FOREWORD

There are an estimated 41 million objects held in Australian museums, art galleries and historical collections. Collectively they tell the story of our history and our country and contribute to our sense of identity and national pride. Increasing the conservation skills of people who care for these collections is an important factor in protecting this heritage, and is a key goal of the Heritage Collections Council.

reCollections: Caring for Collections Across Australia has been developed with this goal in mind. This set of practical guidebooks is designed by the Council for use principally by non-conservators who are working with Australia’s cultural heritage. The guidebooks are also a teacher-friendly resource which can be used in professional development workshops.

Many of Australia’s most experienced conservators have been involved in researching, writing and editing reCollections, through the Conservation Training Australia consortium, led by Artlab Australia, which first developed the package, and through the Collections Management and Conservation Working Party of the Council.

The Heritage Collections Council’s mission is to promote excellence in the management, care and provision of access to Australia’s heritage collections so that together, they reflect Australia’s cultural and natural diversity. The Council is a collaboration between the Commonwealth, State and Territory governments and the museums sector, and comprises people working in a wide range of cultural heritage institutions across the breadth of urban and regional Australia. reCollections is an important component of the Council’s National Conservation and Preservation Strategy for Australia’s Heritage Collections.

Rob Palfreyman
Chair
Heritage Collections Council