The Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Material has released an information sheet titled STORING COLLECTIONS IN HIGH BUSHFIRE RISK AREAS aimed at assisting individuals and those working with cultural collections to reduce the risks of fire when storing their precious possessions.

Arts Minister Peter Garratt is inviting Australians to contribute to the development of a national cultural policy. Here's a chance to have your say on cultural matters close to you. Want more conservation support for regional areas? Disaster response teams for cultural heritage? Concerned about the closure of the Collections Council? Sign up and join the discussion. The website discussion forum will remain open until 1 February 2010.

The Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Material (AICCM) is dismayed to learn of the recent decision by the Cultural Ministers’ Council to cease funding the Collections Council of Australia (CCA). Over its relatively short life span (2004-2009) the CCA has achieved a great deal for the collecting sector in general, but in particular, it has highlighted the critical importance of the smaller institutions in their contribution to the vibrancy and depth of cultural collections held throughout Australia.