Last year, AICCM ACT co-treasurers Heidi Treloar and Lisa Hayes organised a long-overdue catch-up with Mr Ian Batterham – who, for many in the conservation community, needs little introduction. With Ian announcing his thoughtful decision to step down as President of the AICCM ACT chapter, the occasion called for a fitting tribute: a good old-fashioned Q&A over a well-deserved porter at the iconic Canberra institution, Tilley’s Devine Café Gallery. It was the perfect setting to reflect on a remarkable career that began in the heady days of paper conservation in Australia and has since spanned decades of dedicated service to the heritage sector. Ian has been an active and influential figure in the field since the formative years of the Committee for the Conservation of Cultural Property, contributing to the profession’s development from its earliest foundations.
Ian’s path into conservation was shaped by a lifelong fascination with archaeology, books and, as he puts it, ‘old things’. The spark came via a visiting relative, which ultimately led him to join the intake of students in Australia’s first conservation training program at the Canberra College of Advanced Education (CCAE) – now part of the University of Canberra. Established by Colin Pearson in 1977 in response to the landmark 1975 Piggott Report, the program marked a pivotal moment for the profession, recognising the urgent need for specialised, scientifically informed care of Australia’s cultural heritage. After graduating, Ian joined the National Archives of Australia (NAA), where he would spend more than three decades. Over that time, he became a cornerstone of the institution’s preservation efforts, championing industry sustainability and eventually serving as Assistant Director of Preservation.
Modest by nature, Ian was reluctant to single out his own achievements. Nevertheless, we took the opportunity to highlight just a few of the many projects that illustrate the breadth and significance of his work:
- Conservation of the original architectural drawings and planning designs for Canberra by Marion Mahony Griffin and Walter Burley Griffin, ensuring that the capital’s ‘original vision’ remains accessible to future generations
- Publication of The Office Copying Revolution, which examined the deterioration of thermal office copying processes and drew attention to the fragility of modern documentation, including carbonless papers
- A remarkable 27-year study on paper ageing, providing archives around the world with invaluable data on how temperature and chemical composition influence the long-term deterioration of paper materials.
Together, these projects reflect Ian’s enduring commitment to advancing conservation practice and safeguarding documentary heritage for the future.
Ian’s recent retirement from the presidency of AICCM ACT marks the close of a significant chapter in the organisation’s history. Fortunately for the committee and its members, he has not strayed far, stepping into the role of Events Coordinator – a unanimous committee decision inspired by Ian’s consistency as the monthly CREED event organiser. In recognition of his outstanding contribution as both a conservator and educator, Ian was awarded the AICCM Medal – one of our organisation’s highest honours. The award acknowledges his unwavering dedication to mentoring generations of heritage professionals, generously sharing his deep knowledge with emerging conservators and seasoned colleagues alike. Following his retirement from the NAA in 2014, Ian returned to the University of Canberra as a lecturer in heritage conservation – neatly, and perhaps fittingly, bookending a career that began there as a student.
Beyond the laboratory, Ian is equally well known for the qualities that make him such a cherished figure within the community: his warmth and generosity, his musical talents, and his formidable reputation as Trivia Extraordinaire at the legendary AICCM end-of-year quiz nights. And, of course, there are the Hawaiian shirts – bright, unmistakable, and very much part of the Ian Batterham legend.
Without further ado, let’s move on to the answers given in Ian’s own words …
Why did you decide to become the AICCM (ACT) President?
I became President in 2009. Prior to that I had been secretary for many years. I took on the role because the previous president was leaving town and no one had put their hand up to replace them. I was reluctant but quickly warmed to the role. It felt very comfortable. I had been on local council for a time in the early 1980s, first under President Josephine Carter and then Dara Rome. I left the council for a time to try my hand at being a rock musician – with limited success!
What stage of your career were you at when you took on the position?
I had been a conservator since 1980, so I was 29 years into my career when I became ACT President. I guess this would make it the mid-to-late career phase.
What inspired you to become a conservator and how did you get there?
In my school days I had always had an interest in archaeology and a love of old books. I also enjoyed science very much. I had a relative by marriage, Michael Coniston-Nash, who was a private conservator and art dealer. He visited Canberra in 1977 and stayed with us. Over dinner he told me that the CCAE was establishing a course in Materials Conservation and suggested I apply. My only thought before this was to study archaeology at ANU. I applied for both and was accepted by both, but Conservation won out. These were the days of free tertiary education thanks to the Whitlam Government. I graduated in 1980 and took a job at the (then) Australian Archives.
Why and when was the AICCM ACT Division created?
The ACT Division is in some ways older than the organisation itself. Prior to the establishment of the AICCM in Perth in 1973, there was an organisation in Canberra called the Committee for the Conservation of Cultural Property (CCCP, ACT). The CCCP was established in Canberra in 1972 and held its first meeting in June of that year. By June 1973, the committee had prepared its own constitution and had printed three issues of ‘The Conservation Bulletin’. This group morphed into the ACT Division. Early on the ACT Division produced its own newsletter. I remember helping to prepare it and even doing a letterbox delivery run to save money!
What changes have you noticed over your time as President?
Over my time as President I have, sadly, noticed a drop in attendance at local events. In earlier days we would put on a speaker or organise a visit/tour and we would get a decent attendance. Recent experience has revealed that the local membership has become less interested in events. Hopefully this attitude will change as a new cohort of conservators begins to come through. The exceptions to this rule are CREED drinks – held monthly at Tilley’s Devine Café Gallery, the Jobs Summit held annually and the Christmas party, which is always popular.
How does AICCM ACT Division benefit the GLAM community?
Canberra has a large and broad GLAM community, which includes both national and local institutions. Our members all work in one of these institutions in some capacity. Our activities benefit the sector through assisting with cross-institutional dialogue and providing professional development opportunities. AICCM events are often developed with the involvement of local institutions, thus providing positive exposure for both the institution and the AICCM.
What were the most significant challenges faced as President and how did you address them?
The original Materials Conservation course at the University of Canberra closed in 2003. Although I became President well after this, there was still considerable bad feeling in evidence amongst the local conservation community when I took over. The local committee worked hard to reintroduce the sense of community that had existed prior to the closure. Progress was slow but we were ultimately largely successful. Some of the steps taken to improve things were social events such as the CREED drinks and Christmas party where the informal and collegiate atmosphere did much to improve relations.
Tell us about some of the highlights you’ve experienced as President?
There have been many highlights. There was the 2011 National Conference held at the National Library of Australia, which was organised by the local committee. Also, there were the various ‘Conservation Clinics’ we arranged with local institutions including ACT Historic Places (Lanyon) and the Hall Schoolhouse Museum. It is always a joy to talk with members of the public about their treasured heirlooms. Finally, just being a member of a committed and affable committee year after year was a highlight that cannot be discounted.
In your opinion, what has made you a successful president and kept you in the role for all these years?
I genuinely loved being President. As I have already stated, it was the people that really kept me coming back. People who gave up their personal time to attend and participate in meetings, come up with ideas and help with events. Our regular council meetings were as much social events as serious grind. Work always got done but there was always time for laughter, gossip and chat about things that had nothing to do with conservation.
Finally, what advice would you relay to the new president/s?
Approach the role in your own way. Try out new ideas, new ways of doing things. Don’t be afraid of trying something that might fail. Also – revisit ideas from the past and don’t listen to nay sayers. Times may have changed and something that did not work in the past may work now. Enjoy the role and the company of your peers. Work hard to represent your profession in the best possible light. Provide the best service to the membership that you can.
Sincerely, here’s to you, Ian. We extend our sincere thanks and appreciation and wish you every success as you enjoy more time to focus on your many future endeavours.