Annual 2017–18 Museums Board Report of Victoria Declaration of the Responsible Body In accordance with the Financial Management Act 1994, I am pleased to present the Report of Operations for the Museums Board of Victoria for the year ending 30 June 2018. Dr Rufus Black President Museums Board of Victoria 30 August 2018 This annual report has been produced in accordance with FRD 30C Standard Requirements for the Design and Production of Annual Reports, in order to minimise our impact on the environment. Further information about Museums Victoria is available at museumsvictoria.com.au ISSN 1835 3681 FRONT COVER People in the Beyond Perception exhibition; Photography by Benjamin Healley THIS PAGE (left to right, top to bottom) Inside Out exhibition; Photography by Daniel Mahon Ground Up exhibition; Photography by Fran Parker Museum Members’ Summer Party 2018; Photography by Bree Gaudette Chinese Lion Dance, Public Programs; Photography by Rodney Start Inside Out exhibition; Photography by Melissa Cowan Inside Out exhibition; Photography by Rodney Start Marramb-ik (I Am), Koori Comics exhibition, 2018; Photography by Jon Augier Chinese New Year projections; Photography by Robert Zugaro Wild - Amazing Animals in a Changing World; Photography by Heath Warwick Wild - Amazing Animals in a Changing World; Source/Photography by Cesur Sanli Outreach Program; Photography by Rodney Start British Migrants: Instant Australians? exhibition during Summer Courtyard - A Sides, event; Source/Photography by J Forsyth Nocturnal; Source/Photography by Cesur Sanli Little Kids Day In event, 2018; Photography by Rodney Star ii Museums Victoria Annual Report 2017–18 Contents Declaration of the Responsible Body ii First Peoples’ Acknowledgement 3 President’s Message 4 Chief Executive Officer’s Message 5 2017–18 Year in Numbers 6 About Museums Victoria 8 Vision 8 Mission 8 Values 8 Strategic Framework 9 Strategic Initiatives 2018–21 10 2017–18 Highlights and Achievements 13 Strategic Objective 1: Museums Victoria provides unmissable experiences for all audiences 13 Strategic Objective 2: Museums Victoria has the primary material collection that inspires and allows excellent enquiry into our region’s big contemporary and historical questions 16 Strategic Objective 3: Museums Victoria engages with, welcomes and celebrates all communities 18 Strategic Objective 4: Museums Victoria is a centre for technological and scientific expertise and fosters innovation to build economic value 20 Strategic Objective 5: Museums Victoria is a sustainable and thriving organisation 21 Future Priorities 23 Purpose, Function and Corporate Governance 24 Museums Board of Victoria 24 Committees 24 Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee 24 Audit and Risk Committee 25 Development Committee 25 Infrastructure Committee 25 Nominations, Remuneration and Governance Committee 25 Research Committee 25 Museums Victoria Annual Report 2017–18 1 Our Workplace 26 Organisation Structure and Functions 26 Staff Profile 28 Staff Development 30 Employee Relations 30 People Matter Survey 30 Public Sector Values 30 The Year in Brief 31 Key indicators 31 Financial Summary 31 Visitation 32 Environmental Performance 32 Statutory Reports 33 Accessibility Action Plan 33 Building and Maintenance Compliance 33 Carers Recognition Act 2012 34 Compliance with the Standing Directions of the Minister for Finance (2016) 34 DataVic Access Policy 34 Freedom of Information 34 Consultancies 36 Major Contracts 36 Government Advertising Expenditure 37 Health and Safety Incidents 37 Information and Communication Technology Expenditure 38 Local Jobs First – Victorian Industry Participation Policy 38 National Competition Policy 38 Protected Disclosures 39 Public Sector Code of Conduct and Employment Principles 39 Financials 42 Financial Overview of Operations 42 Financial Statements 43 Auditor General’s Report 88 Disclosure Index 90 Contacts 93 2 Museums Victoria Annual Report 2017–18 First Peoples’ Acknowledgement Museums Victoria would like to acknowledge Melbourne’s Traditional Owners, the Woiwurrung and the Boon Wurrung of the Kulin Nation, and pay respect to their Elders, both past and present. We also acknowledge the ongoing and significant partnership maintained between the Victorian Koorie community and Museums Victoria. Together we share the stories of over 38 distinct language groups, celebrating the culture and history of Victoria’s First Peoples. Above image Artists: Maree Clarke – Yorta Yorta/Mutti Mutti/ Boonwurrung/Wemba Wemba Peoples Len Tregonning – Gunnai/Kurnai Peoples Meeytmeet or Lean-now. Kangaroo tooth necklace, 2008 Kangaroo teeth, kangaroo sinew, kangaroo leather, emu oil, ochre, wattle gum. 35 x 35cm Museums Victoria. First Peoples Collection X 104908 President’s Message The Museums Board of Victoria is pleased to present We begin the new financial year with the benefit of an the report of our operations, financial results and key important uplift in our base funding, and I would like to achievements for 2017–18. acknowledge here the outstanding support of the Victorian Government and particularly Martin Foley MP, Minister This year has marked the beginning of an exciting period of for Creative Industries. Their support, and that of all our transformation and reimagining for Museums Victoria. corporate partners, philanthropists and supporters, In September we saw the fruits of a robust and collaborative members and visitors, makes possible the increasingly process involving staff, Board and supporters with the valuable and innovative work delivered by Museums Victoria. delivery of Museums Victoria’s 2017–25 Strategic Plan. This year the Museums Board farewelled Professor Edwina The Plan sets out an ambitious vision for Museums Cornish AO after more than four years’ contribution. Victoria’s future impact as an international destination, Edwina brought her expertise in the higher education sector leading educator and centre for technological and scientific as Chair of the Research Committee and was instrumental expertise. The realisation of these strategic goals will see in diversifying Museums Victoria’s funding and partnership Museums Victoria greatly expand our social and economic opportunities, most memorably in the establishment of the impact and play a fundamental role in equipping Victorians Robert Blackwood Partnership with Monash University. for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow. In expressing my sincere thanks to Edwina I’d like to also This year saw important steps towards these goals; the acknowledge the contributions of all my fellow members of expansion of our audiences with a range of new programs the Museums Board. Their commitment and enthusiasm, including the highly successful monthly Nocturnal at and that of the Chief Executive Officer, Executive Leadership Melbourne Museum, new initiatives relating to First Peoples Team and, of course, Museums Victoria staff has delivered and Digital Life, more of the State collection on view in new considerable accomplishments this past year and temporary exhibitions, and significant growth in both the positioned us well for the year ahead. Museum Members program and in our community of donors. Professor Rufus Black President, Museums Board of Victoria 4 Museums Victoria Annual Report 2017–18 Chief Executive Officer’s Message This year we built on the foundations of Museums Victoria’s Melbourne Museum had achieved record visitation, proud history for Museums Victoria’s future, as a catalyst exceeding 1.19 million visitors for the first time. A series of for innovation, a collaborator in the creative industries new initiatives aimed at engaging local and visiting Chinese and a growing contributor to the tourism and knowledge audiences also resulted in significant growth, with an economies. In an era of rapid change and unprecedented increase of more than 100% in Chinese visitors to challenges, we see a vital role for our museums that is Melbourne Museum. captured in our new vision of “People enriched by wondrous Our collections and research featured in a range of discovery and trusted knowledge” and “Society compelled exhibitions, from You Can’t Do That, presented in to act for a thriving future”. partnership with the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion In September we launched our 2017–25 Strategic Plan, Festival, to British Migrants, Instant Australians?, an intimate with the ambition that Museums Victoria will take its place and moving exploration of an often over-looked chapter among the world’s top 10 museum organisations by 2025. of Australian migration history, and Inside Out, a unique Highlights from the last year demonstrate the steps we’ve and creative showcase of more than 350 objects from already taken towards achieving these goals. the collection. Pop-up exhibitions throughout the year showcased recent discoveries by Museums Victoria’s Our Strategy is underpinned by three Transformational scientists, including new species discovered during Themes that include a commitment to placing First Peoples’ research in Papua New Guinea and in the deep-sea off living cultures, histories and knowledge at the heart of Australia’s east coast. Museums Victoria’s practice. This will be guided by Yulendj, the Museum’s advisory group of elders and senior leaders We broadened our audiences and cemented our from the Koorie community, and will be delivered through leadership as a provider of STEM-based learning with two a broad range of initiatives including an emphasis on innovative new Museums Victoria developed exhibitions