Australian Museum ANNUAL REPORT 2012–13 Australian Museum ANNUAL REPORT 2012–13 ii Australian Museum Annual Report 2012–13 The Australian Museum Annual Report 2012 –13 Availability is published by the Australian Museum Trust, This annual report has been designed for accessible 6 College Street Sydney NSW 2010. online use and distribution. This report is available at australianmuseum.net.au/Annual-Reports. © Australian Museum Trust 2013 Further information on the research and education ISSN 1039-4141 programs and services of the Australian Museum Editorial can be found at australianmuseum.net.au. Brendan Atkins Cost of production Design and production The production cost of this report is estimated Australian Museum Design Studio at $550. Contact Australian Museum 6 College Street Sydney NSW 2010 Open daily 9.30 am – 5.00 pm t 02 9320 6000 f 02 9320 6050 e [email protected] w australianmuseum.net.au facebook.com/australianmuseum twitter.com/austmus instagram.com/austmus youtube.com/austmus pinterest.com/austmus iii Minister Admission charges The Hon. George Souris, MP and Minister for General Museum entry: the Arts Adult $12 Governance Child (5–15 years) $6 The Museum is governed by a Trust established Concession $8 under the Australian Museum Trust Act 1975. Family (one adult, two children) $18 The Trust has 11 members, one of whom must Family (two adults, two children) $30 have knowledge of, or experience in, science; each additional child $3 one of whom must have knowledge of, or Children under five years, Australian Government experience in, education; and one of whom must DVA Gold Cardholders, Australian Government have knowledge of, or experience in, Australian ‘Blue’ Pensioner Concession Cardholders and Indigenous culture. Australian Museum Members free. Trustees are appointed by the Governor on the Additional charges may apply to special exhibitions recommendation of the Minister for a term of up and activities. to three years. Trustees may serve for no more than three terms. Vacancies may be filled by the Governor on the recommendation of the Minister. The President of the Trust is appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the Minister. The Director of the Australian Museum is Secretary to the Trust and is responsible for the common seal. Trustees receive no remuneration but may be reimbursed for expenses. All of the Museum’s annual reports since 1853 are available at australianmuseum.net.au/ Annual-Reports. Further information on the research and education programs and services of the Australian Museum can be found at australianmuseum.net.au. iv Australian Museum Annual Report 2012–13 The Hon. George Souris, MP Minister for the Arts Minister, In accordance with the provisions of the Annual Reports (Statutory Bodies) Act 1984 and the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983 we have pleasure in submitting this report of the activities of the Australian Museum Trust for the financial year ended 30 June 2013 for presentation to Parliament. On behalf of the Australian Museum Trust, Catherine Livingstone AO Frank Howarth PSM President of the Trust Secretary of the Trust v CONTENTS Part 1 The year in review 1 Part 4 Appendices 67 President’s report 2 Appendix A Organisation chart 68 Director’s report 3 Appendix B Trustee profiles and activities 69 Revenue summary 4 Appendix C Executive profiles and Highlights 2012–13 5 management activities 74 Appendix D Internal audit and risk Part 2 Performance reports 7 management 80 Performance summary 8 Appendix E Credit card certification 81 01 A hub of learning 9 Appendix F Privacy and personal information 82 02 Exciting and compelling 11 Appendix G Public access to information 82 03 Engaged with the community 14 Appendix H Disability action plan 83 04 Inspiring collections 16 Appendix I Multicultural policies and 05 A trusted adviser and partner 17 services program 84 06 Research that makes a difference 18 Appendix J Grants 86 07 Culture and commitment 20 Appendix K Publications 91 08 Balanced resources 21 Appendix L Overseas travel 92 09 Environmentally sustainable 22 Appendix M Recognising staff achievements 96 Appendix N Fellowships and Part 3 Financial statements 23 postgraduate awards 97 Financial commentary 24 Appendix O Energy management 99 Financial statements 29 Appendix P Waste reduction and recycling 100 Appendix Q Heritage management 101 Appendix R Staff, EEO and WHS statistics 102 Appendix S Honorary appointments 105 Appendix T Museum volunteers 106 Appendix U Key acquisitions and donations to the collections 111 Appendix V Benefactors and sponsors 112 Index 117 vi Australian Museum Annual Report 2012–13 1 the year IN REVIEW 2 Australian Museum Annual Report 2012–13 President’s report A VIBRANT PLACE At the end of my first full year as President of this internationally renowned museum, the vibrancy of its programs, rigor of its research and diversity of its collections continue to surprise and delight me. The Annual Report 2012–13 contains a wealth of varied achievements. EXHIBITIONS with several universities supporting their Foundation (LIRRF) continue to work postgraduate students, and I anticipate tirelessly for the benefit of the Museum. Alexander the Great: 2000 years of this will deepen in the coming year. I particularly thank both David Shannon, treasures was the first time the State Chair of the LIRRF, and Diccon Loxton, Hermitage (St Petersburg) allowed The virtual world is impacting enormously such a significant part of its collection on collection access for all. The Rapid Chair of the AMF, for leading programs to visit Australia, and it contributed to Digitisation Project and Biodiversity and building relationships to expand the a new high in visitor numbers for the Volunteer Portal have resulted in the Museum’s much-needed support base. Museum. In January, the Hon. George creation of 142,000 digital images, the I would also like to acknowledge the Souris, Minister for the Arts, opened transcription of 31,500 items (labels, Museum’s Director, Frank Howarth, for the Menagerie exhibit of contemporary notes and archival material) from his leadership and achievements in a year Indigenous sculpture in our newly hardcopy and the importation of 41,500 of diverse activity. He has succeeded in refurbished Indigenous Australians records to our database. Our progress positioning the Museum for the wide- gallery; and the internationally acclaimed in digitising collections is impacting ranging challenges of the coming years. Wildlife Photographer of the Year globally in areas from scientific research opened in June. In regional NSW and to casual enquiries. THE MUSEUM’S TRUSTEES nationally, The Scott Sisters, Birds of Paradise and Frank Hurley – Journeys THANKS TO THE MUSEUM I am privileged to lead the Board of into Papua continue on tour, while Deep COMMUNITY Trustees of the Australian Museum. Oceans is on exhibition at Questacon My sincere thanks must go to departing Every member of staff contributes to the in Canberra before it visits Newcastle Trustee Professor Amanda Lawson, quality of what the Australian Museum Museum later this year. These are just who also served on the Trust’s Science has on offer. I commend staff, in all their some of the highlights and successes Strategy Panel since its inception. I of the past year. diverse roles, for their commitment to welcome our new Trustee, Belinda the future of the Museum. My thanks Gibson, who provides a significant legal SCIENCE, LEARNING AND also go to Australian Museum Members knowledge base. I look forward to COLLECTIONS who provide a significant support base through participation as well as advocacy working productively with all Trustees. With the establishment of Life Long on a variety of fronts. The Museum Their ongoing contributions to the Learning, a new branch within the couldn’t function without our volunteer Museum’s priorities are invaluable as Science and Learning Division, the cohort – nearly 700 – who, along with we enter the final year of our three-year Museum now acknowledges that our staff, apply their knowledge and strategic plan and focus on the science, education for all is a cornerstone of its skills to provide significant benefits research, learning and public program role. Our programs and activities are in science, learning and engagement initiatives which will help us achieve continually being developed for students, opportunities offered ‘front of house’, our goals. from pre-schoolers through to senior as well as behind the scenes and online. high school, while our lectures, talks and behind-the-scenes insights are readily The Chairmen and Trustees of the Catherine Livingstone AO available to ‘students’ of all ages. As Australian Museum Foundation (AMF) President well, the Museum has always worked and the Lizard Island Reef Research Australian Museum Trust Part 1 The year in review 3 Director’s report A YEAR OF CHANGE The Museum has had a very positive year, with some outstanding achievements on top of a major organisation review. We have articulated our priorities for the coming year and seen successes across the Museum in all nine key areas of our Corporate Strategic Plan. SOCIAL INCLUSION projects. In addition to critical LOOKING FORWARD conservation outcomes for the Koala, We continue to make significant impact Succeeding in a tough fiscal environment the project will enhance next-generation through social justice and inclusion. is a reality we must manage. We will sequencing and data-handling expertise A dedicated (grant-funded) youth ensure it drives innovation as we within Australia. worker was appointed to the Pacific continue to work on our e-programs Youth Reconnection Project, and Streamwatch, a ‘citizen science’ and interactions and develop revenue- collaborative programs commenced initiative promoting the importance of raising. These themes contribute to the with three of Sydney’s juvenile justice water quality in ecosystems, achieved New Museum Project, for which we now have a comprehensive business case. It centres.