This problem is a good argument for much better local & state government support for the many small historical and other community based museums across Australia. After all, it is in interests of the community to preserve and record evidence of its cultural heritage, and to provide a window of access to that heritage for visitors.

In the short term it is an issue of who can best care for these items. Community museums would seem to be a good repository for historical material, but if climate control is needed, few community museums can guarantee that. On the other hand public art galleries usually have better facilities -  but often we have insufficient storage space, and the objects may not fall within the scope of our collection policies.

At Horsham Regional Art Gallery we are storing for the community a small number of items - such as preliminary sketches & plans for public artworks in the town. They are not formally accepted as part of our collection but there is no other safe place for them.

I think our starting point should be - what is best for the object?

At this gallery we avoid having any items on long term loan. However, in the interests of Horsham and its heritage, I believe we have to "do our bit" until better solutions can be found.
regards

Merle Hathaway
Director
Horsham Regional Art Gallery
80 Wilson Street, Horsham, Victoria 3400, Australia
(03) 5382 5575 t  (03) 5382 5407 f

www.horsham.net.au/gallery
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Liz.Gillroy at pmhc.nsw.gov.au 
  To: can-talk at collectionsaustralia.net 
  Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2007 11:20 AM
  Subject: [can-talk] Archaeology collections


  I am interested in making contact with anyone in local government who 
  maybe facing a similiar situation with the collection and storage of 
  archaeological remains. 
  As the township of Port Macqaurie continues to be redeveloped the number 
  of archaeological remains uncovered is growing. 
  The remains from an excavation legally remain in the ownership of the 
  developer.
  What often happens is, that after using a small number of the remains to 
  interpret the site's history within the new development, much is left in 
  storage either in the archaeologist's garage
  or in the care of the developer, who is often keen to pass the artefacts 
  back to the local community.
  Council is considering attempting to bring all these remains back into the 
  local area.
  Some questions
  What should be kept for permananet collection?
  What  is appropriate disposal? 
  Should Council keep ownership of these collections or are they best in a 
  local community managed museum?
  Port Macquarie-Hastings Council does not have a museum or local history 
  collection - all 12 heritage organizations are community managed.

  I would be grateful for any advice or assistance.


  Liz Gillroy
  Regional Museum Curator
  Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
  PO Box 84
  Port Macquarie 2444
  Ph: 65 81 8508
  Fax: 6581 8033
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