Each year students of Museum Studies at Macquarie University are required to do a hands-on practical unit by visiting and critiquing a range of museums.  These study tours cover both local and international landscapes and are well worth the 7am starts (or so I'm told anyway!)  Here Dr Andrew Simpson, Director of the Museum Studies program gives us the lie of the land ...

Shepparton practices its vowels!

Photo courtesy David Mathieson.

Community museums of NSW and Victoria

Later this year, students in MSM 307 (Museum Field Studies) and MSM 804 (Museums, Galleries and Collections) will hit the road for a grand 10 day exploration of some of the lesser known museums in eastern Australia. 

The idea behind these units is to introduce students to the diversity of the collecting sector outside of the boundaries of our major cities.

There are so many galleries and museums attached to local government these days striving to present an interpretation of their place in the world that is unique. 

Although the final details are yet to be nailed down, the adventure starts on Saturday September 18 with a visit to the Hawkesbury Regional Museum. 

Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum at Bathurst.

Photo courtesy Andrew Simpson.
 

On the first day we will also visit the extraordinary Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum at Bathurst, this one is a partnership between one highly focussed collector and a local council that has had no expense spared with an aesthetic exhibition fit out of remarkable natural history specimens.

Andrew and Paul deal with the big 'un!

Photo courtesy David Mathieson.

 

We’ll finish the first day at one of NSW’s best regional galleries at Orange.  On past visits the Gallery Director has proudly shown off his loading dock which he claims is one of the biggest and best in the state. 

The next five days will take in some wonderful places on the museum trail in NSW.

Gorgeous galleries ...

Photo courtesy Andrew Simpson.

The Burrendong Arboretum, a private collection of plants that has developed into a major public enterprise in the mid west, the Arboretum is at it’s very best during September with many colourful botanic displays.

Photo courtesy Andrew Simpson. 

The Gulgong Pioneers Museum, that boasts over 65,000 items all of which seem to be on display, is absolutely packed to the rafters with fascinating historic artefacts from the district. 

Those Devonian fishes are pretty creepy!

Photo courtesy David Mathieson.

The Age of Fishes Museum at Canowindra is one of only two fossil fish museums in the world. 

The Japanese Gardens and the Cowra Visitors centre commemorate the break out at Cowra in vastly different ways.

Is The Doctor around?  Yes, our very own Dr Andrew Simpson leads the Community Museums of NSW and Victoria study tour!

Photo courtesy Andrew Simpson.

The Lambing Flat Folk Museum in the “cherry capital” of NSW, the town of Young is the home of the “Roll Up” Flag, an artefact of our xenophobic past, virtually unknown by most Australians in contrast to the “Eureka Flag” dating from the same time in our history.

Wagga Wagga glass is mega mega!

Photo courtesy Andrew Simpson.

The cultural complex at Wagga Wagga is another highlight of the trip, featuring the amazing National Art Glass collection and the Museum of the Riverina, the host of the MAP:me exhibition earlier this year. 

Just out of town is the Junee Licorice and Chocolate Factory one of the best adaptive reuse of industrial architecture to be found in the state. 

Temora is terrific!

Photo courtesy David Mathieson.

We will also visit the Temora Aviation Museum where one of Australia’s wealthiest businessmen maintains a collection of working aircraft documenting our aviation history. 

We will also see how the small township of Lockhart, known as the “veranda town” commemorates local families of the district in a most unusual way.

After this its southwards to the goldfields of Victoria and some of the best cultural facilities in Australia. 

The Bendigo Regional Gallery is a place built on the wealth of the gold rush with an exceptional collection of modern and historic Australian art. 

The Ballarat Fine Art Gallery is the home of the “Eureka Flag” that many have eulogised as representing the birth of democracy in Australia. 

It is impossible to visit Ballarat without seeing Sovereign Hill, the most successful outdoor heritage museum in the country where we’ll get a taste of life on the goldfields. 

Did you know that even the curatorial staff at Sovereign Hill take their turn at dressing up?

Photo courtesy David Mathieson.

On Sunday September 26 we’ll finish up at the Portland Maritime Discovery and Visitor’s Centre.  This can be the end of the road if you wish, but for those of you who haven’t had enough museums, it’s onwards to Melbourne for the start of the 2010 Museums Australia conference at the University of Melbourne.

Photo courtesy Great Ocean Road website. 

The final journey along the Great Ocean Road to Melbourne and the Museums Australia 2010 Conference at the University of Melbourne.

This promises to be an exciting conference and there will be plenty of presentations by Macquarie University Museum Studies people.

As with previous trips of this nature it will be run at minimum cost with shared private vehicles and shared accommodation in cabins and caravan parks.  Yes, you can bring friends and family along as well! It is always the best way to learn with good company and interesting places to visit.

A budget tour!

Photo courtesy Andrew Simpson.

See more pix on our Flickr site 

Itinerary will be available soon, for more information contact Andrew Simpson e andrew.simpson@mq.edu.au ph 9850 8183