ANNUAL REPORT 2015-16 Australian Museum Annual Report 2015–16 I ANNUAL REPORT 2015-16 Australian Museum 1 William Street Sydney, NSW, 2010 Australia The Australian Museum Annual Report 2015 –16 Availability This annual report has been designed for accessible The Australian Museum Annual Report 2015–16 online use and distribution. This report is available at is published by the Australian Museum Trust, australianmuseum.net.au/Annual-Reports. 1 William Street Sydney NSW 2010. © Australian Museum Trust 2015 Further information on the research and education programs and services of the Australian Museum can ISSN 2206-8473 be found at australianmuseum.net.au. Acknowledgements Cost of production Compiled by Amanda Farrar The production cost of this report is estimated at $4,000. Design & Production by Business Studio Editing by Thread Publishing All images ©Australian Museum unless otherwise indicated. Contact Australian Museum 1 William Street Sydney NSW 2010 Open daily 9.30 am – 5.00 pm t 02 9320 6000 f 02 9320 6050 e [email protected] w australianmuseum.net.au facebook.com/australianmuseum twitter.com/austmus instagram.com/australianmuseum youtube.com/austmus australianmuseum.net.au/amplify-podcast ii Australian Museum Annual Report 2015-16 Minister ADMISSION CHARGES The Hon Troy Grant, MP General Museum entry: Deputy Premier, Minister for Justice and Police, Adult $15 Minister for the Arts Child(under 16 years) Free Minister for Racing Concession $8 Pre-booked Australian school groups (per child) Free Pre-booked preschool groups Free Governance Australian Government/DVA Gold Cardholders, The Museum is governed by a Trust established under Australian Government‘Blue’ Pensioner Concession the Australian Museum Trust Act 1975. The Trust has Cardholders, ICOM and Museums Australia members Free 11 members, one of whom must have knowledge of, Australian Museum Members Free or experience in, science; one of whom must have knowledge of, or experience in, education; and one Additional charges may apply to special exhibitions, of whom must have knowledge of, or experience in, activities and educator led groups. Australian Indigenous culture. Trustees are appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the Minister for a term of up to three years. Trustees may serve no more than three terms. Vacancies may be filled by the Governor on the recommendation of the Minister. The President of the Trust is appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the Minister. The Executive Director & CEO of the Australian Museum is Secretary to the Trust and is responsible for the common seal. Trustees receive no remuneration but may be reimbursed for expenses. All of the Museum’s annual reports since 1853 are available at australianmuseum.net.au/Annual-Reports. Further information on the research and education programs and services of the Australian Museum can be found at australianmuseum.net.au. Australian Museum Annual Report 2015–16 iii ANNUAL REPORT 2015-16 CONTENTS Part 1 The year in review Part 5 Appendices President’s report 2 Appendix A Organisation chart 96 Executive Director & CEO’s report 4 Appendix B Trustees of the Australian Museum 97 Revenue summary 6 Appendix C Executive Management profiles 100 Highlights and snapshots 8 Appendix D Internal audit & risk management 104 Appendix E Credit card certification 105 Part 2 Transformation continues Appendix F Privacy & personal information 106 Stage 1 13 Appendix G Digital information security 106 Stage 2 13 Appendix H Public access to information 107 Master plan 14 Appendix I Disability action plan 107 Kids free initiative 15 Appendix J Multicultural policies 108 Corporate strategic plan 17 & services program Appendix K Grants 110 Science at the museum 19 Appendix L Publications Australian Museum staff 115 Appendix M Overseas travel 116 Part 3 Divisional achievement Appendix N Recognising staff achievements 118 AMRI, Science & Learning 21 Appendix O Fellowships & postgraduate awards 119 Programs, Exhibitions & Cultural Collections 26 Appendix P Sustainability & energy management 120 Marketing, Communications and Development 31 Appendix Q Waste reduction & recycling 121 Corporate Resources 34 Appendix R Heritage management 121 Appendix S Staff, workforce diversity 122 Part 4 Financial statements & WHS statistics Appendix T Honorary appointments 125 Financial commentary 37 Appendix U Museum volunteers 126 Part 4A Financial statements 40 Appendix V Key acquisitions & donations 132 Australian Museum Trust Appendix W Benefactors & sponsors 133 Part 4B Financial statements 81 Australian Museum Staff Agency Australian Museum Annual Report 2015–16 v PART 1 THE YEAR IN REVIEW The AM plays a crucial role in some of Australia’s most important issues: border control, biosecurity and climate research. PRESIDENT’S REPORT A YEAR OF TRANSFORMATION The Australian Museum (AM) has seen another year David Attenborough’s Virtual Reality Experiences saw of building towards achieving its long term vision to sessions booked at an average 90% capacity. The AM become the premier museum of nature and culture in the was the first venue outside the UK to host these fully region. A year of building has brought about significant immersive virtual reality experiences. Using cutting-edge improvement, including the opening of the new Crystal technology, the exhibition took visitors deep beneath the Hall entrance on William Street and the stunning Wild ocean to experience a 360-degree tour of ancient sea Planet Gallery. The recent refurbishments have delighted beds and to experience early forms of life in First Life visitors and encouraged patrons back to the Museum. and be submerged in the underwater wonderland of the Great Barrier Reef Dive. The foregoing of entrance fees for children under 16, other gallery upgrades and enhanced technology into the Concurrently the AM’s touring exhibitions engaged with exhibitions has also improved the visitor experience and nearly half a million people across Australia, with six increased visitation. exhibitions touring nine venues. The most successful touring exhibition was Spiders, which launched at The annual report demonstrates the range and depth Questacon in Canberra as a joint initiative with the AM. of public programming, research and learning activities The AM will open an enhanced version of this exhibition that contributes to the strengthening of the Museum’s in October 2016. reputation in our region and internationally. Outreach Successfully Connecting Communities The continued success of the AM would not be possible without the support of the NSW State Government. The AM’s education outreach programs had another successful year connecting communities across NSW Award winning Exhibitions and Australia with the extraordinary AM collections, Nearly 100,000 visitors experienced Trailblazers: science and learning programs and cultural engagement Australia’s 50 Greatest Explorers which won the activities. prestigious Museums Galleries Australia MAGNA award The renowned outreach program, Museum in a Box for best touring & temporary exhibition. Curated and (MIAB), celebrated its 50th year by extending its reach designed in-house by the AM team, the exhibition to more than 120,000 students, engaged in learning, inspired audiences with some of Australia’s greatest utilising objects from the AM collection and curriculum explorers and adventurers of both past and present. based learning resources for teachers. Complemented by an evening talks series, which featured modern day explorers, the 21-week schedule was sold The AM’s cultural and community engagement team out consistently, demonstrating a good example of the extended its important work across Western Sydney, Australian Museum contributing to Sydney’s night-time with the AM’s Pop-Up Museum attending a range of economy. cultural and community festivals and connecting with 13,500 community members. The AM has also continued its youth re-connection program, working within juvenile justice and community centres to connect with nearly 300 at-risk youth across Western Sydney. 2 Australian Museum Annual Report 2015-16 Science and Learning at the Cutting Edge Thanks to the Museum Community The Australian Museum Research Institute (AMRI) In my fifth year as President, I continue to be inspired by has had another successful year with the Australian the passion and dedication of the AM staff. I particularly Centre for Wildlife Genomics (ACWG) now established thank Kim McKay AO and the executive leadership team and accredited as one of the leading wildlife forensic who have undertaken an ambitious and transformative laboratories in Australia. The AM plays a crucial role in program of change; ensuring the AM remains relevant, some of Australia’s most important issues: border control, accessible and an important part of Australia’s innovative biosecurity and climate research. cultural and scientific landscape. AMRI research draws upon the Museum’s 18-million- I would also like to thank the Australian Museum strong collections. The AM applies practical science to Members, who continue to support the Museum in important issues like the fight against trafficking of rhino a variety of ways. Similarly, the AM couldn’t function horn and other illicit wildlife trade. Working with many without its enormous team of volunteers who, along with government agencies, including Customs & Quarantine our staff, apply their passion and knowledge to provide and the Civil Aviation Authority, the AM was involved in significant benefits in science, learning