Old Treasury Building Annual Report 2016-17

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contents

The Year in Review...... 3 Strategic Vision...... 5 Highlights of 2016-17...... 7 Future Priorities...... 8 Exhibition Program The Exhibition Program – In-House The Old Treasury Building and JJ Clark...... 11 Wild Colonial Boys...... 12 Christmas in the Old Treasury Building...... 14 Melbourne: Foundations of a City...... 16 Melbourne as National Capital 1901-27...... 18 The Exhibition Program – Incoming Early Melbourne Paintings, 1840-1880...... 20 Behind the Lines 2016...... 20 Ibuki...... 20 Public Programs...... 22 Programs Arranged in Partnership...... 23 Education Programs...... 24 Adult Tours...... 25 Marketing...... 26 Museum Rebrand...... 26 Digital...... 28 Who are our visitors...... 28 Volunteer & Guide Program...... 30 Maintaining Heritage Value...... 33 Administration and Finance...... 34 Other Income...... 34 Security and Risk Management...... 34 FInancial Outcome 2016-17...... 36 Operating Statement...... 36 Budget Forecast...... 37 Governance and Administration Committee of Management...... 39 Human Resources...... 39 Organisational Structure...... 39

1 LEFT: Detail of base of cast iron lamp. Photo by Katie Dunning. Katie by lamp. Photo iron of base cast Detail LEFT: Dunning. Katie by lamp. Photo iron one cast Building showing The Old Treasury COVER: Dunning. Katie by Building. Photo Old Treasury to Entrance BACK:

the year in review

Message from the Committee of Management and General Manager

This has been an outstanding new exhibitions. The first was the weekend. The façade of year at the Old Treasury Building. an introduction to the building, the building was lit in orange New exhibitions and programs its architect and the museum to participate in Take Action – drove a surge in visitor numbers. itself. This opened in the foyer Go Orange for Victoria against Digital engagement doubled, in September. It was followed in Violence. Many thousands also and a new responsive website April and May by two galleries watched the Australian Football improved our presence online. - Melbourne: Foundations of a League’s Grand Final Parade In the Committee’s view it has City and Melbourne as National launched from the building. more than met its commitment Capital 1901-1927. These last two to provide public access to the galleries chart the extraordinary The Old Treasury Building building, while preserving its growth of Melbourne from tiny maintains a large public program heritage value. rural village to world metropolis from a very small base of paid and have proved to be of great staff. It could not attempt this The growth in visitor numbers interest to visitors and to visiting without the assistance of its large was perhaps the most exciting school classes. The exhibition group of skilled volunteers and achievement of the year. A total program is presented in guides. We would like to thank of 75,866 people visited the partnership with Public Record each of them sincerely for their museum – an increase of 11,000, Office Victoria. ongoing commitment to the or 17 per cent. This was a far higher building and its programs. rate of growth than projected Three incoming exhibitions and in fact met the target set for were also shown this year. This year we also pay tribute 2020! Digital engagement also World War I and the Ibuki was to our former chair Jeff Byrne, grew substantially. We estimate created by the Veterans Branch whose term ended in February. that the Old Treasury Building of the Department of Premier Jeff chaired the Committee of reached approximately 4.4 million and Cabinet and exhibited in Management from 2010-17, accounts online, largely through December and January. ‘Early steering it through a difficult its active social media program. Melbourne paintings, 1840- transition period to a time of 1880’ was received from the settled growth. His was a steady The exhibition program was Roy Morgan Research Collection, hand and a wise head. We miss especially busy, with two new and shown on the ground and him and thank him for his long temporary and three new long- first floors from May. Behind the contribution to the building and term displays completed in Lines 2016, a touring exhibition the museum. house, along with two incoming of political cartoons from the temporary displays. Wild Colonial Museum of Australian Democracy Thanks are also due to the other , 16 December 2016. Photo by Katie Dunning. Katie by , 16 December 2016. Photo Boys: Bushrangers in Victoria in Canberra, was installed in June. members of the Committee of opened in the new temporary Management, our colleagues at exhibitions gallery in September Once again the Old Treasury Public Record Office Victoria and and proved an immediate hit Building participated in many of on the Treasury Reserve, and with visitors. It was followed the state’s festivals and events. to the wonderful staff, whose in December by a small display We presented special events in 11 commitment to the building about Christmas in past times, external festivals, including Open and its programs drives them to located in the basement flat that House Melbourne, the Heritage achieve extraordinary things. was once home to the Maynard Festival, the History Festival and family. Improving the long- Seniors’ Festival. The building was term displays was identified by the second-most visited in the Marian Quartly, Steve Schinck, the Committee as an ongoing Open House Melbourne program Margaret Anderson priority and a good beginning for the third year running, with was made this year with three more than 5,000 visitors over 3 LEFT: Performance by artists from Studio J for Mapping Melbourne Studio J from artists by Performance LEFT: Our Vision- The Old Treasury Building- inspiring museum and cherished heritage icon- LEFT: Detail of Old Treasury Building (Chief Secretary’s Office) drawing, date unknown. PROV VPRS 3686/P1 unit 457 TPM 1.2 o te epe f itra and Victoria beyond. of people the for toBuilding lifenurture and it WeTreasury bringtheOld a inspire sense ofplace. and Victorianconnectedness tell community to contribute stories, that programs inclusive and lively present We statement of Purpose operate onaself-funded basis. -Use its best endeavours to value heritage building’s the -Preserve and promotional activities the to cultural of mix a through building access public -Ensure responsibilities under theActare to: Committee’s VictorianHeritage Register.The Reserve Treasury Precincton the andisincluded the of part Minister for is Thebuilding Finance. the by members appointed are Committee Act Reserves under (1978). Land Inc., Crown the Committee Management of Reserve Treasury Old Building the by managed TreasuryThe Old is Building Governance Old Treasury Building operations. museum funds tenancies these former from derived Income and premiers. a governor including former tenants, toa of leased range is floors upper in six on Accommodation week. each days open museum, public history free a house now vaults basement and floors ground The sequence ofcontinuous use. remarkable a in basis, weekly a on used still is Chamber Council Executive historic The Victoria. officials, the Governorincluding of government for offices senior provided it ground Above fields. gold from Victorian then the Melbourne gold into the was flooding store to It 1862 and 1858 between buildings. constructed century nineteenth- finest Australia’s of TreasuryThe Old isone Building The Building strategic vision 5

highlights of 2016-17

VISITORS PUBLIC PROGRAMS -75,866 visited the site – an increase -A program of 76 talks, lectures and of 17% events was presented

-6,464 school students visited in a booked tour -A partnership with the History Council of Victoria and Monash University saw the first of six seminars -The Old Treasury Building (OTB) was awarded a in the Making Public Histories series presented at TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for 2016 the OTB.

-Events were presented in 11 external festivals EXHIBITIONS (in-house) -Wild Colonial Boys: Bushrangers in Victoria opened -OTB was the second most popular site in Open September 2016 House Melbourne

-The Old Treasury Building and JJ Clark opened -The Grand Final Parade was launched from the September 2016 OTB

-Christmas at the Old Treasury opened December 2016 ORGANISATON -70 volunteers contributed 3,333 -Melbourne as National Capital 1901-27opened April 2017 hours to assist with visitor services -28 Sessional teachers presented education -Melbourne: Foundations of a City programs to booked school groups opened May 2017 -The exhibition partnership with Public Record Office Victoria met all goals EXHIBITIONS (incoming) -World War I and the Ibuki from the Veterans Branch, Department of Premier and Cabinet BUILDING opened December 2016 -Funding secured for stone work on the facade

-Early Melbourne paintings, 1840-1880 Roy Morgan -Work began on lamp restoration Research Collection- May 2017 -Air conditioning and CCTV upgrades -Behind the Lines 2016, from the Museum of Australian Democracy, Canberra opened June 2017

DIGITAL -Digital engagement reached 4.4M, a 100% increase

-New website launched in responsive design

7 LEFT: AFL Grand FInal Parade, 30 September 2016. Photo by Katie Dunning. Katie by 2016. Photo 30 September FInal Parade, AFL Grand LEFT: future priorities

The strategic priorities for 2017-18 include: -Installation of new temporary exhibition Gold Rush Victoria in 25 Objects in partnership with PROV

-Installation of temporary exhibition A Nation Divided: the Great War and Conscription (dependent on funding)

-Begin scoping long-term exhibition The Yarra

-Begin scoping redevelopment of basement vault 1 The Gold Rush

-Develop new digital material to accompany exhibitions

-Continue to build digital engagement

-Review marketing strategies for maximum return & growing visitor numbers

-Participate in external festivals

-Continue partnership with History Council of Victoria & Monash to present Making Public Histories seminar series

-Review MOU with PROV & commence negotiation for new RIGHT: The Death Ballot, 1917. Anti-Conscription propaganda. Image from State Library Victoria. agreement

-Complete restoration works as scheduled

-Maintain strong development program for guides & volunteers

-Seek external funding for exhibition program

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exhibition program

The exhibition program – in-house

The museum at the Old Treasury The exhibition program tries to The temporary exhibition installed Building is presented on the combine one or more temporary in 2015-16, Soldier On: World War ground floor and in the former exhibitions, with changes to I Soldier Settler Stories, continued gold vaults in the basement. longer term displays to refresh until August. A travelling version Exhibitions present aspects of exhibits, attract new audiences of the exhibition was shown at the history of Victoria relevant and ensure the preservation the Royal Melbourne Show in to the building and its context. of artefacts. It is presented in September/October and then Principal themes are the history partnership with Public Record toured to Ararat, St Arnaud and of gold in Victoria, its impact Office Victoria (PROV). This year Ballarat. on the City of Melbourne, the the priority was to begin a planned growth of the city itself and the redevelopment of the longer- Public Programs presented to evolution of a democratic system term exhibitions, to improve expand this exhibition were: of government. We also interpret the overall visitor experience. the building, and its talented Since the exhibition budget is Floor Talks architect J J Clark. limited, this meant presenting Communities that still exist one temporary exhibition and with Marguerite Bell focussing the remaining resources -12 July 2016 on new long-term displays. It was an extremely productive year with Women Soldier Settlers five new exhibitions completed, with Emily Cross drawing on funds carried over -2 August 2016 from the previous year.

10 the Old Treasury Building and JJ Clark

A new exhibition in the entrance Access patterns through the foyer foyer, introducing visitors to were addressed at the same the building and its architect J J time. The temporary exhibition Clark, was the first new exhibition gallery was moved to the corridor to be completed. This display and gallery at the northern end consolidated material presented of the building, allowing the previously in separate locations, concentration of longer-term and is intended to function as a displays in the galleries accessed general introduction to both the from the southern corridor. A building and museum programs. former entrance into galleries It is part of the museum’s strategic from the foyer was closed, and intention to improve the overall an entrance door re-opened from interpretation of the building. the corridor. This has resulted in a much easier flow of visitors through the entrance and into the museum. As older exhibitions are replaced successively, it will also allow a more coherent interpretive flow through the Curator: in-house exhibition galleries. Design: Arterial Design

ABOVE: Tony Mead from Industrial Art handpainting the lamp stencil, 15 September 2016. Photo by Katie Dunning. 11 Wild Colonial Boys opened as a into panic. Three members of the temporary exhibition in the new gang were later executed as an gallery spaces on 20 September. It example – the first Europeans to presented the stories of individual be hanged in Victoria. bushrangers and their gangs from the first recorded instance in the Tales of bushrangers seem to new Port Phillip Colony in 1842, have great popular appeal. Visitor until the execution of Ned Kelly interest prompted a longer season in 1880. Significant manuscripts than usual for this exhibition, from the PROV collection were which also allowed funds to be shown in the exhibition, along directed into the creation of with other important artefacts, several longer-term exhibitions including the suit of armour worn elsewhere in the building. by Dan Kelly at the famous siege at Glenrowan, and lent to the The Old Treasury Building was exhibition by the Victoria Police grateful for assistance with loans Museum. from the following collections: State Library of Victoria, the Ian The title of the exhibition was Potter Museum of Art, Victoria taken from the popular folk Police, Gold Museum Ballarat and song, which purported to record the Harry Brookes Allen Museum the life of young ‘Jack Doolan’ of Anatomy and Pathology, -the youngest bushranger to University of Melbourne. be convicted in Victoria. Other notorious bushrangers featured in the exhibition included ‘Mad RIGHT: Artwork from Wild Colonial Boys . Image from Arterial Design. Dan’ Morgan, Harry Power, and, of course, the Kelly Gang.

Part of the intent of this display was to present some of the lesser- Curator: in-house known stories of bushranging. Exhibition and graphic design: Arterial Design They included the very first Installation: Simon Luciow instance of bushranging recorded Multimedia design Amber Evangelista in Victoria, when the ‘Plenty River Recording of ‘The Wild Colonial Boy’: Victorian Gang’ threw the new settlement Folk Music Club

12 A Public Program was developed to complement the exhibition. This included: Offical Exhibiiton Launch Floor Talks 20 September 2016 Victoria’s first bushrangers with Helen Marson Curator tours -25 October 2016 -11 October 2016 -28 February 2017 Wild Colonial Boys with Rob Edmonds School Holiday Program -15 November 2016 Wanted posters for Wild Bushrangers in the City Colonial Boys with Gabrielle Keating -17-19 January 2017 -6 December 2016

Performances ‘Gold, Gold, Gold!’ Charles Smythe: -10 January 2017 Prosecuting Ned Kelly Captain Melville Presented by Patrick Watt with Marguerite Bell -20 February 2017 -7 February 2017 Bushrangers and other folk Mad Dan Morgan with Victorian Folk Music with Rob Edmonds Club -21 March 2017 -7 May 2017 Gold, Gold, Gold! Lecture and viewing with Lynne Robertson Redmond Barry and the -11 April 2017 trial of Ned Kelly Ned Kelly with Dr Andrew Lemon with Faye Dennis -23 October 2016 -9 May 2017 Presented for History Week Harry Power CJ La Trobe Society with Helen Marson Wild Colonial Boys -6 June 2017 by Margaret Anderson -11 April 2017

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Christmas in the Old Treasury Building

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, the rooms occupied by the building’s caretaker and family in the inter-war years were decorated in the style of the period, as a contribution to the City of Melbourne’s Christmas campaign. Many decorations at this time were made by families at home, and newspapers of the period often published detailed patterns with full instructions.

Old Treasury volunteers participated in a series of light-hearted working bees to make brightly coloured decorations and these were hung in the rooms, with brief interpretive signage. Some of the decorations were quite complex and beautiful. It took some time to master the assembly process! The small display proved very popular with visitors and may become a feature of the exhibition calendar in future years.

Curator: in-house Decorations: Katie Dunning and OTB volunteers

LEFT: Jess & Rhonda Aubert crafting decorations, 2016. Photo by Katie Dunning. RIGHT: Detail of Christmas at the Old Treasury display, 2016. Photo by Katie Dunning. 15 Melbourne: Foundations of a City the Melbourne grid (1837) and Public Programs opened in May in the galleries one of his field note books from the Opening Week previously used for temporary same period. These are rare and exhibitions. important foundation documents Full program of talks, lectures of the city. Also exhibited are and performances open to the It provides an overview of the artefacts recovered from the public growth of Melbourne, from site of the 1803 settlement by 7-14 May 2017 the earliest (failed) attempts at Heritage Victoria and a very Floor talks settlement in 1803, until c. 1900. beautiful 1880s costume lent by Melbourne: From Village to The exhibition was designed to the National Trust, Victoria. National Capital locate the Old Treasury Building in with Margaret Anderson its evolving urban context and to Melbourne: Foundations of a -8 May 2017 provide visitors with an accessible City consolidated a vast sweep introduction to the history of the of historical research in two 1880s & 1890s Melbourne with city. galleries and represented a Helen Marson major undertaking for the small -9 May 2017 The exhibition design is highly research staff. It has proved to 1860s and 1870s Melbourne visual and revolves around four be a significant attraction to the with Sophie Shilling large-scale panoramic pictures Old Treasury Building, for both -11 May 2017 of the city created in 1841, 1870, general visitors and the many 1882 and c.1900. Additional school groups who visit. Lecture back-lit images show the city Marvellous Melbourne as it was painted by surveyor The Old Treasury Building with Prof. Graeme Davison RIGHT: Melbourne from ‘the falls’, Robert Russell February 1854. Image from State Library Victoria. Robert Russell from the same is grateful to the following -9 May 2017 vantage point in 1837, 1844 and organisations who lent material: 1854. Visitors have enjoyed the Heritage Victoria, The National La Trobe’s Melbourne opportunity to see the emerging Trust of Australia (Victoria), with Dr Dianne Reilly city in this way. Nepean Historical Society, -10 May 2017 The Royal Historical Society of Tour Several treasures from the Public Victoria, and the State Library of Gold rush Melbourne Record Office collection are shown Victoria. with Ian Watts in the galleries. Charles Grimes’ -11 May 2017 map of the Port Phillip District, created in 1803, is exhibited for the first time. This may well be Curator: in-house the oldest manuscript map in the Exhibition and graphic design: Arterial Design PROV collection. Also shown are Graphic production: Playwork Studios Robert Hoddle’s original plan of Installation: Simon Luciow

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Melbourne as National Capital 1901-27

Many visitors are unaware that The new exhibition combines a Public Programs for 26 years after Federation in brief timeline of notable events, 1901 the new Commonwealth with a multi-media presentation Floor talks of Australia was governed from of historic still and moving images. Australia’s first Parliament Melbourne. This was a significant Longer extracts of the films are with Jack Norris period in the city’s history that presented nearby in a small -23 March 2017 still resonates today. A small cinema space, originally created display presenting an overview as an adjunct to the Soldier The Australian Flag of the city during those years was On exhibition. A new large- with Rob Edmonds completed in April. scale touch-screen television -20 April 2017 was installed as part of the Australia’s First Parliament Many markers of this period redevelopment, enabling visitors with Jack Norris remain in the city, not least the to select the film of their choice, -8 May 2017 very fine Commonwealth building and this has been appreciated by in the Treasury precinct. The Old visitors. Life during WW1 Treasury Building itself had a role with Dr Judith Smart in the new federal government. -10 May 2017 For some years the Governor Votes for Women General maintained an office with Emma Steinfort here, and the Executive Council -25 May 2017 Chamber was used by both federal and state governments. The World’s First Feature Film Such significant legislation as the with Marguerite Bell enfranchisement of women, the -22 June 2017 creation of the Basic Wage, the old age pension and the maternity allowance, were signed into law Curator: in-house at the Executive Council table still Design: Arterial Design in use in the Chamber. Multi-media: Factory Sound & McKenna Motion

19 LEFT: Detail of Corporation Arch, 1901. PROV VPRS 12800/P1 unit 184 TPM 10 VPRS 1901. PROV Arch, of Corporation Detail LEFT: The exhibition program – incoming

Three new temporary exhibitions were received from other museums or collections.

Early Melbourne Behind the Lines 2016 IBUKI paintings, 1840-1880 Museum of Australian Veterans Branch, Roy Morgan Research Democracy, Canberra Department of Premier Collection and Cabinet and the This popular exhibition of the Japanese Consulate Selections from this important best political cartoons of 2016 local collection have been shown was shown in the Old Treasury This temporary exhibition told the at the museum for some years. Building from June. Cartoons story of the Japanese battlecruiser The year a selection of the pictures were grouped around interpretive HIJMS Ibuki that escorted the relating to Melbourne streets themes, including elections, first convoy of Australian and were re-hung in the ground ‘Uncertain times’ and the New Zealand troops to Egypt in floor corridor as an adjunct to circularity of politics (‘different 1914. The exhibition was created the Melbourne Foundations of times, same issues’), each in partnership by the Veterans a City exhibition. Visitors have with introductory text panels. Branch, Department of Premier welcomed the opportunity to Themes with recurring relevance, and Cabinet and the Japanese see these pictures as part of their including political leadership Consulate, as a contribution to general visit to the building. Other (and its trials), the Brexit vote, the Anzac Centenary, 2014-2018. pictures, including a selection of and electoral outcomes both at Exhibition text was presented in views from the 1840s, were hung home and abroad, amused and both English and Japanese. RIGHT: Post-election Line-up, David Pope, Canberra Times on the first floor corridor, and engaged visitors. The exhibition was curated and toured by the Featured in the exhibition was can be viewed as part of special a collection of remarkable paintings tours of the building. Museum of Australian Democracy, Canberra. photographs taken during the voyage from the Ibuki. The Ibuki Tours was the also support ship to HMAS -12 July 2016 Sydney when it sank the German -22 August 2016 cruiser Emden in November 1914. -18 September 2016 The exhibition was shown at -12 October 2016 the Old Treasury Building from -18 November 2016 December to January. -5 December 2016 -20 February 2017 -17 March 2017 7 July 2016. Image from Museum of Australian Democracy. -19 April 2017 -9 & 12 May 2017 -8 June 2017

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public program

Programs in addition to exhibition programs were arranged to complement Community events and festivals.

John Arnold: Reminiscences Old Treasury Building was used of second hand bookshops in by various community groups Melbourne: 1970-2015 throughout the year. -17 July 2016 Presented for Rare Book Week AFL Grand Final Parade Parade commencement Open House Melbourne From the steps of Old Treasury 30-31 July 2016 -30 September 2016

JJ Clark’s Architectural Brilliance Mapping Melbourne with Margaret Anderson Independent Contemporary -4 October 2016 Asian Arts Performance Presented for the Seniors Festival Indian Classical Dance on the forecourt Tours of Early Melbourne exhibits with artists from Studio J -26 January 2017 -16 December 2016 Presented for Australia Day Twilight Tour of Old Treasury Stork Theatre Performance with Ivar Nelsen Homer -11 May 2016 with Peter Craven -5 February 2017 Tours of the Executive Council Chamber 13-21 May 2017 Presented for Law Week

22 Programs arranged in partnership

History Council of Kenneth Park Victoria Lectures Walks Making Public Histories Seminar Great Architectural Styles: Art The Changing Face of Spencer Program Nouveau Street -19 July 2016 -13 November 2016 From Monash University History Museums of Washington DC The changing face of Chapel Program & History Council of -8 November 2016 Street Victoria -21 January 2017 The Chateau of Versailles Voices from Contemporary -13 December 2016 Sailing the Southern Indian Australia Ocean -7 March 2017 The wonderful world of Bulgari -12 March 2017 -24 January 2017 Reinterpreting Heritage Houses Stage and Screen Re-imagining Ripponlea Museums of San Francisco & Los -1 April 2017 -2 May 2017 Angeles -28 February 2017 Colonial Melbourne No.1 Making Digital Aural History -7 May 2017 Australian Lives: An Intimate Sailing the Southern Indian History Ocean -6 June 2016 -14 March 2017 Vincent Van Gogh -11 April 2017 Museums of Chicago -23 May 2017

BELOW: Musicians during Mapping Melbourne, 16 December 2016. Photo by Katie Dunning.

23 education programs

Schools are an important part of our audience at the Old Treasury Building. This year some 6,464 students participated in a booked school program. To ensure the continuing relevance of programs, all existing content was reviewed during the year and programs were shaped around the following topics linked to current curricula: Melbourne & Victoria, Gold, Governance, Families, Archives, Design.

The expanded program for schools offered the following programs (new content indicated with *)

Explore the Old Treasury Building The Impact of the Gold Rush Governance Celebrating Melbourne levels 3-10 levels 5,6 levels 3-6 levels 3,4 *Investigating Design: Old Treasury The Effects of Gold on Victoria Victorian Democracy From Colony to State levels 7,8 levels 9,10 levels 7-10 levels 5,6 *Families then and now Colonial Outpost to Capital City level 2 levels 9,10 *Stories from the Archives *Port Phillip District: 1830-1860 levels 3-10 VCE History

The museum employed 26 certified teachers as Professional development in-service for museum sessional staff to deliver these programs. presenters was offered through the following programs: Professional development for teachers and museum Building our school programs discussion presenters was also offered in association with the 11-12 August following organisations: Wild Colonial Boys briefing -Civics and Citizenship Education Network -13 September -History Teachers Association of Victoria Guide Training: Opportunities and challenges -Melbourne City Experience Teacher Professional 23-25 January Learning Our Nation’s First Capital briefing -Museums Australia Education Network Victoria -31 March -Victorian Law Foundation Forum Melbourne: Foundations of a City briefing -Geography Teachers Association of Victoria -4 May -Deakin University, Cultural Heritage Management Guide Conversation: Evaluation -1 June

24 adult tours

General tours of the building Specialist tours were also and its exhibits were arranged presented in conjunction with by appointment for Community Australia Day, Law Week, History groups and organisations. These Week, and other events. They tours included the Executive included a new tour, ‘Twilight Council Chamber and the historic at the Old Treasury’, devised gold vaults. and offered to small groups at a premium price. A new tours A tour showcasing the paintings brochure, outlining the various of early Melbourne, on show from tours available, was devised and the Roy Morgan Research Centre printed for distribution. collection, was also presented each month. This tour showcased rare and little known paintings from the 1840s to the 1880s.

BELOW: Ivar Nelsen conducts an evening tour of the Old Treasury Building, 16 May 2017. Photo by Margaret Anderson.

25 marketing

The overall aim of the marketing strategy was to strengthen brand awareness of the building, the museum and its programs, to build on- site audiences and to increase the museum’s digital reach. It was very successful this year, with a 17 per cent growth in on-site attendances and more than 100 per cent increase in digital engagement. Several factors contributed to this result, including a full-page advertisement in the Official Visitors Guide over the summer. Other factors were:

Museum rebrand STREET LEVEL SIGNage External signage had long been An unexpected boon was also identified as a strategic issue for provided by the erection of resolution. As new exhibitions hoarding on the front steps as were created on the ground floor restoration began on the heritage the decision was taken to echo lamps. Signage was added to the the changes externally. New hoarding at street level and this banners were commissioned to has proved a valuable attraction reflect a new brand, with one to passing foot traffic. We printed permanent ‘Museum’ banner and several large-scale historic one changing banner to reflect photographs to add interest to new exhibitions. The new design what would otherwise have been is more visible from the street, rather bland bare walls, and have and from the passing tourist tram, noticed an increase in visits from and we noticed the difference in people working in the vicinity visitor response immediately. whose interest was piqued by the signage. It would be good to explore with relevant authorities whether some more permanent signage might be erected on street level.

26 Open House Melbourne Christmas in the Old Opening Week Open House Melbourne was Treasury Building another resounding success with Melbourne: This special display was created 5,063 visitors to the building over to contribute to the City of the weekend. This was fewer Foundations Melbourne’s Christmas campaign. than in 2015, but interestingly Volunteers, directed by Katie of a City still represented a nine per cent As an experiment this year we Dunning, made the decorations increase in the OTB’s overall decided to hold an extended public to patterns sourced from share of visits to all Open House opening for the new exhibition contemporary newspapers. It was events. Once again the OTB was Melbourne: Foundations of a a small display, but generated a the second most-visited building, City. A week-long program of free lot of interest through free listings after the Town Hall. Old Treasury talks and lectures was presented in all City of Melbourne collateral related social media posts were and give-away book marks and over the Christmas period. viewed by some 117,000 people other collateral created. All of over the weekend. the events were well attended and overall visitor numbers were nearly double those for the same period in the previous year. The ‘event’ generated a great deal of positive feed-back from visitors.

ABOVE: Twitter post from 23 January 2017 was seen by a potential 60,531 user accounts. 27 DIGITAL Social media Who are our Creating and maintaining a The Old Treasury Building credible online presence is a major maintains a strong presence on visitors? challenge for a tiny organisation various social media accounts, In an effort to better understand like the Old Treasury Building. notably Facebook and Twitter. the make-up of our visitors, we We are fortunate to have digital This has grown steadily over implemented a post-code/country capability in our team. One of the past few years, but more of origin data collection project this year’s strategic aims was to than doubled in this last 12 from September until the end of move towards redeveloping the months. Twitter was a significant June. Our volunteers recorded website, which was outdated and source of that increase, with 1.1 information from as many visitors built using an obsolete Content million accounts viewing our as possible, and managed about Management System (CMS). In #MuseumWeek activity. Twitter a 50 per cent sample. Analysis fact Katie Dunning took on the task ‘likes’ increased by 17 per cent of the data is not yet complete, of rebuilding the website, which and Facebook by 24 per cent. but it confirms that visitors to the she completed with great success. Old Treasury Building included a

We now have a fully-responsive high proportion of international RIGHT: Volunteer Susannah Symes talking to visitor during Open House Melbourne, 30 July 2016. Photo by Katie Dunning. website that scales successfully visitors (in the region of 60 per to both tablet and mobile cent). A full report on the data devices and has greatly enhanced will be completed later in the year functionality. A new CMS means and will inform the marketing easier back-end functionality and strategy for future years. it is all managed in-house. Initial response to the redesign has been overwhelmingly positive. There is still work to do in rewriting existing content and devising new content for exhibitions, which will be tackled in the coming year, but the new site is a major achievement for this year and was also great use of creative talent in-house. It is a vast improvement to our online image.

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volunteer & guide program

The Old Treasury Building has The Old Treasury Building is Long term service was again grown substantially in programs very committed to ensuring that recognised with a five year badge offered and visitors attracted over volunteering is an enjoyable and presentation ceremony. the past five years. Maintaining and rewarding experience at Guides along with Volunteers a high level of visitor service, the OTB, and offers an annual were acknowledged. and visitor satisfaction through program of social engagement In 2016-17 there were 16 this growth period, has been and professional development recipients. They were Jen due largely to the significant for all guides and volunteers. A Ferneyhough (G/V), Lynne contribution made by some 70 recognition program also ensures Robertson (G/V), Anita Lenkic (G), volunteers and 28 guides. that volunteers and guides feel Carol Frost (G), Helen Marson (G), valued for their contribution at all Glenda Holdsworth (G), Louise Volunteers welcome visitors, times. Sheldon (G), Rob Edmonds (G), provide introductory information Susan Maslin (G), Marilyn Price and assist with routine (G), Jackie Leslie (G), Gabrielle administrative tasks. They also Keating (G), Pam Wynne (G), present regular gallery floor Maria Liberogiannis (G), Pamela talks. They are an exceptionally Webster (V) and Kay Mills (V). talented and committed group of people, whose contribution is highly valued.

School groups are conducted by our highly skilled guides, all of whom are trained teachers. They take school tours in a range of programs offered to children at all stages of primary and secondary school.

30 The following presentations Visits during the Year: were provided to guides and volunteers: Heroes & Villain: Strutt’s Australia Briefing on Wild Colonial Boys at State Library of Victoria with Margaret Anderson -8 August -13 September Victorian Police Museum Seven Seconds! Customer -26 October Information and Service Workshop Walk Our Nation’s First Capital with Kay Mills with Kenneth Park -10 October -3 February

Briefing on Melbourne as National Gallery of Victoria National Capital with Paula Lindley with Margaret Anderson -6 April -31 March

Briefing on Melbourne: Foundations of a City with Margaret Anderson -4 May

BELOW: Old Treasury Building volunteers and guides at 5 year badge presentation, 6 June 2017. Photo by Katie Dunning.

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MAINTAINING HERITAGE VALUE

Maintenance of the Old Maintenance work that Treasury Building is managed in commenced during the year, conjunction with the Treasury some of which is ongoing, Reserve Precinct. A five-year includes repairs to sections capital works and maintenance of the copper guttering, the schedule was developed in investigation of replacing internal 2015-16 and implementation water tanks, an upgrade to the began in this year. Works begun air conditioning system, the included the restoration of the installation of additional CCTV external lamps on the steps cameras, the repair of wooden and amelioration of damaged window blinds and replacement stonework on areas of the façade. of the Spring Street bollards. Scoping of a process to facilitate The entrance reception desk removal of rubble found in ceiling was also upgraded to improve its cavities during earlier work on ergonomic efficiency. fire sprinklers also progressed. It presents a difficult challenge for contractors in accessing narrow ceiling spaces. This work is now scheduled for 2018-19.

33 LEFT: Works on the forecourt stone, 16 May 2017. Photo by Katie Dunning. Katie by 2017. Photo 16 May stone, on the forecourt Works LEFT: aDMINISTRATION AND FINANCE

The Committee of Management Other income is required under its enabling Additional income was derived regulations to pursue financial from tours, education programs self-sufficiency. Its main source and hiring space within the of income in any year is rental building for events or film from the range of tenancies in the locations. Scenes from the building. All rentals are based on following films or programs were Valuer-General valuations. shot in the building: -Monash University, ‘Australian The following departments or Journey’ series organisations occupied tenancies in the Old Treasury Building in -One20 Photography 2016-17: -Cinema Viscera ‘Trench’ -Department of Premier and -Infilms ‘Chaperone’ Cabinet on behalf of the Governor -MCCA Series on finance in Council and other tenants. -Department of Justice (Victorian Marriage Registry). Tenancy Security and risk re-valued in 2016-17 pending management renewal of lease. A security presence in the front -Office of the Victorian entrance assists in managing Government Architect access to the building. A Risk Register was prepared for annual -Leadership Victoria, a not-for- review by the Committee. No profit organisation fostering serious risks were identified for leadership. immediate attention. A Heartstart Defibrillator was purchased and A standard lease for government installed on the ground floor, tenancies was drawn up during with training for all staff in its this year by the legal department operation. Work, health and of the Department of Treasury safety training is on-going for all and Finance and will be applied staff, and regular fire safety drills to all government tenancies in involving all tenants were held at the building in future. random intervals. RIGHT: Facebook post from Flowers by Leda, 31 March 2017.

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Financial outcome 2016-17 OPERATING STATEMENT The Committee of Management Income made the decision to use accrued Tenant Income $583,946 funds to invest on a one-off basis Tenant and Other Income $87,911 in exhibitions in the 2016-17 financial year. This resulted in Total Income $671,857 a negative budget outcome of $51,105. The decision reflected Cost of Sales -$1,153 a strategic commitment to Gross Profit $670,704 improving interpretation of the Old Treasury as an historic building, and to creating new Expenses long-term exhibition assets. Employee Expenses $407,790 Exhibitions and Tours $202,262 Five new exhibitions were General Expenses $111,757 completed in 2016-17, drawing Total Expenses $721,809 on accrued exhibition funds from 2015-16 and other earnings. Three of these exhibitions will remain in Net Profit/Loss -$51,105 place for at least five years. They are The Old Treasury Building, Melbourne: Foundations of a BALANCE SHEET City, and Melbourne as National Assets Capital. Cash and Equivalents $218,312 Debtors $20,230 Non Current Assets $4,472 Total Assets $243,014

Liabilities -$57,980 NET ASSETS $185,034

Equity Retained Earnings -$22,883 Current Year Earnings -$51,105 Historical Balancing $259,022 TOTAL EQUITY $185,034

36 Budget forecast The budget is expected to return to surplus in 2017-18. Two exhibitions are planned for completion (one using external grant funding) and other costs are anticipated to be well within budget.

OTB Visitors 80000 70000 60000 50000 40000 30000 20000 10000 0 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17

ABOVE: An excellect exhibition program has lead to strong visitor growth during 2016-17. BELOW: Detail from Diggers on road to Bendigo, S. T Gill, 1872. Image from State Library Victoria, accession no: H24545

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Governance and administration

Committee of Management Human Resources Membership of the Committee We said farewell to two of our part- of Management was as follows: time front-of-house staff during -Jeffery Byrne Chairperson the year. Caitlin Mitropoulos took (until 18 February) up a position with the National -Steven Schinck Trust and Rosalind Mearns left to -Professor Marian Quartly pursue post-graduate studies in (from 30 November) the United Kingdom. Several staff completed first aid The Committee of Management training, or refresher courses, met on three occasions during and most front-of-house staff the year – on 31 August, 30 were trained in the application of November and 15 February. the new defibrillator, which was installed on the ground floor.

Organisational Structure

OTB Reserve Committee of Management Jeffery Byrne (Chair until February 2017) Steve Schinck Professor Marian Quartly

OTB General Manager (FT) Margaret Anderson Public Record Office Victoria

Sally Bodinnar (FT) Katie Dunning (PT) Ian Watts (PT) Curator (PT) Operations Manager Marketing & Digital Public Programs

Sessional guides Volunteers , 20 September, 2016. Photo by Greta Costello. Greta by 2016. Photo , 20 September, Wild Colonial Boys

39 LEFT: Jeff Byrne and John Cain at the launch of Byrne and John Cain Jeff LEFT: Old Treasury Building Museum 20 Spring Street Melbourne @OldTreasuryMelb (03) 9651 2233 /OldTreasuryBuildingMuseum [email protected]