3
A: C/- National Trust House, 95 William Street, Brisbane QLD 4000 T: 07 3223 6606 E: [email protected] W: www.blhn.org ACN: 49 108 737 695
The Annual Report is an account of the financial and non-financial performance of Brisbane’s Living Heritage
Network.
Brisbane’s Living Heritage Network welcomes feedback on this report and suggestions for improvement. We
encourage you to email any feedback you may have to [email protected].
Cover image: Diamantina Health Care Museum by Tim Nemeth Photography.
Other images: Page 12, Miegunyah House Museum collection item by Tim Nemeth Photography.
© Brisbane’s Living Heritage Network Ltd.
4
Chair’s report 17 September 2013
As a first time Chair, I must first of all sincerely thank my fellow Board Directors: Ian Jempson, Lisa Jones,
Stewart Armstrong, David Gibson, John Wright, Nicole Schellback, Brittany Trubody and Deannah
Veith for not only generously volunteering their time, but for their guidance and encouragement during the last
12 months.
It has been both a busy and a successful year, and even the briefest glance over the network's achievements,
presented in this Annual Report, clearly reflects this. While I encourage you all to read through these
highlights, I would like to pay particular attention to two of these achievements. Firstly, our jointly organised
and hosted Milestones not millstones members’ seminar held in May in partnership with the National Trust
of Queensland. As an inaugural event, our expectations were exceeded, both in the willingness of the
speakers to be involved, and to volunteer their time, and by the interest and attendance of our members on the
day. Aspects of the feedback have already been incorporated into the programming for the SEQ Museums
Conference 2013 being held at the Mercy Heritage Centre in late October. Plans are also afoot to hold a
similar seminar for our members next year. Secondly, for me, the launch of our new website has been a
particularly rewarding process, though at times it was challenging for our Coordinator Natasha Lewis
Honeyman and Web designer Leisha Lawrence. I thank you both personally and on behalf of the network for
your patience and work on the website! We are now close to uploading our member profiles and in
combination with the new logo, colour scheme, layout and image focus, the network is being presented with a
new vibrancy to Brisbane tourists/visitors, locals, and the larger heritage community.
These achievements are made possible by the commitment of our network members, our Board Directors and
by the Brisbane City Council's ongoing and generous financial support to the network.
I thank again all who have contributed to making this year so productive and successful. In particular, my
sincere thanks and appreciation to Natasha our Coordinator for all her work in support of our network members
and directors.
Yours sincerely
Dr Katie McConnel
Chair
Brisbane’s Living Heritage Network
5
Contents
Chair’s report 4
Brisbane’s Living Heritage Network 6
Sponsors and major partners 7
List of organisational members 8
Organisational structure 10
Highlights and achievements 11
Financial report 15
6
Brisbane’s Living Heritage Network
Brisbane’s Living Heritage Network (BLHN) is a member-based organisation that aims to raise awareness
of Brisbane region’s many fantastic public museums, galleries and heritage places. As a network, we
share information about our member sites and encourage people to connect with and participate in
Brisbane region’s rich cultural heritage.
Since the establishment of BLHN by Brisbane City Council in 2001, the Cultural & Heritage Places of
Greater Brisbane guidebook and website continues to be a leading point of contact for information about
cultural heritage venues and history and heritage service organisations within the greater Brisbane region.
The initial spark of an idea to connect Brisbane’s small museums and heritage places within a larger
network to pool marketing efforts, has expanded to become a strong network that delivers quality
information publications, online collateral, member events, public information tours, and public seminars.
BLHN now acts as an umbrella network to almost 80 public museums, galleries and heritage places and
has become a central point of contact for members of the public to find out more about our member
organisations. This is achieved by listing our members on the www.blhn.org website, publishing and
distributing the Cultural & Heritage Places of Greater Brisbane guidebook and implementing innovative
marketing strategies.
Members’ sites add special chapters to the narrative of Brisbane’s story, whether through the telling and
retelling of Aboriginal and Torres Strait and Islander history, social history, visual art, architecture, religion,
medicine or science… As people increasingly become aware of the value of Brisbane’s cultural heritage,
and we continue to welcome new diverse cultures to our region, BLHN members reflect the living heritage
of the city and BLHN strives to promote their endeavours. As such, BLHN welcomes new members to the
organisation who are providing a public space or resources to tell Brisbane’s story, whether past or
present, even as Brisbane’s story continues to be written.
As always… the fun does begin when you explore Brisbane’s rich culture and heritage for yourself. So get
your copy of the Cultural & Heritage Places of Greater Brisbane guidebook and go exploring!
7
Sponsors and partners
Brisbane’s Living Heritage Network is proudly sponsored by Brisbane City Council.
Brisbane’s Living Heritage Network gratefully acknowledges the partnership support received from National Trust of Queensland and Old Government House, Queensland University of Technology, in supporting the
2012-2013 member events, public programs, and operational support, and sharing their volunteers and interns.
Brisbane’s Living Heritage Network appreciatively acknowledges the support received by: organisational members in supporting representatives on the volunteer Board of Directors and delivering the annual public cultural heritage tours program; Christ Church Community Precinct Milton hosting the End of Year Members’
Function in December 2012, and Mercy Heritage Centre hosting the Annual General Meeting 2012 in September 2012.
8
List of organisational members Member organisation Membership type
2nd/14th LH Regiment (QMI) Museum Institutional
Albert Street Uniting Church (Wesley Mission Brisbane) Institutional
All Saint's Church Institutional
ANZAC Square War Memorial (Brisbane City Council) Institutional
Army Museum South Queensland (Formerly Victoria Barracks Museum) Institutional
Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha (Brisbane City Council) Institutional
Brisbane City Hall (Brisbane City Council) Institutional Brisbane Tramway Museum Institutional
Brookfield District Museum Institutional
Cathedral of St. Stephen Institutional
Christ Church Community Precinct Milton Institutional
City Botanic Gardens (Brisbane City Council) Institutional
Commissariat Store (RHSQ) Institutional
Diamantina Healthcare Museum Institutional
Embroiderers' Guild Queensland Institutional
Enoggera & Districts Historical Society Institutional
Fort Lytton National Park (DNP,R,S&R) Institutional
Freemasons Ann St Memorial Centre Institutional Friends of Balmoral Cemetery Inc Institutional
Friends of Toowong Cemetery Institutional
Girl Guides Museum (QLD) Institutional
John Oxley Library (State Library Queensland) Institutional
MacArthur Museum Brisbane Institutional
Mater Archives Institutional
Mercy Heritage Centre Institutional
Miegunyah House Museum (QWHA) Institutional
Museum of Brisbane Institutional
Museum of Radio (4MBS Radio) Institutional
Newstead House Institutional Nundah & Districts Historical Society Institutional
Nursing Museum RWBH (The Royal Brisbane Hospitals Nurses Association) Institutional
Old Government House (QUT) Institutional
Old Tote Racing Museum & Archive Institutional
Queensland Ambulance Museum Institutional
Queensland Art Gallery / Gallery of Modern Art Institutional
Queensland Maritime Museum Institutional
Queensland Military Memorial Museum (Victoria Barracks Historical Society) Brisbane Institutional
Queensland Museum & Science Centre, South Bank Institutional
Queensland Parliament House Institutional
Queensland Police Museum Institutional Queensland State Archives Institutional
RAR National Memorial Walk Institutional
RD Milns Antiquities Museum Institutional
Sandgate & District Historical Society & Museum Institutional
9
Member organisation Membership type
St Andrew's Uniting Church Institutional
St Helena Island National Park (DNP,R,S&R) Institutional
St John's Cathedral Institutional
Telstra Museum Brisbane (Telecommunications Historical Society of QLD) Institutional
The University of Queensland Art Museum Institutional
Tingalpa Pioneers' Chapel & Cemetery Institutional
Tony Gould Gallery (QPAC Museum) Institutional
UQ Anthropology Museum Institutional UQ Customs House Institutional
UQ Fryer Library Institutional
UQ Marks-Hirschfeld Museum Institutional
UQ Physics Museum Institutional
Windsor and Districts Historical Society Institutional
Wolston House (National Trust of Queensland) Institutional
Bribie Island Seaside Museum Associate
Brisbane History Group Associate
Caboolture Historical Village Associate
Friends of Peel Island Associate Logan Art Gallery (Logan City Council) Associate
Logan City Historical Museum Society Associate
Mayes Cottage (Logan City Council) Associate
North Stradbroke Island Historical Museum Associate
Oral History Assoc of Australia (QLD) Associate
Ormiston House (Historic) Associate
Pine Rivers Heritage Museum Associate
RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre Associate
Redcliffe Museum & Historical Society Associate
Redland Art Gallery Associate
Redland Museum Associate Rosewood Scrub Historical Society Associate
Samford District Historical Museum Society Inc Associate
The Workshops Rail Museum (Queensland Museum) Associate
Wynnum Manly Historical Society Associate
Brisbane’s Living Heritage Network welcomes new organisational members;
All Saint's Church (Institutional Member)
RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre (Associate Member)
Samford District Historical Museum Society Inc (Associate Member).
Brisbane’s Living Heritage Network regretfully announces the recently discontinued membership of the following organisations;
Eagle Farm Aviation Society (discontinued funding)
Fire Brigades Historical Society Queensland (change in strategic direction)
Ipswich Art Gallery (change in strategic direction)
Musgrave Park Cultural Centre (discontinued funding)
QUT Art Museums (change in strategic direction).
Brisbane’s Living Heritage Network also acknowledges the support of Individual Members.
11
Highlights and achievements Marketing, promotions and communications
Launching a new website with smart phone functionality in the lead up to end of financial year.
Promoting member sites and events through www.blhn.org.
A new Brisbane’s Living Heritage Network brand.
Implementing a social media strategy including the use of Facebook and Twitter. Brisbane’s Living
Heritage Network now has 151 individual ‘likes’ on Facebook and 48 ‘followers’ on Twitter.
Using social media to promote member events, cultural heritage events across the region, and to
build a connected community of culture and heritage interested online users.
Representing BLHN members at a Brisbane City Council showcase for the Local Government
Association Queensland’s annual conference in October 2012. Key member representatives attending
and promoting their own organisations as well as representing BLHN.
Distributing a monthly e-bulletin to members and a BLHN Friend’s network, promoting
organisational member events, opportunities for members to engage with BLHN activities, and listing
relevant member and sector news.
Distributing 72,000 copies of the Cultural & Heritage Places of Greater Brisbane guidebook that
promotes member sites to local residents and visitors to the region. The 2010 edition of the guidebook
is sent to Brisbane visitor information centres, public offices, libraries, popular hotels and caravan parks
and member sites. Plans for the publication of a new edition are underway.
Member events and opportunities
A successful Annual General Meeting 2012 in September 2012 at the Mercy Heritage Centre.
Receiving 43 reservations from member representatives, funding representatives from Brisbane City
Council, and welcoming Cr Vicki Howard, Councillor for Central Ward, and Helen Pithie, Museum
Development Officer for South East Queensland to present to the meeting.
Hosting a successful End of Year Members Function in December 2012 at the Christ Church
Community Precinct Milton with an attendance of 63 member representatives, funding representatives
from Brisbane City Council, and Cr Vicki Howard, Councillor for Central Ward, and Cr Norm Wyndham,
Councillor for McDowall Ward.
Hosting a successful seminar session on 10 May 2013 for our members and the public, titled,
Milestones not millstones. Delivering the seminar session in partnership with National Trust of
Queensland as part of the annual National Trust Heritage Festival and hosted by Old Government
House. Exceeding anticipated attendance, with seating capacity filled with approximately 50 guests.
Receiving acknowledgement and support from key dignitaries addressing the meeting: Cr Amanda
12
Cooper, Chair for Neighbourhood Planning and Development Assessment and Councillor for Bracken
Ridge Ward; Stephen Sheaffe, President of the National Trust of Queensland. Receiving positive
feedback from guests, with 89% of guests surveyed being more than satisfied with the overall event.
Implementing a Members’ Photography Pilot Project in collaboration with Tim Nemeth Photography.
This project was open for expressions of interest from Institutional Members during the 2012-2013
financial period. Supporting six member organisations with photographic documentation to support their
marketing efforts and extend BLHNs standard of promotional stock images for promoting the network
brand online and in marketing materials.
Sharing opportunities with member representatives to participate in free and paid professional
development workshops, seminars, and training opportunities, in the monthly e-bulletin.
Partnerships and connections
Working with the National Trust of Queensland and Old Government House to deliver the
Milestones not millstones seminar event.
Connecting emerging curators from The Fashion Archives with BLHN member organisations with
textile and fashion collections in their project collaboration with the State Library of Queensland.
Coordinating opportunities for member representatives to participate in free professional development
training workshops offered by the State Library of Queensland and Museum and Gallery Services
Queensland.
Continuing our public referral and information service for our members by referring on public
enquiries to our members and responding to general queries about cultural heritage resources.
BLHN extends special thanks to our interns and volunteers, Rachel Kite and Anna Temby, who have
assisted with the Milestones not millstones seminar event and the National Trust of Queensland
exchange students’ from Japan, Tomoko Kakimoto and Mariko Toshima, for their contribution to
office administration tasks. We are also grateful for the assistance of Lise den Brok for her
communications support on member profiles for the new website.
BLHN thanks our web designer Leisha Lawrence, our graphic designer Angelina Martinez, and
Liveworm Design Studios, Queensland College of Art, Griffith University, for their design support on the
South East Queensland Museums Conference 2013 promotional material.
13
Annual public program (cultural heritage tours)
Collaborating with member organisations and members of our Board of Directors and Tours Sub-
committee to offer a quality annual public program of cultural heritage tours featuring six tours for up to
135 participants within the past financial year.
Collaborations between July 2012 and June 2013
o Ian Jempson, Queensland Maritime Museum – July 2012
o David Gibson, Talking History with David Gibson – August 2012
o Brittany Trubody, MacArthur Museum Brisbane – August 2012
o Lisa Jones, Queensland Police Museum – September 2012
o Jessica Dowdell, RD Milns Antiquities Museum – April 2013
o Jane Willcock and Chris, UQ Anthropology Museum – April 2013
o Professor Norman Heckenberg, UQ Physics Museum – April 2013
o Hilda Maclean, Friends of Toowong Cemetery – May 2013
o Jan Veacock, Christ Church Community Precinct Milton – May 2013
o David Gibson, Old Tote Racing Museum & Archive – June 2013
Collaborations between July 2013 and December 2013 (outside reporting dates)
o Ian Jempson, Queensland Maritime Museum – July 2013
o David Gibson, Old Tote Racing Museum & Archive – August 2013
o Daley Donnelly, St Helena Island National Park (DNP,R,S&R) – October 2013
o Blair Allsopp, Brisbane Greeter – November 2013
10 tours selected from across BLHNs 2012 and 2013 annual program for Brisbane City Council’s
Active & Healthy Program, Growing Old and Living Dangerously.
Increasing the audience of cultural heritage tours within the Brisbane City Council metropolitan
area by maintaining the quality of service and diversity of tours offered through the Growing Old
and Living Dangerously program.
Improving the quality and promotion of the annual cultural heritage tours program to the point that the
majority of tours on the 2013 program are being booked out weeks in advance.