BOARD OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM ANNUAL REPORT 2014–15 Date of Premier’s approval to print report 18 September 2015 The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk MP Premier and Minister for the Arts Level 15, Executive Building 100 George Street BRISBANE QLD 4000 Dear Premier I am pleased to present the Annual Report 2014–2015 and financial statements for the Board of Queensland Museum. I certify that this Annual Report complies with: • the prescribed requirements of the Financial Accountability Act 2009 and the Financial and Performance Management Standard 2009, and • the detailed requirements set out in the Annual Report requirements for Queensland Government agencies. A checklist outlining the annual reporting requirements can be found at page 83 of this Annual Report or accessed at qm.qld.gov.au Yours sincerely,
David Conry Chairperson Board of the Queensland Museum CONTENTS
2 INTRODUCTION 2 VISION 2 PURPOSE 2 VALUES 3 QUEENSLAND MUSEUM NETWORK 5 BOARD OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM
6 CHAIRPERSON’S OVERVIEW
8 CEO’S OVERVIEW
10 HIGHLIGHTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS 10 ORGANISATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS 20 AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS 21 INNOVATION 22 PARTNERSHIPS 25 PUBLICATIONS
26 BACKGROUND 26 GOVERNMENT OBJECTIVES 28 STRATEGIC PLAN 2014–2018 28 OPERATIONAL PLAN 2014–2015 28 OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
29 OUTCOMES 29 STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES 35 PERFORMANCE MEASURES
36 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE 36 FINANCIAL SUMMARY 38 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 65 BUDGET VERSUS ACTUAL RESULTS 69 CERTIFICATION OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 70 INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT
73 GOVERNANCE 73 MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE 80 RISK MANAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY
82 GLOSSARY
83 COMPLIANCE CHECKLIST 2 BOARD OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM ANNUAL REPORT 2014–15
VISION Queensland Museum Network – discovering Queensland, inspiring generations. A museum for all Queenslanders, which actively partners with diverse communities to enrich understanding of self and place.
PURPOSE To inspire generations of Queenslanders to discover, celebrate and value our distinctive natural and cultural environment.
VALUES • We have a culture of sharing, learning and growth, to foster a community that shares, learns and grows. • We respect and celebrate diverse perspectives and we engage and represent diverse audiences. • We study adaptation, evolution and change, and we value creativity and innovation. • We excel at research to help understand life, and we love to bring research to life. • We cherish our collections because we cherish our stories. • We value integrity because it is the essence of trust. • We encourage and nurture teamwork and partnerships because our job is too important to do alone. BOARD OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM ANNUAL REPORT 2014–15 3
QUEENSLAND MUSEUM NETWORK Queensland Museum Network (QMN) is the keeping place Over the years the Network has changed alongside for the State Collection of 1.2 million objects and specimens, Queensland as it discovers, documents and celebrates the valued at more than $479 million, and approximately 14 State’s natural, cultural and regional diversity. million unregistered Non-State Collection items. Through its dynamic network of public attractions, trusted The Network has grown since its initial beginnings which scientific and cultural research, significant collections, and date back to January 1862, when the Museum was founded regional and community services, Queensland Museum by the Queensland Philosophical Society. The Museum Network continues to enrich the cultural, social and came under the responsibility of State Government in 1871 intellectual life of Queenslanders and visitors to the State. and moved into its first purpose-built premises in 1879. The Network reaches far beyond the walls of its five public Today, Queensland Museum Network is governed by the museums, fostering connections with diverse audiences Board of the Queensland Museum (the Board) and includes: of millions of people each year. It does this through • Queensland Museum (including the Sciencentre) in the museum visits, workshops, lectures, school education kits, heart of Brisbane’s Cultural Precinct online interaction and publications, and continues to be at the forefront of successful professional and community • Museum of Tropical Queensland in Townsville support for the collections and museums sector. • The Workshops Rail Museum in Ipswich Queensland Museum Network is celebrated as a valued • Cobb+Co Museum in Toowoomba cultural and scientific leader, growing with the community • Museum of Lands, Mapping and Surveying in to foster a better understanding of our place in the world. Woolloongabba, Brisbane Its scientific and academic researchers are internationally • Museum of Earth Sciences in St Lucia, Brisbane. recognised for their expertise in the disciplines of natural and cultural heritage and geosciences. The Network also includes a Collections, Research and Loans Centre at Hendra. 4 BOARD OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM ANNUAL REPORT 2014–15
QUEENSLAND MUSEUM OF MUSEUM TROPICAL South Bank, Brisbane Opened 1986 QUEENSLAND Townsville Queensland Museum is located at South Bank in the heart Opened 1987 of Brisbane’s Cultural Precinct, and is the most visited museum in the Network and in Australia*. Permanent Museum of Tropical Queensland (MTQ) explores the attractions include: the Sciencentre, which offers a wealth natural and cultural heritage of the State’s northern region, of interactive science and technology experiences; the including the Great Barrier Reef and the rainforests of Discovery Centre, the Lost Creatures: Stories from Ancient the Wet Tropics. The Museum houses an internationally Queensland Gallery; and the Dandiiri Maiwar Aboriginal and important collection of Acropora corals; permanent galleries, Torres Islander Centre. The Museum also regularly hosts such as Colour: Secret Language of the Reef, and the national and international travelling exhibitions and offers Discover Tropical Queensland Gallery; and a special display a range of public and educational programs and activities, focusing on the 18th century shipwreck, HMS Pandora. which attract more than 1 million visitors to the Cultural Precinct each year. Queensland Museum exhibits and stores a significant proportion of the State Collection and houses several research and conservation laboratories. * 2013–14 and 2014–15 industry data. THE WORKSHOPS QUEENSLAND RAIL MUSEUM MUSEUM North Ipswich Opened 2002 COLLECTIONS, Multiple Queensland and Australian Tourism Award winner, RESEARCH & The Workshops Rail Museum, is located in the regional city of Ipswich, the birthplace of rail in Queensland. It offers LOANS CENTRE an interactive cultural heritage experience with hands-on Hendra, Brisbane and multimedia exhibits that focus on almost 150 years of Opened 2002 rail history in Queensland. An outstanding feature of the The collection storage and research facility at Hendra Museum is the collection of heritage steam locomotives and houses the vast geosciences collection, including rocks, industrial machinery. minerals and fossils, and is the most comprehensive Queensland collection of its kind. The site holds large objects from the Cultural Heritage Collections, and includes a separate, environmentally controlled collection store for zoological collections. COBB+CO The facility is also home to the renowned Queensland Museum Loans service, from which schools and other MUSEUM educational and community groups can borrow Museum Toowoomba objects and learning kits to use in their classrooms and for Opened 1987 displays. The loans service covers an area from Cape York, Cobb+Co Museum houses the National Carriage Collection west to Cloncurry and south to the border. of more than 50 horse drawn vehicles and tells the story of the Toowoomba region through its quality schedule of regional exhibits. The Museum also features the science- based, Energy for Life Discovery Centre, and an ever-changing program to suit educational and tourism activities. BOARD OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM ANNUAL REPORT 2014–15 5
MUSEUM OF BOARD OF THE LANDS, MAPPING QUEENSLAND AND SURVEYING MUSEUM Woolloongabba, Brisbane The Queensland Museum Network is governed by the Opened 1982 Board of the Queensland Museum (the Board). This museum is operated by the Department of The Board is a Statutory Body. Its existence, functions Natural Resources and Mines in Woolloongabba and powers are set out in the Queensland Museum Act to collect and interpret significant aspects of the 1970 (the Act). The Board’s functions include: land administration, surveying and mapping of (a) The control and management of the Queensland Queensland. Staffed by one curator and several Museum and of all natural history, historical and volunteers, the Museum provides specialist advice technological collections, and other chattels and on land tenure. A comprehensive collection of property contained therein; artefacts, maps, social histories and other records are on display, and are progressively being made (b) The maintenance and administration of the available online. More than 8,000 historical maps Queensland Museum in such manner as will are available on the Open Data website. effectively minister to the needs and demands of the community in any, or all, branches of the natural sciences, applied sciences, technology and history, associated with the development of the Queensland Museum as a museum for science, the environment and human achievement, and to this end shall undertake: MUSEUM OF (i) the storage of suitable items pertaining to the study of natural sciences, applied sciences, EARTH SCIENCES technology and history, and exhibits and other University of Queensland, St Lucia personal property; This museum is operated in partnership with the (ii) carrying out or promoting scientific and University of Queensland to display and interpret the historical research; highlights of the Queensland Museum Mineralogical Collections (which also incorporate the former (iii) the provision of educational facilities through University of Queensland Mineral Collections). The the display of selected items, lectures, films, museum is accessible by both students and the broadcasts, telecasts, publications and other general public. means; and (iv) the operation of workshops for the maintenance and repair of exhibits and other things; and (c) The control and management of all lands and premises vested in or placed under the control of the Board. For performing its functions, the Board has all the powers of an individual and may, for example, enter into arrangements, agreements, contracts and deeds; acquire, hold, deal with and dispose of property; engage consultants; appoint agents and attorneys; charge, and fix terms, for goods, services, facilities and information supplied by it; and do anything else necessary or desirable to be done in performing its function. 6 BOARD OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM ANNUAL REPORT 2014–15 CHAIRPERSON’S OVERVIEW
Looking back at my first year as Chairman of the Board, I Development plans for the $14.3 million Queensland Anzac am humbled by the magnitude of work that has gone into Centenary Gallery, are now well underway, with the gallery making the Queensland Museum Network the thriving set to span over 600 sqm across two levels, and slated to cultural and scientific hub it is today. open in late 2018. As a permanent exhibition space, the The year has been busy and productive, with many gallery will become a lasting legacy for Queensland, allowing achievements and change, which will lay the foundation future generations to explore the enduring themes of for further growth in Queensland, Australia and freedom and democracy. internationally. I have met with, and been inspired by, The Network’s commitment to protecting our unique staff at all levels right across the Network and have cultural and natural heritage as custodians and researchers experienced first hand the efficiency, professionalism of the State’s collections has continued with fervour. and inestimable value our museums deliver to the local We have worked with Indigenous communities through and global science communities. curatorial, public and repatriation programs; presented The Board has set bold and ambitious strategic objectives, talks, lectures, seminars, and behind the scenes tours; which will see us strengthening the Network through and delivered three quarters of a million natural history industry collaboration and partnerships, technology, and specimen records to the Atlas of Living Australia. This is just investment in our programs and people. a glimpse into the tremendous work being undertaken by this wonderful organisation. Aligned with the State Government’s priorities – our shared vision stretches beyond the ambitions of our Network to I would like to thank and congratulate our CEO and Director, encompass more holistic, sustainable community outcomes Professor Suzanne Miller, the executive team and staff for Queensland. for helping to realise the Board’s ambitions over the past year. Your unwavering passion for science, learning, and We’ve made considerable progress towards achieving discovery can be felt in the outstanding work you deliver. these goals. I look forward to working alongside my Board, the team In the past year, we have established a number of led by Suzanne, and with industry and agency partners, partnerships that will be integral to the immediate and long to ensure our continued growth and success in the years term growth of the Museum. Key partnerships have been to come. formed with BHP Billiton Coal, BHP Billiton BMC, Energex, and QGC — our largest ever corporate partner and a driving force in improving how the sciences are taught in schools. Securing an exclusive three-year agreement with the World Science Festival in New York was a major milestone for the Queensland Museum Network, and is one of our most exciting commitments for the coming years. This significant achievement will not only enhance our engagement in David Conry Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM), Chairperson but will also attract and inspire tourism opportunities Board of the Queensland Museum throughout the State. BOARD OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM ANNUAL REPORT 2014–15 7
Improving the public perception of science 8 BOARD OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM ANNUAL REPORT 2014–15 CEO’S OVERVIEW
Reflecting on the year, I am again in awe of how much we With a powerhouse like Google behind us, we will grow have accomplished over a mere 12 months. our reach exponentially – bolstering access to all that The spectrum of our combined successes is a true the Network has to offer; extending the life of our onsite representation of the diverse talent, dedication and exhibitions with online accompaniments; and potentially determination of my wonderful team here at Queensland providing virtual visits to the Museum using Google Maps Museum Network – needless to say, I am exceptionally Street View technology. proud of every one of our people and their achievements. It’s an exciting time for the Network as we embrace the In 2014–15 we’ve welcomed more than 1.6 million digital space – equally so for our creative and innovative enthusiastic visitors through the doors of our museums, physical offerings. with an additional one million people connecting with us This year we achieved some incredible results in research, digitally. Our collections have made their way into schools, discovery and education, including the contribution early learning centres, and communities through the of 28,000 biological and geological specimens to the Museum Loans service. collections; the delivery of 750,320 natural history specimen Our research, collections and knowledge not only grew with records to the Atlas of Living Australia; the description new discoveries and acquisitions, but were shared across a of more than 120 new species; and the production of 164 variety of online and offline platforms. publications (including 104 peer reviewed papers). This year we developed and delivered exceptional digital Our programs and exhibitions have continued to go from products including our first e-book, The Great Barrier strength-to-strength, bringing science and history to life Reef: Corals, and mobile apps – Coastal Life of South East through engaging, interactive and visually spectacular Queensland, and the Field Guide to Australian Fauna, which events and activities. earned the Museum and its project partners international Dinosaur Discovery: Lost Creatures of the Cretaceous accolades, as proud recipients of the Best of the Web Award clearly won the popularity stakes, with hordes of eager at the 2015 Museums and the Web Conference in Chicago. visitors lining up each day to be transported back millions We launched an Online Collections Microsite – providing the of years to walk among the dinosaurs. In 2014–15, these community with access to nearly three-quarters of a million frighteningly life-like, animated models enticed a total of collection items and approximately 5,000 images. We joined 123,610 guests to the Museum – a number that continues to other leading cultural institutions in Australia to become grow as word spreads about the wonders of this exhibition. part of the Google Cultural Institute – a relationship that will Intrigued by our very own Giant Squid, visitors explored undoubtedly expand our digital capabilities. Deep Oceans; delved into the detail of how 4,000 Species BOARD OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM ANNUAL REPORT 2014–15 9
were discovered and named; found themselves surrounded Last year alone, the Queensland Museum Foundation in A Room for Wild Animals; and heard stories of the men distributed more than $1.2 million to the Network and who risked death alongside 120,000 Australian Army horses secured more than $1.5 million in new pledges and during World War 1, in the Horse in War exhibition. donations. We have delivered numerous exhibitions and We acquired rare specimens from our natural environment, programs alongside industry peers, and established and impressive man-made collections, including the significant new corporate partnerships (representing more single largest private model rail collection in Australia, an than $6.4 million in total investment). acquisition of national and international significance. During the year, our staff have won a host of awards; were We have continued to cement and strengthen relationships published in well regarded scientific journals; and, at the with cultural institutions at home and abroad – sharing grassroots level, helped their fellow Queenslanders prepare historical treasures on a global scale. for, and recover from, natural disasters, and tragic incidents like the fire at the Waltzing Matilda Centre. Last year Queensland blushed at Undressed: 350 years of Underwear in Fashion from the Victoria and Albert I can say with confidence that our people genuinely care Museum, London. Fashion enthusiasts and connoisseurs about our collections, ground-breaking research and of undergarments came together to appreciate this world innovative programs, and their role in connecting science, renowned collection – exposed for the first time in Australia art and history with modern day society and culture. at Queensland Museum. I’d like to thank and acknowledge the Board, my team, and Our own Mephisto, the last surviving German A7V our partners, for helping make 2014–15 an overwhelming Sturmpanzerwagen, from World War 1 was moved and now success. I look forward to seeing the continued results of takes pride of place on temporary loan at the Australian War our hard work unfold over the coming year. Memorial in Canberra. The tank will undergo conservation and display, before returning to Queensland Museum in time for the opening in November 2018 of the Queensland Anzac Centenary Gallery. Of course none of this would be possible without funding, the commitment of our partners, and the dedication of our Professor Suzanne Miller Chief Executive Officer and Director, valued people. Queensland Museum Network 10 BOARD OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM ANNUAL REPORT 2014–15 HIGHLIGHTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Undressed: 350 years of underwear in fashion
• Our ninth consecutive $250,000 matching ORGANISATIONAL grant was secured from the Queensland Office ACHIEVEMENTS of Liquor and Gaming Regulation. 1 • The Queensland Museum Network (QMN) • Queensland Museum Network secured the attracted over 1.6 million visitors during the rights to host the first World Science Festival past 12 months, and more than 1.4 million in the Southern Hemisphere. The inaugural online visitors. World Science Festival Brisbane will be held in • Queensland Museum Network hosted 19 new March 2016. exhibitions, delivered 80 school programs, and • The Museum Resource Centre Network 1,254 Science Theatre Shows. and its five Museum Development Officers • 783,963 people accessed Museum collections delivered 99 workshops, provided emergency and knowledge in their schools, early learning disaster support, and established 54 service centres, and communities via the Queensland level agreements throughout the State. Museum Loans service. 1. The contributions toward the Have a Go Festival at Cobb+Co., Undressed: 350 Years of Underwear in Fashion at the Queensland • New corporate partnerships were secured with Museum and public programs at the Workshops Rail Museum all BHP Billiton Coal, BHP Billiton BMC, Energex, helped to drive visitation to these popular destinations. External exhibitions at the Museum of Tropical Queensland and funding and QGC (our biggest corporate partnership towards the Museum Resource Centre Network improved to date), representing more than $6.4 million our community outreach; while funding toward the Molecular in total investment. Identities Laboratory, three separate ABRS Grants and scientific research in the fields of arachnology, vertebrate palaeontology • The Queensland Museum Foundation and palaeobotany contributed to the Queensland Museum distributed more than $1.2 million to the Network’s world-class scientific research. Network and secured more than $1.5 million in new pledges and donations. BOARD OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM ANNUAL REPORT 2014–15 11
QUEENSLAND MUSEUM, BRISBANE • Queensland Museum’s websites and • Deep Oceans — A touring exhibition from services had a 20% increase in engagement the Australian Museum and Questacon, this year, receiving 1,405,754 visits. Deep Oceans enabled 117,626 visitors to • Visitation to the Queensland Museum explore ‘beneath the sea’. The exhibition (including visitation to the Sciencentre), was augmented by the Queensland increased by 47% to 1,420,617 – making it Museum’s own collections and research, the most visited museum in Australia. including the first public display of a rare specimen of Giant Squid. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: • Undressed: 350 years of Underwear in • Dinosaur Discovery: Lost Creatures of the Fashion — A touring exhibition from the Cretaceous — Featuring more than 20 Victoria and Albert Museum, London. This animated, life-size dinosaur models, the display about the history of underwear touring exhibition attracted 123,610 visitors was complemented by collection items in to the Museum up to 30 June 2015 (the Revealed: underwear and other wear from exhibition will continue until October 2015). the Queensland Museum. • Inside: Life in Children’s Homes and • Freewheeling — This travelling exhibition, Institutions — This travelling exhibition, from the National Museum of Australia, from the National Museum of Australia, looked at the history of cycling in Australia shared the stories of some of the more and also provided an opportunity to than 500,000 children, who spent time in display the recently acquired Solar Tandem institutional care in Australia in the 20th bicycle. The solar-powered, four-seater bike century. Visitors left more than 3,000 was imagined, designed and built at the comments after seeing the exhibition, more University of Queensland in the mid-1980s. than at any other venue in Australia. • The Great Barrier Reef — An eye-catching • 4,000 Species — Through large, interactive outdoor exhibition of 87, large format touch screens, visitors learned how species photographs taken by Queensland Museum were named by Queensland Museum photographer Gary Cranitch, opened in the scientists and other researchers. The Whale Mall in June. The photographs, from interactive display includes a virtual ‘tree of the major publication, The Discovery Guide life’ to see how different species fit together. to the Great Barrier Reef, provides visitors a close-up look at the wonders of the Reef. • Humanoid Discovery — A travelling exhibition from Scitech, which encouraged • Queenslander! — The significance of visitors to the Sciencentre to explore the sport in Queensland was highlighted in this human body from a different perspective. special display developed by the Museum. The exhibition focussed on the NRL State of Origin’s 100th game and also provided the Cultural Environments Program with an opportunity to display previously unseen items from its collections. 12 BOARD OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM ANNUAL REPORT 2014–15
Behind the Scenes tours
PROGRAMS • School Programs — Discovery Centre staff • Behind the Scenes Tours — 25 ‘back delivered 65 school programs to 2030 of house’ tours were delivered to 296 school visitors, a significant increase on visitors, providing a rare chance to view last year. the collections. • Science Theatre Shows — A total of 1,254 • Brisbane Concert Orchestra — As part shows were delivered to 58,207 visitors, of Brisbane Open House, the Museum including two new additions — The Space hosted the 40-piece Brisbane Concert Show and The Balloon Show. Orchestra, which presented a concert of light classics to more than 165 visitors in • It’s Atomic — 20 holiday workshops gave the Collectors’ Café. 798 children the opportunity to explore the microscopic world of atoms by getting • Humanoid Discovery Teacher Preview hands-on with elements, discovering the — This preview was attended by 16 periodic table, building molecule models teachers and focused on key messages, and exploring the bonds between atoms. curriculum links, resources and supporting student learning. • Sciensensory Day — This special event for children with sensory processing • Pinning and Classifying Insects Workshop difficulties and their carers was organised — Discovery Centre staff presented two with the support of Autism Queensland, workshops on insect pinning, maintaining the Department of Communities, Child collections and insect classifying as Safety and Disability Services, and various part of the 2015 CONQEST Conference. community groups. Two events were The workshop was organised through attended by 196 visitors. Queensland Education Science Technicians (QEST) for High School Science Lab • Daily Discoveries — 764 sessions Technicians. Twenty-two Science were delivered to 14,612 visitors in the Technicians attended. Discovery Centre. • ReefBlitz Field Days — Queensland • Meet our Curator — 64 sessions were Museum staff presented at ReefBlitz in delivered to 3,287 visitors, providing Airlie Beach, in association with the Great opportunities for one-on-one conversations Barrier Reef Foundation. with Museum staff about research and collections. BOARD OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM ANNUAL REPORT 2014–15 13
Queensland Model Railway Show
THE WORKSHOPS RAIL MUSEUM, IPSWICH The Workshops Rail Museum welcomed • Nippers Play & Learn — 1,197 children 89,228 visitors — a 2% increase on the (aged 0–5) and their carers attended these previous year and the second consecutive sessions; 54% more than the previous year. year of growth. • Steam train program — This popular HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: program attracted 9,686 people; 15% more • The Workshops partnered with the local than the previous year. Trips included the RSL Railway sub-branch to develop popular Steam Train Sunday journey, the Railways 1914–1918, a special exhibition that Halloween Express, and the Brisbane Model attracted 3,132 visitors during 2014–15. The Train Show steam train. exhibition presented a thought provoking • The Workshops partnered with the local mix of personal stories, imagery and community to deliver the Ipswich Open objects, allowing visitors to explore the role Day (3,220 visitors) and the Queensland of railways during World War 1. Model Railway Show (178 modellers and • The travelling exhibition, I’ve Been Working 2,398 visitors). on the Railway, continued its national tour • The popular events program contributed and attracted 37,169 visitors. to the increase in visitation numbers and • Day out with Thomas — 34,553 visitors included Bright Sparks, Brick Kids, Heist, attended the event over the summer school Santa Sunday and Teddy Bears’ Picnic. holidays; 4% more than the previous year. 14 BOARD OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM ANNUAL REPORT 2014–15
COBB+CO MUSEUM, TOOWOOMBA Cobb+Co Museum achieved a record breaking 81,364 visitors — a 16% increase on the previous year. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: • Curriculum-based Learning Programs — Delivered to 9,554 students from Prep to Tertiary levels. • The 2015 Have a Go! Festival — Visitation to the event increased by 23%. It featured more than 40 different Have a Go opportunities, Have a Go! Festival mini workshops and demonstrations in • Kids Connect 2014 — The program was traditional trades and crafts presented by delivered with Toowoomba Catholic the artisans who practise these skills. Education to 137 students, as part of • Curator’s Conversation — This series of the Kids Connect Technology Forum. monthly talks was attended by 347 visitors. Students from Catholic Schools across the Toowoomba Catholic Diocese completed • Hand Made Under the Stars — The annual activities around the theme C@tch an iCart twilight artisan market featured more than 2 Kids Connect. 50 artisans from the region and attracted more than 1,500 shoppers. • The Great Debate — A supporting activity to complement the Red Dirt and Grass • A total of 331 participants attended hands- Stains exhibition, this event featured on workshops in traditional trades. inspirational stories from Australian • School holiday programs — These activities sporting legends. brought 4,928 children to Cobb+Co • A Hard Day’s Night — A star-lit screening Museum. Programs included Kid vs Beast, of the iconic movie was held on the final Whodunit? The Case of Curly Cobb and the weekend of The Beatles exhibition. Lost Treasure, Santa’s Workshop, Unearthed, Science Magic: Don’t do this at Home and • Make a Poppy, Leave a Message — This Under Construction. activity complemented the Horse in War exhibition; more than 800 visitors • Have Another Look Captain Cook: contributed to an installation of poppies to Indigenous Cultural Activities Week — This commemorate Anzac Day. program was developed with Toowoomba Catholic Education and community • My Memories of RM — This storytelling Indigenous organisations. It celebrated event, hosted by David Iliffe from ABC Indigenous culture through storytelling, Southern Queensland, featured guest hands-on activities and demonstrations to speakers David Seeto (photographer to highlight all the things James Cook did not RM), and Bill Webb, who learnt the art of see when he came to Australia in 1770. leather plaiting with bushman and business entrepreneur, RM Williams. BOARD OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM ANNUAL REPORT 2014–15 15
MUSEUM OF TROPICAL QUEENSLAND, TOWNSVILLE The Museum of Tropical Queensland welcomed 75,801 visitors — a 7% increase on the previous year. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: • Croc Country — A total of 21,617 people explored this temporary exhibition to learn more about what it is like to live in ‘croc country’. The exhibition was supported by a school holiday program that featured talks, exhibition tours, a self-guided trail, A Room for Wild Animals workshops with Swamp cartoonist Gary • Backyard Safari Photo Exhibition — Clark, appearances by dino-mascot, This exhibition featured 180 Dinomite, and displays of live crocodiles and photographs selected from 470 entries venomous snakes. The exhibition was also as part of the Museum’s Backyard Safari complemented by a Supercroc display from Photography Competition. the Australian Museum, and featured an • Spirit of Africa — Developed in partnership impressive 11 m long reconstruction of the with communities from South Africa, extinct crocodilian, Sarcosuchus imperator. Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Rwanda, the • Wildlife Photographer of the Year — This temporary display featured objects, stories touring exhibition, developed by the and perspectives from these cultural groups. Natural History Museum, London and BBC • Townsville: The Way We Were — The Worldwide, featured more than 100 images. exhibition, developed in partnership with • Museum Zoo School Holiday Program — Townsville Museum and Townsville City Supported by the international Wildlife Libraries, focused on the city’s Flinders Photographer of the Year and A Room Street precinct between 1914 and 1918, for Wild Animals exhibitions; the program and how civilian life carried on against the attracted 11,285 visitors and featured backdrop of World War 1. displays of live raptorial birds, and a range of • Creepy Crawlies Alive — Visitors were able art, craft and educational activities. to try edible insects, as part of discussions • A Room for Wild Animals — 22 exotic, about food sustainability, in this school taxidermy specimens from the collection holiday program, which featured interactive (including a lion, tiger, bear, antelope and displays of live insects, reptiles and other deer) featured in this exhibition, which creepy crawlies. It also included a range of explored the threat of habitat loss to wildlife art, craft and educational activities. across the world. • Nurses: from Zululand to Afghanistan — The exhibition, produced by the Australian War Memorial, detailed the stories of nursing staff in Australia’s armed forces over the past century.
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HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE (CONTD): • Reef Guardian Schools — Two interactive CULTURAL activities were attended by 99 students, ENVIRONMENTS 13 partner representatives and 16 teachers AND from Reef Guardian schools. The activities PROGRAM were based around the importance NATURAL of preserving historic shipwrecks ENVIRONMENTS and allowed students to become maritime archaeologists. PROGRAM The Cultural Environments (CEP) and Natural • Science, Art and Technology Festival — In Environments Programs (NEP) are delivered a major partnership with the Australian across the entire Queensland Museum Museum and Inspring Australia, the Network. A range of research and community Museum delivered a two-day, Science, Art engagement activities were led by these teams and Technology Festival to 815 visitors. during 2014–15. • Taxidermy on Show — This seven-case taxidermy display highlighted the collection HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: value of select specimens, the work carried • Research and Collections staff continued to out by museum taxidermists, and the engage with professional, public and special natural history of the selected species. interest groups by presenting 140 talks, lectures and seminars to approximately • Lighthouses — Co-developed with the 4,400 visitors. community, this temporary display told the stories of four families who serviced • Staff conducted: the Cape Cleveland Lighthouse before its - 160 behind-the-scenes tours, including final automation. six Ambassadorial visits and three • Teacher Professional Development — The distinguished partners of delegates of the Museum hosted a teacher professional G20 summit development evening for staff from - supervised a large volunteer workforce four Higher Education Participation and (that donated approximately 1,400 Partnership Program (HEPPP) schools. The person days to our collections and event was presented in partnership with research projects) James Cook University. - responded to 2,600 public and • Shipwrecked — A school holiday program, 8,500 professional enquiries and supported by the local Navigation Centre specimen identifications and Volunteer Coastguard, allowed 6,152 young visitors to experience the adventure - delivered 140 lectures and seminars to of the high seas, and revisit the story of the 4,400 people Pandora collection. Visitation increased by - hosted more than 600 professional visitors 22% on the previous year. from universities, government agencies and • Focus on Indigenous Culture — six small international museums. focus displays on boomerangs. • National Archaeology Week — Museum • TEDx Event — This event featured 10 staff participated in curator talks and speakers covering a range of topics aimed shared hands-on experiences with the at bringing curious minds together to general community. create excitement around ideas, knowledge and learning. BOARD OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM ANNUAL REPORT 2014–15 17
• The Museum worked with Indigenous - Queensland Museum Repatriation Communities through curatorial, Manager gave a presentation and public and repatriation programs, and contributed to a panel discussion at the continued to provide regular access to State Library of Queensland’s series the State Collections for communities on Repatriation. and researchers. • Queensland Museum staff joined • Indigenous Engagement Coordinator, University of Queensland staff to present Alethea Beetson was appointed in at the Woodford Folk Festival on the December 2014 to increase outreach travels of explorer, Ludwig Leichhardt in activity and community access to the the Woodford area. A further two talks collections. Activity during the year were presented at the winter festival at included school visits, back-of-house tours, Woodford, The Planting, on the landscape presentations and photography displays. and Aboriginal history of the area and used • Queensland Museum Network increased Queensland Museum’s extensive collection engagement with the collections in store of Indigenous photographs. this year, in particular among the hard to Other community engagement reach demographic of teenager and young initiatives included: adult audiences. • Two Backyard Explorer community science Successes included: events — presented with industry partners in the Girringun Region Indigenous - Nine College of Indigenous Art students Protected Area near Mission Beach, and visited the Collections, with the potential Cannonvale Beach, Whitsunday region. for post-graduate students to conduct extensive research later in the year. • Queensland Museum Geosciences staff delivered a day of community - 24 students, three teachers, one police palaeontology to thousands of visitors officer and eight parents from Dunwich to the Queensland Museum pavilion at State School visited Queensland Museum. Australia Zoo. - 56 Indigenous youth visited the Museum • The Youth Science Symposium and Fame for a Queensland Reds Development Lab events were hosted at Queensland Camp. Year 9 students and mentors Museum. Early Career Researcher, Dr participated in the back-of-house tour. Marissa McNamara, produced a highly - Queensland Museum Indigenous competitive ‘3-minute-thesis’ at the Engagement Coordinator chaired four Queensland heats of the Fame Lab. discussions for the State Library of Queensland’s Night by the Fire series on Constitutional Reform.
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RESEARCH AND COLLECTION HIGHLIGHTS HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: • Precisely, 750,320 Queensland Museum • Archaeological material was provided as a biological specimen records were delivered research loan to Professor Peter Hiscock, (i.e. uploaded from Vernon database) University of Sydney, for Honours student, to the Atlas of Living Australia during Anne van der Walt, to conduct a 3D analysis 2014- 15. Various communities/individuals of a Cache of 36 Tulas from Mucklandama downloaded these 750,320 records Creek in North West Queensland. 54,655,799 times over 7,050 separate • Curator Dr Brit Asmussen received an download events. AINSIE Research Award from the University • The Cultural Environments Program of Sydney to carry out 10 radiocarbon dates published five peer reviewed articles. The for bone samples from the Donald Tugby Natural Environments Program published a Excavation of Cathedral Cave. further 136 peer reviewed papers; technical • Senior Curator, Dr Geraldine Mate, co- reports and conference abstracts, described convened the Australian Archaeological more than 120 new species ranging from Association – Australasian Society for protozoans to mammals; and received 170 Historical Archaeology Annual conference published acknowledgements from peers. in Cairns and Dr Brit Asmussen contibuted See Appendix A for publication details. to four sessions. More than 300 papers • Chantal Knowles co-edited the volume were submitted for the conference, Trophies, Relics and Curios? Missionary which featured national and international Heritage from Africa and the Pacific speakers on the theme of archaeology of the outcome of a collaborative research the tropics. project with University of Cambridge and • Senior Curator Dr Niel Bruce chaired a University of East Anglia and involved session at the International Congress scholars from Africa and the Pacific. David on Parasites of Wildlife and 43rd Mewes co-authored the volume Salute to Parasitological Association of South the Hudswells: The story of The Colonial Africa, and co-presented a paper on Sugar Refining Company’s Hudswell Clarke South African parasites of marine fishes. locomotives in Queensland and Fiji. A field expedition to the northernmost • Natural Environments researchers won part of South Africa’s Indian Ocean coast, 10 new National Taxonomic Research Kosi Mouth and Kosi Bay, was the first Grants and Bush Blitz Tactical Taxonomy ever to collect marine isopods from this grants (Australian Biological Resources coast. Ten new species of this significant Study, Department of the Environment), marine predatory and parasitic group of and an Australian Research Council crustaceans were also discovered from Linkage grant (with a combined value of northern Queensland. approximately $370,000). • The Cultural Environments Program, in • The Museum of Tropical Queensland collaboration with the University of Sydney, played a major role in the identification of was awarded an ARC Discovery grant for a new species of marine mammal, namely Excavating MacGregor: re- connecting Sousa, the Australian Humpback Dolphin, a a colonial museum collection. The major event for marine mammal taxonomy Museum holds the largest collection of and diversity. ethnographic objects assembled by colonial administrator, Sir William MacGregor, and BOARD OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM ANNUAL REPORT 2014–15 19
this project will bring new insights into the • Queensland Museum researchers collection contents and context. collaborated with other Australian, • The Cultural Environments Program Singaporean, Japanese and Taiwanese continued to produce Memoirs, and this scientists to document and publish a year was able to publish two volumes on monograph on the native species of Mabuyag Island in the Torres Strait. Christmas Island and Cocos Keeling Islands. Other Natural Environments Program • A study of the population genetics of ‘rock highlights include: sponges’ was conducted, in collaboration with colleagues from the Ludwig– • Queensland Museum researcher, Dr Paul Maximilians–Universität Mũnchen, Germany, Muir and colleagues, published an article in using specimens collected from seamounts the journal Science, based on their analysis in the south-western Pacific. of present-day global depth distributions of reef-building corals. • Queensland Museum, in collaboration with international researchers, led a pivotal • Head of Terrestrial Environments, Dr review of the global knowledge of parasites Robert Raven, completed years of research of aquatic wildlife, published in Trends culminating with the final publication on in Parasitology. the taxonomy of the entire family of Ant- Mimicking spiders from the Western Pacific. • Dr Bert Hoeksema (Naturalis Biodiversity In his research, Dr Raven described 108 Center, The Netherlands), examined more species, of which 77 species and eight than 1,000 specimens from 34 species of genera were new to science. mushroom corals from Queensland and adjacent waters. The specimens are part of • In partnership with Queensland XRAY the Queensland Museum coral collection. and Siemens, Geosciences staff used high powered CT scanning to uncover new COLLECTIONS ‘dinosaur trackways’ from Lark Quarry in • The Collections Online microsite was western Queensland. launched, providing community access to • A 200 million-year-old spider fossil from 65.2% of the Queensland Museum Network’s the Triassic Period was discovered in shale digitised collection. deposits from Dinmore, near Ipswich. This • 10,727 digital images and records were represents the first fossil mygalomorph added the Queensland Museum Image spider ever described from Australia. Library, including born digital photographs, • A new species of fish, well-known to fly analogue scans and records. fishers as ‘sweetlip’, and a deepwater • The Workshops Rail Museum acquired the species of Sandperch, were discovered T-House model rail collection, which consists using DNA technologies. of 11,691 models of locomotives, carriages • Two new species of rainforest skinks were and wagons. The collection, assembled by discovered living in boulder-field associated Mr Marsden ‘Mick’ Williams over 30 years with rainforests at Cape Melville and the from the 1970s to the 1990s, is of national McIlwraith Range in north Queensland. and international significance. It is the single largest private collection in Australia, and may well be the largest collection of model trains of this quality in the world. 20 BOARD OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM ANNUAL REPORT 2014–15
AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS
• Cobb+Co Museum received a 2014 • Dr Robert Raven, Head of Terrestrial Inclusive Community Champion award from Environments and Senior Curator Spinal Injuries Australia. (Arachnids); Mr Patrick Couper, Curator of • The Workshops Rail Museum won Gold in Herpetology; and Ms Jeanette Covacevich, the Queensland Tourism Awards’ Heritage former Senior Curator of Herpetology; and Cultural Tourism category, and bronze were awarded medals from the Poison’s for the same category of the Australian Information Centre, Royal Children’s Tourism Awards. Hospital, for their ongoing services as Honorary Bite Consultants, providing a • The Queensland Museum Network Field 24-hour service to the community in Guide to Queensland Fauna App won the event of spider and snake bites a Best of the Web Award in the mobile in Queensland. category at the 2015 Museums and the Web conference in Chicago, and more • Dr Rob Adlard, Head of Marine recently, the MAGNA (Museums and Environments and Senior Curator of Galleries National Award) in the category: Parasitogy, was elected Fellow of the Interpretation, Learning and Audience Australian Society for Parasitology in Engagement (Level 3). recognition of his contributions to, and promotion of, the scientific discipline • Queensland Museum Photographer, Gary of parasitology. Cranitch, was awarded third place in the prestigious 2014 Australian Museum • The research career of Dr John Hooper, New Scientist Eureka Prize for Science Head of Natural Environments Program, Photography. Gary’s image of an Alfred was recognised by publication of the new Manta (Manta alfredi) was taken at Lady national Science Curriculum Nelson Biology Elliott Island, on the southern Great Barrier Units 1 & 2, for the Australian Curriculum Reef. Gary is also one of the three finalists in June 2015, as a case study entitled, in the 2015 Eureka Awards. Sponges and Evolution with ‘Sponge Hoops’: Dr John Hooper. • Dr Christine Lambkin, Curator of Entomology, was awarded the Peter • Director of the Workshops Rail Museum, Doherty Science Education Partnership Andrew Moritz, received an Endeavour Award for developing and running the Executive Fellowship for a three-month Backyard Explorer project. internship study tour, based at the National Railway Museum, York (UK), with visits • Dr Niel Bruce, Senior Curator of Tropical to Italy, Sweden, Portugal, Austria and Marine Science, was appointed as Germany rail and transport museums. Extraordinary Professor in the Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management • Head of Information Management and at the Potchefstroom Campus of the Information Technology, Kerry Cody, was North-West University, Potchefstroom, awarded the Smithsonian Fellowship South Africa. 2014–2015 to work with Smithsonian Institution Archives on building a digital archive framework for improved community access to Queensland’s digital objects and information. BOARD OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM ANNUAL REPORT 2014–15 21
INNOVATION
• The Workshops Rail Museum has • In partnership with Canon Collective, established itself as a unique film and the Museum of Tropical Queensland wedding location. Last year the museum’s initiated and managed its first industrial setting was used as a creative photography competition, largely backdrop for various short films and music using Facebook as a medium. The videos. The museum has already secured extremely successful Backyard 10 wedding bookings for 2015-16. Safari Photography Competition • The Museum’s first e-book, The Great generated over 460 entries from Barrier Reef: Corals, derived from Discovery 174 photographers and resulted in Guide to the Great Barrier Reef, was a popular exhibition which ran for completed in May. It was released in three months. both enhanced and fixed layouts in the following formats: - iBook - Kindle - Kobo - Google Books - Barnes & Noble Nook. • The Information Management and Information Technology team continued to provide digital infrastructure and technical support on a range of Queensland Museum Network initiatives including exhibitions, apps and websites. Key achievements include: - implementing new IT infrastructure and application systems - completing the rollout of eDRMs and electronic recordkeeping training - digitising microfilm legacy correspondence records from 1862–1920.
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PARTNERSHIPS QUEENSLAND MUSEUM FOUNDATION
The Queensland Museum Network and BHP Billiton Coal has joined the its longstanding partner Energex Limited Queensland Museum Network as its announced new initiatives to support the Biodiversity Partner. This partnership creation of two additional public spaces at will highlight the diversity and fragile the Queensland Museum at South Bank balance of Queensland’s unique flora over the next four years. and fauna through three exciting new This partnership provides support to the: projects, including: • Anzac Centenary Gallery at the • developing a suite of biodiversity Queensland Museum, South Bank. themed loans kits for distribution Due to open in November 2018, the across Queensland gallery will explore World War 1 and its • providing a high profile platform for Grade legacies in Queensland. The gallery will 7 students to explore scientific discovery become the permanent home for one and learning through our Natural of the world’s most significant war relics Leaders program — the only remaining German tank, • creating a new exhibition gallery, Wild Sturmpanzerwagen A7V Mephisto. State, which is due to open in 2016 and • Nucleus, a children’s play space at the which will bring visitors face-to-face with Queensland Museum, South Bank. Due Queensland’s vast and varied biodiversity to open in 2017, it will be a focal point across our red desert plains, lush for families, allowing them to play, or rainforests and tranquil reefs. rest, before embarking on their next Photographs from the Queensland Museum Museum adventure. image library were used on billboards across BHP Billiton BMC has continued its long- Brisbane publicising the new $1.4 million term relationship with the Queensland partnership between BHP Billiton and Museum Network through the Fossil the museum. Q Partnership. The partnership has an QGC joined the Queensland Museum overarching focus on telling the story of Network to deliver shared objectives in megafauna in Queensland and continues science, technology, engineering and maths with a new agreement that will: education. The three-year partnership aims • continue supporting paleontological field to create a whole-of-life approach to STEM work at South Walker Creek education that involves: • deliver a unique digital tourism App that • direct programs in schools from Prep to allows visitors to regional Queensland to Year 12 plot their journey and access cutting edge • professional development for teachers paleontological research • a rigorous academic research program • foster and share ground-breaking scientific research with communities • community engagement initiatives, such across the State. as bringing the renowned Hadron Collider exhibition Collider: step inside the world’s greatest experiment from the Science Museum in London.
BOARD OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM ANNUAL REPORT 2014–15 23
Senior Curator, Vertabrate Palaeontologist, Dr Scott Hocknull 24 BOARD OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM ANNUAL REPORT 2014–15
PARTNERSHIPS The Museum of Tropical Queensland received INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS grants from surrounding local councils as AND GRANTS part of the Community Pass agreements to deliver free and discounted entry for residents and school groups, as well as a range of Cobb+Co Museum: other benefits: • received $15,000 from Tourism and Events • Townsville City Council provided $120,000 Queensland Regional Development • Burdekin Shire Council provided $5,399 Program to promote the 2015 Have A Go! Festival • Charters Towers Regional Council provided $8,200 • was granted $33,000 from the Queensland Anzac Centenary Grants program; and • Hinchinbrook Shire Council provided $5,500 $20,000 from the Federal Local Community Cultural Environments Program and Natural Anzac Program to develop the Horse In Environments Program: War exhibition; and a further grant for • continued to contribute to QAnzac100 with the preservation of the 1916 GS Wagon State Library Queensland (SLQ) through featured in the exhibition the ongoing provision of curatorial advice • formed a partnership with the University and expertise for SLQ’s research and of Southern Queensland for the delivery of exhibition programs. holiday programs and school activities • in partnership with State Library • continued to collaborate with the Diocese Queensland, continued to hold bi-monthly of Toowoomba Catholic Education and Conservation Clinics — providing Indigenous groups within the community one-on-one consultations looking at on the Have Another Look Captain Cook: personal treasures and offering advice on Indigenous Cultural Activities Week for how to maximise their longevity. school groups. • undertook a research trip to museums in The Workshops Rail Museum: Canberra, Melbourne and Wellington, New • secured three grants, including: Zealand, to explore potential partnerships for the Queensland Anzac Centenary - $80,000 through the Queensland Gallery. Government’s Queensland Anzac Centenary Grants program for the • Program partnerships continued with: Railways 1914–1918 exhibition - the Department of Aboriginal and Torres - $60,000 from the Australian Government Strait Islander Partnerships (DATSIP) for through the Australia Council, its arts the This is my heritage exhibition funding and advisory body - the Australian War Memorial for the - $98,350 from the Australian loan of the World War 1 tank, Mephisto, Government’s Anzac Centenary Arts and including conservation and research Culture Fund. - the University of Sydney for publications • received $10,000 from Ipswich City Council and research funding to contribute to the staging of the Ipswich - continued to work with the Queensland Open Day event. Advisory Committee for the Commemoration of Anzac Centenary (QACCAC), regarding the Queensland Anzac Centenary Gallery. BOARD OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM ANNUAL REPORT 2014–15 25
Natural Environments Program entered into productive partnerships with the following PUBLICATIONS organisations to co-invest in 27 research In 2014–15, Natural Environments projects investigating the Queensland Program contributed to 164 Museum’s natural history collections: publications. See Appendix A for • Alfred P. Sloan Foundation New York a detailed list of papers, articles, abstracts and posters. • Atlas of Living Australia Cultural Environments Program • Australian Biological Resources Study authored a total of 18 publications. • Australian Institute of Marine Science Two volumes of the Memoirs of the • BHP Mitsui Coal South Walker Creek Mine Queensland Museum – Cultures were issued under Queensland • Bioculture Mauritius Ltd. Museum Network series editor • Caring for Our Country Bush Blitz Program Dr Geraldine Mate. • Catlin Seaview Project • Council of Heads of Australian Faunal Collections • CREATE Foundation • CSIRO National Research Collections Australia • CSIRO Taxonomic Research Informatics Network • Department of Environment and Heritage Protection • Department of Agriculture • Field Museum of Natural History Chicago • Griffith University • Horticulture Australia Ltd • Inspiring Australia • Institut de Recherche Pour le Développement (French Polynesia) • James Cook University • National University of Singapore • National Science Foundation USA • University of Queensland • University of Utah • Western Australia Museum 26 BOARD OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM ANNUAL REPORT 2014–15 BACKGROUND
CREATING JOBS AND A GOVERNMENT DIVERSE ECONOMY OBJECTIVES The Queensland Museum Network will contribute to stimulating economic growth and innovation by enhancing engagement The Board of the Queensland Museum and cultural and science tourism opportunities through our contributes to the achievement of the international exhibition and iconic experience program. We Queensland Government’s objectives. will provide a range of these experiences to attract audiences through our state-wide network of regional campuses. We will encourage new investment in the sector by building creative, long-term partnerships with industry. By investing in our people, we will endeavour to increase workforce participation and ensure safe, productive and fair workplaces. DELIVERING QUALITY FRONTLINE SERVICES The Queensland Museum Network will support the Advance Queensland initiative and the Science and Innovation Action Plan by connecting the creative discovery process and the arts with education. This will put Queensland at the forefront of a worldwide movement that integrates art and design, and creative critical thinking with science and technology, to transform learning. Queensland Museum Network will deliver an annual World Science Festival Brisbane celebrating Australia and Queensland’s achievements in science, and help to build the vision for a new knowledge economy — making Queensland one of the leading states for student literacy and numeracy by 2020. BOARD OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM ANNUAL REPORT 2014–15 27
Queensland Museum Network will ensure that we OBJECT AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES provide responsive, integrated and excellent services to In performing its functions, the Board must have regard our audiences. to the object of, and guiding principles for, the Act. The Queensland Museum Network will develop a number of object of the Act is to contribute to the cultural, social and key initiatives designed to enable collaboration across the intellectual development of all Queenslanders. The guiding Queensland Cultural Precinct — from festivals to collection principles behind achievement of this object are: storage, to optimising public investment and growth in (a) leadership and excellence should be provided in Queensland’s arts and cultural sector. the preservation, research and communication of PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT Queensland’s cultural and natural heritage The Queensland Museum Network will contribute to (b) there should be responsiveness to the needs of the protection of Queensland’s unique cultural and communities in regional and outer metropolitan areas natural heritage, as custodians and researchers of the (c) respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures State Collections. should be affirmed Queensland Museum Network will contribute to public (d) children and young people should be supported engagement and debate through the development and in their appreciation of Queensland’s cultural and presentation of evidence-based science — ensuring natural heritage Queensland’s iconic natural environments are protected. (e) diverse audiences should be developed BUILDING SAFE, CARING AND (f) capabilities for life-long learning about Queensland’s CONNECTED COMMUNITIES cultural and natural heritage should be developed Through its extensive network of regional facilities and (g) opportunities should be developed for international resources, Queensland Museum Network will contribute to collaboration and for cultural exports, especially to the building capability and capacity in our regions. It will ensure Asia-Pacific region that the cultural and natural heritage and geosciences (h) content relevant to Queensland should be promoted collections are made available to all Queenslanders, and and presented. that educational resources are accessible to students and communities through our educational loans program. 28 BOARD OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM ANNUAL REPORT 2014–15
STRATEGIC PLAN OPERATIONAL 2014–2018 PLAN 2014–2015 The Queensland Museum Network’s Strategic Plan Queensland Museum Network’s Operational Plan 2014–15 2014–2018 set out the following strategic objectives: was based on its Strategic Plan 2014–2018, aligning • To care for Queensland Museum (QM) collections operational strategies and activities for the 12 month period to international standards, increasing access to both with key strategic objectives. objects and the knowledge associated with them. In 2014–15, Queensland Museum’s operational plan focused • To increase our focus on visitors from interstate, on creating stronger industry partnerships to share in the intrastate and international markets. delivery of the story of our state’s remarkable cultural and natural heritage. • To demonstrate positive social impacts through best practice audience research, development Queensland Museum aimed to maximise the considerable and engagement, and delivery of services research value in the State Collections to strike new and across Queensland. innovative university partnerships that would increase its profile within the scientific research community. • To be the most successful research museum in Australia to drive national and international Queensland Museum committed to connecting real objects grant funding. and contemporary research with communities across the State and beyond, creating authentic and compelling • To provide a learning platform where the creative experiences and stories that inspire, enrich and empower. process of discovery intersects in Science, The state-wide network continues to take the Museum into Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). communities, classrooms and online—a museum without • To invest in Queensland Museum Network’s people, borders that inspires curiosity to connect the past, make products, services, facilities and partnerships to create sense of the present and help navigate the future. a more self-sustaining business. • To review the funding framework for the Queensland Museum Network. OPERATING STRATEGIC THEMES ENVIRONMENT The research, collection development and public experience activities of the Queensland STRATEGIC CHALLENGES Museum Network are strategically directed by the The following challenges have been identified for following themes: Queensland Museum Network: Ancient Ecosystems — exploring, discovering and • Meeting the needs of a diverse audience during documenting Australia’s unique geological and the state-wide delivery of exhibitions, events, public biological record, which underpins the knowledge and experiences and services. custodianship of Queensland’s modern environments. • Increasing conservation and storage resources for the Connecting Queensland: Reaching the World — the continued growth and development of the collections. connections and exchanges that sustain Queensland’s • Sustaining core scientific and technical expertise, capable place in the world. of addressing issues critical to Queensland’s cultural Customs, Cultures and Country — Aboriginal, Torres and natural environments, and the development of Strait and Pacific Islander experiences, perspectives compelling visitor experiences. and cultures. • Ensuring a sustainable network of museums and services Queensland Stories — the people, places, cultures and that are underpinned by sound resource management events that make Queensland distinct. strategies and funding frameworks. Science and Technology in Society — heritage trades, Queensland Museum Network manages these risks through: technology and the role of science in people’s lives. • innovation in service delivery strategies Sustainable Queensland — documenting, conserving • the growth of strategic partnerships and appreciating Queensland’s unique biodiversity. • the development of in-house exhibitions The operational plan was not modified during the year. • the development of alternative revenue The Premier and Minister for the Arts, and the former sourcing strategies. Minister for Science, Information Technology, Innovation Queensland Museum Network has an active risk and the Arts did not give any directions to the Board management plan in place. during or relating to the financial year.