What do you do at the museum?
I’m the Head of Learning, which has three distinct teams: formal education (schools), informal learning (kids and families) and our research library.
How long have you been at the museum?
About three years now, the longest I’ve ever stayed in one job!
What does a typical day involve?
I generally do a lot of walking and talking. Learning programs make use of all the stuff that everyone else in the museum does, so we need to make sure we coordinate our programs to match. We’re currently developing a couple of new digital games so I’m getting a fair bit of screen time making sure these are as good as they possibly can be.
What’s the most difficult part of your job?
Finding the time to focus on all the different projects our teams develop can be difficult at times.
What are common misconceptions about your role?
That I know a lot of things.
What did you study to become a …
I studied History/Geography/Spanish majors in undergraduate and did a post-graduate Education Masters.
What’s your favourite museum exhibition (past or present)?
James Cameron: Challenging the Deep was really great.
What’s your favourite item in the collection and why?
The Tu Do vessel we have floating in front of the museum highlights a really interesting story about migration to Australia following the Vietnam War. It’s an important and challenging story that remains incredibly important today.
Favourite podcast
I do really enjoy listening to podcasts, choosing one is hard! I love listening to Off Track on ABC Radio. It’s the nature podcast and takes you to amazing parts of the country to the sound track of plants, animals and the weather.
Favourite book of all time
Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy.
What are three things you want to do before you die?
Watch my little girls achieve a goal of their own, paddle the Franklin and compile the perfect record collection.
If you could have a famous person over for dinner (dead or alive), who would it be?
I’ve been reading a lot of Dr Seuss to my kids lately. He seems like he’d be an interesting cat.