Annual Report 2002-03
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Statement of Compliance i TMAG • ANNUAL REPORT 2002-2003 TMAG • ANNUAL REPORT His Excellency The Honourable Sir Guy Green AC KBE Governor of Tasmania To His Excellency the Governor In accordance with Section 7 of the Tasmanian Museum Act 1950, the Trustees of the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery have great honour in submitting their Annual Report on the activities of the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery for the year ending 30 June 2003. In submitting this report we would like to take the opportunity to thank sincerely the many people who have made invaluable contributions to the operation of the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery during the year 2002/2003. The Trustees especially wish to thank the Premier as Minister for the Arts, the Department of State Development, the staff, the volunteers, the Friends of TMAG and the Art Foundation of Tasmania for their continuing contribution to the museum’s growth and development. Dr A V (Tony) Brown BSc (Hons) PhD Chairman of Trustees September 2003 Pictured: Items from the Wongs’ Collection ii Aims of the Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery Board of Trustees iii TMAG • ANNUAL REPORT 2002-2003 TMAG • ANNUAL REPORT Vision The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery is controlled by a Board of Trustees set up by the Tasmanian Museum Act 1950. The Museum, established in Hobart by The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery aims to provide, promote and facilitate the Royal Society of Tasmania, was opened to the public in 1852. The original interaction with, and understanding of, the cultural and natural world for building on the present site in Argyle Street between Constitution Dock and present and future generations. Macquarie Street was opened in 1863. Role In 1885 the Museum became a Government authority under the control of a Board TMAG • ANNUAL REPORT 2002-2003 TMAG • ANNUAL REPORT of Trustees that also controlled the Royal Botanical Gardens. The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery collects, preserves, researches, displays, In 1950 two new boards were set up, one to administer the Tasmanian Museum interprets and safeguards the physical evidence of the natural and cultural and Art Gallery and the other the Royal Botanical Gardens. heritage of Tasmania, together with relevant material from interstate and overseas. In 1965, the Trustees took responsibility for the West Coast Pioneers' Memorial Statement of Purpose Museum at Zeehan under the West Coast Memorial Museum Act 1965. This act was repealed in 1994, placing the management responsibility with the West The purpose of this collection is to provide present and future generations Coast Heritage Authority whilst the collection remains on long-term loan from with the opportunity to gain information and insight into their world. the Trustees of the TMAG. The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery: Board of Trustees (as at 30 June 2003) • aims to provide an environment that both stimulates and educates the general public; Dr A V (Tony) Brown BSc (Hons) PhD (Chairman) Ms Robyn Hopcroft BA Dip Ed LLB (Hons) M Leg St • collects and conserves material evidence within the areas of humanities, Mrs Katie McNamara BPharm(Hons) MPS including visual arts, history and anthropology, and the biological and Alderman Dr John Freeman MBBS FRACP physical sciences; Professor James Reid BSc PhD DSc • undertakes research on the collections within changing intellectual, social Professor Henry Reynolds BA (Hons) MA DLitt and environmental contexts; Mr Euan Hills • interprets and presents its collections and research through diverse programs and publications which provide opportunity for public access and participation. Mr Bill Bleathman (Director) Photography by Terence Bogue Photography by Terence Left: view of TMAG Rosny iv Highlights of the Year Contents v TMAG • ANNUAL REPORT 2002-2003 TMAG • ANNUAL REPORT The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery: STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE ______________________________________i AIMS OF THE TASMANIAN MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY _______________ii • Purchase of the National Archives Building at Rosny as a dedicated THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ________________________________________iii TMAG collection facility. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR _______________________________________iv •Record visitor levels of 255,000. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT _____________________________________________1 •Unique partnership between the Tasmanian Museum and Art DIRECTOR'S REPORT______________________________________________2 ADMINISTRATION ________________________________________________3 TMAG • ANNUAL REPORT 2002-2003 TMAG • ANNUAL REPORT Gallery, the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, the State Government and the Federal Hotels and Resorts to purchase the PUBLIC PROGRAMS & OPERATIONS_________________________________4 eight skin Tasmanian Tiger Rug. Bogue Photography by Terence Exhibition Program __________________________________________5 Exhibition Department _______________________________________9 •Donation of extensive Chinese ceramics collection. Visitor Services ____________________________________________11 •New senior management structure for the museum implemented. Front of House ____________________________________________14 •New position of Collections Registrar created. COLLECTIONS & RESEARCH ______________________________________15 Art Department ____________________________________________16 Decorative Arts ____________________________________________19 Below left: TMAG Director, Bill Bleathman, Premier Jim Bacon and Secretary DTPHA, Jeff Kelly, following the signing over of Rosny History ___________________________________________________20 Below right: Premier Jim Bacon and Senator Eric Abetz, exchanging contracts on TMAG Rosny. Above right Thylacine skin rug Conservation Department ____________________________________22 jointly purchased by TMAG, QVMAG and Federal Hotels and Resorts. Below right: Wongs’ Collection Information Services ________________________________________23 Indigenous Cultures ________________________________________27 Herbarium ________________________________________________29 Vertebrate Zoology _________________________________________31 Invertebrate Zoology ________________________________________35 Geology __________________________________________________37 ACQUISITIONS__________________________________________________39 PUBLICATIONS__________________________________________________44 LIST OF STAFF __________________________________________________46 APPENDICES____________________________________________________47 Chairman’s Report 1 TMAG • ANNUAL REPORT 2002-2003 TMAG • ANNUAL REPORT he financial year, 2002/2003, was a year in which Tasmanian Museum the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (Tasmanian Herbarium). Museum Tand Art Gallery (TMAG) achieved a long term goal with the acquisition researchers have also contributed to a major review of the naturalised of international museum standard storage. non-native flora of Australia. Lack of adequate storage space at our city site has been a fundamental Professional staff delivered 20 papers and represented the museum and drawback to the gallery for many years. In February 2003 the State the state at conferences both nationally and internationally. During the Government provided funding to enable TMAG to purchase the vacant year, TMAG obtained a number of significant acquisitions. Whilst thanking National Archives Buildings at Rosny, thereby delivering the TMAG 5,500 all donors for their continuing contributions, I would like to pay particular square metres of collection storage. thanks to Federal Hotels and Resorts for their commitment in securing the Thylacine Rug jointly for TMAG and Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery. This State Government initiative provides the museum with the facilities to house collections in more appropriate conditions and also enables TMAG Another major acquisition during the year was the donation of 117 pieces to reassess its public program opportunities at the TMAG City site. of Chinese ceramics to the museum by Professor and Mrs Wong. Through their generosity visitors to our institution will be able to experience icons The strategic directions of the museum’s public programs were reviewed from one of the world’s great cultures. during the year. It was decided to focus on the dual priorities encompassing an on-going major exhibition program, together with a higher level of During the year two members of the Board of Trustees retired after providing excellent service and support to the TMAG on a range of issues. Mr Euan involvement in community based events. This strategy resulted in visitation Bogue Photography by Terence Hills and Professor Henry Reynolds were invaluable to the museum and we of almost 255,000 during the year. This is an increase of almost 70,000 on Above: TMAG Custom’s House wish them both well in their future endeavours. The two new appointments the previous 12 month period. The museum continues to receive positive building. Below: (detail) after to the Board were Miss Julia Farrell and Mr Clive Tilsley. John Gould [artist] H C Richter reviews on its travelling programs. Jorg Schemiesser’s exhibition Breaking [lithographer] (Tasmanian the Ice is touring overseas, and the national touring exhibition Creating I would like to thank the TMAG’s volunteers and honorary curators for Marsupial Wolf Thylacinus cynocephalus) a Gothic Paradise: Pugin at the Antipodes has received critical acclaim their continuing dedication and support for our institution.Without their nationally and internationally. help and expertise the museum high standards could not be maintained.