Join AICCM President Dr Samantha Hamilton and specialist conservators Vanessa Roth, Ian Batterham, Heidi Treloar and Gianna Puzzo for a practical, interactive workshop designed for anyone responsible for collections.
Part of the 2026 AMaGA National Conference, this 90 minute workshop will share real collection-care scenarios and outline a simple approach to recognising risk, taking safe first action and knowing when to call a conservator.
Aimed at the GLAM sector, this workshop supports AICCM’s strategic commitment to engagement, partnerships, and advocacy for the conservation profession in Australia.
Thank you to International Conservation Services (ICS) and ArtsNational Armidale for supporting this initiative!
Workshop Details
Event: AMaGA Conference 2026, Tuesday 3rd – Thursday 5th November, 2026 , Canberra
Title: Collections under pressure: spotting damage, reducing risk and knowing when to call a conservator
Time and date: Tuesday 3 November | 11.00 am–12.30 pm
Location: Private Dining 1 (PDR 1), Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House
Address: 18 King George Terrace, Parkes ACT
Conference Registration: register here.
No conservation experience is required.
Meet the Experts!
Dr Samantha Hamilton – Workshop Facilitator
Dr Samantha Hamilton is Director, South Australian Museum and President, Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Material. Her career spans national and international cultural institutions, underpinned by extensive expertise in the preservation of cultural heritage. She has held leadership roles across the private and public sectors, both professionally and in volunteer capacities, including with Rock Art Australia, Arts Centre Melbourne, Museums Victoria, the Australian Museum and Galleries Association (Victoria), the Australasian Registrars Committee, and ICOM Australia. Samantha has successfully led large-scale, transformational projects, fostering partnerships, securing investment, shaping organisational culture, and driving innovation through change management and professional development.
Ian Batterham – Table Host – Books, Paper & Archives
Ian Batterham studied conservation at the CCAE commencing in 1978. In 1980 he took a position as a conservator at the National Archives of Australia. He remained there for 30 years and rose to the position of Director, Preservation. Over the years he has achieved his master’s degree and has been involved in many important projects including the establishment of a standard for archival quality paper and the intensive treatment of the Walter Burley Griffin designs for Canberra. Since retiring from the NAA Ian has worked as a sessional lecturer at the University of Canberra.
Gianna Puzzo – Table Host – Environment, Pests, Risk & Disasters
Gianna Puzzo (they/she) is a trained preventive conservator providing specialised services in preservation, collections care and management, assessment, and large-scale institutional planning. They join ICS Sydney as part of the Museums & Gallery Services division with nearly ten years of diverse experience across the United States and in Australia. Gianna is passionate about accessible and sustainable preservation solutions that fit the specific needs of each client. Proactive preventive conservation strategies are a proven cost-saving and risk-reducing approach to collections: Gianna loves to teach these skills and to provide institutions with any necessary support.
Vanessa Roth – Table Host – Objects & Mixed Materials
Vanessa Roth has an extensive background in the GLAM sector, including as an objects and metals conservator, registrar, local history officer and curator. She graduated from the conservation course at the University of Canberra in 1995 and has postgraduate qualifications in Marine Archaeological Conservation and Cultural Heritage. Vanessa has worked as an Australian Volunteer in Palau, and as a conservator on excavations in Cyprus and Sri Lanka. Working for many years as a conservator in private practice, Vanessa developed skills in managing large projects, conservation decision-making and the provision of training courses. Vanessa currently works as a curator at Canberra Museum and Gallery.
Heidi Treloar – Table Host – Textiles, Costume & Soft Materials
Heidi Treloar is an Assistant Conservator with International Conservation Services (ICS) in Canberra. Heidi has spent years preserving vital historical artefacts across Canberra’s top cultural institutions, from cleaning a 20ft Olympic mascot skirt at National Museum of Australia to stabilising a WW1 Australian flag at the Australian War Memorial to completing stitch repairs on heritage curtains here at Old Parliament House. Heidi is currently completing her Master’s in Art History & Curation using a lens of dress history and queer theory at ANU.