Gold Museum, Ballarat ~ Showcasing Ballarat's history

Michelle Derrick cleaning a Chinese temple carving from the Gold Museum collection

Deakin University student Michelle Derrick writes about her recent internship at the Gold Museum.

As part of the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) internship program, I was fortunate to take part in a paid collections and curatorial internship at the Gold Museum. For two days per week over eight weeks, I worked within two main project areas: collections management and exhibitions.

With guidance from the Museum’s Collections Manager, Liz Marsden, I audited and re-housed objects from the Arnott-Rogers collection. George Arnott and Robina Rogers were missionaries in Sichuan, China during the late 1900s. The couple collected Chinese artwork, textiles and household objects. It is a large collection comprising ceramics, paper, photographs, metals and textiles.

Wooden letter opener, Arnott-Rogers collection (Gold Museum collection, 84.1933)

I must admit, when I first saw the number of cabinets with boxes full of objects I was a little daunted! This soon gave way to pure enjoyment as I began opening boxes and carefully unwrapping the beautiful objects within, never knowing what I would find next. Many a photograph was taken for the Museum’s social media so we could share collection highlights!

For each object I assessed its condition, updated and enriched the database record, threw away old tissue paper and attached a new label. As an alternative to layering objects on top of one another in boxes, we made partitioned trays from corrugated blue/grey board to allow for easier identification and retrieval of objects in the future.

The Arnott-Rogers project highlighted the challenges of balancing the best methods of preventive conservation and storage, with limited resources and space. As a mentor, Liz taught me the importance of resourcefulness and how a little imagination goes a long way towards overcoming these challenges.

I was also involved in preparations for the Museum’s exhibition Re-Awakening the Dragon, which showcases the Museum’s 19^th century Chinese processional and temple collections.

I assisted with the conservation cleaning of wooden carvings and ceremonial items, including Loong, one of Australia’s oldest Chinese processional dragon heads.

Ballarat’s Chinese dragon (Loong), circa 1897, (Ballarat Historical Society collection, 78.2620)

Other tasks included meticulously untangling tassels on processional textiles, dressing mannequins and assisting with the display of items in the gallery. This project taught me valuable conservation cleaning techniques and preventive conservation for objects and textiles on display.

In addition to hands-on learning, we had the opportunity to observe one of the Museum’s monthly acquisitions meetings. This gave real world insight into the processes and considerations involved in assessing objects for acquisition.

Throughout the internship, we had the opportunity to ask questions and engage with Museum staff, and for that I thank Senior Curator Michelle Smith, Curator Snjez Cosic and Collections Manager Liz Marsden, for sharing their experiences and offering us valuable advice.

Overall, this internship has been an invaluable experience. Through hands-on participation, observation and opportunities for discussion, I have gained valuable insight and experience in collections management, exhibitions and preventive conservation.

A big thank you to VCCI and Deakin University for supporting this internship. Opportunities for paid internships in the museum industry are few and far between, which makes this initiative all the more important.

Written by Michelle Derrick, Graduate Certificate of Museum Studies student at Deakin University.

Natalie Carfora (right) with historian Carissa in costume at Sovereign Hill

Deakin University student Natalie Carfora writes about her internship at the Gold Museum

Now that I am nearing the end of my Master of Cultural Heritage, I am starting to think about applying for jobs. I spend a lot of time reading position descriptions and worrying about the competition. I recently saw a graduate internship advertised that was full-time, with some weekend and night work required, and unpaid. It is demoralising to have studied for so long to feel as if your skills and time are not valued. That is why internships at the Gold Museum are so important.

Supported by the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), I was able to travel from Adelaide to Ballarat for three weeks to work with the Museum’s team. These placements are for people like me, namely those in their final year of studies who are looking for practical experience. This internship has done exactly that; it has enabled me to practice what I have learned over the last two years and put it into practice in a real museum context.

I have been really lucky to wear a few different hats while I have been in Ballarat, allowing me to spread myself across all working areas of the museum and have a real sense of what curators in smaller institutions do. Over the course of three weeks I have assisted with collections management, exhibitions, social media, conservation, and public programs. I have been busy!

There have been a few highlights of the placement. I worked with the Arnott-Rogers collection featuring objects collected by missionaries in China in the early 20^th century. I was involved in auditing and assessing the condition of the collection and re-housing objects for long-term storage.

I co-ordinated the Museum’s first Twitter tour which involved interacting with people around the world and sharing #behindthescenes views of the collection.

Twitter Tour of the Gold Museum’s collection store

I learned conservation cleaning skills while working on a Chinese processional dragon head and a number of wood carvings dating between the 1860s and 1890s. These items are some of the oldest examples of their kind in the world.

I also attended a few great events, from the Doctor Blake Murder Mystery night to the launch of the new Costume Coterie program.

Finally, I had to opportunity to cross the road to Sovereign Hill and dress like an 1850s lady. I spent the morning walking around the open-air museum, taking photos and fielding questions about our underwear. Surprisingly, that’s a normal experience!

My internship at the Gold Museum has been really valuable. It has been great to have work experience in a social history museum and practice the skills I have learned in a real life context. Thank you to all of the staff at the Gold Museum, VCCI and Deakin University for giving me this opportunity.

Written by Natalie Carfora, Master of Cultural Heritage student at Deakin University

Margaret McBean’s internship at the Gold Museum.

I am a Deakin University Cultural Heritage student and have just completed an internship at the Gold Museum.

Margaret photographing a chair from the Geddes Collection (Photo: Liz Marsden)

I have been fortunate in having the opportunity to work alongside Collections Manager, Elizabeth Marsden, who generously shared her knowledge and provided many experiences in supporting my learning.

My project involved auditing the Geddes Pioneer Chair Collection, a fascinating assortment of early Australian chairs and stools acquired by Sovereign Hill in 1975.

Most of the items have been handmade and they demonstrate striking improvisation, practical skills and creativity.

Improved storage space has made this project possible and the Vernon collection database presents the opportunity for optimal recording and future uploading to the website.

The internship focus was on familiarisation and practical application of collection management standards.

Existing records for each object were checked then the items were assessed for conservation needs, photographed, given new location codes and placed in the relevant storage area.

During this process, comments for future action and observations were noted and basic preservation attention was provided if necessary.

Data was added to Vernon which gave me useful experience in professional collection recording.

Wire chair from the Geddes Collection (Gold Museum, 77.037)

Further research was required at times and I was also pleased to learn new skills in object handling, digital photography and editing.

I was amazed with the way a photographic studio space could be created with minimal resources.

The key realisation for me was the importance of policies and methodical practices for collection management. A clear location system is obviously vital.

The chance to become familiar with a professional heritage organisation has been valuable.

In appreciating the relationship between the Gold Museum and Sovereign Hill, it was interesting to observe the helpful and collaborative interactions between staff and volunteers in varied roles.

I have particularly enjoyed the teamwork and problem solving aspects and am grateful to develop many understandings and skills.

My appreciation for the collection and individual objects has been cultivated through the internship process and I have many ‘favourites’!

Written by Margaret McBean, student enrolled in Deakin University’s Graduate Diploma of Cultural Heritage.