Annual Report 2001-2002 - Western Australian Museum - The ...

28
Friends of the Western Australian Museum
intact skeleton of a marsupial lion, thylacoleo. The large gathering of Friends at the talk enjoyed
a glass of wine and canapés, while listening to Dr Long and questioning him about his
extraordinary expedition to the Nullarbor.
In late September, Dr Ian Godfrey, Museum Curator of Materials Conservation, entertained
Friends with tales about his fieldwork in Antarctica where he has been working on the conservation
of Mawson’s huts. The presentation was preceded by a drinks party and the opportunity to chat
with Dr Godfrey and other Friends. A week later, the Friends were out and about again, this time
on an early evening walk around Shenton bushland in the expert company of zoologist and
Museum Director of Science and Culture, Dr Paddy Berry. Following the Friends Annual General
Meeting in October, Graeme Henderson, Director of the Western Australian Maritime Museum,
took Friends on a preview tour of the building and the installation of its displays. Friends attended
two special activities in December, the first at the Western Australian Museum–Fremantle History
in the company of Museum Curator Lisa Williams. Lisa guided Friends around 30 Years Ago—
Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Fremantle Arts Centre at the Western Australian Museum
—Fremantle History. The second event, on 12 December, gave Friends the opportunity to view
the Museum’s magnificent mineral and meteorite collection under the expert guidance of Dr
Alex Bevan, Museum Curator of Mineralogy and Meteoritics. Following the tour, Friends adjourned
to the Roe Street Cottage for coffee and Christmas cake.
Linked to the Friends’ involvement in Living on the Edge—the Coastal Experience exhibition,
members were invited at the end of January to a special Batavia Lecture Series talk presented
by Dr Robyn Taylor, the exhibition’s curator. The talk was followed by a viewing of the exhibition
and refreshments. In 2003, the Friends were also involved in supporting the Western Australian
Museum’s museum@work lecture series, which began on Friday 7 February and has been
continuing during term time throughout the year. Friends have been part of the audience at all
these popular lunchtime talks, which have proved to be a fruitful recruiting ground for new
members.
June was again a busy month, with special Friends activities in addition to two museum@work
talks. The first of these, presented by Dr Jane Fromont, the Museum’s Curator of Marine
Invertebrates, on the topic of Western Australia’s Wealth of Marine Biodiversity, has been linked
to a special Friends beach walk under Dr Fromont’s expert guidance, planned for July. On 12
June, members were escorted around Kings Park by Friends Vice-President and Kings Park
guide, Ethel Lucas. The hugely informative guided walk, packed with historical facts, was followed
by a most civilised afternoon tea in the Old Tea Pavilion. On 27 June, Friends were back at the
Maritime Museum, this time for tours of the temporary exhibition Beacons by the Sea—Stories
of Australian Lighthouses, and of the permanent Tin Canoe to Australia II gallery. The tours were
led by Mike Lefroy, curator of the spectacular permanent gallery, and Friends were given a
special insight into the planning and installation of exhibits. The talk ended with a drinks party
and an evening view over Fremantle Harbour.
The busy program of Friends activities throughout 2002–03 has given members the opportunity
to participate in and enjoy a broad range of educational and social events linked in various
ways to the Western Australian Museum. It is the generous support of the Museum staff, Friends
Council members and volunteers, who have willingly given their time and shared their expertise,
which has made all these events possible. The invaluable contribution of all those involved is
greatly appreciated, as, of course, is the support of the Friends themselves.
NEW FRIENDS LOGO
The Friends have a new logo, designed by Mark Welsh of the Museum’s Exhibition and Design
Department. It appears on the Friends stationery and will be an integral feature of the new-style
Friends newsletter and brochure, due to appear early in 2003–04.
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM ANNUAL REPORT 2002–2003