OLD PARLIAMENT HOUSE AND CURTILAGE HERITAGE MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008–2013

I0. Collection Management Policy
Part C – Implementation Tools
Old Parliament House and Curtilage Heritage Management Plan 2008–2013
221
This Policy and the supporting Procedures were written by International Conservation Services (ICS),
in consultation with OPH staff.
2 COLLECTION TYPES
2.1 Objective
Aside from the building itself which is the prime collection ‘item’ of the OPH collection, OPH contains a
number of significant collections which are an essential element of what makes it such a unique institution.
The collections managed by the Heritage Section can be broadly separated into two distinct groups - the
Heritage collection, and the Associated Parliamentary and Political collection (hereafter referred to as the Associated
collection). The Heritage Collection is essentially everything that was a part of or used in the building
prior to its closure in 1988. The Associated collection is made up of items relevant to the democratic,
parliamentary and political history of Australia, including items of material culture previously associated with
the building and it’s occupants, that are acquired (usually post 1992) for exhibition, interpretation, research.
These include items relevant to the APMC and to assist with telling the story of Australian democracy.
The Heritage Collection is protected by legislation 4,5,6 . The legislation governs how OPH manages the
items within this collection and as such has ramifications for OPH staffing and resource allocation.
Collections held by OPH which are used for reference and research purposes are termed the
Research collection. Material in the Research collection is held in the OPH Resource Centre and in
the APMC. These collections are managed by the Learning and Scholarship section of OPH.
OPH also maintains a collection of props which is managed by the Exhibition Development and Delivery Section.
2.2 OPH collections
2.2.1 Heritage collection
a. Furniture - Items of furniture that were part of the building pre 1988. This collection includes a
sub-collection known as the ‘Reference’ furniture collection which is those items of furniture that
are unique, or are the best example of a particular type of item.
b. Rooms - each room of OPH is treated as a heritage ‘item’ in its own right.
c. Building fragments - fittings removed from rooms (previously known as “Architectural fragments”)
eg: light fittings or cupboards that were previously attached.
d. Heritage finds - items found by OPH staff or contractors whilst working in the building - usually
through renovations and construction work.
e. Drawings and designs of the building and furnishings - original plans and drawings of the building and the
fixtures and fittings within it. Some plans are held in digital format only. Copies made available
in the Resource Centre for access.
2.2.2 Associated Parliamentry and Political collection
a. Memorabilia
b. Movable parliamentary and political material culture - primarily three-dimensional objects and artefacts
c. Pictorial works, ephemera and posters - images (including multimedia), ephemera and posters that
are considered significant, are unique, have high use, or their condition warrants increased levels
of preservation. The status of this collection is to be reviewed annually to ascertain if it should be part
of the Heritage Collection. NB There may be some Heritage Collection items that could fit into this
category but are included in Furniture or Heritage Finds as they were a part of the original
(pre 1988) fabric of the building.
2.2.3 Research collection
a. Ephemera - items such as pamphlets, leaflets, handbills, invitations, cards, menus, junk mail, theatre
programs, retail trade catalogues, etc. These items are held within the Research collection unless
uniqueness, significance, levels of use or condition warrants relocation for preservation (with digital copies
being made to provide access - see Section 8 Storage).
b. Image collection - including photographs, prints, transparencies and multimedia. These items are held
within the Research collection unless uniqueness, significance, levels of use or condition warrants
relocation for preservation (with digital copies being made to provide access - see Section 8 Storage).
4 Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation ACT 1999
5 Environment and Heritage Legislation Amendment ACT 2003
6 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment Regulations 2003 (No. 1)