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The Australian National Museum of Education: Selected Issues Regarding School Museums

The Australian National Museum of Education The Australian National Museum of Education located within the University of Canberra, which I represent, was founded by Dr Malcolm Beazley in 1996. It is managed by a Board consisting of students, staff and adjuncts of the University and supported by four patrons and eight national representatives. The onsite repository contains historic text books, journals, manuscripts, photographs, artefacts and ephemera organised around five themes; namely, Policy, Administration, Curriculum Practice and Innovation. In time, it is hoped that much of the museum’s resources will become available on-line. The role of the state and territory representatives is varied. Essentially, they encourage the foundation of school museums and also existing ones to become members, in addition to providing professional advice and assistance. Membership costs $20 per annum and entitles subscribers to newsletters (six per annum), notice of special events and workshops and opportunities to link up with other school museums. Delivered by notable academics, the ANME’s annual lecture results in the publication of a monograph.

Personal Background I understand there will be a brief biographical sketch of my background in the Museum Committee’s forthcoming newsletter. I make no pretence of being an expert in the management of school museums. My expertise is in the management of schools, pedagogy, the history of education, genealogy and a keen interest in the preservation of cultural heritage. Throughout my life in schools as a teacher and administrator, I have established practices, processes and procedures, which in time may have become 2 traditions, e.g. the preservation of student records, the conduct and preparation of graduation ceremonies and special awards, including annual open awards for excellence in various fields of endeavour. Difficulties have presented themselves along the way. However, I have found that rather attempt to force change, adjustments are made gradually, e.g. ceremonies of all kinds should be memorable occasions for all who attend with suitable images and documentation archived for future generations. It is, I believe, repetition of worthwhile ceremony, procedures and practices which cements tradition, not ones that are invented.

Perth Modern School’s Architectural Heritage Hillson Beasley, born on 30 April 1855 at Canterbury, Kent, , contributed to the Federation style of public buildings in Western from his arrival in 1896, aged 41 years. He was employed as an architectural draftsman in the Public Works Department, becoming Chief Architect in 1905. Before coming to , he practiced his profession in the United Kingdom, South Africa and Victoria. Among his many achievements include Claremont Teachers’ College (1902), built in the style of Victorian Tudor Revival and Modern School (1909-11) in the Arts and Crafts style.1 The original Modern School building is a gem and is clearly a place of aspiration, inspiration and reflection. How could anyone not recognise that such architecture should not last indefinitely in order to reflect for future generations the culture of the time in which it was constructed and that today, over one hundred years later we can still say, “Look, this is what others have done for us.”

1 Hannah Lewi, 'Beasley, Hillson (1855–1936)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/beasley-hillson-12789/text23077, published first in hardcopy 2005, accessed online 18 May 2018. 3

The same can also be said of the school’s war memorial in reflecting the dedication, service and sacrifice of students who attended this school.

Challenges From what I have seen so far, Perth Modern School’s Museum is moving towards an holistic approach to its collection. At one end of what may be considered a continuum, is the traditional museum with its place-based exhibitions and at the other, the intangible depository made possible by digital technologies. With school museums, a balance will be necessary so that the physical collections will no longer be the focus and may also include augmented reality using specially designed glasses with inbuilt speakers. No doubt there will be other inventions to come. There will be challenges in the future, ongoing relevance and funding among them, which may include a purpose-built facility to ensure the survival of its treasures. In this regard, there is nothing worse than dust, damp and insects. An overarching consideration will undoubtedly be the increasing use of technology and those skilled in its use. Obsolescence too, in its many forms, will remain an ever-present reality in terms of storage, display and on-going access to digital records. From my observation, Sallie Davies and her dedicated band of volunteers are doing a sterling job. Public schools throughout Western Australia could learn a great deal from this school regarding the benefits and importance of establishing a museum. Issues surrounding space, funding, expertise and an on- going commitment to its relevance will remain, which I suspect will be too difficult to accomplish for most public schools. As I have written elsewhere, school museums have an important role to play in preserving cultural inheritance ‘as a reflection and expression of their 4 constantly evolving values, beliefs, knowledge and traditions’2. Conserving the past is important but it will also be important to have an eye to the present and the future in deciding what is worthy of preservation, and what is not. Such decisions are not easy. Given Perth Modern School’s demonstrated commitment to the continuing stewardship of its archives since its foundation, which are already substantial, the formation of the Perth Modernian Society Museum Association (Inc.) will no doubt contribute substantially to the ongoing growth and development of the school and its museum and in time its availability to the public.

Ian Melville 21 May 2018

2 C. Dümcke, and M. Gnedovsky, The Social and Economic Value of Cultural Heritage: Literature Review European Expert Network on Culture, Paper, July 2013, p. 6