In May, the AICCM SA Divisional members enjoyed an engaging visit to the historic Adelaide Gaol, one of the state’s earliest and longest-running institutions, operating from 1841 until its closure in 1988. This special after-hours tour was led by Madeline Zweck, Education Officer, who guided members through the Gaol’s rich stories of early settlement, incarceration practices, and the shifting social attitudes that shaped its architecture and daily life. The visit also highlighted the challenges and achievements involved in the preservation, interpretation and public engagement of such a complex heritage site and its associated archives and cultural materials. Later in November, a social drinks event was held to warmly welcome new conservators and members joining Artlab Australia. The gathering provided an inviting and supportive space for new colleagues to connect outside of work, share experiences, and begin building strong professional relationships within the community.
In August, the NT Division of the AICCM paid a visit to the new Libraries and Archives of the Northern Territory (LANT) space in Danala, the new Charles Darwin University Education and Community Precinct in Darwin City. This purpose-built climate-controlled space has a permanent interactive exhibition using images from the Archives collection, as well as a temporary exhibition space, special collections viewing room and oral history recording room. The permanent display features the voices and stories of many Territorians, with a powerful Truth Telling component. This is an exciting new piece of cultural infrastructure for Darwin, and this visit strengthened connections between LANT staff and NT AICCM members.
Throughout the year, SA and NT teams organised committee meetings to discuss AICCM matters, share updates on professional practice, and explore ideas for future collaboration across divisions. These meetings have strengthened communication, encouraged strategic planning, and helped shape collective priorities moving forward. The NT team also undertook an impressive disaster-preparedness exercise in response to Cyclone Fina, demonstrating strong coordination and practical readiness. The MAGNT Conservation Team’s detailed and insightful reflections on this process can be found in the accompanying ENews article, which is truly incredible and informative.
SA Team Adelaide Goal visitation
NT team LANT visit.