Australian Museum 2010–2011 Report Annual Australian Museum Annual Report 2010–2011 Australian Museum Annual Report 2010 – 2011 ii Australian Museum Annual Report 2010 –11 The Australian Museum Annual Report 2010 –11 Availability is published by the Australian Museum Trust, This annual report has been designed for accessible 6 College Street Sydney NSW 2010. online use and distribution. A limited number of copies have been printed for statutory purposes. © Australian Museum Trust 2011 This report is available at: ISSN 1039-4141 www.australianmuseum.net.au/Annual-Reports. Editorial Further information on the research and education Project management: Wendy Rapee programs and services of the Australian Museum Editing and typesetting: Brendan Atkins can be found at www.australianmuseum.net.au. Proofreading: Lindsay Taaffe Design and production: Australian Museum Environmental responsibility Design Studio Printed on Sovereign Offset, an FSC- certified paper from responsibly grown fibres, made under an All photographs © Australian Museum ISO 14001– accredited environmental management 2011, unless otherwise indicated. system and without the use of elemental chlorine. Contact Australian Museum 6 College Street Sydney NSW 2010 Open daily 9.30 am – 5.00 pm t 02 9320 6000 f 02 9320 6050 e [email protected] w www.australianmuseum.net.au www.facebook.com/australianmuseum www.twitter.com/austmus www.youtube.com/austmus front cover: The Museum's after-hours program, Jurassic Lounge, attracted a young adult audience to enjoy art, music and new ideas. Photo Stuart Humphreys. iii Minister The Hon. George Souris, MP and Minister for the Arts Governance The Museum is governed by a Trust established under the Australian Museum Trust Act 1975. The Trust has 11 members, one of whom must have knowledge of, or experience in, science; one of whom must have knowledge of, or experience in, education; and one of whom must have knowledge of, or experience in, Australian Indigenous culture. Trustees are appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the Minister for a term of up to three years. Trustees may serve for no more than three terms. Vacancies may be filled by the Governor on the recommendation of the Minister. The President of the Trust is appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the Minister. The Director of the Australian Museum is Secretary to the Trust and is responsible for the common seal. Trustees receive no remuneration but may be reimbursed for expenses. All of the Museum’s annual reports since 1998 –99 are available at: www.australianmuseum.net.au/Annual-Reports. Further information on the research and education programs and services of the Australian Museum can be found at www.australianmuseum.net.au. Admission charges General Museum entry: Adult $12 Child (5–15 years) $6 Concession $8 Family (one adult, two children) $18 Family (two adults, two children) $30, each additional child $3 Children under five years, Australian Government DVA Gold Cardholders, Australian Government ‘Blue’ Pensioner Concession Cardholders and Australian Museum Members free. Additional charges may apply to special exhibitions and activities. iv Australian Museum Annual Report 2010 –11 The Hon. George Souris, MP Minister for the Arts Minister, In accordance with the provisions of the Annual Reports (Statutory Bodies) Act 1984 and the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983 we have pleasure in submitting this report of the activities of the Australian Museum Trust for the financial year ended 30 June 2011 for presentation to Parliament. On behalf of the Australian Museum Trust, Sam Mostyn Frank Howarth President of the Trust Secretary of the Trust v Contents Part 1 The year in review 1 Part 4 Appendices 65 President’s report 2 Appendix A Organisation chart 66 Highlights 2010 –11 4 Appendix B Trustee profiles and activities 67 Director’s report 6 Appendix C Executive profiles and management activities 71 Performance 2010 –11 7 Appendix D Internal audit and risk About the Museum 9 management 77 Part 2 Performance reports 14 Appendix E Credit card certification 78 1 Delivering services 15 Appendix F Privacy and personal information 79 2 Developing relationships 20 Appendix G Public access to information 79 3 Building capabilities 22 Appendix H Disability action plan 80 4 Increasing resources 25 Appendix I Multicultural policies and services program 81 Part 3 Financial statements 27 Appendix J Code of conduct 83 Financial commentary 28 Appendix K Guarantee of service 83 Financial statements 33 Appendix L Grants 84 Appendix M Publications 89 Appendix N Overseas travel 100 Appendix O Recognising staff achievements 103 Appendix P Fellowships and postgraduate awards 107 Appendix Q Energy management 109 Appendix R Waste reduction and recycling 110 Appendix S Heritage management 111 Appendix T Staff, EEO and OHS statistics 112 Appendix U Honorary appointments 2010 –11 115 Appendix V Museum volunteers 2010 –11 116 Appendix W Key acquisitions and donations to the collection 120 Appendix X Benefactors and sponsors 122 Index 126 vi Australian Museum Annual Report 2010 –11 Part 1 The year in review 1 The year in review 1 above: Museum entomologist Dr Dan Bickel talks flies with budding scientist Leia. Photo Carl Bento. J4456_AR1011_dividers.indd 1 24/10/11 3:31 PM 2 Australian Museum Annual Report 2010 –11 opposite: Scenes from the Alive arena, celebrating President’s report the International Year of Biodiversity, and Search & Discover. Photos Carl Bento. Engaging with diversity One of the distinguishing assets Wildlife Photographer of the Year, of the Australian Museum continues Climate Change – Our Future, Our Choice to be the respected and internationally and Frank Hurley – Journeys to Papua acknowledged research undertaken to people and places remote from our across a broad sweep of disciplines and College Street site in Sydney. topics. Our longer term ambition is to ensure that the Museum’s research and PHILANTHROPY SUPPORTING informed opinions are sought by decision THE MUSEUM makers, and that we are the partner of Philanthropic support continues to grow choice across the cultural, scientific and at the Australian Museum. On behalf learning sectors. of the Trust I thank the Australian Museum Foundation, led by Diccon At the end of this year, I retire CHANGE AND RENEWAL Loxton, for its strong and innovative as both President and Trustee after This year saw considerable change and support, which has raised much-needed almost a decade of involvement with renewal in the composition of the Trust. resources for the Museum, and the Lizard the Australian Museum. In reflecting We farewelled two of our long-serving Island Reef Research Foundation, chaired on this time, I am reminded of the Trustees, Dr Cindy Pan and David by Ken Coles, for its unwavering support enduring importance and relevance Handley, who both gave wonderful for the Museum’s research facility on of the Australian Museum and the service to the Museum, and welcomed the Great Barrier Reef. extraordinary contribution it will Paul Connor, Dr James Moody, Helen I would like to acknowledge and thank continue to make to our society. Wellings and Stephen Crittenden as the real stars of the Australian Museum new Trustees. Later this year, Dr Ronnie – the staff, volunteers and Members – The past year has once again been Harding and I both retire. I would like who continue to show their commitment, eventful and successful. The Museum to pay particular tribute to Ronnie who enthusiasm and creativity, not just to their continued to engage with its diverse has chaired the Research and Collections particular specialisations, but also to the audiences, initiate new programs and Advisory Committee for the Trust and ever-increasing challenge of doing more develop unique ways of seeing and provided great insight and support for with less. They are respectful custodians understanding the natural and the the research and collections community of some of Australia’s most significant cultural worlds. The Museum continues of the Museum. natural science and cultural heritage to explore new ways of engaging Change in the management team collections, and are ensuring continued audiences, and this has been one brought a new Assistant Director, Steven innovation in connecting with our of the focus areas for a new corporate Alderton, who replaces Janet Carding, broader and growing audiences. strategic plan. our former Assistant Director, Public I also thank my fellow Trustees for Over the past year, much discussion has Programs and Operations, who left their advice and support during this year taken place across the Museum to create to take up the directorship of the Royal and throughout my time on the Trust. this plan, setting priorities to underpin Ontario Museum in Canada. They have been generous and wise a vibrant and relevant long-term future. Exhibitions held during the year provided in their commitment to growing a strong The plan commits the Museum to diversity and opportunities for a range and vibrant future for the Australian building its role as Australia’s leading hub of audiences to engage with collections. Museum. Thank you too to Director for learning about the natural sciences Alive, Banana Kids, Yiloga! Tiwi Footy, Frank Howarth and the senior and about indigenous and world cultures. Wildlife Photographer of the Year/My management team of the Museum. It also sets ambitious three-year targets Photo Studio and Birds of Paradise all for growing the Museum’s reputation It has been a rare and special privilege achieved high visitor numbers, while the as a leading tourism destination to serve as President of this remarkable creation of a new gemstones display was of culture and science. Importantly, and important institution. just one of several updates to the Planet the plan recognises that one of the key of Minerals. Sam Mostyn roles of the Museum remains the active President engagement with Australia’s culturally I am delighted that our travelling Australian Museum Trust diverse communities, and ensuring that exhibitions visited Canberra, Lithgow, our diverse collections are developed, Newcastle, Perth, Mooloolabah preserved, accessible and widely used.