Presidents Report

Melbourne's Living Museum
of the West

back to home of Annual Report 2003

Presidents Report

Melbourne’s Living Museum of the West is a vibrant centre of activity that lurches, sways, rises and calms according to the projects that envelop the museum. It is a living organism that requires us all to put in 110% of our attention and our dedication.

This is not a hard task when you are committed to such an important museum focussing on the history of the western region of Melbourne. History and historical research is a discipline that is never static it requires its devotees to revisit and never take for granted anything. There is always more to study or there is always a different perspective and point of view.

One of the programmes I am particularly proud of is ‘Custodian’s welcome to the Karen Community of Burma’. This project fostered by Peter Haffenden, the Director, resulted in meeting the project’s aim of addressing the more subtle issues of settlement with a sense of place, a sense of land and a sharing of spiritual values between the local Aboriginal
community and representatives of a newly arrived group of migrants, the Karen people of Burma who reside in the Western Suburbs of Melbourne. The Custodians Welcome event took place on 14 June 2003.

What does this mean for all of us? It means we are coming to terms with our place and our identity and the need to preserve our own unique Australian identity. This project exemplifies the sophisticated and mature views of museum studies and the practice of this museum to attune itself to the communities it is part of.

Further heritage work on the bluestone building, dealing with vandalism to the information centre, liasing with Parks Victoria, continuing to be involved with a range of local groups, upgrading the Resource Centre, which includes the developing of a new database and barcoding system for the museum’s collection, preparation of application for museum
reaccreditation and the continuing networking with Arts Victoria, have all been part of our years work.

Who makes this all happen? A number of devoted people. Amongst them are Ron Angwin, Janine Hill, Tom Nemeth, Libby McKinnon, Brett Hosie , Kerrie Poliness, Doug Vallance and other Parks Victoria personnel. Each person plays a different and significant role in the workings of this museum.

To all of the management committee my heartfelt thanks for all of the time you give to our productive meetings and to your ongoing interest to this museum. Your importance can never be underestimated because this museum’s power stems from people’s contributions to it.

There must be special thanks given to Peter Haffenden, Peter Sommerville and Olwen Ford. Each of these individuals know how much they give to this museum but I want to commend them and praise them for everything they do and have done over the past year.

Susan Jennison

President
2003-2004