Neue Einrichtung zur Erhaltung des kulturellen Erbes an der University of Canberra

Chief Minister opens new conservation facilities at UC

ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope has officially opened new heritage conservation facilities at the University of Canberra designed to ensure the objects, symbols and places that make us who we are can be conserved for future generations.

The University of Canberra Donald Horne Institute for Cultural Heritage is named after former University of Canberra Chancellor and author of 'The Lucky Country' Donald Horne.

The institute conducts research and teaching in cultural heritage and cultural heritage conservation, providing expertise for cultural heritage management in museums and galleries in the capital and around the world and was established last year.

An ACT Government grant of $275,000 was used to upgrade the institute’s laboratory and teaching facilities as well as purchase new books and computers. New microscopes, cameras and GPS equipment will arrive in 2010.

Mr Stanhope unveiled a plaque before touring the facilities which include a conservation lab, a teaching area and an area to store artefacts.

"Every heritage place or object tells a story from the past to the present and carries the story into the future. The Donald Horne Institute of Cultural Heritage will help carry our nation's stories into the future," Mr Stanhope said.

“The Donald Horne Institute for Cultural Heritage will provide a cultural heritage management course to highlight the importance of cultural heritage and provide opportunities to address skills shortages in this area.”

The institute is currently working on preserving a number of pieces including the University’s portrait of Donald Horne, a reverse glass painting and dresses from the late 19th and 20th centuries.

University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor Professor Stephen Parker said the new degrees at the institute marked a revival of cultural heritage at the University.

“We are proud to say that the cultural heritage and conservation undergraduate degrees, newly minted for 2009, have been an immediate success.”

“We now have over 60 students undertaking these programs and many more students from across the University taking advantage of the opportunity to do a major or minor in cultural heritage practice of museum studies,” Professor Parker said.

Quelle: Amanda Powell, University of Canberra, 15. Dezember 2009, CRICOS Provider Code 00212K