From the Vice-Chancellor

The University’s Cultural Collections are a precious repository for Melbourne’s shared history, not just because of the varied donations made during the past century, but also because of the people who made them – people who valued learning, exploration and shared knowledge.

People like Sir Joseph Banks who, while on his journey with Captain Cook on the Endeavour, gathered botanical specimens that became part of the University Herbarium’s 100,000-piece collection.

This tradition of giving continues today, through former staff, alumni and members of the community. Mr David Adams, for example, donated an extensive antiquities collection to The Ian Potter Museum of Art in memory of his late wife Marion, a former Dean of Arts and long-time University lecturer.

This kind of philanthropy has been a key factor in the development of one of the most extensive groups of cultural collections in the country.

The University holds more than 30 different collections across the faculties and campuses, from the millions of documents, rare books, prints, maps, manuscripts, paintings, photographs, costumes and musical scores in the Baillieu Library, to the fully equipped 19th-century Savory & Moore Pharmacy, shipped from London, which is now in the Medical History Museum.

This tradition of discovery and learning is continued in our ongoing investment in our cultural collections. Access to a comprehensive range of resources enhances our staff research capabilities and furthers their research efforts.

Our collections enrich students’ experiences and add unique depth to teaching, learning and research activities.

Whether it’s biomedical students using the Harry Brooks Allen Anatomy Museum, research higher degree students accessing the University Library’s rare book collections or general students and staff enjoying the extensive art holdings at The Ian Potter Museum, access to the collections means our community can explore its heritage as students of the University, as members of the Melbourne community and as citizens of Australia.

And because the University itself is also a part of Melbourne’s shared history, it is fitting that our collections are open to the people of the city to explore.

Several collections are open to the public year-round, including the University Art Collection and the Classics and Archaeology Collection at The Ian Potter Museum of Art, the School of Physics Museum and the Henry Forman Atkinson Dental Museum.

We are also making them increasingly accessible to audiences nationally and internationally. Our digitisation program involves using sophisticated scanning equipment to capture high-resolution images of large maps and fragile books.

And, as was the intention of the University’s many benefactors, our entire range of collections, museums and galleries will be open to the public to explore at Cultural Treasures Day on Sunday 14 November.

I encourage you to visit the University, view the exhibitions, listen to curators’ talks, or take a tour.

Make your own discoveries and, like every person who has contributed to the collections over time, discover the rich history of our University, our city and our country.

Glyn Davis
Vice-Chancellor