MPSA News October 2009
In this issue:
Former Walgett Council Chambers to receive Jobs Funding
Working with the Walgett District Historical Society, MPSA staff were able to prepare a successful grant application for $76,000 + from the Commonwealth Government to undertake much needed maintenance and refurbishment of the Walgett District Historical Society Museum.
Work to be undertaken includes internal and external painting, upgraded signage and minor repairs to the building fabric. MPSA will be involved in implementing this work over the next months with the Society and Walgett Shire Council who own the building. Margaret Webber, President of the Society noted “this project will give the town a real boost and fit very nicely into Council plans to upgrade the main street over the next few years.”
A partnership between MPSA, Wild Mind, an innovative Multi Media Company and Walgett District Historical Society has enabled Walgett’s history to go on line. Leo Carol, Director of Wild Mind noted after the launch of the project in July
“...It was a real pleasure to work with Richard and Society members to develop this simple - to -manage website which will allow world wide access to the extensive photographic archive held by the organisation and to provide information about heritage properties across the Shire. Now Society members and MPSA staff can easily add text and images on the website as information becomes available thanks to the powerful but simple blog-based CMS system the site is running on.”
Although the project is in its infancy, MPSA and the Society are confident that eventually a large percentage of its holdings will eventually go on line and encourage former residents of the Shire to contribute their personal histories to the site.
National Trust House Publication Series
Prior to returning fulltime to MPSA, Company Director Richard Wesley was able to oversee the completion of the last two publications in the National Trust House Series on properties around NSW. While Director of Museums and Properties, Richard worked closely with a small team to produce seven titles on key Trust properties including Everglades House and Gardens, Miss Traill’s House and Gardens, Grossman House, Experiment Farm Cottage, Old Government House and Vienna Cottage. A final title was produced to document the soft furnishings program at Old Government House.
The production was the joint effort of Desmond Freeman of dwp, Christopher Shaine of Christopher Shaine Photography, Trust staff and volunteers, notably Patricia McDonald and Editor / Author Angela Le Seur of Le Seur Communications. In addition to Trust funds and several generous individuals, major funding sources included ARTS NSW, AUSINDUSTRY and the Commonwealth Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. Copies of individual guidebooks can be purchased from either the Trust headquarters at Observatory Hill or individual Trust properties.
Strategic Planning at Griffith Pioneer Park Museum
Meredith Walker of Heritage Futures and MPSA joined forces to undertake a major strategic planning exercise at Griffith Pioneer Park Museum following their receipt of an ARTSNSW grant.
Operating since 1973, the complex occupies some eight hectares and features nearly 40 relocated buildings. The consultants worked closely with the Committee, staff and Director, Darrel Collins to prepare a five year forward plan that covers all the key operational areas of the facilities. Major recommendations included the rationalisation of the building collection, the completion of outstanding initiatives such as the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area display, expansion of the existing popular calendar of events and improved communication strategies.
The two companies have been retained to assist with the implementation of specific initiatives including new signage, completion of a new wine display and collection research. Griffith Council has also sought major grant funding to implement a significant capital upgrade of the car park, an important recommendation of the report.
Wayfinding at Tenterfield
MPSA is retained to provide heritage services to Tenterfield Shire, and in this capacity Richard Wesley researched and produced three new heritage street information panels featuring the Tenterfield Court House, Rouse St and “Federation Square.”
Working closely with local historian Ken Halliday, Desmond Freeman of Design Partners Worldwide and David Stewart of Tenterfield Shire Council the signs have proved extremely popular with tourists and residents alike. A further three more are planned for the town when funds become available. MPSA street signs can also be found at the Tamworth Powerhouse Museum and the historic Jones Bay Wharf. On Sydney Harbour.
Why was Canberra Selected?
In mid 2008, MPSA, Design Partners Worldwide and Brandi Exhibitions combined forces to develop a temporary exhibition for the Regatta Point Visitor Centre. With a strong focus on education groups and overseas visitors with no prior knowledge of Canberra’s history, the group was challenged to develop an engaging an interactive display that explained why Canberra was chosen as the location of the Nation’s capital – all on a modest budget.
Drawing on such themes as interstate rivalry, political machinations, fanciful proposals by artists such as Norman Lindsay and a bit of hard headed realism by Commonwealth public servants, visitors were invited to “score” such diverse locations as Armidale, Albury and Goulburn and literally complete a jigsaw of NSW – with Canberra of course being the ultimate winner!
Choosing a site for a future museum
As part of a broad community planning strategy for the NSW central west town of Cowra, MPSA was requested to review three potential sites for a future museum. The sites considered by this study were the Tourism Precinct, the Cowra Art Gallery and the Japanese Garden.
Director of MPSA, Richard Wesley, provided a presentation to the community and the Shire Council for their consideration. The project was jointly funded by Museums and Galleries NSW and the Cowra Shire Council.
Need an organisational health check?
Steve White, former Director Finance at the National Trust of Australia (NSW) has agreed to join the team at MPSA as a Management Consultant. His areas of expertise include financial and systems analysis, government compliance, fundraising strategies and organisational “health checks.”
While at the Trust Steve was responsible for all aspects of the day to day financial operation of the organisation including the creation of a financial endowment strategy. He can be contacted via stevenwhite20@gmail.com MPSA believes Steve’s experience would prove invaluable for any cultural organisation undertaking a review of it operation or a strategic planning exercise.
Current Projects
Current work being undertaken by MPSA includes;
- Welcome to Country display for Tenterfield Shire
- New interpretative panels at Griffith Pioneer Park Museum and the development of a wine industry display
- Upgrading of the Walgett Shire Museum
- A full colour guide to the Tenterfield Shire Heritage Collections
Contact us
Museum Planning Services Australia has been working with community organizations, the commercial sector and government agencies to preserve and interpret our rich heritage for ten years.
Our team offers a diverse range of skills and experience which you may wish to consider utilising in the following areas.
- Curatorship and collection management
- Exhibition development
- Business and organisational planning
- Fundraising
- Marketing, multi media and publications
- Local Government heritage and tourism services
Please feel free to contact me on 0407 458401 or Richard.Wesley@museumplanning.com.au if we can be of any assistance to you or your community.
Yours Faithfully
Richard Wesley
Director
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