors have had a significant impact on the financial position of Museums Australia (WA) during the financial year. [8] In late 2012, Museums Australia (WA) was asked to submit a business plan for a further three years to 2013 to support an ongoing multi-year funding arrangement with the Western Australian Department of Culture and the Arts. It is noted, however, that the current allocation supports only identified core activities and does not cover a range of proposed project initiatives. This has effectively halved the total support MAWA receives annually from the Department. As envisaged, a substantial portion of our retained earnings were utilised to transition to these new funding realities to minimise the impact on programs in place. Additional staffing expenditures were incurred to support preparation for the Museums Australia National Conference. At the same time, priorities associated with the National Conference reduced opportunities for income generating activities. Lotterywest continues to be a strong supporter of our organisation and many of our members, and we thank them for their ongoing pursuit in valuing our State s heritage. An on-going concern continues to be that reasonable program overhead costs are covered within any project allocation. The Committee will address this situation for all future service delivery. Your attention is drawn to the operating loss for the year of just under $45,000 which led to a reduction in total equity to just over $86,000. The State Committee will take steps to adjust program delivery and costs to approach a balanced budget and stabilise equity. The reduction in cash reserves does diminish perceptions by some funding sources that on-going external funding could be reduced because of accumulated equity. The level of resources remains sufficient to permit an orderly transition to any change in funding circumstances. Notwithstanding these outcomes for the financial year, the accompanying financial reports present the financial position of the Museums Australia (WA) as a viable entity within Museums Australia. Museums Australia (WA) will continue to meet its obligations as and when they come due. This reflects not only the outstanding dedication of our paid staff but also the commitment of a team of volunteers who value-add through the gifts of time and talent so that programs are delivered at minimum cost and maximum advantage to members. Robert Mitchell GAICD Treasurer Museums Australia (WA)

9 PERFORMANCE FINANCIAL REPORT Income Statement for year ended 31 December 2011 INCOME 2011 $ 2010 $ Grants (including Department of Culture and the Arts) 155, ,333 Interest 4, ,196 Other Income 74, ,249 TOTAL INCOME 234, ,775 EXPENDITURE Depreciation expense 4, ,331 Suppliers 94, ,082 Employee 180, ,979 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 279, ,392 DEFICIT FOR YEAR BEFORE INCOME TAX (44,819.64) (10,617) Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2011 [9] CURRENT ASSETS 2011 $ 2010 $ Cash in Hand and at Bank 61, ,898 Receivables & Prepayments 53, ,734 TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 115, ,641 NON CURRENT ASSETS Property, plant and equipment 8, ,868 TOTAL ASSETS 123, ,509 CURRENT LIABILITIES 2011 $ 2010 $ Payables 14, ,213 Provisions 2, ,068 Unexpended Grants 20, ,903 TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 37, ,184 TOTAL NET ASSETS 86, ,325 ACCUMULATED FUNDS Retained Members Funds Brought Forward 131, ,942 Deficit for Year (44,819.64) (10,617) TOTAL EQUITY 86, ,325

10 MUSEUMS AUSTRALIA (WA) MANAGEMENT & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Museums Australia (WA) relies on the dedicated support of a range of people from the sector who serve on the State Committee. We thank them for their valuable insights and commitment, and we thank the organisations where they work for supporting their contribution to our operations. M US E U M S AUS T R A L I A. W E S T E R N AUS T R A L I A. A N N UA L R E P O R T [10] State Committee President: Soula Veyradier, Curator City of Melville Vice-President: Lorraine Fitzpatrick, Manager Regional Projects Gascoyne Development Commission Secretary: Christen Bell, Curator City of Armadale History House Treasurer: Robert Mitchell, Curator Army Museum of Western Australia Dr Kate Gregory, Special Projects Historian National Trust of Australia (WA) Catherine Czerw, Independent Consultant Cathy Day, Independent Consultant and PhD Candidate Curtin University Philippa Rogers, Co-ordinator Heritage, Museums and Arts City of Wanneroo Jude Savage, Registrar Art Gallery of Western Australia Staff Jane King, Executive Officer (to November 2011) Anne Chapple, Publications and Promotions Co-ordinator Rosemary Fitzgerald, Professional Development Co-ordinator (Acting Executive Officer November March 2012) Suzanne Jess, Membership and Communications Co-ordinator 2011 was a busy year for Museums Australia (WA), given the focus on hosting the National Conference. This event was supported by a number of agencies and an outstanding team of volunteers whose friendly attitude was appreciated by delegates. We could not operate without generous support from our key partners. The Department of Culture and the Arts provides our core operational funding. Lotterywest and the Office of Heritage fund our activities. The Western Australia Museum provides office space in the Old Gaol and telecommunications support. OTHER SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS Art Gallery of Western Australia City of Perth City of Melville, Heathcote Museum and Gallery City of Stirling, Mount Flora Regional Museum City of Wanneroo Library and Cultural Centre, and Regional Museum Embroiderers Guild of Western Australia Esperance Museum Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery Max Wellstead, Wellstead Museum Manjimup Timber and Heritage Park

11 The National Trust of Australia (WA) Royal Western Australian Historical Society Shire of Ravensthorpe Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation Western Australian Museum branches in Albany, Geraldton and Kalgoorlie-Boulder REGIONAL CHAPTER CONVENORS AND NETWORKING Great Southern: Malcolm Traill, Western Australian Museum Albany Metro: Susan Hall, Birtwhistle Local Studies, City of Armadale Library Midwest: John Pullbrook, Morawa Historical Society Peel: Di Henniker, Jarrahdale Historical Society South West: Lauretta Davies, Museum Curator City of Bunbury Wheatbelt: Wendy Davey, Cunderdin Museum VOLUNTEER WORKSHOP PRESENTERS Gaynor Ashford, Embroiderers Guild of Western Australia Ian Wilson, Manjimup Timber and Heritage Park Peter Pritchard, Education Officer Western Australian Museum Albany Rachel Wilsher-Saa, General Manager Western Australian Museum Albany Rosemary Cussons, Manager The Kodja Place PUBLICATIONS WORKING GROUP Dr Kate Gregory, Committee Member Museums Australia (WA); Special Project Historian National Trust of Australia (WA) Anne Chapple, Publications and Promotions Co-ordinator Museums Australia (WA) Tanja Coleman, Assistant Registrar Art Gallery of Western Australia Jane King, Executive Officer Museums Australia (WA) Robert Mitchell, Treasurer Museums Australia (WA); Curator Army Museum of Western Australia LOTTERYWEST CULTURAL HERITAGE INTERPRETATION GRANTS ASSESSMENT PANEL Stephen Anstey, Curator Western Australian Museum Faye Baxter, Grants Manager, Grants and Community Development Lotterywest Anne Brake, Manager Golden Pipeline, National Trust of Australia (WA) Catherine Czerw, Committee Member Museums Australia (WA); Independent Consultant Luke Donegan, Interpretation Manager Fremantle Prison Val Humphrey, Curator Revolutions Whiteman Park Carol Littlefair, Curator York Residency Museum Helen Munt, Regional Heritage and Interpretation Consultant Robert Mitchell, Treasurer Museums Australia (WA); Curator Army Museum of Western Australia Christine Young, Director Community Development City of Melville ECU AND UWA INTERNS Molly Sammon, Ayesha Saleem, Pamela Sorenson VOLUNTEERS Norm Chapple, Caitlin Eaton NATIONAL CONFERENCE ADVISORY COMMITTEES Organising Committee Gil Field, (Co-convenor), Interpretation Australia; Interpretation Manager Department of Environment and Conservation Soula Veyradier, (Co-convenor), President Museums Australia (WA); Curator City of Melville Christen Bell (Chair), Secretary, Museum Australia (WA); Curator History House Museum City of Armadale Dr Kate Gregory, Committee Member Museums Australia (WA); Special Project Historian National Trust of Australia (WA) Jane King, Executive Officer Museums Australia (WA) Robert Mitchell, Treasurer Museums Australia (WA); Curator Army Museum of Western Australia Philippa Rogers, Committee Member Museums Australia (WA); Co-ordinator Heritage, Museums and Arts City of Wanneroo Claire Savage, Interpretation Australia; Director Savagely Creative Patsy Vizents, Interpretation Australia; Heritage Officer Rottnest Island Authority Program Committee Dr Kate Gregory, (Chair) Committee Member Museums Australia (WA); Special Project Historian National Trust of Australia (WA) Catherine Czerw, Committee Member Museums Australia (WA); Independent Consultant Luke Donegan, Interpretation Australia; Interpretation Manager Fremantle Prison Gil Field, (Co-convenor), Interpretation Australia; Interpretation Manager Department of Environment and Conservation Jane King, Executive Officer Museums Australia (WA) Philippa Rogers, Committee Member Museums Australia (WA); Co-ordinator Heritage, Museums and Arts City of Wanneroo Soula Veyradier, (Co-convenor), President Museums Australia (WA); Curator City of Melville Finance Soula Veyradier, (Co-convenor), President Museums Australia (WA); Curator City of Melville Robert Mitchell, Treasurer Museums Australia (WA); Curator Army Museum of Western Australia High Level Reference Group Jacqui Allen, Deputy Director-General Department of Culture and the Arts Amy Barrett-Lennard, Director Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts Stefano Carboni, Director, Art Gallery of Western Australia Alec Coles, Chief Executive Officer Western Australian Museum Professor Ted Snell, Director Cultural Precinct University of Western Australia Soula Veyradier, (Co-convenor), President Museums Australia (WA); Curator City of Melville Indigenous Reference Group Ron Bradfield, Manager Regional and Indigenous Program Artsource Glenn Iseger-Pilkington, Curator of Indigenous Art Art Gallery of Western Australia Suzanne Jess, Membership and Communications Co-ordinator Museums Australia (WA) Barbara Matters, Assistant Curator Berndt Museum of Anthropology University of Western Australia Soula Veyradier, (Co-convenor), President Museums Australia (WA); Curator City of Melville Community, Regional and Specialist Museum Group Clare-Frances Craig, Acting Manager Museum Development Service Western Australian Museum Cathy Day, Committee Member Museums Australia (WA); Independent Consultant; PhD Candidate Curtin University Joanne Hyland, Museum Extension Officer Museums Development Service Western Australian Museum Suzanne Jess, Membership and Communications Co-ordinator Museums Australia (WA) Philippa Rogers, Committee Member Museums Australia (WA); Co-ordinator Heritage, Museums and Arts City of Wanneroo Tracy Willet, Museum Curator Mount Flora Museum City of Stirling Volunteer Co-ordination Rusty Creighton, Director Savagely Creative Suzanne Jess, Membership and Communications Co-ordinator Museums Australia (WA) A call to members for volunteers to assist with the National Conference produced a wonderful response. The number of people who were prepared to help was overwhelming. Their support was a significant factor in the success of the conference. [11]

12 Advancing museums galleries and cultural centres PO Box 224 Northbridge WA 6865 Francis St Northbridge WA 6800 t [08] f [08] e [email protected] All images used in this publication are Museums Australia