Broken Hill

Michael Rolfe visits the Daydream Mine

On a recent trip to Broken Hill and Wilcannia it was heartening to witness first hand the collegiate and supportive relationships that exist between Broken Hill Council museum and gallery staff, Broken Hill Historical Society volunteers and West Darling Arts.

As Gallery Director, Bruce Tindale leads a committed team that has, in recent years, overseen the redevelopment of the gallery within the impressive Sully’s Emporium precinct. That work continues apace, with construction of a new collection store now well underway. When completed, it will enable the gallery’s sizeable and historic collection to be housed in the one place. With easier access, environmental controls and improved security, this project will ensure that the gallery’s collection continues to grow its profile within the dynamic history of public collections in NSW. Equally, Angela Bailey, manager of the Albert Kersten Mining & Mineral Museum runs an impressive museum dedicated to the mining history of one of NSW’s most iconic destinations.

I was also fortunate to meet several members of the Broken Hill Historical Society and to visit The Silverton Gaol Museum, Broken Hill Synagogue and the Railway, Mineral and Train Museum. In particular I want to acknowledge the work undertaken by the society in bringing to life stories associated with the Synagogue and Railway Museum. Margaret Price (a society committee member) showed great delight in telling me about the commitment and work undertaken at the Synagogue and my meeting with Clr Christine Adams and Society Chair, Shorty Reville, at the Railway Museum was loaded with my own memories of train travel and of the significant capacity and great energy volunteers bring to the museum and gallery world.

In a meeting with Broken Hill Council’s General Manager, Frank Zaknich, it was clear that council is focused on the need to maintain support for the town’s symbolic arts and cultural infrastructure. Funding of course remains an issue and the sustainability of programs is demanding that an entrepreneurial approach be pursued. This is clearly evidenced through council’s involvement in the Broken Hill Film Studio development, which will transform Central Power Station complex into state of the art film studios.

I accompanied West Darling Arts RADO, James Giddey, on a trip to Wilcannia where he has been actively involved in plans to build a community focused arts/cultural centre. We met with a range of people including local artists Eddie Harris, Waddy Harris & Kevin Cattermole along with Wilcannia Central School Principal, Michelle Nicholson. While plans for the centre are still being developed the school is actively involved in supporting efforts to generate art making and skill development opportunities for artists from throughout the community. The Darling River was roaring through town, at maybe just a metre below the bridge. In fact there was so much water, bird life and green landscape throughout my visit that one can only believe that such positive forces act as a metaphor for what was also a dynamic arts and cultural landscape.

A greeting from new CEO Michael Rolfe

I missed last weeks Alert! and very much want to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the new CEO of M&G NSW. As many of you know, my background features a 22 year involvement as director of 3 regional galleries, in regional NSW and metropolitan Sydney.  The challenges in running an organisation like M&G NSW are not unlike the demands encountered day to day in many galleries and museums around the state.

Just as exhibition programs and related activities are designed and intended to embrace, test and reflect the makeup of diverse communities, so to M&G has the challenge to connect. We aim to devise programs and activities that operate strategically, but also bond locally, in support of the sector in its different guises.

Soon we will be participating in the development of a strategic framework for future development of the museum and gallery sector in NSW.  With support provided by Arts NSW a consultant will be engaged to describe, guide and plan the way forward. Opportunities for sector representation in this process will be highlighted in future Alert!s, so stay tuned.

Last week I attended the Regional Services Stakeholders Day organised by and held at the Powerhouse Museum. Dawn Casey and her team are responsible for crafting an extraordinary regional support program. By reaching out and connecting with a broad representation of the sector their commitment and professional approach was inspiring to both listen to and be part of. Recently I also had the good fortune to meet many of the State’s RADO officers at a function organized by Regional Arts NSW. Under Elizabeth Rogers, RANSW has shown real leadership in what can and should be done to support regional and remote communities’ participation in cultural programs. Both these opportunities reinforced for me the collegiate necessities of what we do.

Of course M&G NSW also connects widely and over the next few years, as we grow and craft a second phase of development, I hope that our profile becomes one that clearly recognises and supports the distinct components within the sector. Museums and galleries are different and the level of support required amongst them is also quite diverse. I look forward to working with you all and insist that you don’t hesitate to get in touch should the need arise.

Michael Rolfe 

CEO M&G NSW