The Council of the National Museum of Australia is responsible for the overall performance of the organisation, including setting the strategic direction and establishing goals for management. The Council works with executive management in developing, executing, monitoring and adjusting the appropriate strategies, and its non-executive members are appointed by the Governor-General in accordance with subsection 13(2) of the Museum Act.
The Museum Act provides for a Council consisting of a Chair, the Director of the Museum and between seven and 10 other members. All members are appointed by the Governor-General and, apart from the Director, are part-time appointees for terms of up to three years, although terms of appointment can be renewed. The Director is appointed by the Governor-General in accordance with section 23 of the Museum Act, and can hold office for a period not exceeding seven years.
The Museum provides Council members with information on changes to corporate governance responsibilities as it becomes available, including Australian National Audit Office documents and guidelines.
The Council has procedures for the disclosure and resolution of any matter for its consideration that may result in a conflict of interest. Members are required to make the nature of that interest known at the commencement of a Council meeting, and details of such disclosures are recorded in the minutes of the meeting.
The Commonwealth Remuneration Tribunal determines remuneration for non-executive members. In 2018–19 there were no deputies of part-time members appointed under section 15(1) of the Museum Act, and no directions to the Council by the Minister.
Meetings
The Museum Council held four meetings during 2018–19. A senior executive staff officer from the Arts Division of the Department of Communications and the Arts attended all meetings as an observer.
The meetings were held on:
- 16 August 2018 (no. 166)
- 29 November 2018 (no. 167)
- 28 February 2019 (no. 168)
- 16 May 2019 (no. 169).
Members of Council
The current membership of the Council provides a mix of skills and experience in the areas of history, law, education, the arts, media, Indigenous issues, marketing, social media, business, and financial and strategic management. On 30 June 2019 the Council comprised the following non-executive members:
Mr David Jones, Chair (MBA, Harvard Business School; BEng (Hons), University of Melbourne), has been Executive Chairman of VGI Partners, a global equities absolute return fund manager, since 2014. He spent 17 years in private equity (1994–2011), as Managing Director at CHAMP Private Equity, Executive Director and Country Head of UBS Capital, and a Division Director at Macquarie Direct Investment. He is Chairman of VGI Partners Global Investments Limited (ASX: VG1) and Derwent Executive, a Member of the Investment Committee of EMR Capital, and a Non-Executive Director of Cape York Partnership. Mr Jones attended 4/4 meetings. Terms: 25 June 2018 – 24 June 2021 (reappointed as Chair of Council); 25 June 2015 – 24 June 2018 (appointed Chair of Council); 30 May 2013 – 29 May 2016 (reappointed); 25 February 2010 – 24 February 2013.
Mr Ben Maguire, Deputy Chair (MBA, Australian Graduate School of Management, University of Sydney) is Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Trucking Association, Chairman of Remount Ltd, Director of Maguire Management, and Deputy Co-Chair of Regional Development Australia, Southern Inland. For eight years he was the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre in Longreach, Queensland. He has been a member of the Slim Dusty Museum Advisory Board, and is a former executive manager of AGL Energy Limited. Mr Maguire attended 3/4 meetings. Terms: 20 August 2018 – 19 August 2021 (reappointed); 20 August 2015 – 19 August 2018.
Mr Stephen Byron (LLB Hons, Australian National University; Bachelor of Commerce, Australian National University) has been Chief Executive Officer of Canberra Airport and the Capital Airport Group since the airport’s acquisition from the Commonwealth in 1998 by his father Terry Snow. A proud Canberran, Mr Byron grew up in the city and is now Chair of the Canberra Grammar Board, a member of the Board of Governors for the ANU Endowment of Excellence and a member of the Canberra Convention Bureau. Mr Byron is also a director of The Snow Foundation, a family foundation established in 1991. Mr Byron has attended 1/1 meetings. Term: 5 May 2019 – 4 May 2022.
Ms Vicki Coltman (MBA, University of Ballarat; BBus, University of Ballarat; Grad. Dip Arts (Writing), Swinburne University of Technology) is a Director of the Art Gallery of Ballarat and a Trustee of the Art Gallery of Ballarat Foundation. She is also a committee member of the Ballarat North Sports Club and Ballarat North Football Club. Ms Coltman is the Executive Officer of the Ballarat Neighbourhood Centre and Vice President of the Central Highlands Association of Neighbourhood Houses. Ms Coltman has a wealth of experience in the business and arts sectors in her previous roles as a Ballarat city councillor, project manager and business owner. Ms Coltman attended 4/4 meetings. Term: 27 July 2017 – 26 July 2020.
Ms Sarah Davies (BA (Hons), University of Leicester) is the Chief Executive Officer of Philanthropy Australia and has held other CEO positions, including at The Reach Foundation and Australian Communities Foundation. She was previously a consultant at Growth Solutions Group and The Hay Group. Ms Davies also serves on a number of diverse boards and committees, including as Director of Kids Under Cover, board member of the Centre for Social Impact, and board member of the Australian Advisory Board on Impact Investing. Ms Davies attended 4/4 meetings. Term: 27 July 2017 – 26 July 2020.
Dr Mike Haywood (PhD (Materials Engineering), University of Western Australia; BComm (Organisational Design), University of Western Australia; BEng (Mechanical Engineering), University of Western Australia) is the Founder of LiveHire Limited, an ASX-listed technology platform for employers to manage their current and future workforces. He also helped to launch the Women in Technology portal, an initiative which aims to attract women to the industry. Dr Haywood has broad expertise in entrepreneurial business and information technology, having previously established a variety of product technology, corporate advisory and business incubation companies and partnerships including IAS Group (Founder), Quiet Acoustics Pty Ltd (Founder) and Sterling Cooper Collective (Founder and Partner). Dr Haywood attended 4/4 meetings. Term: 19 July 2018 – 18 July 2021.
Mrs Fiona Jose is the Chief Executive Officer of Cape York Partnership as well as the Cape York Leader of Empowered Communities. She holds a range of directorships including Non-Executive Director of the Board for all Cape York Partnership entities as well as Jabalbina Aboriginal Corporation. Mrs Jose attended 2/4 meetings. Term: 27 July 2017 – 26 July 2020.
Mr Tony Nutt AO (BA (Hons), University of Western Australia) is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Notre Dame (Australia) and a non-executive director on the Australia Post Board. Mr Nutt has more than 35 years’ experience advising both federal and state governments, including more than 10 years’ service as a Principal Adviser to former Prime Minister, the Hon John Howard OM AC, and Chief of Staff to the former Attorney-General, the Hon Daryl Williams AM QC. He was also Federal and State Director of the Liberal Party of Australia, Director- General (Cabinet) and Principal Adviser to the former Premier of Victoria, the Hon Ted Baillieu. Mr Nutt attended 4/4 meetings. Term: 2 March 2018 – 1 March 2021.
Ms Maureen Plavsic has 30 years of experience in media, advertising and brand marketing, including as Chief Executive Officer, Executive Director and Head of Sales and Corporate Marketing at Seven Network Limited. Ms Plavsic is Director of Ridge Consulting, a board member of Bestest Inc., and was previously a director of 1-Page, Pacific Brands, Macquarie Radio Network and Opera Australia, and a trustee of the National Gallery of Victoria. Ms Plavsic attended 4/4 meetings. Terms: 5 May 2019 – 4 May 2022 (reappointed); 5 May 2016 – 4 May 2019.
Mr Peter Walker is a respected art dealer with more than 20 years’ experience in the museum and gallery sector, and extensive knowledge of the commercial, national and international antiques and art market. He is the founder and owner of Peter Walker Fine Art in Adelaide, a gallery specialising in the sale of early Australian paintings and items of historical interest as well as contemporary art. Mr Walker is a member of the Australian Antique and Arts Dealers Association of Australia, and a valuer for the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program. He is actively involved in the Adelaide philanthropic community, holding the positions of Chair of the Helpmann Academy Foundation, and member of the Helpmann Academy Board of Governors. Mr Walker attended 4/4 meetings. Term: 19 July 2018 – 18 July 2021.
Outgoing member/s in 2018–19 were:
Professor Catharine Lumby (PhD (Media and Communication), Macquarie University; BA (Hons), LLB, UniversityofSydney) is Professor of Media at Macquarie University, where her research spans media services, gender studies and media content regulation. She was the Foundation Chair, Media and Communications Department, Sydney University, and Foundation Director, Journalism and Media Research Centre, at the University of New South Wales, and is a member of the editorial boards of Public Communication Review, International Journal of Cultural Studies and Feminist Media Studies. Since 2004 she has worked in a pro-bono role advising the National Rugby League on cultural change and education programs for players. Before entering academia in 2000 she was a journalist and opinion writer and has worked for the Sydney Morning Herald, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and the Bulletin. Professor Lumby attended 4/4 meetings. Terms: 30 May 2016 – 29 May 2019 (reappointed); 30 May 2013 – 29 May 2016.
Mr Michael Traill AM (MBA, Harvard Business School; BA (Hons), University of Melbourne) was the founding Chief Executive Officer of Social Ventures Australia (SVA) from 2002 to 2014, and co-founder and Executive Director of Macquarie Group’s private equity arm, Macquarie Direct Investment. Mr Traill has expertise in philanthropy investment and development and is Director of MH Carnegie & Co and chair of a number of organisations, including Goodstart Early Learning, Assetic Pty Ltd and the Paul Ramsay Foundation. Mr Traill attended 3/3 meetings. Term: 5 May 2016 – 4 May 2019.
Council committees and advisory groups
Audit, Finance and Risk Committee
The Audit, Finance and Risk Committee (AFRC) is constituted under section 21 of the Museum Act as a committee of the Council of the National Museum of Australia. Council has established the AFRC in compliance with section 45 of the PGPA Act and section 17 of the PGPA Rule. The AFRC’s functions are to:
- review the Museum’s financial reporting, performance reporting, system of risk oversight and management and system of internal controls
- provide advice independent of Museum management
- help the Museum and Council members comply with their obligations under the PGPA Act and associated framework
- provide a forum for communication between Council members, Museum executive managers, and the internal and external auditors of the Museum
- examine and recommend the Museum’s annual financial statements for Council’s endorsement. The AFRC membership as at 30 June 2019 was:
- Mr Ben Maguire (Committee Chair, Council member, 4/4 meetings)
- Mr Tony Nutt AO (Committee Member, Council member, 4/4 meetings)
- Mr Graham Smith (Independent member, 4/4 meetings).
The outgoing member in 2018–19 was Professor Catharine Lumby (Committee Deputy Chair, Council member, 4/4 meetings).
Four meetings of the AFRC were held in 2018–19:
- 15 August 2018 (no. 87)
- 28 November 2018 (no. 88)
- 27 February 2019 (no. 89)
- 15 May 2019 (no. 90).
Indigenous Reference Group
The Museum’s Indigenous Reference Group (IRG) is constituted under section 21 of the Museum Act as a committee of the Council of the National Museum of Australia. The IRG provides expert advice to the Council of the Museum regarding the Museum’s activities that represent and serve the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the broader Australian community. The Council authorises the IRG, within its responsibilities, to advise the Council on:
- the collection, interpretation and exhibition of historical material in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- all policies, programs, publications and events of significance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- any other matters referred to it by the Council or Director that are relevant to its role.
The IRG membership as at 30 June 2019 was:
- Mrs Fiona Jose (Council member, Chair, 2/2 meetings)
- Mr Tony Calgaret (2/2 meetings)
- Mr Paul House (0/0 meetings, newly appointed)
- Mr John-Paul Janke (0/0 meetings, newly appointed)
- Mr Aven Noah (2/2 meetings)
- Ms Alison Page (2/2 meetings)
- Ms Zoe Rimmer (1/2 meetings)
- Dr Shayne Williams (1/2 meetings).
Outgoing members in 2018–19 were:
- Mr Jason Eades (Deputy Chair, 0/1 meetings)
- Ms Henrietta Marrie (1/1 meetings)
- Ms Irene Stainton (1/1 meetings)
- Mr Russell Taylor (0/1 meetings).
Two meetings of the IRG were held in 2018–19:
- 15 August 2018 (no. 19)
- 14 November 2018 (no. 20).
Advisory groups
The three advisory groups convened by Council in 2016–17 to focus on key priorities continued to meet during 2018–19. These advisory groups were:
- Development, including corporate partnerships and philanthropy
- Commercial growth, including brand, reputation and commercial opportunities
- Digital strategy, including emerging technologies, digital collection management, augmented reality and user experience.