Contents

2 President's Report 4 From the Editors 5 Letter to the Editor 7 National Conference 12 AICCM State Division News 14 An Interview 15 Special Interest Groups 16 Working Parties 17 Can you help? 18 Conservation Matters -What do you think? 22 Conference and Workshop reviews 24 With reference to references Lab and People News 25 NSW 29 SA 31 TAS 31 ACT 32 WA 32 VIC 36 Cleaning the Dirt off Money in Conservation: Ethics and Economics I I .· ... 38 News from IIC .. ,,.. . ~ ... :' . ~. • I I • ·" •., ~ ·. . '.

AICCM does Science Tasmanian Division at A Balinese lontek at the Week 2011 Port Arthur Powerhouse Pres ident 's Report

I President's Report

While the work of National Council 39298542806600?sk=wall) but we are specifically for AICCM, on advocacy has followed standard procedures set still trying to find ways to make that and lobbying techniques. We all over many years, we have also been work in a useful fashion. So visit it found this very useful and Council working on finding a more efficient - and like us! Any development ideas will be looking at ways we can get and interesting - way of working, as has are most welcome ... this information out to the broader been discussed at the last AGM. membership- possibly with a series Publications of workshops. With this in mind, we began 2011 with a two-day face-to-face meeting in Sydney 1. Following the membership discussion 2. We have also been working towards to plan our work for the year, along of The Bulletin and the need to securing a Patron for AICCM. We with a longer-term view. The meeting retain it as peer reviewed journal, developed a set of criteria that we replaces the two one-day face-to-face it was decided that The Bulletin would like in a Patron, then put meetings that were normally scheduled would no longer publish AICCM together a short list of possibilities. through the year, as it was felt that there conference proceedings, and will We then all rated them and the result was never enough time during those one focus on research papers submitted was .... We have yet to contact this day meetings to get into the 'nitty gritty' for peer review and publication. We person, but we are hopeful that they of what we wanted to achieve. The two have also re-established an Editorial will agree. If anyone has any other day meeting yielded great results as we Committee for the Bulletin. suggestions for a patron that they would like to put forward we would had time to really talk about some of our 2. Our Publications Officer (Cobus be happy to hear from you. major issues and ideas. Van Breda) is working solidly on Our main areas of focus are as follows: a review of all our publications 3. We have also decided to establish in order to determine if we need an Advocacy Standing Committee, to look at different options. This as we see this as an area requiring Communication review includes the Newsletter, The some immediate attention. Given 1. We are still keen on finding a simple Bulletin, and the web site. our approach of engaging members way to have an email discussion outside of Council to help with our 3. Following on from the successful list for the membership. This is not work, we will shortly be putting out a transition of web site editors (from as simple as it sounds with various call for anyone interested to be part Alice Cannon to Sheldon Teare), systems tried- NING and Facebook of that Standing Committee. (current) to name a couple. The we are looking at undertaking simplest approach - emaillist - the same process (advertising to 4. As you can see we have been busy has other issues attached such as the membership) for engaging a putting together some advertising moderation and archiving. We are new Newsletter Editor. We are material for AICCM use during actively pursuing this goal of having coming up to the last edition relevant events - like workshops, a simple and quick discussion forum undertaken by Fiona Tennant and AICCM stands, talks etc. They are for members. Julian Bickersteth, and we will be all here at the conference, and every advertising shortly -so keep an eye state representative should take 2. We have re-introduced the Student open! We had a fabulous response one home with them. Thanks must representative on National Council, for the web site editor. An enormous go to lan Batterham and his crew with the two university programs vote of thanks is due to Alice, Fiona for the design, and Susie Collis for alternating each calendar year to and Julian for all they have done organizing the banners. nominate the representative. for the publications and profile of 3. We are working towards putting the AICCM. 5. We have re-engaged, on a case-by­ strategic plan onto the website. Of case basis, a PR consultant Chris Hornsey. Chris undertook work course, this means reviewing the Advocacy and PR plan .... for AICCM several years ago and 1. Following on from last year's AGM was very supportive, informed and 4. We have established a Facebook in Melbourne, Council members efficient. Chris is used when we page (http://www.facebook.com/ and others interested attended need to draft a press release, simple pages/Australian- lnstitute-for-the­ a workshop run by lan Cook, statement etc. Conservation-of-Cultural-Materials/1

2 AICCM Na tional Newsletter President's Report

Paid Executive Officer ordinating AICC M 's submission for in private ha nds and was established AICCM h as A f ew years ago, we had a sho rt period the development of the N a tional by Quentin Webster. when we had funds to employ an Cultural Policy. You will have seen agreed to be pa rt of the organizing keep you posted on executive officer. This pe riod w as her requests for co ntributions co ming group and we will eno rmously bene fici al a nd productive through the all member ema ils. how it progresses. - it was during this time we established 4. Code of Ethics Review - Chair, 9. Spe cial Events Standing Committee the Public Fund. It is Co uncil's be lief Robyn Sloggett. Very much a work - earlier this year we called for that a pa id executive is the n ext major in progress, but we will hear abo ut expressions of interest for those step for AICCM, as there are many progress during the conferen ce at interested in being part of this fabulous things that we want to do the 20:20 Summit discuss ion and committee, which will be established for the association, but simply do not presentations. to deal with Special Events -such have the time or e nergy to get to in as Conservation Week, or o ther 5. Editorial Committee- Chair, Cobus any susta inable f ashion. This will be initiatives that p romote AICCM a nd eda (al so Publications Officer our next t ask a nd focus with the new Van Br conservation but are not pa rt of the on Co uncil). Other members include Council - how can we quickly m ove regular work of Co uncil. We did not elle Scott, Miche lle Berry, Fiona to a p osition to e mploy a part time Marc have much r espon se, but perhaps Tennant, Amanda Pagliarino. executive? there might be some more interest 6. HEART - Cha ir, Kay Soderlund. now? Please contact me if you are Ongoing Activities and Other Still moving along, a nd getting closer interested. This committee would be Initiatives to a training day or two. I a ttended a fun one to be involved with! an AIC-CERT training week in San Keeping in line with the Council model Kay Soderlund Diego earlier this year, which was of wo rking with our members who are informative regarding a disaster not on Council, we ha ve a few activities most network and training of participants. in place that sho uld be me ntioned - 7. Conservation W eek - we are 1. Environmental Guidelines Task g to establish a Conservation Force (Working Party), Cha ir Julian ho pin in 2012, but are struggling Bickersteth. Much progress has Week a good name. We will been made, a nd the draft Australian to find g other bo dies interested in guidelines should be launched by invitin ervation (s uch as the Profess ional the end of this year. If you h ave pres Framers A ssociation) to be any e nquiries please contact] ulian Picture in this week with us. Once Bickersteth. involved established we are ho ping collecting 2. Mo uld Reme diation Wo rking Party institutions will get onboard and -Cha ir, Elizabeth Had low. Also really promote con servation a nd their working away, but a little way off con servators during this week. If having reco mmended guidelines for an yone has any suggestions of a good safe practice mo uld remediation. A name we would love to hear it! full progress report is included in the al He ritage Preservation newsletter. 8. Cultur Foundation (CHP)- this is 3. Blue Sky Wo rking Party- Cha ir something that we have just Mary Jo Lelyveld. This is a random, become involved with and is in and fun, small group devoted to its early stages. Essentially, it is a lateral thinking and special projects. group established to champion the At the mome nt, Mary ]o is eo- preservation of cultural he ritage held

No 11 9 N ovember 20 11 3 From the Editors

From The Editors

This edition of the Newsletter is dominated by reports on the highly successful AICCM National Conference held at the National Library of Australia from 19'"-21" October 2011. Under the able organisation oflan Batterham, 138 conservators met for 3 days of dialogue, papers and networking. As participants in the process, the Editors can report that it was a very positive few days, with the profession looking in good shape. That is not to assume a self-satisfied position of our role in the broader Australian cultural heritage sector. It is rather to reflect on the fact that we live in times of near full employment for conservators, where stresses between public and private conservation practices are largely a thing of the past (Editor's note : Not fully , see Letter to the Editor) and most importantly the value conservators bring to the cultural heritage sector is better understood. Whether it was through the success of the extended National Awards program, or the positive outcomes of the 20:20 Summit, both reported on in this newsletter, the enormous value of meeting together as a group of passionate and dedicated people was reinforced. We need such events to remind us of our good fortune to have chosen this profession. Meanwhile we are signing off as Editors after four thoroughly rewarding years in the hot seat. Thank you for all the support you have shown. All we do, after all, is provide a forum to you to tell us what you have been up to and comment on issues. So keep the stories coming and we look forward to keeping in contact as we support our successors.

Julian Bickersteth and Fiona Tennant

4 AICCM National Newsletter Letter to the Editor

Dear Editors Why doesn't National Council meet however, would have no guarantee this situation head on in the same that treatment would be done by that As a conservator in both institutional manner? Because they can't. The conservator. The professionalisation employment and private practice, and institutions hire who they will and of website listing will primarily affect as an AICCM member for 30 years, will not collectively mandate AICCM individual private conservators like me, who has served on National Council ordinary or professional membership as and I hesitate to put myself through and on the Professional Accreditation a criterion of employment. the hoops prepared for me by an Committee in its previous incarnation, accreditation committee of younger I would like to comment on the decision No, it prefers a soft target. 'Everybody conservators. to excise private conservators without knows' many private conservators are a current professional accreditation from bit dodgy; a knowledge quite properly In planning for the 1980s version of the AICCM website list of private rooted in the minimal intervention accreditation, the need to keep private conservators. stance of many conservation conservators within the fold was departments. Out there in the real recognised by enough Council members Like all other members of AICCM, world, however, books are expected to to avoid this kind of action. private conservators must adhere to be opened and read, chairs to be sat on, the current code of ethics. Removing I know there are potential or actual and foxing removed from watercolours. any from AICCM website listing is an problems with untrained private attack on their livelihood equivalent to Institutional conservators frequently operators. As an accredited professional AICCM National Council directing all recommend three competitive quotes conservator under the old system, I museums to only employ professionally for employing their colleagues in private subscribe to the need for AICCM to accredited AICCM members. It is worth practice. Institutional conservators, enhance standards, and have not ruled mulling over this concept. however, do not have to prepare out an accreditation application myself. numerous detailed treatment proposals Despite institutional conservators On behalf of conservators who take on in the knowledge that they must pare having a dream run regarding the private work, however, I wonder if this each down to its bare essentials in order time & costs of ongoing professional aspect of professional accreditation to work on any. development activities required for the could not have been handled better. Professional Membership point score, A private conservation firm with James few are professional members and many employees may well have a titular head Elwing Conservator, Elwing & Gu rney Archival are not AICCM members, preferring to with professional accreditation. A piggyback on institutional membership. client consulting the AICCM website,

Response from the President

Thank you, James, for your letter community and business confidence in about because anyone can join AICCM regarding Professional Membership and conservation professionals. Professional - qualified conservator or not - and be private conservators. Membership of the AICCM will ensure listed as a private conservator if that that conservation professionals who is what they put in their membership I appreciate your concerns, so let me see meet high standard of professional application. This has obvious drawbacks if I can address them in a manner to put and ethical conduct are given due in that we have a listing that we make your mind at rest - and encourage you recognition.' available to the public and promote to apply for Professional Membership. as a service - and yet a member of the As you have correctly identified, there The first paragraph about Professional public may well end up taking their are some private businesses operating Membership on the AICCM web site objects to someone who simply does which do not conform to the standard reads ... not meet the standards of AICCM. In of conservation practice that we would the past, this situation has had serious expect from a trained, professional 'The AICCM has created a Professional consequences for members of the public conservator. This situation has come Membership category to build who had their works damaged, with one

Noll9November2011 5 Letter to the Editor

situation resulting in a court action that and that this is the approach taken by appreciate your comment regarding did not reflect well on AICCM. Now I most private conservators - I think you the need to enhance standards, but I don't see that as a service to the public do a disservice to your fellow private wonder how you would go about dealing - more like a disservice. And it hardly conservators to suggest otherwise. with poor quality private practitioners builds confidence in the conservation in a timely and financially viable If private conservators with professional profession. fashion? I am quite happy to have that who do not membership have employees discussion with you - as I am happy for (and I This is the only reason that we are have professional membership any member to contact me about any surely we could requesting all private conservators to fall into that category!) issue that concerns them. apply for Professional Membership - we assume that their work practices would want to offer this service to the public conform to Codes of Ethics and Practice Council has flagged the professional with confidence that they will deal under the supervision of the professional membership requirement for private with a professional conservator. And member? conservators for well over a year - can I just clarify a point here - it is not plenty of time to have given me a call I am not sure I understand your Professional Accreditation, it is simply and suggest a way to handle things comment about institutional Professional Membership. better. I am always open to that. conservators and their 'dream run' The institutional situation is not the regarding ongoing professional There has been an increasingly same as the private one, and while development acttvtttes. Last time I enthusiastic uptake of the professional AICCM would prefer all conservators to looked, there were more options for membership category - from both be members, and ultimately professional professional development points that institutional and private conservators - members, you are correct in pointing out had no financial component than those and I encourage all eligible conservators that AICCM cannot really do anything requiring finance - in fact, there is even to apply in the next available round. about this (although there are some an option where you can earn money! institutions that do require membership Kay Soderlund Lastly, I must take issue with your of AICCM). However, as a rule, comment about 'it' (National Council) institutions do require qualifications preferring a 'soft target'. National or recognized experience as a criterion Council consists of your fellow for employment and we think that the conservators working voluntarily for private sector should take the same our members and the conservation approach. profession, and we are not looking Would you really like your work treated for targets, soft or otherwise. Rather, by someone who couldn't fulfil! the we are looking for ways to support criteria for professional membership? our colleagues - and we spend a fair And these criteria are hardly 'hoops' - bit of our time doing it. Currently, in fact we have been criticized for not and certainly over the last 10-15 making them more rigorous. years, private conservators have been represented on National Council in myself I must As a private conservator disproportionately high numbers. We regarding disagree with your comments do not see that private conservators are 'out there in the conservation work a different sector of the membership, or I believe in all my years real world'. a sector that needs to be kept 'within I have treated of private work, that the fold' - we are all part of the same AICCM Codes works according to profession. of Ethics and Practice at all times,

6 AICCM National Ne wsletter National Conference

National Conference

The AICCM 2011 National Conference was held at the National Library in Canberra from October 19th, 21st. At the Conference dinner on October 20th, and expanded awards ceremony took place.

2011 Awards - List of recipients

Lydia Egunnike Conservator of the Year Michael Varcoe,Cocks Outstanding Research in the Field of Materials Conservation Bernard Kertesz Service to the Profession Sarah Jane Rennie Service to AICCM Jacquie Mackay Best Media Coverage and Support of Conservation (ABC Capricomia) Celia Cramer ADFAS Conservation Student of the Year (University of Canberra) Jennifer O'Connell ADFAS Conservation Student of the Year (University of Melbourne) Genevit:ve Konig Outstanding Conservation Volunteer (WA) Heather Joynes Outstanding Conservation Volunteer (NSW) David Thompson Outstanding Conservation Volunteer (VIC)

President's View

A mighty congratulations needs the establishment of this group • Blue Sky Working Party- this is to be offered to all those involved earlier this year, and the need a small group (so far) that focuses in orgamsmg this years National for this was reinforced following on more lateral thinking for the Conference held in Canberra in the 20:20 Summit discussions at profession, and the 'big picture' of October. For those of you who didn't the conference. The Advocacy conservation. An example of work attend, the conference was a great Working Party will be responsible from this group is the excellent success with a real 'buzz' about it for developing a programme to submission from AICCM for over the three days of presentations raise the profile of AICCM and the National Cultural Policy co­ - several people expressed a view to the conservation profession. It will ordinated by Mary Jo Lelyveld. It will me of a 'watershed' moment for the also ensure that we have a regular be on the web site shortly. profession. I will leave it to others to spokesperson and contact for the more fully describe the conference and media when it comes to issues of • Code of Ethics Review Committee its content, but I would like to thank conservation. -speaks for itself really! This every delegate for the energy and committee will be working towards enthusiasm brought to all discussions, • Special Events Working Party- reviewing and recommending forums and presentations. I would this group will be responsible for changes in the Codes of Ethics and developing particularly like to thank all those who and working on special Practice- a particularly interesting events attended the AGM and contributed to that have a particular focus. committee to be on following the It may discussions about our ongoing work - not be a group with regular discussions at the conference. especially those who put up their hands work, but more likely come together when there is a particular need. Finally, I would like to thank our to volunteer for particular projects or For example, fabulous conservation framers who positions on Council. AICCM would like to establish a yearly Conservation donated their time, materials and skills We still have need for members to Week (needs a better name!) where to frame all our Awards to conservation become involved in several of the institutions, organizations, and standards - they looked fantastic. working parties (listed below) so please professional bodies who support Thank you to both ASA Framing, contact me or the new Secretary, Rachel conservation would arrange Sydney and Framing Matters, Canberra Spano, if you are interested in any of the conservation activities to highlight who shared the framing between them. groups. the profession. The Special Events Working Party would develop and • Advocacy Working Kay Si:iderlund Party- Council co-ordinate this week. had made a recommendation for

No 119 November 2011 7 National Conference

2011 Awards conservation in Australia to new the protection meted out to cultural strengths in his work on the travelling collections. DisACT was the first group Meet the recipients exhibition Eugene van Guerard: Nature of its kind in Australia. The group is Revealed, which included co-curating highly active: it has produced an MOU s, has Conservator of the Year - Lydia the exhibition, conservation treatments between participating institution analysis of paintings regular meetings and annually organizes Egunnike and technical undertaken over many years, along a Disaster Response training course for Lydia's contribution to the Queensland with exhaustive research. His technical members. It has its own website and of community in the aftermath research has revealed important has also organized a number of talks QLD's Floods of January 2011 was discoveries into the history of the and symposia on disaster related topics. extraordinary and to be commended. paintings and their framing, and it has The continued existence of DisACT is persistence and She not only shared her professional illuminated the artist's unique studio largely due to Bemards expertise as the main contact person methods. hard work. for the State Library of Queensland, but His desire to understand and explore also managed to undertake and oversee has lead to collaborative work Service to AICCM- Sarah Jane the salvage and stabilisation of an iconic with conservation scientists, fellow Rennie QLD photographic collection which conservators, as well as curators, art Sarah-Jane has been a very consistent is held in the care of Sandy Barrie in historians and other allied professionals. and reliable supporter of AICCM Ipswich. This work is important in boosting for many years and has never been In her position as Senior Conservator the vigour of Australian conservation reluctant to serve on committees and at the State Library of Queensland she research and adds to the research profile has contributed a great deal of effort was called on for radio interviews and of conservation internationally. to ensure meetings happen and all arrangements are made. She has served to undertake salvage workshops for the The range of skills and knowledge as President of AICCM NSW Branch community. Michael has brought to a collaborative and also been the State Representative production offers an incredible example She voluntarily organised resources, on National Council. She has willingly of what a conservator can do. His efforts temporary storage facilities, trained taken on daunting tasks such as have brought a fresh and stimulating volunteers in salvage treatment and the updating and sorting out of the appraisal of the artwork of an important undertook a significant amount of Membership Directory. Her enthusiastic artist in Australia's early art history, treatment work herself. engagement with AICCM has ensured and he has elevated the expectation of continuity within the organisation at Lydia takes every opportunity to conservators. convey to the wider community a times when it has been harder to recruit greater understanding of preservation Michaelis a member of AICCM. He has active committee members. and conservation issues specifically been active in the Victorian Division's on aspects of salvaging and storing program of 'Off the Record' events. Outstanding Volunteers photographs. It is important to note that Michael' Western Australia - Genevieve Over the last decade Lydia has actively contribution is probably less apparent Konig participated in the Queensland within the conservation community Genevieve first came to the Maritime Division, is currently Co-convenor of and more apparent outside it. He has Museum in 1997 with a strong desire the AICCM Special Interest Group taken the field of technical art history, to volunteer her time to make a art PHOTON. She also has obtained which has traditionally focused on meaningful contribution to the salvage and maintains AICCM professional north of the Equator, into the world of of our heritage. membership. Australian art history and curatorship in an exceptional way; something that It was her initiative combined with her inventive mind and manual skills that Outstanding Research in the Field could only come from an active painting a wide-ranging ability resulted in the WA Museums' extensive of Material Conservation- Michael conservator with to encompass technical, historical and spear collection now being properly Varcoe-Cocks aesthetic issues. supported and safely stored. In 2005 she Michael has been acknowledged for started the project of boxing the WA his outstanding contribution to the Maritime Museum's large Submarine Outstanding Service to the conservation profession, through Ledgers Collection, which now all have his dedication to and rigour in the Profession - Bernard Kertesz their own containers and safe storage. conservation of paintings and associated Bemard has worked as convenor of the technical and analytical research. DisACT gro~p for 12 years. DisACT Genevieve was active in the preparation was instituted in 1999 in response of objects for the new Maritime Museum In 2011, the scope of Michael's of to an audit office report critical of in Fremantle and the relocation expertise and commitment has taken

8 AICCM National Newsletter National Co nference approximately 3 million objects from ADFAS Student Awards Shortly after that I started a family. the Perth Museum site to the new Once I'd had kids, I decided I was ready storage facilities in Welshpool. The Association of Australian to settle down and commit to a career I Decorative and Fine Arts (ADFAS) knew I could love. Over the years Genevieve developed is an organisation of 34 societies, with an interest in textiles conservation 6000 members around Australia, which What led you to a career in and was soon assisting in our textiles promotes education in, and the study of conservation? conservation area. She also designed the decorative and fine arts, by offering and crafted mannequins for our historic I had always had an inkling that I high quality monthly lectures on diverse costume collection, which demonstrates might like conservation. I used to topics within the arts. her versatility and wide ranging skills. hang around outside the Nicholson One of the objects of the Association Museum Conservation Lab at Sydney New South Wales- Heather Joynes of ADFAS is ' ... the preservation of Uni peeking in at all the things going on inside. Some years later, I had the Heather has volunteered · in the our national artistic heritage'. ADFAS opportunity to work at GML Sydney Materials Conservation Unit at the regards the conservation of our cultural where I cleaned and documented Australian Museum for 35 years. and artistic heritage as vital. To this artefacts from a dig site near Sydney. She has developed a thorough end the ADFAS Executive committee understanding of appropriate materials decided this year to fund a prize to an I enjoyed every aspect of the work and to use and handling techniques. As a outstanding graduating conservation decided that working with artefacts and skilled embroiderer and sewer, Heather student from each of the universities objects was definitely the path for me. has created supports for some of the offering conservation courses, to be The course at Canberra started shortly museum's significant anthropological administered by AICCM. after that... and here I am. items and has worked on many The two awards, which each come with others to meet exhibition and travel prize money of $2,000 were announced What have you most enjoyed during standards. Her professionalism, skills at the AICCM 2011 National your time studying conservation at and commitment to her work is highly Conference dinner. Julian Bickersteth Canberra Vni? admirable. caught up with the winners. There has been so much to enjoy about this course of study. Great teaching staff, who have been incredibly supportive; Victoria - David Thompson Celia Cramer - University of a fun bunch of students from all sorts David has volunteered at heritage Canberra Victoria for just under 10 years. In of interesting backgrounds; having the his professional career David was an freedom within the UC course to find aeronautical engineer with a passion and pursue the specialisation that felt for history. When he retired he began right for me; the "in the field" practical volunteering at the Royal Historical experiences I have had at a number of Society of Victoria, Museum Victoria labs around the eastern states; and the and Heritage Victoria. In addition encouragement I have received from to David's engineering skills and the staff at all of the labs I have visited. knowledge his excellence in wood working has offered Heritage Victoria's How would you like your career to conservation centre an unusual and evolve? rare skill over his years of service; that I hope to continue developing my skills of being able to make a box for ANY in paintings conservation. There is artefact no matter how big, small or still so much I want to learn. I love the how heavy or how fragile. What have you been up to prior to "people" side of conservation too, so I'd studying at Canberra Vni? like to continue to have opportunities to David is one of the most courteous work with curators/owners to help them I trained at Sydney Uni as an volunteers HV has ever hosted and has realise their visions for their collections Archaeologist but didn't do anything brought a very professional attitude to and exhibitions. Lately, I've been with it initially. I did a lot of sailing and the workplace as a volunteer over these enjoying using with Raman microscopy worked in the sail making industry both past 10 years; he will attempt any task and ITIR in my pre-treatment here and abroad. Then I worked in IT that will assist the conservators in their investigations. If the opportunity for a number of years here in Australia work. presents itself, I'd like to continue using and in Singapore. these instruments and applying them to conservation activities.

No 119 November 2011 9 Notional Conference

What role can AICCM take to assist opportunities to travel internationally. I How would you like your career to you? visited many countries including Russia, evolve? I'd like the AICCM to keep doing what Italy and the United States. I undertook Recently, I visited the Kimberley to do which was they have been doing ... hosting evening an artist tour of New York conservation work at an Aboriginal Art desire to work talks, social events and of course, the inspiring and sealed my Centre. This experience inspired me material. conferences. I have found these to be in the field of art/cultural to do more work on Aboriginal art and fantastic opportunities to expand my conservation as well as disseminating knowledge and get to know people in What led you to a career in conservation advice in rural areas in the profession. conservation? Australia. I find this area extremely The combination of a passion for interesting and if I were to continue in What does winning the ADFAS award art and an interest in undertaking a this vein, I would love to explore more mean to you? practical, hands-on job led me to my of the techniques and issues surrounding I just happened to listen Aboriginal Art conservation, both in What a wonderful surprise to win the career choice. by conservators Australia and overseas, for instance ADFAS award! I think it's very cool to two presentations NGV on a photography conservation of indigenous art in that ADFAS recognises the hard work - one at the on the reasons Canada or USA. that Conservators do and has supported exhibition focusing that were used that recognition with an award. For me, for low lighting levels of photographs. What role can AICCM take to assist the award is fantastic encouragement in the preservation held at the you? to keep working hard to develop into The other presentation, Art, related to a "good conservator". It's also a lovely Ian Potter Museum of The AICCM can assist early career a collection of confidence boost at a time when I'm the conservation of conservators in continuing to publicise been restored for an pretty nervous about leaving the posters that had conservation work that is available, by these safety of uni and becoming a fledgling exhibition. I was intrigued provide training workshops and sessions and began investigating conservation practitioner. presentations such as the Off the Record (currently the conservation field further, leading organised by the AICCM Vie Division). me to discover the Master of Arts The Special Interest Group symposiums O'Connell- University of Jenny (Cultural Material Conservation) are fantastic for learning new ideas Melbourne programme at the University of in conservation, meeting other Melbourne. At the time, I had been conservators and sharing research. The looking into research opportunities but AICCM plays a significant role in decided to change my course choice and linking the public to conservators and I applied for the conservation course. educating people on the importance of It seemed to link a lot of my interests conservation. including art, art history, science and an interest in computer programs such as What does winning the ADFAS award Photoshop and photography. mean to you? am very surprised and excited you most enjoyed during What have about winning the ADFAS award. conservation at your time studying Winning the award recognises three Melbourne Uni? important areas in my life that I have I thoroughly enjoyed the group projects been involved in over the past few and working in a team. This was a years - studying the conservation What have you been up to prior to vast change from the BA (Hons) and course, working and volunteering in studying at Melbourne Uni? also producing work as an artist. I feel the different areas of the conservation I benefitted from variety of learning; conservation, I had profession, particularly in the Prior to studying from looking at objects, to studying of Kimberley, and being involved with the been working at the University the composition of materials, from AICCM Vie Division by being student Melbourne in a variety of roles, mainly chemistry to the ethics of conservation. representative. I would like to use the as a student advisor. I graduated with My specialisation is paintings and I prize money to further my involvement a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and loved working on a variety of paintings in working with Aboriginal community concurrent Diploma in Creative Arts from 19'"C oil paintings to modern art centres. I would also like to thank from the University of Melbourne in art. I al so completed the Postgraduate award and for providing 2005. In the BA (Hons) I majored Certificate in Photographic Materials ADFAS for the in Cinema Studies and History Conservation. I enjoyed learning the an award in recognition of conservation and also undertook a variety of Art history of photographic techniques and students. History subjects. Before beginning digitisation processes as photography is the conservation course, I had several another interest of mine.

10 AICCM National Newsletter Advertisement:

... Wish we'd had AUSTRALIAN INHIBITOR MATERIALS 2000 years ago!

DISCLAIMER Our Stability Trials Protocol has not extended to 2000 years as yet!

Call us for all MIL SPEC Packaging materials We supply VCI Papers & Films, VCI bags VCI , tube, VCI Centrefold, VCI sheet VCI Foil to NSN 8135-66-158-8103 Conforming wrap to Def 1 OOOC, Static shield material to MIL-PRF 817050 Australian Inhibitor Pty Ltd 6 Nicholas Drive Dandenong South 3175 Phone 03 9768 2322 Fax 03 9768 2111 Email [email protected] web www.australianinhibitor.com.au "AWARD WINNERS 2011 -Industrial Packaging Innovation"

No 119 November 2011 11 AICCM State Division News - VIC

AICCM State Division News

AICCM Victoria Division the AICCM Victoria branch delivered Week 2011 two events during Science Week 2011. and Science In this instance AICCM provided content for the lead institution's week The Victorian committee of AICCM long program which they had received has for some time been thinking about Commonwealth Government grant getting involved in National Science funding to deliver. Their multifarious, Week, which most readers will know is a week long program primarily delivered Commonwealth Government educative by the University of Ballarat was entitled initiative held over a week in August Collisions on Canvas: Art and Chemistry. every year. In early 2011 two members In their program they delivered nearly of the Victorian branch committee 20 activities and events around art and attended a National Science Week chemistry including a fascinating tour Ballarat. Deb took the audience through Victorian Coordinating Committee of Imerys Minerals Pittong Mine and the various analytical techniques used meeting. This meeting was for all Processing Plant (a major supplier of in conservation; from techniques potential and committed Victorian kaolin for the pharmaceutical and paint used to see under drawings on canvas event holders for National Science industries), a paper making workshop, a to methods of elemental analysis for Week and was designed to facilitate tour of the Haymes Paint Manufacturing textiles and artefacts. Deb's presentation the meeting of Victorian Science Week plant based in Ballarat, workshops about style was highly accessible to a non­ event holders and those groups who inks and two other workshops exploring conservator audience. Raye Collins were still thinking about holding an pigments derived from minerals then talked about scientific techniques event (like us). The groups present and food. The lead organiser at the used in the analysis of paintings with a were encouraged to share information University of Ballarat was extremely fantastic accompanying presentation. and to collaborate to assure the success pleased to invite AICCM Victorian Raye took the audience through a of the Victorian Science Week in 2011. members to contribute to their program treatment she had performed on a Attending the meeting was very fruitful in the form of a public talk about painting that was from the Art Gallery as not only did we learn about how to conservation science and a community of Ballarat's own collection and which is hold our own Science Week event in the workshop in which conservators would much loved by the gallery community. future, we also formed a collaboration engage with members of the City of Both speakers were extremely well with two other Victorian organisations Ballarat's community by way of one­ received by the audience; it should and actually found ourselves delivering on-one consultations with people about be no surprise to the conservation Science Week events during August the condition of their personal artworks community that our work really does 2011. and treasures. Due to our collaboration engage people's interest. Deb Lau and Together with the Art Gallery of with two Ballarat based institutions Raye Collins are to be commended on Ballarat and The University of Ballarat, AICCM Victorian branch delivered their professional presentations and the these events in the thriving regional excellent images that they were able to centre of Ballarat and judging by the incorporate into them that so clearly numbers of the public who attended and illustrated to the audience the benefit participated in our events, they were a that scientific inquiry lends to art deemed a success. conservation. Twilight Talk: The Art and Science of The second event delivered by AICCM Conservation was a weekday evening was a public workshop held on a event held at the Art Gallery of Saturday at Ballarat Art Gallery. This Ballarat. Conservation scientist Deb event was entitled How is your artwork Lau and paintings conservator Raye feeling? This event brought together Collins stepped forward when a cali was ten conservators equally divided by put out to the Victorian members asking specialisation to consult with members for speakers and both gave excellent of the public who were concerned about presentations for this event which was the physical condition or the storage well attended on a very rainy night in needs of their personal treasures. On

12 AICCM Natiqnal Newsletter A/CCM State Division News - TAS

the day our group of conservators met about run_ning our own Science Week Many thanks go to Stephanie Davison . with between 60-70 people and we were events and realise that a collaborative from the University of Ballarat and able to give considered advice about approach in planning and organising Peter Freund from the Art Gallery of the storage and care of items such as is the best way to go about it. If Ballarat for their support of AICCM the cleaning of a sea turtle shell from other state divisions are interested in Victoria branch and for their willingness the Torres Strait Islands, the storage hearing more about Victorian division's to collaborate with us. for a 1930s wedding dress, the care experience of Science Week or if there For information about National Science of a collection of aged photographs, is interest in forming a national A ICCM Week refer to the following websites. an artist's sketch book and what to do application for Science Week 2012 then http://www.scienceweek.gov.au/Pages/ with paintings suffering all sorts of please contact the chair of the Victoria indexas x preservation problems such as paint division, Susie Collis at susanna.collis@ cracking, discolouration and poor dpcd. vic.gov.au. Please be reminded mounting. that our National Council is looking for a Special Events Working Party Our participation in and contribution committee for Special or Promotional to this Science Week program has given Events. If you are reading this and if you the Victorian division a lot of food for are interested then contact our National thought; we now feel more confident President.

AICCM Tasmanian Division

The Tasmanian Division held their AGM this year at Port Arthur Historic Site thanks to the kind offer of AICCM member, Michael Smith. After the AGM, Naomi Jeffs, Grounds and Garden Supervisor at Port Arthur gave members a tour of the gardens. Naomi discussed the management of the ]ody Steele pointing out the location of Hobart in AICCM Tasmanian Division AGM meeting in complex landscape of Port Arthur and relation to the Coal Mines site one of the cottages at Port Arthur the historic landscapes that are revealed by new plantings based on historic and archaeological research carried out on site. After the tour several members stayed over night and the next day were treated to a tour of the Coal Mines Historic Site. This is now managed by the Port Arthur Historic Sites Authority, and the tour given by Jody Steele, Heritage Program Manager. The Coal Mines site is an unstaffed An example of 19th century possum proofing of a ]ody Steele, Michael Smith, Nikki King Smith and vegetable garden recreated in the grounds of Port ]udith Andrewartha on·a midden site at the Coal World Heritage Site located on the Arthur Mines. northern coast of the Tasman Peninsula. The mines were established in the 1830s to supply coal to the colony of Van Oiemen's Land and were staffed by convicts from Port Arthur. The complex of buildings, roads and mine shafts spread over a large area bordering the coastline of the Tasman Peninsula now set in bush land. The tour was a great success and members enjoyed the opportunity to see this beautiful site. Charlotte Walker, Amy Bartlett , Michael Smith, Naomi ]effs presenting the management of the ]udith Andrewartha and Nikki King Smith historic landscapes at Port Arthurs to· members of standing on the entrance to one of the stone lined the Tasmanian Division of the AICCM shafts at the Coal Mines site

No 119 November 2011 13 An Interview

An Interview - Cristina Albillos

Cristina Albillos is the Senior Conservator at the State Library of Western Australia (SLWA). She was educated in Australia and Italy and spent some years working in Europe. Whilst working in Italy she founded ITOG, Istituto per la Tutela delle Opere Grafiche e Visive (Institute for the Protection of Graphic and Visual Arts - Mestre, Venice). ]ulian Bickersteth caught up with her after the AICCM Conference in Canberra.

How did you come to be working at We worked for numerous Noble Italian SLWA? families who have the most wonderful in Venice I had a great desire to return to private collections both countryside as Australia and work for an Institution. and their Villas in the the San I have in the past always worked as well as the Marciana Library, San Francesco a private Conservator and to work Franciscan Convent of this privately in a country like Italy is a great della Vigna in Venice etc. During in several challenge. Things are not simple; you time we were called to lecture that need to have very good contacts in the courses for the Venetto Region to train right place, sometimes clients don't pay had acquired European funding and when you have emitted an invoice young unemployed women in different you have up to the 15th day of that cultural sectors. We also held workshops organised by the Venetian Artisan month to pay 20% GST if not, you are a reference point where scientists, Association, these were successful and fined. When clients don't pay not only historians, restorers, graphic artists; we repeated on several occasions. have you worked for nothing but on top · archivists, antiquarians, printmakers, you have lost 20% of the total in taxes. photographers and computer analysts Can you tell us more about ITOG? I have worked on wonderful and very can exchange ideas, strategies and interesting projects, usually very old Whilst working in the studio and experiences to enhance and improve items (500 to 100 year old materials). preparing as well as doing workshops it their activities in the world of graphic I liked the idea of progressing and became apparent that there was a lack of and visual arts. working with more contemporary information sharing in the conservation materials. field in Italy. The Italian mentality is What has been the most satisfying part very protective towards its professions, of ITOG's work? What were you doing in Italy prior to artisanship, skills and individuals are • Writing up projects to help countries coming to Australia? not really willing to share information in need of Conservation training and experiences for the fear of I graduated from the Accademia di to assist them in preserving their competition. That is why many secrets Belle Arti in Venice in 1991 and during heritage. my 4 year course I did a unit in Fresco have gone to the tomb with families Conservation. It was the first time I or people in the course of the Italian • Working with UNESCO with one has been had had an opportunity to come into history. A lot of information of these projects called National on. contact with the conservation world. lost because it has not been passed Training Course on Conservation met My first · job after I graduated was We set out with people who we had of Library Heritage University Pula (ex­ with a Conservation company called along the way, like Paolo Calvini (Croatia) September 2000, with Quagliardi & Qualiardi working in director of Patologia del Libro in Rome) financial sponsorship from World Verona. I worked there for over a year and others to form a non profit lntitute Monument Fund. called lstituto per la Tutela delle Opere on some very interesting sites; one in exhibition (1997) Graphiche e Visive (Institute for the • Producing an particular was La Torre di San Zeno conservation Protection of Graphic and Visual after executing (that had spectacular medieval frescos). work on Robert Dudley (Junior) (paper Arts, ITOG) founded in February I met Rosanna Chiggiato in 1993 Dell'Arcano del Mare. Dudley under her 1997, in Venice. ITOG was founded conservator) and trained produced 6 volumes published studio called by a team of professionals with mutual in book and paper at her in Florence in 1646-4 7. These and I became interests operating in different fields Palinsesto in Venice. Ro consi ted of navigational studies, ship conservation of conservation in paper, books and partners and moved the construction drawings, navigational lab to Mestre, a city on the terra ferma. visual arts. The goal was to create

14 AICCM National Newsletter Special Interest Groups

charts and instruments. We conserved 2 volumes belonging to San Frascesco della Vigna's Special Interest Groups Convent.

• Salvaging Yoko Ono's artworks and installations brought to Venice for 2010 Biennale. Photon SIG As the new convenors we are eager to work with members to ensure the • Establishing a netw.ork Stephanie Baily, Amy Bartlett and Lydia group provides an effective forum for of contacts with similar Egunnike - Convenors sharing techniques, materials, issues organisations operating in and training needs. We will also be Italy and abroad, wrth the aim The AICCM Photon special interest encouraging a strong photographic of favouring the exchange of group represents the interests of those conservation presence at conferences knowledge and the comparing who work with photographic media, and symposiums. experiences within the including photographic and digital Institute's spheres of interest. prints, film and negatives. One of our first actions will be the implementation of an online discussion After many years, Detlev Leuth has Could an equivalent organisation forum. We contacted current Photon stepped down from his role as Convenor work in Australia? members in July 2011 to gauge interest of the Photon SIG. On behalf of all in the forum. Feedback revealed that I think the AICCM and all members of the group we would like members would like a conversation cultural institutions fulfil what to thank him for his hard work and style format that is shared online and we felt in Italy was lacking. I dedication and look forward to his via email. This style is preferred over have recently prolonged my stay continued involvement in the group. others such as Facebook or a blog. We in Canberra after the National are in the process of choosing a platform AICCM conference to learn The co-ordination of Photon will for the online discussion group and will about other areas of conservation now be shared amongst three AICCM provide more information soon. and collection management. All members, Stephanie Baily, Amy the institutions I approached Bartlett and Lydia Egunnike. Stephanie were extremely forthcoming, works as a Paper Conservator at the very helpful and willing to share Art Gallery of Western Australia. their know-how but also to Amy is the Conservator of Paper at continue to support me as well the Queen Victoria Museum and Art as my institution with any arising Gallery in Tasmania. Lydia works in problems. private conservation and is the Museum Development Officer at Queensland You have just been attending the Museum's Museum Resource Centre AICCM conference in Canberra. for Southern Inland Queensland. What is your perspective of All have a wide range of experience the health of the conservation encompassing . photographic materials, profession in Australia? works on paper, exhibition preparation I think the theme chosen was and disaster recovery. well timed. I feel that things are changing but we are a vibrant profession and very capable to move with the times and the challenges as well as having great capabilities to influence these changes.

No 119 November 2011 15 Working Parties

Working Parties

Environmental Guidelines • Literature review of fumigation Literature review of fumigants treatments Taskforce Most literature providing details of fumigant treatments predate the late Review of irradiation treatments 1990s-2000s. Where fumigants are still Julian Bickersteth- Chair used it is for the prevention of pests as The conservation literature seems part of an Integrated Pest Management The taskforce is moving to finalisation united in their opinion that gamma program, rather than the treatment of the AICCM Environmental irradiation treatment will kill mould of active infestation. Ethylene oxide, Guidelines for museums and galleries, - however they are divided on what Thymol and other mould fumigants and an update was provided at the dose is necessary. The literature is have long been considered toxic, and in 2011 AICCM Conference. It is hoped very much divided about the safety of many countries they are banned. that the Guidelines will be widely the treatment for heritage materials. promulgated by AICCM members once Most studies have been on paper based they are available, and one of the 2020 materials only. Most researchers agree Research performed at University Summit session at the Conference was that irradiation causes depolymerisation of Sydney dedicated to looking at ways in which the extent of the cellulose, however The Working Party was fortunate this can be done. depolymerisation is and effect of this enough to have the expertise of has disputed. The published research Associate Professor Peter McGee of paper mostly focused on single sheets from the University of Sydney. Peter questions Mould Remediation Working and there are therefore some arranged for his research students to packed, Party as to dose rates for densely undertake projects relating to mould volumes. boxed materials as well as germination and growth on paper. carried out Obviously until research is These investigations determined the Elizabeth Hadlow - Chair difficult to on other material types it is following: provide any recommendations or further Overview comments. • Fungi remain on contaminated paper The Mould Remediation Working Party though they are likely to be present was established in 2010 to review the It is difficult to provide a definitive as spores and can be removed by current remediation practices both recommendation about this treatment something as simple as vacuuming. within the conservation profession method at this stage, especially without and more widely those used by disaster other essential information about the • Paper can be stained by several remediation companies and other human health effects of dead mould - common species found in indoor occupational health specialists when i.e. if the mould is killed but remains on air. These fungi only need the moist dealing with heritage collections the objects are they still a health risk to surf'!lce to grow, and they need not affected by mould. handle. damage the paper to stain it.

The Group eventually grew to 19 people • The composition of archival paper with a smaller core group of very active Review of guidelines of other will influence the growth and members. conservation organisations survival of fungal contaminants. Most organisations have some Presence of readily used substrates (obviously glucose and other simple Progress made information about mould, its effects and methods of remediation. In all sugars) will increase the chances of To date, three main areas of cases the remediation methods were fungi damaging the paper. In the investigation have been achieved by the common practices already used by absence of these simple sources of group members: many conservators - reducing humidity, energy, the cellulose of paper is not • Literature review of irradiation drying materials, and aseptic brushing used readily by many fungi found treatments for mould affected and vacuuming. None mentioned indoors. Discolouration is likely collections irradiation as a treatment method and to be a significant problem and degradation a rare one. However, if • Review of guidelines or information nearly all recommended not using contamination comes from soil or published by international fumigants such as ethylene oxide or plant material, then use of cellulose conservation organisations other chemicals such as bleach.

16 AICCM National Newsletter Conservation Matters - Can yo u help?

Can you help? / -r

will be a significant factor. Remove dust from Mystery photo the storage space. Do not grow plants among the Second time lucky! These archives. mystery photos have been run previously, but the Still to do mysteries were never solved. The main areas that still Photo 1 is dated to 1949, require investigation are: with the caption: Overseas • Health effects of mould art connoisseurs sent art treasures to Sydney restorer. - Live Photo 2 is dated to 1986 -Dead and shows Ruth Norton, • Sampling methods who lectured in objects conservation at the most effective University of Canberra, with three unnamed people. The Overseas art connoisseurs sent art treasures to Sydney restorer aims of sampling caption for the photo states: Additionally the Party Student conservator from would like to develop better Manila attends conservation links with the disaster course at the CCAE. and occupational health Thanks go to Vanessa industries: Wiggin of ArtWorks • to determine how Conservation for a tentative industries can work identification of one of the together more effectively people in the last mystery photo. Although not certain • to improve awareness of she suggests the man on the issues surrounding the right is Simeon Adelbai from remediation of heritage Belau National Museum, collect ions Republic of Palau. • to increase knowledge If anyone can confirm this, within the conservation or suggest an alternative, or Student conservator from Manila attends conservation course at community about the CCAE identify any of the others in different remediation the photo please let lan Batterham (ian [email protected]) know. methods and treatments

No 119 November 2011 17 Conservation Matters - What do you think?

An important component of the recent 2011 AICCM National Conference in Canberra was the 20:20 Summit. This was designed to provide a forum for workshopping critical issues for the conservation profession. The chair of each session have summarised the conclusions reached:

Greening Conservation • Re-use materials where possible - • New buildings should utilise all blotters, reemay etc. possible methods of reducing costs - these include using passive Batterham Chair: lan • In-house recycling of food scraps­ design principles and appropriate The Greening Conservation group . could be composted for gardens construction materials. The proved to be quite popular and lively. • Give offcuts to local school or placement of collections within the This seems to be an important issue sheltered workshop. Unfortunately building is also to be considered- for to many conservators. One reason for institutions do not allow waste example geological specimens do not . this is that the motivations of the two some to be given away. This is need air conditioning. disciplines come from a similar place. materials regulations. This One is about conserving man-made related to fraud • Travelling exhibition trails need to needs to be changed. Aus­ heritage and the other natural heritage. policy be developed to minimise travel. model here. A good Initial discussion was about whether harvest possible is in place at MAGNT who What the AICCM can do: we should make more of a point of our scheme give board offcuts to artists who 'sister' relationship with environmental • Set up a sustainability working group artworks for sale. The money conservation - it is a very popular field produce ing green tips and we could make some mileage out goes to charity. • Newsletter pieces giv for labs. of being seen as 'the other side of the The benefits of sharing: same coin' or some similar metaphor. • Green award for the lab that has the • Materials are often wasted because The danger of this is losing our point of best recycling- eco warrior award. difference with them. of the large amounts that have to be bought. Combined purchasing would Significant outcomes of the session be a good idea .. were: Conservation Research • A central store may not be possible There are a range of simple steps we can with a sharing/ but a virtual store Chair: Mary}o Lelyveld take in our laboratories to reduce our work. bartering arrangement may After a robust discussion about how to environmental impact: • Cross-institutional bodies may be qualify and quantify whether 'enough' • Where possible stop using toxic and able to assist in getting this in place; research was being done; what the ozone depleting materials. it could be covered by a MOU different challenges to undertaking institutions. research were for students, institutional • Use bio-degradable materials where between and private conservators; as well as the possible. • In the same way frames, exhibition pros and cons of a central conservation and packing material are • Avoid materials that deplete a crates research facility, the group offered a few away or sit idle in an particular species ( eg isinglass often thrown ideas on the following: if a central register were depletes sturgeon stocks). institution, introduced wastage could be reduced. Where would we like to be in 2020? • Don't waste water. For example iss ues: • National Institute for Cultural the reverse osmosis process is very Bigger picture Heritage to guide conservation wasteful. Don't use purified water if • Conservators need to be involved research within a broader CH tap water will suffice. Introduce water management and design in building framework to include not only recycling if possible. issues to ensure that such work materials analysis research but conservation needs but also • Check the source of materials - meets social, cultural and intangible impact. source locally if possible. minimises environmental he ritage themes. Concept of central

18 AICCM National Newsletter Conservation Matters - What do you think?

research and education facility • Tools for quantifying and evaluating their feel, smell, touch and the viewer was key to the earliest visions for conservation treatment/non­ experience through old systems? our profession (ICCM Conference treatment activities and providing We also 1976). International examples greater transparency in the decision­ wanted to highlight three codes include: National Research Institute making process (e.g. Michalski's currently in use that were considered problematic (1, 2 and 6): for Cultural Properties (Tokyo and 'Social discount rate ... ' and 'decision Seoul); CHIN; Getty; UNESCO etc. diagrams' and Appelbaum's Principles of ethical behaviour for all 'Characteri ation grid'). • Conservation managers to provide those involved in the conservation of cultural material: a supportive environment for • Applicability of new analytical conservation research as a long-term techniques for materials 1. All actions of AICCM Members professional imperative e.g. allocate identification (see Gennesys must be governed by an informed a % of work time that should be White Paper re: nanoscience and respect for cultural property, its research related or incentives to synchrotron facility capabilities). unique character and significance publish research. and the people or person who • Methods for aggregating and created it. • Develop on-line research wiki disseminating research e.g. ICT, or meta database to disseminate semantic web research and virtual 2. In the conservation of cultural research: capabilities - much more cross­ material, all actions of AICCM disciplinary in terms of developing/ - Bibliographic database searchable Members must be governed by an sharing skill base. (similar to CHIN) of Australian unswerving respect for the physical, articles. historic, aesthetic and cultural integrity of the object. - R esearch in progress database - Ethics professionals and students can flag 3. AICCM Members shall strive current projects and invite others to attain the highest standards Chair: Sophie Lewincamp to join or only comment etc. in all aspects of conservation, (e.g. To assist with the ethics discussion INCCA including examination, research, to access unpubli hed we thought about "The role of the material). documentation, conservation advice, conservator" and what we need to treatment, training and education. - Research wish list/to do/notepad guide our everyday treatment and work - ideas for research, phenomena practices? Significance was a major 4. AICCM Members shall recognise requiring further investigation or theme throughout our discussions, their skills and limitations when avenues of enquiry to highlight particularly how significance influences devising and implementing gaps in knowledge and offering a our treatment approaches to collection conservation measures and share point to develop research material. When calculating significance, treatments. we and stakeholders think about networks. 5. AICCM Members have the cash value, cultural purposes, use, responsibility of contributing to the • Consider establishing sample library access requirements, intangible and evolution and growth of conservation now for future research including: conceptual. The treatment approach practice by continuing to develop proprietary adhesives, paints, art and the extent of the treatment are knowledge and skills, and by sharing papers. 'Slow research' ie. ongoing/ strongly influenced by all these factors information and experience. long-term research programs. and we as conservators often guide this conversation with stakeholders. These 6. AICCM Members shall respect What research might be needed in decision making processes should be the integrity of fellow AICCM 2020? documented as well as the treatment Members. • Reduced availability and on-going undertaken. 7. AICCM Members have the formulation changes of petrochemical For a code of ethics to be useful it should obligation to promote understanding materials for conservation (adhesives, use clear and consistent terminology. of and adherence to this Code of coatings etc)- finding alternatives? In Colin Macgregor's talk he discussed Ethics. • Deterioration research into the need for practical terminology and 1. All actions of AICCM Members must contemporary materials as they grow documentation that can be understood be governed by an informed respect for in number and size. by many such as the risk assessment cultural property, its unique character model. What do the current codes • Preventive conservation measures and significance and the people or mean by cultural property and cultural e.g. passive environmental controls; person who created it. Are we always material? How do you preserve and lighting controls. able to have an informed understanding respect the functionality of objects, of the significance of the artefact? In

No119November2011 19 Conservation Matters - What do you think?

the majority of cases a significance • Sharing existing information and less so at lower hierarchical levels. evaluation governs the treatment real time case studies about the Our strengths and weaknesses can approach however this may not be impact of broader environmental be built on the strength of particular possible for large collections within parameters. individuals. We need to recognize and archives. this. We should foster stronger libraries on • Writing up papers drawing connections at the grassroots and science (coming 2. In the conservation of cultural evidence based higher levels. material, all actions of AICCM out of the case studies outlined Members must be governed by respect above). We need to forge stronger links for the physical, historical, aesthetic 2. Present this story to allied with other Australian professional and conceptual integrity of the object. professional groups as a dialogue organisations especially within the Removed unswerving - what does leading to broader support and sector. that mean practically speaking? Add understanding. • Any initiatives we make must be conceptual to include electronic and sensitive to the diversity within the digital media. The physical integrity is 3. Continue this work beyond the profession and pursue common issues also a tricky point in the case of digital life of the taskforce through the and needs that unite us. records on VHS, CD, etc it must not be Preventive Conservation SIG and feasible to conserve the physical vehicle other AICCM avenues. • In light of our diversity (in different so the written historical information specialisations, across different will be respected and preserved. institutions/ private businesses and work with varied types of collections 6. AICCM Members should behave Making Connections and access requirements [physical for respectfully. If this one is considered libraries and archives versus visual] necessary we thought all members Chair: Alex Ellem for galleries and museums), we should behave respectfully, end of story. Why do we want to make connections? already have existing foundations for We didn't solve the terminology • We depend on the survival of our building productive connections and problems nor did we re-write the codes sector for employment. strengthening our voice. We need during our 90 minute discussion but we to associate with a broad range of • We want power to lobby to build a hope these notes encourage membership professionals and organisations for strong future and to maintain gains to join the debate. cross-pollination and to strengthen already made. our support base.

• It is politically advantageous • Connections should be formalised allied Environmental Standards to formally connect with and harness the political strength we share professionals with whom in numbers available by affiliation, our political Chair: }ulian Bickersteth concerns to increase rather than amalgamation across the we face as The group examined how the strength. The threats heritage sector. the conservation profession can not only conservators, face all of us within • We can d~ this via associate ensure alignment and knowledge of the heritage sector. memberships with allied professions new environmental standards across all CCA and • The toll of losing HCC, but also via lateral connections, conservators, but also both promote the CAN is massive. which connect us as a sector. standards and conservators knowledge about them to the wider cultural sector. What do we mean by connections? • One means of creating a bigger voice The following defined outcomes were and become part of a • Connections, both formal and is to develop identified: In a confederation informal, are a critical means of confederation. heads of each organization could 1. Develop a common language and sharing information and providing meet one or more times a year to shared story about where we're going mutual support among ourselves share their concerns and work with environmental standards. and within our professions and better outcomes. We institutions, with colleagues, clients together toward by: it The Australia Council This story builds and the public. could call of Cultural Heritage Associations. closely with facilities • Working • Currently connections between to develop a greater managers different organisations are primarily understanding of common informal ones between individuals, management. environmental especially heads of organisations and

20 AICCM National Newsletter Conservation Matters - Con you help?

Benefits of confederacy/ affiliated • Groups like Blue Shield Australia Other Recommendations membership: bring together a h ost of different • We n eed to be visibly engaged. • Better financial situation th rough organisations focused on disaster • We n eed to think outside traditional resource sharing. prevention. The DISAC T/BSA sympos ium led to the sign ing of groups. • Better leverage. a Letter of Intent (s imilar to a • Ad opt easy communication memora ndum of understa nding) • Collectively identify issues and work pathways. by senior executives of cultural through them in sub-committees. institutions in the ACT r egion. This • Do a SW OT analys is on h ow a • Better understa nding of the document justified the continued community of common interests can commona lities of our concerns. operation of the DI SACT itself. best operate. A ttendan ce by representatives at • Existing models are fr actured and • Avoid silo-ing- which is en couraged DISACT m eetings was thereby sma ll. by present man agement structures; mandated and justified to man agers/ public sector organisations are in directors. We need to understand and recognize competition for increasingly scarce wh ere the power to effect change sits: resources and the sma llest and l east We have to be on top of issues facing Government/ unions/ allied politically glamorous will suffe r. other groups in our sector. professional groups/ workplace • Use the A I CCM n ewsletter to representation • For example, workers at AWM are paid less than at other equivalent interview allied prof essional s. We • The CPSU - the Community and agenci es. could publish briefs from other Public Sector Union - h as a C ultural professional connections to b uild Institutions Section re presenting • When cuts were made to AIATSIS up a broader, clearer picture of the members employed by public (the Australian Institute for enviro nment around us. A positive institution s. It is a powerful way to Aboriginal a nd Torres Strait Islander outcome m ay be that we are o ffered pool limited reso urces for political Studies ) there was no r espon se from the opportunity to represent our lobbying. The CP SU has been AICCM. The C PSU addr essed profession to them. campaigning against the 'effi cien cy these cuts to this major repository dividend' be ing applied across of indigenous mate rials at a rally in • We h ave to be r ealistic. As a sma ll the public sector highlighting its the pa rliame ntary t riangle and via an volunteer organization it is very dam aging effects on sma ll agenci es online campaign at htt : www.c su. difficult to be on top of everything. and cultural co llecting institution s. org.au/campaigns/22816.html . Coming together with others allows The C PSU prepared a sub miss ion to us to do this with a bigger voice. • As we ll, when the unions s upported the N a tional C ultural Policy by ema il the N a tional Ma ritime Museum, polling its membership in cultural their membership increased. institution s.

No 119 November 2011 21 Conference and Workshop Reviews

Conference and Workshop Reviews

ICOM- CC 16th Triennial With so many parallel sessions it was Conference hard to choose, and many a time I was running from one room to Cultural Heritage I Cultural another. Some of the highlights for Identity - the Role of me were presented in the preventive Conservation session where papers discussed various techniques and applications of risk Lisbon ·assessments. This was an admirable 19th- 23rd September 2011 session as we had Wailer, Michalski and Ashley-Smith all co-authoring papers, plus Qaly in collection care to totally Tegan Anthes immerse ourselves in risk management. The conference theme; Cultural The contemporary ession provided Heritage/Cultural Identity - The Role some insight of Conservation provoked thoughts of into plastic treatments, where we are in the world and what are with a cellulose acetate book project we doing. and studies into cleaning of plastics. To clean or not clean and what with? The The conference was jammed with papers answers are to clean in straight motions - apparently they had a huge influx - not circular, and that all methods of abstracts presented and therefore scratch, however ostrich feather they decided to extend the quantity of was found to cause the least notable papers. Therefore there were over 300 scratches. The research is ongoing with papers and posters presented within 5 further studies presented at POPART in The Aussie conference participants days. The Aussies were well represented Paris 2012. with papers from Anne Cummings, beautiful city to see and the conference Marcel Scott, Andrew Thorn, Bruce Overall the conference was invigorating tours to nearby cultural sights were Ford, lan MacLeod and Veronica and enlightening - it was fabulous to some of the highlights. At the closing Bullock. Andrew also presented his see so many conservators so passionate of the conference it was announced that paper on Keith Herring for the plenary about our profession and our culture. Melbourne will host the 1 7'h Triennial session, while Malgorzata Sawicki There were lively discussions at the conference in 2014 - see chaired sessions. There were many other you all there! end of sessions and plenty of time for Aussies listening and learning in the networking in the breaks. Lisbon was a audiences including myself.

Adhesives and Consolidants Archives Canada, Ottawa, from 17- symposium about materials is that every for Conservation: Research 21 October 2011. The symposium presentation is potentially applicable included three and a half days of to your work, regardless of the and Applications presentations, tours of conservation conservation speciality of the presenter. Libraries and Archives Canada laboratories and a full day dedicated to For example, adhesives like funori and Ottawa 1 7 - 21 October 2011 demonstrations of techniques, material Lascaux are used across disciplines; samples, and equipment and analysis research results and experiences of instrumentation. these materials are of benefit to all. Alice Cannon Likewise, issues such as joint design and The benefits of the cross-specialisation consolidant penetration (and the means The Canadian Conservation conference were apparent for the of measuring the effectiveness of such Institute (CCI) has a l ong history of entire week of the symposium. Papers things) are applicable across specialities. adhesives research and was the ideal were presented by conservators who host for a symposium dedicated to specialise in materials as diverse as gut, There were about 260 conference the study and use of adhesives and wood lath and plaster ceilings, and poly delegates and it was truly an consolidants for conservation. The methyl methacrylate. The beauty of a international event - conservators from symposium was held at Library and

22 AICCM National Newsletter Conference and Work shop Reviews

the United States and Canada were well However, Jane Down reported in her micrographs might be useful to establish represented, as would be expected, but paper (on the most recent results from the efficacy of consolidation treatments there was also a strong contingent from CCI's adhesives testing program) that on paper, and whether antibody-based Europe and a smaller (but still visible!) Lascaux products had failed the PAT techniques might be useful for the presence from Asia and the Pacific. The test and cautioned against their use with identification of old adhesive samples. diversity of the delegates contributed photographic materials. At the demonstration day, CCI scientist greatly to the value of the symposium. R. Scott Williams described his use of A long-held thought confirmed by the portable near-infrared and attenuated Keynote speaker Velson Horie began conference - in particular, Christopher reflectance (ATR) FTIR equipment the symposium by talking about our use McGlinchey's demonstration "Avoiding to identify the film base material of adhesives and consolidants over the risk from peeling mode failure"- was of whole collections, in-situ. Some years, noting that as a profession we that we could all benefit from a better authors described "removability tests" tend to repeat our mistakes by failing understanding of physics. I did some for treatment samples, which may be to heed published reports of material physics in Year 11 and 12 and hated useful models when testing "treatment failure. For example, soluble nylon every second of it, but understanding systems", as called for by Horie. and cellulose nitrate continued to be how all those forces work unfortunately used well after problems with their seems to be quite useful. McGlinchey As a minor point, I was struck by ageing properties were reported. His was using the difference between shear the high standard of PowerPoint conclusion was that "conservators don't and peel forces to design a hinging presentations on display throughout the read or write". He called for greater system for a heavy work so that a symposium. Conservators probably have collaboration between organisations, so "weaker" adhesive could be employed. an advantage over other professions that resources are pooled and problems here as so much of our work has a There are a lot of clever people in evaluated more broadly. He also hoped visual aspect, but there was some conservation; it was lovely to meet so for an end to "stand-alone materials excellent use of graphics and images many of them and have some access to testing", stressing the need for the to convey information. (An opinion their experiences. The demonstration testing of whole treatment systems borne out by the number of people day was particularly inspiring and (simulating the conditions of use), so taking photographs of the screen for I anticipate we'll use many of the that the effect of the object itself can later reference). For example, Karolina techniques and materials discussed be evaluated. I gathered that Horie's Soppa's slides showing the penetration there. At the State Library of Victoria comments annoyed some people, but of consolidants labelled with fluorescent we've already begun to make up a they were certainly interesting food for dyes beautifully demonstrated their variety of Lascaux papers, hinges and thought. (As was his avowal that he location in relation to a diagrammatic films (see papers and demonstrations by didn't believe in the idea of a calculated cross-section of the sample painting Hawkes, Sheesley and Maheaux), dried "useful life" of an object, which is structure she and her colleagues had films of cooked funori (see Michel's certainly proving somewhat problematic prepared. paper, who has also used funori as to define). · a poultice material and inpainting The symposium was very well organised The Lascaux adhesives were a medium for painted wood), gellan and the demonstration day, in particular, frequent topic of discussion at the gum (used extensively by Library ran like clockwork. (I would have CCI symposium; the 360 and 498 are and Archives Canada for removal loved another day of demonstrations, used widely. Two demonstrations and of backings and for stain reduction), so that I could have seen more of the one poster provided many innovative and gelatin "mousse" for parchment demonstrations on offer). In eBay examples of how Lascaux adhesives repairs (Curtis & Uchida). Many of review terms: AAA+++ conference can be used in paper conservation, these techniques are already used in organisers, will attend again! ranging from heat-set or solvent­ Australian laboratories, of course, but The proceedings of the conference activated tissues, temporary strip linings, it always nice to see variations in use. (papers and posters) will be freely construction of hinges for oversized And, as always, it was fun to see other available in their entirety on the CCI works (using Hollytex and Mylar for the people's tools- stencil sponge sticks for website ( www.cci-icc.gc.ca) within the hinges), and using a mixture of 360 and texturing adhesives, sieves made from next month, and will be an excellent 498 with powdered pigments to make embroiderer's hoops and polyester net, resource. There are no published notes a fill material for rented photographs. weights cut out of shower curtains, mini for the demonstrations (summaries Many papers also presented the results spray bottles from MUJI for misting only), but some presenters had prepared of tests of these adhesives for various things at your desk, and so on. hand-outs and slide shows and I'm sure applications. Delegates were dismayed Though I don't work for a research can be contacted directly to discuss to learn from Johanna Lang (who spoke institution, it was also interesting their experiences. about the repair of wax models) that the to start thinking how the analysis 360 is to be discontinued. (One delegate methods presented at the conference reported that this is apparently due to could be applied to projects at my a problem with the suppliers of the raw place of work. For example, I wonder if materials, rather than Lascaux itself). fluorescent labelling and cross sections

No 119 November 2011 23 With reference to references

With reference to references

Prue McKay Else vier Butterworth Heinemann: e.g. Journal: Peterson, G, Cumming, Having now edited two sets of Oxford. G and Carpenter, C (2003) "Scenarios Planning: a tool for papers (the 2008 Book, Paper and The above example uses a book, but the conservation in an uncertain Photographic Materials Symposium and same basic system applies for any kind world", Conservation Biology 17(2). the 2011 National Conference) I have of publication, whether it is a book, 358-366. been surprised at the apparent Lack of chapter, journal article, news clipping, understanding of many authors about web page, blog, audio recording or film. In-text citation: (Peterson et al correct referencing. Often, due to Late The reference needs to record every 2003: page number) submission of papers for the editing possible bit of information about the 4. Conference papers- most common process, time has not been available to author, date, work (and the main work issue: not including the date and ask authors to check their references containing a part, if relevant), publisher Location of the conference; not and so it has been Left to the editor and place of publication. to clarify details and add in missing providing page numbers. information. This. Literally took up e.g. Petzet, M ( 1994) "'In the full hours of editing time for the National Common problems richness of their authenticity' -The Conference papers. 1. Referencing a web document, web test of authenticity and the new page or web site - most common cult of monuments". In: Larson, This is a very short run-down of the issue: not including the date that KE (ed.) Nara Conference on most common errors or omissions that the site was viewed or accessed. I've come across, which I hope will help Authenticity in Relation to the World anyone writing a paper for AICCM in Heritage Convention 1-6 November the future. 1994, Nara, Japan. UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Paris. 8599. Harvard system 5. ALL published works- most The AICCM endorses the use of the common issue: Leaving out either Harvard Referencing System. This the publisher, or the publisher's system is also known as "Author­ Location, or both. Date" or "Parenthetical" referencing. e.g. Pye, E (2001) Caring for the Partial citations are enclosed within . Past. Issues in Conservation for parentheses (round brackets) and 2. Personal communications - most Archaeology and Museums. James embedded in the text, either common issue: placing an entry in within or and J ames: London. after a sentence, as opposed to using the references List. footnotes. They are accompanied by a There were many other small but Personal communications are only List of the fuLL citations in alphabetical time-consuming issues with tidying up placed in the text, not included in order in an end section usually called reference Lists and citations in these the List of references at the end. "references" or "works cited". conference papers, so I would Like to (Surname, Initials, Year, "pers. recommend that potential authors This is an example of a Harvard citation comm.", Day and Month). make full use of the myriad of Harvard in a sentence: referencing guides that are available on e.g. The rain in Spain falls mainly Conservation of an object the internet. There are even Harvard is always in the plain (Larsen, MK, 2011, carried out for a public, for the reference generators available online, pers. comm., 2 July). "stakeholders" (Mufioz-Vif\.as 2005: and the newer versions of MS Word 160-163 ). 3. Journal articles- most common have a built in reference generator issues: not providing page numbers; - you put aLL the details of aLL your And here is the relevant work as it putting all author names (where publications into it, and it will generate would appear in a List of references: there are three or more) in the in­ the citations and reference List for you MUNOZ-VINAS, S (2005) text citation. in the correct format. The online guide Contemporary Theory of Conservation. I have found most useful is:

24 AICCM National Newsletter Lab and P eople N ews- N SW

Lab and People News

University of Southern working on our bark cloth collection, Queensland Library (2011) New South Wales carrying out humidification treatments Harvard AGPS referencing guide. and moving objects to rolled storage. Online guide. University of Heather has been spear heading <:1 Southern Queensland. [online: number of detailed storage projects http://www. usq .edu.au/library/ Australian Museum with Anthropology. Sheldon Teare help/referencing/harvard.htm has been preparing 20 masks for an The Materials Conservation Unit Accessed 27.10.2011] upcoming display in November. The has been able to move back into masks come mainly from Melanesia universities their refitted lab. The new air­ Most Australian and include some stunning pieces like conditioning, ceiling and lighting has have similar guides on their two large "water spirits" from Vanuatu transformed the lab. This was the first websites. with long feathered skirts needing major facelift since it opened in 1988 In particular, as electronic delicate cleaning, and a few Malagan and has rectified several long-term resources are used more and mask to keep Sheldon on his toes. problems with the services. Staff in the more, it is important to keep Sheldon continues to tinker away at department took part in the Science checking how they should be the Conservation webpage, uploading in the City programme during August. referenced- five years ago it was images and being dragged into the odd The opportunity to demonstrate really difficult to find information video by our web team. Sheldon would conservation skills to primary and high about citing and referencing appreciate people checking out the students was useful public engagement. blogs and Facebook entries; now website and galleries. Please leave some there is quite a bit of online Kate }ones has been working hard comments! http:ljaustralianmuseum. guidance available. to get a number of loans prepared net.au/Materials-Conservation-Unit and sent out. Kate and Megan Dean­ I hope this helps to make things Michael Kelly completed the Jones have been working on a number clearer and easier for future preparation and installation of a of beautiful, and sometimes wicked authors- and future editors! selection of items from the Research looking, weaponry from the pacific. Library for a new exhibit about the This involved photography, some Scott Sisters, who produced beautiful treatment of individual objects and scientific illustrations of insects and crate pack out. Kate is doing some plants during the 19'hC. Megan Dean­ research into suitable methods of Jones has been working on a number packing and displaying a number of of storage projects lately including painted textiles, including a flag several developing a new way of housing the metres long. Megan has been working vast collection of Blaschka glass models on a number of storage projects lately for the Australian Museum Archives. including developing a new way of She assisted Kate ]ones in preparing a housing the vast collection of Blaschka number of weaponry objects for loan to glass models for the Australian Museum the Casula Powerhouse Museum. This Archives. Megan has also been ass isting involved photography, some treatment Sheldon Teare in treating masks for the and individual object and crate upcoming in-house display Spirit Faces, pack out. She has also been assisting familiarising herself with the particular Sheldon Teare in treating masks for the challenges associated with cleaning and upcoming in-house display Spirit Faces, straightening feathers. familiarising herself with the particular Heather Mackay has been working challenges associated with cleaning and on a presentation for the upcoming straightening feathers. Kristel Smits, IPM conference in London this year, Michael, and Sheldon were involved as well as compiling results from the in taking down our beautiful Birds of Museum's Collection Integrity Index Paradise exhibition. All the objects from looking into the overall health of all that show are now going through IPM the collections. Heather continues treatment before returning to the stores.

No 119 November 2011 25 Lab and People News - NSW

Colin Macgregor is continuing with Powerhouse Museum on tissue paper and showed major environmental monitoring experiments loss of elasticity. Suzanne Chee, Sue to establish ways of lowering energy The museum is undergoing a Gatenby and James Elwing started consumption with periodic air revitalisation project, which involves a research project to investigate the conditioning shutdowns, whilst a number of significant changes to deterioration of this collection. Our still maintaining suitable collection the museum entry area, a new public initial investigations involved relative conditions. Colin returned from the forecourt, street-side cafe, gift shop humidity and oxygen starvation tests. ICOM-CC conference much stimulated plus a large new gallery space for Using the department's Fourier by the papers which demonstrated international and inhouse exhibitions. Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) trends in preventive conservation from The entry is being moved and from with UATR accessory, the composition various countries. the forecourt there will be access to a of the LYCRA® was identified as a new cafe and museum shop without polyurethane and we also discovered entering the museum. The glass lift is that in the 1980s lnvista used the being removed and a new lift installed State Library of New South polyol polyester (instead of polyether) at another location. Some of our Wales for the manufacture of the LYCRA®, escalators are also being removed. For Properties of this polyol explained some further information see www. Cathryn Bartley, Anna Brooks, Aileen of our observations such as its sensitivity powerhousemuseum.com/revitalise/ Dean-Raschilla, Bronwen Glover, to moisture. Lang Ngo, Jessica O'Donnell, Silvana The museum has remained open during With the assistance of Professor Volpato and Karen Wilcox are busily this period. Building works have meant Munroe, Director UNSW Electron working on the upcoming Finding removal of several exhibitions and Microscope Unit, Or Chris Marjo, Antarctica: Mapping the Last Continent temporary closure of many spaces. Director UNSW Analytical Centre exhibition. This exhibition celebrates Hoardings have been placed around and Geoff Hietpas, lnvista Applied the centenary of the Australasian work areas, but some building dust has Research Centre our investigations Antarctic Expedition's arrival on inevitably escaped. The challenge for continue. Once the degradation process Macquarie Island on 11 December. The our conservators has been to balance is understood, appropriate storage exhibition will focus on the mapping keeping objects on display, while conditions for this collection will be of Antarctica from the 15'h to the minimising the impact of dust. This has determined. At present a cool and 21 "C, from crude woodcut maps of included rostering staff daily to cover dry environment seems to be the best the known world through to the latest and uncover the keyboard instruments alternative rather than an oxygen free satellite imagery; it will tell the story on open display while the new lifts are atmosphere. of the gradual discovery, exploration installed. and charting of this significant land Suzanne Chee, Rebecca Ellis, Sue Gatenby has been acting head of mass. Not only will the magnificent Gosia Dudek, Teresa Werstak, Dee department while Dave Rockell has collection of rare maps and charts held McKillop, Vanessa Pitt, Tim Morris, been on long service leave. Sue has also by the State Library be showcased, Carey Ward and Dave Rockell installed carried out research and testing on LED but also rare published accounts and Love Lace, an international lace making lighting to establish suitability for use original sketches from the Antarctic competition featuring a broad and in the museum. LED lighting has now explorations of Cook, d'Urville, the inclusive definition of "lace", made from been installed into our basement storage United State Exploring Expeditions and a wide range of materials, such as metal area replacing the existing fluorescent the Australasian Antarctic Expedition. wire, human hair, tapa cloth, paper, tubes. This has also been done in some optical fibre and echidna quills. Object Anna Brooks, Agata Rostek-Robak and exhibition areas. supports needed to be innovative and Heather Mansell were recently each in addition to the more usual materials awarded Diploma in Law & Collection During a recent survey of the Speedo® - nylon threads, fishing line, pins, Management (awarded by the Institute LYCRA® swim wear collection in the acrylic, mylar and stainless steel rods, of Art and Law-UK). museum's climate controlled storage area, it was discovered all the swimwear included helium balloons to suspend Catherine Thomson is leaving for made in the 1980s were showing one particularly long work. Turkey very shortly to complete the in­ significant signs of deterioration when Most recently, Teresa Werstak, Suzanne residence component of the Reducing compared to other time periods. All Chee, Rebecca Ellis, Gosia Dudek, Risks to Cultural Heritage course, these costumes have a composition Bronwen Griffin, Nadia McDougall, organized by ICCROM in cooperation of 80% Nylon and 20% LYCRA®, a Vanessa Pitt, Tim Morris and Carey with the Canadian Conservation registered trademark for DUPONT's Ward have just finished installing The Institute and the Netherlands Cultural elastane fibres. Our swimwear Wiggles exhibition. Heritage Agency. collection fabricated in this era felt damp to touch, left stains and residue

26 AICCM National Newsletter Lab and People News - NSW

Frances Fitzpatrick and Vanessa Pitt Rebecca Main, the TAM (Total Assets have been continuing treatment of Management) project conservator a Balinese lontek dating from the began conservation work on the 1920's-40's. This involved flattening museum's collection of fictile ivories, and encapsulating the double sided approximately 700 19'hC plaster casts of painted ceremonial banner. medieval and early book covers which are housed in 19'hC museum display They have also been checking uitable cases. So far one case with broken cover venues for a number of potential glass has been dismantled, the 20 or borrowers for the display of Aids Quilts so ivories inside cleaned, condition for the lead up to World Aids Day. reported and photographed and the Tim Morris, Chris Lazdans and a team glass replaced with acrylic. of volunteers from the Powerhouse Conservation intern, Amir Discovery Centre, have been working Rezapourmoghadammiyandabi is on the restoration of the "Ice Bird", a working with Rebecca one day a week steel-hulled sloop in which Or David on a wooden box of large format ( 16" Lewis sailed alone to Antarctica in x 20" collodion glass plate negatives) 1972. The hull has been painted, some portraits from the Freeman Bros studio woodwork has been restored and the from the 1870s. Most of the plates auxiliary motor has been cleaned and appear to be in good condition, but painted. Extensive rust was removed some are broken, many have frilling from the keel area and this area will be emulsion, and one has lost nearly all replated. Work will also be carried out its emulsion, which was sitting in a on the deck area. tangle of ribbons in the bottom of the Regional services conservator Kate Suzanne Chee and Dave Rockell box. Amir is painstakingly putting the Chidlow has been working on The travelled to Boonoke NSW to install pieces together on the glass, holding Australian Dress Register website, an exhibition celebrating 150 years the curling pieces in place with silicon which was officially launched on 16 of the Wanganella Sheep Stud. The release paper and small glass weights. August. Many museums from around exhibition showed the achievements When assembled, the object can be NSW participated and contributed of Australian sheep breeders in the backlit and photographed to reveal to the Register. The work on the 19thC when they created a new breed the portrait. A decision on whether to Register is an ongoing project as we of sheep, the Peppin Merino. On display readhere the emulsion to the glass is yet assist contributors with their entries, were 20 fleece samples from different to be made. run promotional workshops and types of sheep that made the Peppin Michael Myers, the TAM photographer, continue improving the back end. We merino including Spanish merino, has been producing high resolution are currently approaching contacts in Leicester, Cotswold, Southdown, images by stitching multiple photos into Victoria to roll out the program there French Rambouillet, German Negretti, one. This is an increasingly common and will approach the other states in the Prussian, Wanganella and Boonoke. practice, but still exciting because it coming year. To compliment the samples were 6 costumes including a convict jacket, 80 opens up possibilities that would have Tyrrell photographs and silver trophies been largely out of reach with film from the homestead. based photography or with anything but the most expensive (read: insanely Skye Mitchell and Assistant Registrar expensive) digital equipment. Michael Sarah Pointon will soon travel to Seoul has done this with a number of different to collect the objects for the Spirit of items from the Powerhouse collection, jang-in: treasures of Korean metal craft but the technique offers the most exhibition, which was developed potential with some large technical to celebrate the Year of Friendship drawings by Lawrence Hargrave. between Australia and the Republi.c of These were previously considered Korea, marking the 50 year anniversary unphotographable. of bilateral relations. The objects include a range of national treasures Archives conservator, James Elwing such as the 6'hC Silla gold crown, and volunteer Joanne Ritchie have jewellery, religious statues and an completed a preservation report on the array of contemporary metalwork. The Bruno Benini photograph collection exhibition runs from the 2 7'" October - and are revising the storage of mounted 12'h February 2012. works in the collection. No119November2011 27 Lob and People News - NSW

Art Gallery of New South in Canberra. Some of the large the latter half of the last financial paintings by David Aspen, recently year was kilometers of tape removal Wales on show in the Gallery, have been from Department of Lands Register. recently cleaned by Kate Wilson and This project had all the conservators Conservation staff have been presenting a l arge portrait by John Longstaff has available - Nicole Rowney helped too a series of Conservation Floor talks been given full structural treatment - removing magic, scotch, linen, and at the Gallery since September and by Simon Ives. Andrea Nottage has glassine tape from over 300 pages. This continuing until November. See the been examining recent acquisitions, project has provided the opportunity Gallery website for details of upcoming most noticeably the painting by E to discover some new faster methods talks. Phillips Fox, "Nasturtiums". Lisa of tape removal - which of course we Objects conservators Kerry Head, Charleston has been busy preparing are happy to share!!! Each page had a Victoria Bramwell-Davis and Donna a large number of paintings from the variety of tapes holding fragments of Hinton are busy preparing artworks for Australian collection for loan. Recently paper together, these were removed, exhibitions, processing new acquisitions she has been concentrating on a special the pages washed and lined with 7 gram and documenting objects required project involving the upgrade of policy, Tengucho and rehoused in polyester for loan. Sarah Heenan is currently compliance and staff training for sleeves and custom made box. The completing her internship in Art and X-ray anal ysis equipment within the volume looks and feels better. Curatorship for her Masters Degree from department. Beate Yule has been thoroughly University of Sydney with us. Margaret Sawicki just came back entrenched in the Department of Carolyn Murphy has been working on from overseas where she was attending Lands project. And as a side project a number of collection conservation ICOM-CC Conference in Lisbon, Beate has researched the types of plans projects including the treatment of Portugal. Barbara (Basia) Dabrowa spanning the years of the Department 52 prints by the nineteenth century has been completing conservation and establishing a timeline with typical English artist, John Martin. Analiese treatment on an elaborate Rococo frame conditions and damage. Innovative Treacy has been completing treatment for the painting Granida and Daifalo by treatment techniques for the vast on a collection of Toulouse Lautrec Dutch painting Jan van Noordt. quantity of plans are being tested with posters from the AGNSW collection some positive results. as part of a Conservation Benefactors Tegan completed a major preservation Project, in addition to preparing a Preservation Australia needs assessment for Port Macquarie number of works for outgoing loan. Historical Museum. This was a Sarah Bunn is continuing to work on embarked Preservation Australia has relatively typical assessment however the Lloyd Rees album project funded within upon several major projects it was complicated by the vast quantity by Friends of Conservation. Sarah is of course the last six months, which of material, access to collection and is conserving a collection of Rees schedule. on top of our already frantic storage availability. These challenges drawings and then mounting them on Hill wallpaper The first project - Rouse led to a comprehensive . report with album pages in preparation for post while it was project - began in February multiple actions plans which the taff at binding. Interns, Nicole Kluk and The project warm but not too warm. PMHM were eager to implement. Lindsay Scott, have been working on was to undertake remedial conservation documentation projects, while Nicole on all rooms within the Rouse Hill As usual Kay is flying about the country has also been working with on the house. Kay Soderlund, Beate Yule conducting workshops in Brisbane and treatment of a number of Australian & and Tegan Anthes rotated shifts at the Macksville and attending conferences European drawings from the collection house to slowly work through all the in Canberra, Lisbon and Perth. Kay is with Analiese Treacy. rooms. This was quite physical work - also in the process of conducting a light up and down ladders and challenging study for the Office of Rail Heritage Lily Yang has been busy preparing with dodging snakes in the warmer display at new train works museum a number of new acquisitions and months. The differing papers, layers and Thirlmere. collection items display in an exhibition access proved problematic at times, with entitled '100 Flowers' in the upper To add to all this much of our time many contorted positions needed by Asian gallery. has been spent on our product range conservators, such as holding hair dryers and combining this with the newly Paula Dredge is continuing with her between knees and balancing on the purchased Conservation Resources PhD on Nolan's use of Ripolin paint. topmost rungs of ladders. The project products (purchased back in January). Andrea Nottage, Kate Wilson and h as now been completed and we can see In fact his has been so time consuming Simon Ives have been working on a the wonderful benefit of the treatments that we have employed a new staff number of paintings going out on loan and the beauty in the wallpapers. member to look after it - Richard to regional galleries in Orange and The other project undertaken in McKenzie. Ballarat as well as to major exhibitions

28 A I CCM National Newsletter Lab and People News :.._ SA

More recently Kay and Tegan ventured helping a large hotel chain resolve The rest of the team are focused on a to Lisbon for the ICOM-CC triennial furniture refurbishment issues. number of projects preparing maps and conference. The highlights of the plans for digitisation. The treatments The paper department has been joined conference are outlined by Tegan in her range from simple repairs through to the by Gail Hamilton and Sharon Dye separate conference review. removal of old lamination and facings. in part time capacities. Major projects include digitisation and repair of severely damaged maps and Council South Australia International Conservation ledgers. Kate Papierniak and Wendi Services Powell have been investigating treatment of C prints and Glover Artlab Adam Godijn, Karina Acton, Fiona watercolours. Tennant and Julian Bickersteth It has been another busy period for all attended the 2011 AICCM Conference Skye Firth is continuing to work through the Calthorpes textile at Artlab. Preventive conservators in Canberra, with Karina being a co Anne Dineen and Kasi Albert author of a paper on ICS' work on the collection from Canberra along with some significant naval colours. along with Assistant Director Sarah Sydney Harbour Bridge Cranes with Feijen have made the first of several the National Museum Conservation visits to Brisbane to begin work on Department. a comprehensive State Records NSW Disaster Plan for Arek Werstak has been busy on-site Queensland Museum. The preventive team have also travelled to Monash with a Pixie O'Harris mural from the State Records held an Open Day on University Library in Melbourne to old Bathurst Hospital being relocated October 28'h which was attended deliver a two-day disaster preparedness to the new hospital. He then spent ten by about 400 visitors. Conservation workshop and to Martindale Hall days with Adam Godijn in Kalgoorlie featured heavily being part of general in regional South Australia to cleaning the famous Goatcher tours and running conservation deliver . an inventory report and theatre curtain in Kalgoorlie -Boulder clinics. We also provided visitors the recommendations for its preservation. Town Hall, which ICS conserved in opportunity to undertake some very Disaster preparedness is very much 2004. During the 2010 earthquake basic remedial treatment using crepe the hot topic for the Adelaide-based in Kalgoorlie the Town Hall parapet erasers to remove sticking tape residue cultural institutions too and Anne collapsed with falling bricks narrowly from plans. missing the curtain. Works are now and Kasi have been involved in many underway to restore the building and One of the treatments highlighted training and planning activities. Kasi the curtain will be encapsulated in a during the Laboratory tours was a Field is also continuing a year-long light crate whilst this is done. Book being treated by Paul Smith. The monitoring project in Mawson, which 1875 Field Book has damage consistent .is a part of the Science Centre at the Matt~o yolonte, Claire Heasman with having a liquid spilled on it - South Australian Museum, and houses and Adam Godijn in paintings have covering about 95% of all pages. The some very significant objects relating had several tight deadlines this month spill resulted in severe discolouration to the Australian Polar expeditions of requiring a lot of teamwork, . with and embrittlement as well as a white Sir Douglas Mawson and John Riddoch portraits the flavour of the month. A crystalline bloom obscuring most of Rymill. range of school and university portraits the written information. Spot tests Kristin Phillips and Mary-Anne have presented some challenges. confirmed that the white bloom was Gooden are working towards an water soluble and we also sent a sample Karina Acton has been on site assessing exhibition of Asian Textiles at the Art to the Art Gallery of NSW for FTIR bronzes in Rockhampton, and scarred Gallery of South Australia, Beneath analysis which indicated the presence of trees in the Hunter Valley, in between the Winds opening on November the dextrose. Paul is washing each page and treatment of series of archaeological 18th. They are also working on several will then deacidify and possibly re-size. finds from Wofld War One northern costumes for an exhibition at History France military sites. Dominique Moussou is treating a SA, Migration Museum Who are we Oliver Hull and Kat Edghill have been Nurses Register that is to be listed by now? The Harefield Flag, a WWl flag working on . a sumptuous English 18'h our volunteers. The volume has been given to the Adelaide High School in recognition century commode with provenance heavily repaired with sticky tape . and of support that the school back to Chippendale's workshop, the the binding has completely fallen community gave to the citizens of opportunity for working on such quality apart. Dominique is removing the tape, Harefield in the UK, has come in for a full treatment. furniture being rare in Australia. Eoin repairing and will make a box for future storage. O'Sullivan has been gallantly working The projects team continued to on site at the other end of the spectrum monitor and maintain various outdoor

No 119 November 2011 29 Lob and People News - SA

sculptures, heritage signs and large Jo Dawe has been researching suitable technology items (planes, trains and mounting options for a group of nine automobiles) during which time Abby Pugin ceramic floor tiles, dating from Maxwell-Bowen also completed a short the 1840s, owned by AGSA. The tiles plastics conservation course as well as require no conservation treatment prior obtaining her elevated work platform to mounting and will be configured (EWP) card. She is eagerly looking and attached to a sheet of Aerolam forward to the return in October (a strong, yet lightweight aluminium of Principal Conservator Joanna honeycomb material lined with Romanos, who has been on parental fibreglass), so they can be mounted, leave and greatly missed. displayed and later stored, as a whole. team has been kept The objects In the paintings lab, Rosie Fremantle company by a 60cm bobble-headed, a final year student form the University moving-eyed, standing bunny that of Melbourne has completed a 3 week is currently in the lab! }ustin Gare internship in the paintings lab and received this head-turning object from a Chow, Chia-Ling form the Tainan private client. It was brought in with a University, has just detached arm and in need of cleaning. National Art The bunny sculpture had once been arrived from Taiwan to commence a 4 the fixture at a shop, possibly holding month internship. Rosie is continuing out promotional cards in one hand. to volunteer for 1 day a week. The Upon examination, Justin discovered major project underway in paintings that it contained a hand-wound clock Filipa Quintela is relieved to be putting is the removal of. graffi.tti from several mechanism (used to make its head bob the final touches on work she's been Yuendemu doors, now in the collection up and down). He was able to source undertaking on St John the Baptist, of the South Australian Museum. The an appropriate winder/key for this a sixteenth century polychrome graffitti has been undertaken in a variety mechanism; then surface cleaned it wooden sculpture altarpiece from the of mediums, and the doors also require and has re-attached the damaged arm. Iberian Peninsula, owned by the Art extensive consolidation and surface We will all miss having our little friend Gallery of South Australia (AGSA). cleaning. watching over us in the lab. This has been a huge undertaking with conservation work carried out In the book department, Andrew Filipa Quintela, Jo Dawe and Kasi over numerous years, with assistance Cuch has been working on original Albert spent an afternoon in the automotive interior trim catalogues Cultures Gallery from Paintings Conservator, Lisette Australian Aboriginal from the National Motor Museum. This at SAM, brush vacuuming in situ the Burgess. St John had accumulated colourful ( ie. rather gaudy) collection canoes on display. As these had been surface dust, old repairs, over-painting, of materials are from the 1960s and on open display for over 10 years, they yellowing of varnish layers. There were 70s and show an array of many textiles had accumulated a huge amount of dust. also losses and damage to paint and and patterns that could be personally Renita Ryan was involved in the return gilding, resulting in a less than pleasing individual's car. Andrew condition checking of 70+ Antarctic­ aesthetic. After extensive examination, selected for the ' of the related objects from the Quest for the documentation and consultation with has noticed some offsetting South Magnetic Pole exhibition, which the AGSA curator, Filipa commenced materials and will interleave some had travelled to five venues around treatment with surface cleaning and pages, as well as surface clean, repair Australia and included a large three­ wet mechanical cleaning (where tears and finally make buckram boxes man reindeer skin sleeping bag. possible). She was able to remove much for safe housing. of the disfiguring darkened material Robin Tait is meanwhile wildly excited (particularly noticeable on St John's to begin work on the Baskerville Bible, face and legs) with minimal disruption a beautifully printed book in private to original material. Consolidation to ownership. A member of the owner's vulnerable fragments and inpainting family had taken it upon themselves I was then undertaken, and Lisette to remove the original leather covers assisted with re-gilding and inpainting and replace them with wood-patterned where there were losses. The result of linoleum with an extra lick of Silastic all this hard work is the emergence of down the spine for good measure. much more detail in the sculpture and It is proving to be a challenging but a pleasing aesthetic that is in keeping rewarding job. with the object's age and life.

30 AICCM National Newsletter Lab and People News - TAS & ACT

Elizabeth Mayfield has begun work on the State Records collection of Goyder's Tasmania ACT diaries. Goyder meticulously took notes in the 1860s as he surveyed an occurring 'rain· line' in South Australia. These observations are still revered today Queen Victoria Museum and National Gallery of by agriculturalists. Elizabeth is surface Art Gallery Australia cleaning, repamng and rehousing the note books. Liz is also currently The main focus for Charlotte Walker The conservation internship program surveying the large size book collection (Conservator of Objects) and Amy (funded by the Getty Foundation LA) of the State Library of South Australia, Bartlett (Conservator of Paper) has came to a close with Lisa Addison and to aid in prioritizing works that require been preparing works for QVMAG's art Fiona Kemp travelling to the General conservation treatment or rehousing. gallery site which re-opened the doors Sciences Library Ho Chi Minh City with great fanfare in September after Vietnam and the National Museum In the paper department Aquila Evil, being closed for three years. Charlotte of Cambodia. The visits allowed the Anna Austin and Helen Halley have and Amy have treated and prepared intern to seek advice on implementing been busy working on a collection of many objects, textiles, photographs and the knowledge they had acquired during works on paper from the Migration works on paper that are now on display their 3 months training at the NGA as Museum for the exhibition Who Are We in the ten new gallery spaces of the well as professionally challenging Lisa Now? The show includes documents, refurbished building at Royal Park. and Fiona to think well outside the box! posters, books and certificates Great improvements were made in the The conservation team have now representing the change and evolving general care of the collections visited moved onto asststmg with the of immigrant community groups to SA. and bonds between the institutions relocation of QVMAG's extensive fine The items require surface cleaning, tear further developed. repairs, mounting, supports and framing. arts and decorative arts collections from temporary offsite stores to their new Jodie Scott is finishing up conservation home in purpose-built storage areas at treatment of Degas pastel 'Woman Royal Park. Bathing'. The work was under considerable tension due to animal glue Charlotte and Amy have also adhered backing paper, which ha since conditioned reported numerous exciting been carefully removed. It has been travelling exhibitions including humidified and flattened to reduce the the National Gallery of Australia's cackling and we are now in discussion Australian portraits 1880-1960 at the with the owner on how to appropriately QVMAG's art gallery, the Historic frame and display the work. Houses Trust exhibition Femme fatale : The Female Criminal, South Fiona Kemp treating mouldy books HCMC. Jodie Scott and Anna Austin have Australian Museum's ANZANG Nature The Objects conservation welcomes been hinging and framing three Trent Photography, Natural History Museum Andrew Pearce to the section. Andrew Parke photographs for display at the in London's Wildlife Photogr~pher will be with the section whilst Sarah Art Gallery of South Australia. The of the Year, and the Australian War McHugh is on leave following the birth resin coated photographs proved to be a Memorial's Of Love and War at the of her son in September. The section challenge not only in their size but also QVMAG's museum site at lnveresk. to fixing hinges to the glossy coating. has been working on some major works We have tried heat set bonding material with electrical components such as Fusion 4000 for the hinges, so far so Peter Tully's Liberace. Beata Tworek good! has returned from the Lisbon conference and Megan Absolon will be heading off to Antarctica for seven weeks o ver summer to work on Mawson's Hut. Paper conservation have been treating hundreds of works for gallery changeovers and loans. William Hamilton continues to volunteer in the section undertaking research into the colonial panoramic works in the collection. Rose Peel has completed important collection maintenance work:

Nol19November2011 31 Lab and People News - WA & VIC

reporting and treating (when required) In July, we welcomed back Prue the entire Albert Tucker works on paper McKay after more than three years at Western Australia collection. On top of their busy work AIATSIS, to work in a new role as the schedule several research projects are Manager, Preservation Projects and underway. James Ward has commenced Training. Her work includes national a research project on the Gallery's new preservation treatment projects and Corkill Conservation collection of Asian Yao paintings and identifying conservation team skills and Felicity Corkill has now returned Andrea Wise is working on preservation knowledge for the conservation lab staff from her travels and settled back down and treatment of Holograms. Paper in Canberra. She is also co-ordinating to work again. Despite working part­ conservation also hosted nvo intern the University of Canberra student time around the State Library of WA placement for lrene Dominguez from practicum placement in conjunction contract (and consequently having the University of Northumbria, UK with lan Batterham. no time for marketing), business is and a Masters student from Melbourne Sally Kneebone has been working going well. I have been kept busy University, Sarah Brown. tirelessly in conjunction with Steve enough, treating a pencil drawing Textile conservation have prepared Willetts (and Michelle Berry in by the prominent South African costumes to enable changeovers of Tasmania) on the upcoming major artist, Pierneef; a 1930s architectural all fashion and Asian Art textiles. N AA exhibition Traversing Antarctica blueprint; some beautiful watercolour Micheline Ford, Jane Wild and Hannah - The Australian Experience to open in landscapes; and a collection of hand­ Barrett have also been involved with TMAG in December. The exhibition coloured engravings of Australian a major project in storage to reorganise will then move to the N AA in the new wildflowers - very appropriate for the the textile store allowing for the year, with a view to travel after that. current wildflower season here in WA. installation of new cabinets, whilst Emily Birks started with us in May and In the months ahead to Christmas and also dealing with a backlog of new has been assisting Clair Murray with the New Year, I am currently looking commenced acquisitions. Hannah has the changeover program for the Memory to complete some larger projects for a course on the 'Care of Leather and of a Nation permanent exhibition, and corporate clients before the end of the Skin'. Textile conservation assistant with Travis Taylor on the install of year and devising business strategies for Blaide Lallemand was awarded second the Waterhouse Natural History prize. 2012. place in the US 2011 Charlatan Ink Art Suellen Bailey continues to work on Prize and will be travelling to New York the exhibits from the Ranger Uranium for a 6 week residency in January 2011. Melissa Bolin has been volunteering in Environmental Inquiry, which was held involves Victoria the section. in the mid-1970s and joyfully a l arge amount of tape stain removal. Paintings Conservation have completed Cheryl Jackson returned to the lab in all works for Fred Williams and January after 12 months in Jervis Bay. Heritage Victoria preparing for changeovers, loans and During her time in the Bay, Cheryl the December Renaissance exhibition. surveyed at the photographic holdings Heritage Victoria's Conservation Sheridan Roberts 'nears' completion of of the NAA to determine the quantities Centre has just completed a major a 12 month treatment of a Van Guerard of specific formats in the collection project whereby approximately half and David Wise has been managing nationally, and is currently involved of our stored collection was removed the project that will see the arrival of the maintenance of the Federation to an off-site storage location. Over our new FTIR microscope in the new Gallery. The Repair Team of Ruth the past ten years in this facility, the year. With surprisingly little assistance Bergman and Chris Bowman continue storage room shelves had gradually from medication Allan Byrne (who to work through the at risk file records become full and as we are constantly has recently become a grandpa for the requested by staff and researchers. The acquiring archaeological assemblages second time) is undertaking major introduction of the Repair Team 18 we had to make room on the shelves treatments on early colonial paintings. months ago has proved very beneficial for the more recently excavated in freeing up conservator time to deal archaeological material. From August with more complex treatment issues until the beginning of October just and exhibitions needs. The NAA Paper National Archives of over 1,500 boxes of archaeological Testing Laboratory has retained its Australia - Canberra material were prepared for transport NATA accreditation for the following and moved to an off-site storage facility. 18 months due to the hard work of The past 12 months has been spent This was a huge job for a facility with our Chemist, Rajani Rai ensuring the consolidating the new working low staff numbers so we are most exacting needs ofNATA had been met. arrangements with the integration thankful to these wonderful CCMC of exhibitions and preventive students who generously gave up some conservation into Preservation Services. of their semester break to assist us in

32 AICCM National Newsletter Lob and People News - VIC

this project: Lucy Willet, Frances current La Trobe Fellows, who has and subsequently ordered some Phytagel Patterson, Danielle Measday, Jessica selected works from the collection for gelling agent from Sigma-Aldrich, Ryan, Eliza McKenna, Philippa Moir, an exhibition about the Grand Tour. which looks to be extremely useful as a Jeff Fox and Zoe Baulch. The volumes have been disbound poultice! and are currently undergoing minor Jane Hinwood oversaw the mounting treatment, involving cleaning, repairs, and framing of an 1855 Eugene von adhesive removal. State Library of Victoria Guerard pencil drawing of early Jean Holland has been spending some Melbourne settlement, consisting of five are some staffing changes afoot There time at Caval as part of an Australia sheets from a von Guerard sketchbook State Library, with Sarah Slade at the Research Council project to digitise our that have been joined together to form moving to the more senior position collection of illuminated manuscripts. a panorama. Some of the sheets are of Manager, Collection Management. Caval owns a Kirtas scanner, a machine dated and it appears that the drawing Jamieson will be taking on Shelley that features a V-shaped cradle for the was completed over a period of a position of Manager of Storage, Sarah's book and two angled cameras. The month. At over three metres long, it Preservation and Conservation. position of the cameras allows images was all hands on deck for the final steps! The new Conservation Coordinator to be taken into the gutter of the book, Sourcing materials for mounting and (Shelley's previous position) is yet to without casting shadows, and to adjust framing was difficult; the frame and be announced. These appointments for the curvature of pages. The cameras backboard were custom-made due to for a year and came about because are can refocus as pages are turned and the size. We ordered a s ingle piece of to the Executive while the of changes the position of the book changes. The cast acrylic glazing for the frame, 4.5mm Library looks for a new CEO. State scanning process is still rather labour thick and without UV protection; it In other staffing news, our Registrar intensive, with a representative from was the only type of acrylic glazing Catherine Marklund has decided not to Caval working the scanner, a State available in the required length. The return from maternity leave. We're very Library lmaging staff member checking clarity of the acrylic is good, though it sorry not to have her back but wish her the quality of the digitised images and lacks the clarity of our standard acrylic all the best for her and her family! We'll Jean, who is responsible for all handling and does contain some inclusions or miss her good spirits, calm manner and of the manuscripts themselves. A impurities. Fortunately we were able to efficiency. number of manuscripts have already make the largest of these correspond been digitised (13 out of 29, to date!) with the position of a tree, and so they Assistant Registrar Sarah Caldwell and are available for viewing on the are not particularly visible! The drawing began in June and will continue through library's website by searching for is now on display in the Changing face to late November 2011. Sarah C has illuminated manuscripts under "digitised of Victoria. The drawing has also been been hired primarily to assist Registrar material" on the main catalogue. (As digitised and can be viewed online. Sarah Haselton with the travelling examples, try searching for De musica Amanda Wild and Alice Cannon have exhibition Look! which features works of Boethius, RARESF 091 B63 or the both recently attended conferences - by children's book illustrators. The Almagest by Ptolemy, RARESF 091 Amanda went to the AICCM National exhibition will be travelling to six P95A at www.slv.vic.gov.au). venues in Queensland, NSW, ACT and Conference in Canberra and Alice to Victoria. Both Sarahs have also been In other l ab news, Katrina Ben has the Canadian Conservation Institute's working on a number of outward loans begun work on volume one of the "Adhesives and Consolidants" (including the loan of marble busts, a Ninth edition of the Bible in German. symposium in Ottawa, Canada. Alice large model of St Patrick's Cathedral The volume requires a full leather presented a paper and a poster at the and Ned Kelly's armour) and preparing underback. Recent graduates Noni symposium. Both conferences were for our international exhibition of Zachri and Albertine Hamilton have enjoyable and inspiring and Amanda Persian manuscripts, Love and Devotion, been assisting us with the preparation and Alice have returned with lots of arriving in from Oxford in March 2012. of travelling condition reports, new ideas. framing and unframing for exhibition We've been fortunate to acquire We've had a bit of a treat in the lab of changeovers and the treatment of items some new equipment recently - a late - two late 19'hC elephant folios from our Maps and Picture collections. Gunnar F1-XL Hybrid computerised of Giambattista Piranesi's Vedute di David Harris and Jane Hinwood mountcutter and a Leica Microsystems Roma, a near complete set ( 133 plates have been working on a number of M615 microscope and stand. The of total 135), have come into the lab. lithographic advertising posters from microscope has a built-in digital camera The volumes were acquired by the the Troedel Collection, which need and LCD display. We've also purchased Public Library from Bernard Quaritch, a to be removed from scrapbook pages. a new polyester welding machine from London antiquarian bookseller, in 1930. Alice Cannon visited the conservators Robin Hodgson. They are the subject of research by Or at the National Gallery of Victoria for Colin Holden, one of the Library's advice on treating pages from a Koran

No 119 November 2011 33 Lab and People News - VIC

In September we hosted an assistant Zealand, Vanuatu and New Caledonia who had first served with us first as a curator from Silpakorn University together with assistant curator Sana Williamson Fellow, completed her work in Bangkok for four days, under Balai to research curatorial and contract to carry out major treatment an arrangement with Melbourne conservation related aspects relevant to on two portraits by William Beechey, University. During this time we the collection, care and presentation of The Earl and Countess of Stradbroke. provided trammg in simple paper contemporary Pacific art. Marika is also In August our most recent H.D.T. repairs, box and cradle making. continuing her research on our majolica Williamson Fellows Alex Ellem and collection. Helen Gill completed their two-year closes in As Modem as Tomorrow Fellowships. And shortly afterwards we In Textile Conservation, Kate Douglas, February 2012 and has been a popular learned that Natalie Hewlett, who had Solitaire Osei and Bronwyn Cosgrove exhibition on 1940s Melbourne been working with us in a backfill role such as are busy preparing for Linda ]ackson: commercial photographers, during Carl Villis's sponsored treatment Bush Couture the next exhibition at Wolfgang Sievers, Mark Strizic, Helmut of Poussin's Crossing of the Red Sea, NGV Australia. We are fortunate to Newton, Athol Shmith, Maggie Diaz, would be returning to Perth to take up Ikin and Dacre be working closely with Linda and Henry Talbot, Norman a position at the Art Gallery of Western her knowledge of the materials and Stubbs. All images were drawn from the Australia. Of our remaining staff, John techniques used in her work has been a SLY collection. Payne is working on the sixteenth great benefit to our collection records. the State Library was again century panel painting by Cola In August The Trinitarias carpet is installed in in an Occupational Health dell' Amatrice, The Finding of the True successful our 16'hC galleries and an article on Safety SafetyMap audit. Jane Cross, and Michael Varcoe-Cocks has and its provenance, analysis and cleaning, just completed John Glover's Mountain Hinwood ensured all our policies, Treasure: The Unrolling A Hidden Torrent. procedures and Material Safety Data Trinitarias Carpet at the National Gallery to date and in good Sheets were up of Victoria can be found in the latest In the Frames and Furniture order. edition of Hali (Issue 168, Summer conservation lab, MaryJo Lelyveld has 2011). The on-going work involving commenced a detailed analysis of the permanent collection changeovers and elaborate Regence frame for Crossing National Gallery of Victoria loans continues with Solitaire Osei the Red Sea by Nicolas Poussin, and managing the loan of ten Michael treatment to replace missing ornament. The Objects lab is currently examining O'Connell loans to Bendigo Art gallery She is making fine discoveries about and preparing over 1,500 objects from later this year. Amongst these projects, the laminated wood construction and the Ancient Worlds collection as part we are hoping to snatch some time to reparure technique used that will be of the Gallery Renewal project and is focus on non-exhibition collection published in the near future. Noel looking forward to more of the same for work. We are each going to undertake Turner has treated a vast number of the Asian Collection material. Georgia a major treatment of one costume for an original frames for nineteenth century Harvey, Sharon Grigg and Di Whittle upcoming exhibition Deco, and plan to works on paper. Treatments have have had the rare privilege of being use these works as the starting point of involved removal of bronze over-paint immersed for weeks in an amazing array an FTIR survey of decorative materials and re-placement of significant areas of of Ancient Egyptian, Greco Roman and found on costume in the collections. lost ornament. Stephanie Limoges has Pre Columbian works. Each storage case been volunteering by ably assisting with Paper Conservation, Ruth is an archaeological time capsule of both In the consolidation of the large Louis and Louise Wilson are materials and historical conservation Shervington XIV frame for Rigaud's Monsieur Le treatments. treating a group of British watercolours Bret and his son, Cardin Le Bret as well as part of this project technical and as improving the organisation of the lab. Eamon O'Toole and Fredrick White is being undertaken on the examination Suzi Shaw has been looking into ways have been flat out designing and extensive collection of William NGV's to minimise risk to furniture items on fabricating new mount systems for the watercolours from the Divine Blake open display by working with the NGV's wide variety of material being assessed, series. Pip Morrison has Comedy Risk Manager to develop strategies and as well as supporting ongoing collection inlaying been examining, treating and procedures. Holly McGowan-Jackson is display changeovers and exhibitions, photographs for an exhibition albumen kept busy managing the section, and has such as Tjukurrtjanu: Origins of Western next of Fred Kruger photographs early taken the opportunity of the exhibition Desert Art. Trude Ellingsen has year. been working on the contemporary Eugene van Guerard: Nature Revealed to further study the frames used by the exhibition 10 ways to Look at the Past, Recently the Paintings Conservation artist. and several neon and LED works lab has bid farewell to some key us for needing maintenance. Later this month members who had been with Helen Casey is working on Passepartout several years. In July Raye Collins, Marika Strohschnieder is off to New encapsulations to enable safe display

34 AICCM National Newsletter Lab and People News - VIC

of artworks in unstable environmental Digitisation, to students completing opportunity to visit Melbourne. conditions (getting good preliminary intensive training on "Duplication, Davina Hacklin has been in Lisbon, results) and is also working on testing Digitisation and Archiving". Portugal attending the International off-gassing and drying times in show Debra Parry attended trammg on Symposium and Workshop on Cultural cases. She is taking calls! Janelle Borig Hazardous Substances in Collections, Property Risk Analysis and the 16'h has just helped install a large Papunya held at the Museum. Detlev Lueth ICOM -CC Triennial Conference. The Tula exhibition and has designed a great has been organising extra new disaster conference was bigger than ever with method of securing shields to the wall if bins for the Archives and Tha lem has around 1,000 attendees and double the anyone needs information. Catherine been stocking these ready for placement usual number of papers. Earley continues to flesh out our around the repository. collection's disaster response, and she Sam Hamilton is the conservation and the team are poised for the de­ Debra Parry finished the last of the representative for the Bunjilaka installation of the Melbourne Winter intensive treatment on. the trademarks redevelopment project. This project Masterpieces exhibition. dating from 1883 to 1885. Damaged is focussed on updating the Indigenous trademarks were removed from the Cultures gallery at Melbourne In September we were greatly saddened volume and repaired. Liam Ryan and Museum and will include the display to farewell our colleague Elisabetta Tha lem digitised the trademark volume of approximately 700 objects, many Polidori from the Paper Conservation as well as capturing each individual of which have never before been lab, who has left Australia to undertake trademark. Many of these trademarks exhibited. The project will have an a fellowship at the Smithsonian images can already be viewed on associated online presence, giving access Institution in Washington. It was a RecordSearch on the NAA website. to approximately 5,000 newly digitised great pleasure to work with Elisabetta There are some wonderful trademark images from the collection. The project on a personal and professional level and designs for products including whiskey, is also the first to make use of Museum we wish her all the very best. tobacco, hop bitters, tea, paint, Victoria's recently endorsed Arsenic As mentioned above, we are sorry to be medicine and food products. Well worth Handling Procedures. As a result of risk bidding farewell to Alex Ellem, Helen a look! assessment, past knowledge, research Gill, Natalie Hewlett and Raye Collins and analysis we know that many of these Debra Parry has been working on a from the Paintings Conservation studio. collection materials may contain some large number of posters relating to Each of these four individuals has been form of organic or inorganic hazardous Government Security Loans from the a major contributor to our department contaminant, which potentially pose 1950s. She has also treated oversized and will be missed for the high quality a risk to staff handling, moving or plans of Tullamarine and Kingsford of their work and their always helpful treating them. The introduction and Smith airports, many of which had and friendly natures. implementation of this initiative has extensive tears. Debra, Tha and Liam been timely and now determines how continue work on the digitisation potentially hazardous substances will be of photographs and negatives of managed across MY's collections. It has National Archives of Commonwealth building sites and also empowered staff with knowledge works departmental activities, which Australia - Melbourne and preventive measures to protect includes images of the construction of themselves from potential hazards and A visit by Museum Studies students Tullamarine Airport, and photographs risks. from Deakin University was hosted from Darwin after Cyclone Tracy. by Debra Parry and Liam Ryan. We welcome our recent arrival, Debra also gave a laboratory tour to Rosemary Goodall. Rosemary is the representatives from CAVAL and Museum Victoria inaugural Materials Scientist at Museum Liam showed them the Preservation Victoria and will be working with us Digitisation studio. Liam visited the Elizabeth McCartney and Karen Fisher to characterise hazardous substances in CAVAL office to view their digitising have recently completed work on the collections. Rosemary is currently equipment. Liam Ryan and Tha lem Tjukurrtjanu: Origins of Western Desert familiarising herself with the issues visited Sydney to attend the PMA Expo, Art, a collaborative exhibition with the surrounding collection hazards and with including participating in an AGSIDS National Gallery of Victoria. Around 50 our XRF instrument. (Australian Government and Cultural of Museum Victoria's highly significant The rest of the team are busy with Institution Digital Specialists) meeting, shields, spearthrowers, decorated knives CPRAM (Collection Property Risk and view a demonstration of a new and body ornaments are included in Analysis Methodology) projects, multi-spectrum camera system. Liam the exhibition. We recommend people exhibitions and recruitment! presented a talk in July at the University view the exhibition at the lan Potter of Melbourne, on Preservation Centre: NGV Australia if they have an

No 119 November 2011 35 Cleaning the Dirt off Money in Conservation: Ethics and Economics

Cleaning the Dirt off Money in Conservation: Ethics and Economics

Christabel Blackman

Christabel Blackman is a fine art conservator, working privately, who holds a Masters Degree in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage and a Diploma in Restoration of Easel Painting. She has worked in conservation since 1979 and is both an Australian and Spanish citizen. This article is a shortened version of that published in the July issue of e-conservation Magazine ( www.e-conservationline.com)

Budget is an essential factor in any The truth is that many conservators decisions are always justified in other project no matter how great or small; actually labour under the guises of spheres. So much conservation indeed without it restoration would work experience, apprenticeships, behaviour is apparently driven by other cease to exist as an activity. However, volunteering or just plain altruism. elements that are not monetary, that the values which we most consider to Perhaps we do this because we feel perhaps we should stop for a moment be important in conservation decision that the values that exist in the field and look at why this incommensurable making, such as the historic, artistic, of restoration and those conjured up dichotomy exists. symbolic or scientific values, have a by their objects are far more noble Conservation is about caring for objects, difficult job at being included in the than the mundanely tangible and but not just for any old object. We accountability of conservation projects beguiling values that are associated conserve objects that are important for which are analysed and processed with money. Meritocratic values in certain people, because that particular according to economical values. cultural conservation exist in another social group has assigned a meaning Irreconcilable differences exist between sphere; that is, outside of the cash flow (or a series of meanings) to that object. the disparate value systems in the worlds box. In fact most conservators will We tend to assign intangible values of conservation and economics. At the confess that their choice of profession to tangible objects; in conservation same time however, a meeting point was vocational. Who ever heard of a we refer to them as metanarrative or is both inevitable and necessary. The wealthy conservator? Conservation symbolic values. problems arise when we seek to find a is considered as an activity without a correlation between these very distinct lucrative end, any spin off gain being a These symbolic or ethical values yet indispensable values. mere secondary side effect. represent what we most value and esteem in our lives and are Money; that dreaded and complex When conservation decisions are made, immeasurable, like the aforementioned thing! But without it, we, the the importance of the economical honour, love and faith. However, conservators, cannot start work. Or factor is not always apparent or even these intangible values are difficult to perhaps I should say, without the idea included in the reasoning process. Yet, compare to other value systems for they of receiving it, when our jobs have been paradoxically, it is a major determining lack common denominators. completed and approved of according factor in the "to be or not to be" to the particular tastes of whoever is procedure. Funnily enough, Economics If the sustainable symbolic value of paying. How often have conservators is not considered as a necessary a conservation object is already a had it suggested to them that they subject in recommended syllabus of difficult terrain to define with precision, should be exercising their profession comprehensive courses in professional then how is it possible to enter these purely for the honour of working with conservation trammg. It is barely comparisons into a completely different certain objects; that labour should be mentioned in any Code of Ethics. It is value system; that of monetary value? for the love of art, driven by faith , etc. I such a negated aspect of conservation Economical and ethical values exist have been told so many times that God that it is seldom even heard of that a in completely different spheres, and will pay me for my work that I'm sure conservator has selected a particular it is a perplexing challenge to find any He is busily upgrading to a Gold Card lining material, chosen a certain varnish common ground. The ethical is often just for that very purpose. or opted for a specific solvent because called upon to justify the economical of its price. It seems that conservation and visa versa. The bottom line is

36 AICCM National Newsletter Cleaning the Dirt off Money in Conservation: Ethics and Economics

that they are values that cannot Perhaps a consoling thought is that Further Reading: be interchanged; nor can they be at the end of the day practically E. Avrami, R. Mason, and M. de la transposed or transferred with convivial all decisions are made within the Torre, Values and Heritage Conservation. success. Indeed objects that have a limitations of restncttve parameters, Research Report, Getty Conservation heavyweight assigned value are often albeit physical limitations (not every Institute, Los Angeles, 2000, http:// referred to as priceless; they cannot even workshop has access to all possible www. ge tty. ed u/conse rva tion/ enter into economical worth systems. equipment), skill and competency publications/pdf_publications/valuesrpt. limitation (there may be techniques The difficult bridge to cross is that pdf or knowledge that have not been which attempts to convert the accessed), economical limitations D. Bluestone, A. Klamer, R. Mason, intangible meaning of an object into a (interventions have to adjust to budget) and D. Throsby,[.3] Economics[CB4] tangible value, especially an economical and most importantly value limitations and Heritage conservation, Getty one. It is a terrain that has no common (that are dictated by the interested Conservation Institute, 1998 denominator, for direct transactions. parties or stakeholders who define the However it is an area that affects our A. Klamer, The Value of Culture: on objects values). conservation budgets. We would not the Relationship between Economics and put a price on a longed for peaceful Economics, Ethics and Conservation Arts, Amsterdam University Press, afternoon nap or a happy outing with is perhaps the subject that needs to Amsterdam, 1996 friends, but we are often obliged to put be pushed onto agendas, university S. Mufioz-Vifias, Contemporary Theory value on symbolic heritage objects. syllabus, and towards focal points where of Conservation, Elsevier Butterworth­ it is taken under the multidisciplinary Conservation projects are often Heinemann, Oxford, 2005 wing of our profession. It has sponsored or financed according to occasionally been a publicly discussed J. A. Smith, Myths, Philanthropy, and the projected worth of the object subject such as the Getty conferences Culture: New Data and Trends . What involved. For this reason more famous or the recent international meetings Do Economics Have to Do with Culture, artworks are more likely to capture in Brussels. However, we need to in ASSEMBLY 2002: Asking the Right big budgets. The Sistine Chapel will take out a more permanent adoption Questions, Getty Institute, San Diego, have economical precedence over of its implications in conservation. California 2002, http://www.cgu.edu/ a more neglected and deteriorated As conservators we need to learn pdffiles/gli/smith.pdf poly-chromed temple in Nepal from the appropriate skills to be able to the same era. Passing judgements of D. Throsby, Economics and Culture, communicate and dialogue with lucidity cultural worth and conserving according Cambridge University Press, in the negotiating proceedures that lead to massive popularity is not a viable Cambridge, 2001 up to the allocation and formulation of rule of thumb, nor is the idea of using budgets. Economics is a decisive factor D. Throsby, "Cultural capital" and heritage as an economical whipping in the decision making process and must "Cultural sustainability", in R. horse an accertable solution. It is near be considered as such. Towse (ed.), A Handbook impossible to place true economical of Cultural Economics, Edward Elgar Publishing, value on the state of conservation needs Co-existence of values is what counts London,2003 of objects that have other important in the field of restoration - correlations values assigned to them. Their value is instead of directly transferable subjective, it depends on their cultural, relations. Together with proportional social, historical, scientific or artistic participation of representatives of the values, and these are the values that different affected parties in a restoration are taken into account on the decision project and the dialogue between them. makers table in the field of conservation, In this idea we will find the key to it is just that Mr. Economics is the solve the intransferability of distinctive ruling director. ethica'l and economical values in Conservation.

No 119 November 2011 37 News from 1/C

News from IIC

Studies in Conservation announces Past print copies of Studies in References will be cited in the text in some changes. Most importantly, we Conservation are now available from author-date format, and then listed in now have a new electronic submission Maney Publications only URL:http:ij the References section in alphabetical system, Editorial Manager. This system www.maney.co.uk , not from the IIC order. Please make note of this change should make the reviewing and editing office. (examples are given in the Instructions processes more efficient, and cut down for Authors) as all new submissions are Past print copies of Reviews in on time from submission to publication. required to follow the new format. Conservation and ne Preprints are now All manuscripts must now be submitted available from Archetype Publications Yet another positive change that via that system, accessed at http:Usic. http:ijwww.archetype.co.uk only, rather accompanies our move to Maney edmgr.com. than from the ne office. Publications is that beginning in 2012, Instructions for Authors can also be ne Congress Preprints will appear as With the electronic version of the accessed at that site. Manuscripts can a biennial Supplement to Studies in journal we have the ability to fast­ no longer be submitted as attachments Conservation, and will be available track papers, hence, as soon as a paper via the ne email and manuscripts will electronically to all subscribers and ne is ready for publication in the next no longer be permitted to follow the members. This pattern will continue issue, it can be put online rather than former Guidelines for Authors. The new for all future IIC congress preprints. A needing to wait for the deadline for electronic submission site includes short copy of the full preprints for IIC Vienna the print version. Another advantage tutorials on the procedures for authors 2012 will be produced in a limited run of electronic publication is that reviewers. to be made available to registrants of and facility to link to we now have the the Congress; hence an advantage to that can As part of our move to a new publisher, supplementary material participants at the Congress is that they which cannot Maney Publications, beginning with enhance a paper, but will receive an advance copy of the full because of issue 57-1 the journal will be published be included in the paper preprints. Print copies will be available with standard electronically as well as in print. ne space or incompatibility after the conference from Archetype. members and subscribers to Studies journal format. Supplemental material will now have online access to the may include large data or image sets, Finally, IIC is considering adding a most recent issues, and, beginning in animations, software, models, or audio publicly-available wiki or blog on January 2012, to many past papers or video files. More information about the ne website where readers can (initially, the papers from the last 5 post Studies abstracts that they have years), in a fully searchable format. Also translated into any language. This available will be electronic versions of capability may be included in the past ne Congress Preprints (initially, site upcoming redesign of the ne website, the three most recent congresses) and at and any input or opinion about this issues of Reviews in Conservation resources/authors. possibility is welcome. We will keep (all ten published volumes); ne is you posted about this and other The print version of the journal will conducting ongoing efforts to contact new developments with Studies in also change and show improvements. authors of past Studies, Reviews, · and Conservation. We will move to A4 paper size, and a Preprints papers for permissions for new cover design; print size will be large retrodigitisation, including permission Chandra Reedy enough for clarity throughout; but most Editor-in-Chief, Studies in Conservation to reproduce images. Please respond if importantly, every issue will be in full you are contacted. Authors who have and colour. The biggest change reflected not received an email communication in the new Instructions for Authors Joyce Townsend, llC Director of are requested to contact the ne Publications is that we no longer use a numbered if they have any concerns about [email protected] referencing system. We have moved retrodigitisation of their papers. to an author-date referencing system that is more standard in scientific publications.

38 AICCM National Newsletter We welcome yo ur contributions Advertising is accepted. to the newsletter, as well as Positions vacant any comments you may have. 1/2 page* $110 inc. GST Deadlines for submissions are: 1" February, 1" June and Commercial 1" October. 1/2 page* $220 inc. GST Please send your submi sions to full page# $300 inc. GST newsletter@a iccm.org.au All Discounts submissions will be acknowleged by email. If you haven't heard from us, 10% for 2 issues, 15 % for 3 issues, 20% for 4 issues. we haven't heard from you! Inserts We encourage the use of images Positions Vacant $110 inc. GST wherever possible. Please send Commercial $220 inc. GST separate to your text in either .jpeg Advertisers must supply their own inserts. or . tiff files. All text should be sent in .doe Classifieds or .docx file, in 12pt Times New $0.88 per word including GST. Roman font, with no editing. * 1/2 page: 190mm (w) x 125mm (h) landscape Names in the text should be in # Full page: 21Ox297m m portrait, with 3mm bleed all around bold the first time used, then in Notices pertaining to A ICCM activities are free of charge. normal font afterwards. Advertising for inclusion in body of Newsletter accepted until the 1st day of the month in which the Newsletter is due. Early booking preferable. Thank you Disclaimer: Publication of t echnical n otes or a rticles with reference to techniques and materials does not necessarily r epresent an endorsement by AICCM. The Editors and AICCM National Council accept no r esponsibility for the content or opinions expressed in the AICCM National Newsletter which are solely those of individual contri butors. It is the responsibility of authors to ensure content has been approved by appropriate parties, prior to submission to the Editors.

No 119 November 2011 39 I List of SIG Convenors

As a ll SIG convenor positions are open for election every two years, over The SIG conveno rs listed here are the past 6 months there has b een numerous ele ctions a nd nominations congratulated on their commitment with the following results. to the on going a ctivity of their SIG Contact Election group. As a me mber of several SIGs I l ook f orward to a ll the u pcoming Antarctic Heritage Julian Bickersteth SIG cancelled 20 11 events in 2012 and encourage all Book & Paper Kim Barre tt Elected 2010 forms of activity that will enrich o ur Conservation Framers June Andersen El ection 20 11 membership of AICCM. Conservation Science Deborah Lau Re - Elected 2011 It was decided this year that 3 SIGs Education Eric Archer SIG Cancelled (Antarctic He ritage, Education, 01 1 Exhibitions Catherine Earley Re -Elected 2 Private Practice) were to be Gilded Objects MaryJo Lelyveld Re -Elected 20 11 dissolved due to various reasons. Objects Helen Privett Re -Elected 20 11 A n ew SIG has also been formed Paintings Andrew Durham El ected 2011 by Peter Shaw regarding the Digital Photon Stephan ie Bailey Elected 2011 & Audio-Visual He ritage. Please Preventive Cons. Sarah-Jane Re nnie Elected 2011 contact Peter to be a pa rt of this Private Practice Kay Soderlund SIG cancelled 2011 SI G. Textiles Jessie Firth Re- elected 2011 Tegan Anthes Digital & Audio-visual Heritage Peter Shaw Established 2011 SIG Coordinator

AICCM National Council Executive and Officer Contacts 2011,2012

National President Kay Si:iderlund Tel: 02 9557 2395 Fax: 02 9557 2390 [email protected] Vice-President Vicki Humphrey Tel: 02 6208 5036 [email protected] National Secretary Rachel Spano Tel: 07 3842 9060 rache [email protected] National Treasurer Robin Hodgson Tel: 03 5989 11 99 Fax: 03 5989 1144 rhe@rhconservationen g.com Membership Services Officer Fiona Tennant Tel: 02 941 7 33 11 Fax: 02 941 7 3102 f. [email protected] Publications Officer Cobus van Breda Tel: 03 6211 4164 Cob us.Va nBreda@tmag. tas.gov.au AICCM Secretariat Michelle Berry Tel: 02 6100 8618 secreta [email protected] Professional Membership Cushla Hi ll Tel: 03 9348 5700 [email protected] Officer Public Officer !an Batterham Tel: 02 6212 3424 F ax: 02 6212 3469 [email protected] Web Editor She ldon Teare [email protected] Bulletin Editor Marcelle Scott Tel: 03 8344 0091 [email protected] .au Newsletter Editor [email protected] SIG Convenor Tegan Anthes Tel: 02 9557 2395 F ax: 02 95 57 2390 [email protected]

AICCM National State Presidents 2011,2012

ACT President !an Batterham Tel: 02 62 12 3424 F ax: 02 621 2 3469 [email protected] NSW Predient Colin Macgr egor Tel: 02 9320 6105 Fax: 02 9320 6070 [email protected] QLD President Samantha She llard Tel: 07 3842 9296 Fax: 07 3842 9065 [email protected] SA/NT President Andrew Durham Tel: 08 8207 7520 [email protected] Tas President Michelle Berry Tel: 02 6100 8618 secretariat@a iccm.org.au Vie President Susanna Collis Tel: 03 941 5 4444 Fax: 03 941 5 4433 [email protected] .au WA President !sa Loo Tel: 08 9431 8463 Fax: 08 9431 8489 isa. loo@museum. wa.gov.au