CONFERENCE HANDBOOK 24–28 September 2012 The University of Adelaide, South Australia Contents Welcome.................................................................................................2 Sponsors.................................................................................................4 Exhibitors................................................................................................7 General information ......................................................................... 10 Social program................................................................................... 13 Tours .................................................................................................... 14 Keynote speakers ............................................................................. 17 Program............................................................................................... 21 Parallel sessions................................................................................. 31 Abstracts............................................................................................. 47 Index of presenters ........................................................................100 Welcome Message from the Minister for the Arts Message from the SA Branch President I extend a warm welcome to all delegates attending the On behalf of the SA Branch of Museums Australia it is Museums Australia National Conference 2012, Research my great pleasure to welcome you to Adelaide for and Collections in a Connected World. Museum Australia’s sixteenth national conference: Research and Collections in a Connected World. We are The Government through Arts SA is pleased to provide delighted to present a conference program that support for this national conference as it encourages encompasses such a broad range of museums, galleries, professional development for people working in heritage sites and collecting institutions, with sessions museums, galleries and libraries, both big and small, addressing both theoretical issues and practical throughout Australia. This is a great opportunity to hear challenges. In addition our social program offers the from renowned international and national speakers and perfect opportunity for you to savour South Australian establish or extend your professional networks. hospitality, forge new friendships and renew old acquaintances. I would especially like to acknowledge the many volunteers within the museum sector who are attending Staging an event of this nature depends on the energy, this conference. Along with the professional museum commitment and support of many people working staff your contribution to the preservation of Australia’s behind the scenes. While too numerous to mention cultural and natural heritage is invaluable. individually, I would like to extend our thanks to all those individuals and organisations who have been so It is 10 years since Adelaide last hosted the Museums generous in offering their sage advice and practical Australia National Conference. I was pleased to assistance. welcome delegates on that occasion as well. I encourage delegates to take the opportunity to enjoy We hope you will find this year’s conference thought- this city’s rich cultural heritage, as there are many provoking, challenging, and above all memorable. museums, galleries and libraries all within easy walking distance of the conference venue, along the beautiful North Terrace cultural boulevard. Regan Forest I wish you all the best for a successful conference. President SA Branch Museums Australia John Hill Minister for the Arts Government of South Australia 2 — Research and collections in a connected world | MUSEUMS AUSTRALIA NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2012 Message from the National President Message from the Vice-Chancellor Welcome to the 16th Museums Australia National On behalf of the University of Adelaide, I am delighted Conference held at The University of Adelaide. to welcome Museums Australia delegates to their annual conference. Museums Australia plays a crucial In one sense, Adelaide is the physical embodiment of the role in fostering links between museums and educational theme of this year’s conference. No other Australian institutions, like the University of Adelaide, that help city can boast the physical contiguity of diverse cultural develop skilled museum professionals and this and collecting institutions that is represented on North conference is an important part of that engagement. Terrace. Of course, buildings are only a part of the story – compact Adelaide is connected locally and globally to The theme of this conference is Research and the ideas and work of museum professionals through Collections in a Connected World. Connections are extensive networks. certainly integral to promoting sector-wide knowledge This year’s theme Research and Collections in a of best professional practice, employment opportunities Connected World will explore the potential of museum and the importance of collections to the community. I research by museums of all types. The theme can say from experience that universities frequently encompasses the role of collections, collaborations hold noteworthy and sometimes amazing, but often within the industry and the ways in which museums little-known, collections in their own right. Their create meaning in the contemporary world. potential, and benefit to the broader academic and general community, can only be fulfilled through Delegates to the conference will, I hope, be inspired by promoting access and relevant research. conference sessions on how museums and galleries contribute to the needs of preserving and expand Universities educate researchers in myriad fields, culturally significant collections and how to make them including scientists and cultural practitioners whose relevant and inspirational for future generations. work and ideas can add great historical and cultural interest to various artefacts. University collections add I would like to thank the many sponsors involved in another layer of complexity to the wider museum world supporting this conference, in particular The University and its networks. We are very pleased to be able to of Adelaide and Arts SA. I also encourage all delegates host this conference on our campus in the heart of to visit the exhibitions and unique opportunities available Adelaide’s famed cultural boulevard. throughout the conference. A conference like this cannot happen without the Have a productive conference, enjoy the amenities we generous support of all the presenters who have come offer and enjoy your stay in Adelaide. here to share their work. I would therefore like to thank and acknowledge all the presenters at this year’s Museums Australia National Conference and to Professor Warren Bebbington commend the work of members of the organising Vice-Chancellor and President committee who have laboured hard to put together a The University of Adelaide stimulating and rewarding event for all participants. Andrew Sayers AM National President Museums Australia MUSEUMS AUSTRALIA NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2012 | Research and collections in a connected world — 3 CONFERENCE COMMITTEE CONFERENCE SECRETARIAT Ms Regan Forrest (Conference Organising Committee Chairperson), The University of Queensland Ms Pauline Cockrill, History SA Ms Mirna Heruc, Art and Heritage Collections, The Conference Logistics University of Adelaide PO Box 6150 Mr Tony Kanellos, Santos Museum of Economic Botany, Kingston ACT 2604 Botanic Gardens of Adelaide P 02 6281 6624 Mrs Anne Langsford, Museums Australia SA Branch F 02 6285 1336 E [email protected] Mr Michael Mills, Heaps Good Productions W www.conferencelogistics.com.au Mr Robert Morris, South Australian Museum For assistance during the Museums Australia National Ms Elizabeth Pascale, Art and Heritage Collections, The Conference 2012 please contact the conference University of Adelaide registration desk on 0448 576 105. Ms Veronika Petroff, Museums Australia SA Branch Ms Alexis Tindall, South Australian Museum Sponsors Thank you to our valued sponsors who contribute to the success of the conference. SUPPORTING Government of South Australia, Arts SA SPONSOR Arts SA is a division of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and is the South Australian Government’s arts and cultural agency. Our role includes: • managing the Government’s funding assistance to artists and arts organisations • developing, facilitating and administering the Government’s vision and strategy for the arts and cultural sector • recognising and promoting the strengths and needs of our State’s makers, presenters and collectors of art and cultural heritage. • supporting the development and maintenance of our State’s cultural heritage collections. • advising and supporting the Minister for the Arts. 4 — Research and collections in a connected world | MUSEUMS AUSTRALIA NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2012 VENUE SPONSOR The University of Adelaide The University of Adelaide is one of Australia’s Group of Eight, research-intensive universities and is consistently ranked among the top 1% of universities in the world. Established in 1874, the University of Adelaide is Australia’s third oldest university and an iconic Adelaide institution, contributing significantly to the health, wealth and wellbeing of the state and a vital part of the cultural, social and intellectual life of the community. The University of Adelaide has a strong reputation for research and teaching and creating leaders who make a real-life impact on the world.