Annual report 2017–18 Eharo mask, on display in the Westpac Long Gallery. Photograph by Stuart Humphreys 2017–18 Annual report Australian Museum 1 William Street Sydney, NSW, 2010 Australia The Australian Museum Annual Report 2017–18 Minister is published by the Australian Museum Trust The Hon Don Harwin, MLC 1 William Street Sydney NSW 2010 Minister for the Arts © Australian Museum Trust 2018 Governance ISSN 2206-8473 The Museum is governed by a Board of Trustees (Trust) Acknowledgements established under the Australian Museum Trust Act The Australian Museum acknowledges and pays respect to 1975. The Trust has 11 members, one of whom must have the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation as the First Peoples knowledge of, or experience in, science; one of whom and Traditional Custodians of the land and waterways on must have knowledge of, or experience in, education; and which the Australian Museum stands. one of whom must have knowledge of, or experience in, Australian Indigenous culture. Compiled by Amanda Farrar & Jacqueline Soars Design & production by Sam Wilson Trustees are appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the Minister for a term of up to All images © Australian Museum unless otherwise three years. Trustees may serve no more than three indicated. terms. Vacancies may be filled by the Governor on Contact the recommendation of the Minister. The President Australian Museum of the Trust is appointed by the Governor on the 1 William Street Sydney NSW 2010 recommendation of the Minister. Open daily 9.30am – 5pm The Director & CEO of the Australian Museum holds the Closed Christmas day office of Secretary and is responsible for the common t 02 9320 6000 seal. Trustees receive no remuneration but may be f 02 9320 6050 reimbursed for expenses. e [email protected] w australianmuseum.net.au Admission charges General Museum entry: facebook.com/australianmuseum Adult $15 twitter.com/austmus Child(under 16 years) Free Concession $8 (see accepted concession cards below) instagram.com/australianmuseum Pre-booked Australian school groups (per child) Free youtube.com/austmus Pre-booked preschool groups Free australianmuseum.net.au/amplify-podcast Australian Companion card holder’s attendant carer Free ICOM and Museums Australia members Free Australian Museum Members Availability Free Concession cards accepted: This annual report has been designed for accessible Seniors Card-holders (all states) online use and distribution. All of the Museum’s annual International seniors aged over 60 years reports since 1853, including this one, are available at International Student Card-holders australianmuseum.net.au/Annual-Reports Australian Student Card-holders Further information on the research and Centrelink Healthcare Card-holders education programs and services can be found at Australian Government Pension Card-holders australianmuseum.net.au Australian Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card-holders Cost of production Additional charges may apply to special exhibitions, The production cost of this report is estimated at $2,000. activities and educator led groups. Contents Part 1: The year in review President’s report 3 Director & CEO’s report 5 Financial summary 9 Highlights & snapshots 11 Corporate Resources Highlights 53 Part 2: Future focus Human Resources 53 Corporate Strategic Plan 15 Work Health & Safety 53 Master Plan - Project Discover 17 Building Services 54 A New Era for Science 20 Security 54 Engaging Audiences 24 Information & Communication Technology 54 Finance 54 Part 3: Divisional achievements Australian Museum Research Institute Part 4: Financial statements Highlights 29 Part 4A – Financial statements, Science Strategy 30 Australian Museum Trust 57 Scientific value and impact 30 Part 4B – Financial statements, Expeditions and field work 31 Australian Museum Staff Agency 89 Partnerships 31 Citizen Science 32 Part 5: Appendices Collection accessibility 33 Collection management 34 Appendix A Organisation chart 105 Lizard Island Research Station 34 Appendix B Trustees of the Australian Museum 107 Appendix C Executive & management profiles 112 Appendix D Internal audit & risk management 117 Exhibitions, Engagement and Cultural Connections Appendix E Privacy and personal information 119 Highlights 35 Appendix F Digital information security 119 Visitation 36 Appendix G Public access to information 120 Programs 37 Appendix H Grants 121 New exhibitions & galleries 38 Appendix I Publications 127 Touring exhibitions 39 Appendix J Overseas travel 128 Education 40 Appendix K Recognising staff achievements 130 Cultural engagement 42 Appendix L Fellowships and postgraduate awards 132 Archives, Library & Rare Books 47 Appendix M Heritage management 134 Digital 48 Appendix N Workforce 135 Marketing, Communications & Development Appendix O Honorary appointments 138 Highlights 49 Appendix P Key acquisitions and donations Media and publicity 51 to the collections 139 Social media 51 Appendix Q Benefactors and sponsors 140 Memberships 51 Appendix R Consultants 145 Tourism 52 Appendix S Consumer Feedback 145 Partnerships 52 Appendix T Volunteers 147 Eureka Prizes 52 Appendix U Accessibility and Inclusion Action Plan 148 Philanthropy 52 Appendix V Sustainable Practices 149 Commercial operations 52 Appendix W Accounts Payable performance 150 Dr Francis Day’s fish collection (detial), on display in the Westpac Long Gallery. Photograph by Stuart Humphreys PART 1 The year in review PART 1 The year in review 2 President’s report Transformative year As part of the 190th celebrations, the AM’s Centre for Citizen Science also launched its national flagship The Australian Museum (AM) has had a transformative initiative, FrogID, which aims to understand Australia’s year building on the past and looking boldly towards the national frog health and distribution. future. The Annual Report outlines an impressive year of science and research, cultural engagement and learning Engaging exhibitions activities that celebrates the AM’s extraordinary 190 years strengthening the AM’s reputation for the future. Nearly 150,000 visitors experienced the magnificent Mammoths – Giants of the Ice Age exhibition that featured To mark the 190th milestone, one of the year’s highlights the 42,000-year-old baby mammoth, Lyuba, from Siberia. was undoubtedly the opening of the Westpac Long The exhibition from the Field Museum in Chicago also Gallery following a $9 million refurbishment. This featured interactive games and life-size models that significant infrastructure project was supported by the proved extremely popular with visitors. NSW Government, Westpac and the Australian Museum Foundation and was opened by NSW Premier, the Hon The Level 1 gallery hosted two wonderful exhibitions: Gladys Berejiklian MP, in October 2017. The magnificently Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year restored, historic gallery unveiled the new permanent featuring over 100 stunning photographs showcasing exhibition 200 Treasures of the Australian Museum nature throughout our region; and Gadi, the ground- featuring 100 objects and 100 people that have influenced breaking, community-led exhibition telling the story of the Museum, nation and region and reveals their Sydney through the eyes of Gadigal people. Gadi was the unexpected stories. In 2018 the restoration was publicly centre piece for Weave: Festival of Aboriginal and Pacific recognised receiving awards for heritage conservation Cultures. Through a series of exhibitions, talks, workshops at the NSW Architecture Awards and the National Trust and drop-in activities, visitors joined respected Elders, Heritage Awards. talented artisans and community groups to engage in unique and significant cultural experiences. Strategic science Education and learning With the mission of being a valued global leader in scientific discovery and conservation, the Australian The AM continues to deliver educator-led school programs Museum Research Institute (AMRI) launched their 2017- in alignment with the Australian curriculum. The AM 2021 Science Strategy, a vision that underpins all AMRI connected with over 177,000 school students and teachers research activities and aims to improve the value and in 2017-18, inspiring an interest in STEAM learning, impact of Australian Museum science. natural history and culture through a variety of outreach programs, onsite education workshops and the annual This year AMRI scientists described 123 new species – an Sydney Science Festival. incredible achievement given AMRI’s relative size to major international scientific institutions. 3 AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM Annual Report 2017-18 The year’s highlight was undoubtedly the opening of the Westpac Long Gallery. Appreciation for the Museum community I would finally like to thank my fellow Trustees. Their enthusiasm and commitment are invaluable as the The many achievements of this year can be attributed Museum heads towards unprecedented transformation to the passion and dedication of the AM community. through the delivery of the Master Plan. I would like to thank Australian Museum Members for their support throughout the year and the significant David Armstrong contribution of AM volunteers, who are growing in number President, Australian Museum Trust each year. I particularly would like to thank the NSW Government for their continued support of the Australian Museum, particularly in light of the $50.5 million cultural infrastructure investment announced by Minister for Arts, the Hon Don Harwin MLC and NSW Treasurer, the Hon Dominic Perrottet MP in June 2018. The investment