The Foundation for the WA Museum’s second strategic annual grant to the WA Museum will go towards two multi-year projects. The WA Museum has allocated the grant funding to a project addressing the demand for digital access to the WA Museum collections, and to a project focused on the Museum of the Great Southern.  

In 2024, the Foundation for the WA Museum is distributing its second strategic annual grant to the WA Museum as part of the Foundation’s Grant Distribution Policy. The WA Museum has allocated funding of approx. $240,000 across two strategic projects - the Legacy Collection Project and the Kalyenup 2026 Project; and four smaller “Minderoo Grants”. 

1. The Legacy Collection Project 

The Legacy Collection Project aims to address the demand for access to WA Museum specimen data through the digitisation and registration of key sub-collections and objects held by the WA Museum. The project will allow the vast wealth of objects and information contained in the Museum’s collections to reach a wider audience.  

The Legacy Collection Project will involve the 3-D digitisation of iconic and threatened species specimens and sub-collections from CT scans; improving the accessibility of DNA tissue and sequences; the discovery and registration of new species and unknown specimens; the digitisation of historical records; and the digitisation and imaging of critical sections of the collections.  

2. The Kalyenup 2026 Project 

The Kalyenup 2026 Project aims to transform the Museum of the Great Southern site into a stunning place of cultural meaning. The Foundation grant will support two elements of the proposed concept: 

1. Exhibition: Entangled Knowledges and the Southern Frontier 

The ARC Linkage Project Entangled Knowledges: Kaartdijin, Science and History in the Robert Neill collection aims to reverse the trajectories of Menang Nyungar knowledge imbedded in a historical fish collection, returning language, stories, and fishing practices to the Menang community. New exhibitions and content will be designed with national and international touring capabilities, as well as online digital exhibitions. 

2. Public artwork – consultation and artist commission 

A significant Menang artwork, embedded in the existing natural features and reflecting the site’s unique history, will be developed for the Museum of the Great Southern site. The 2024 grant will fund the consultation phase and commissioning of this artwork. 

Both projects will continue to be supported by the Foundation for the WA Museum in 2025 and 2026 as part of the annual strategic grant process. 

The four smaller “Minderoo Grants” are focused on diverse projects across fieldwork, research and exhibit development.  

Alec Coles OBE, Chief Executive Officer of the WA Museum stated, “The multi-year grant for the Kalyenup 2026 Project and Legacy Collection Project will assist the WA Museum in advancing two significant projects that will leave a lasting impact for future generations.”  

“The WA Museum is already an internationally recognised cultural and research institution. The Legacy Collection Project will ensure the WA Museum collection is globally accessible, enhancing our contribution to global science and research and supporting future species survival.” 

“The Kalyenup 2026 Project is an excellent example of the WA Museum’s continued focus on truth telling and reconciliation, recognising all aspects of our diverse cultural history and heritage.” 

He continued, “The WA Museum is very grateful for this funding contribution. I would like to thank the Foundation and all Foundation donors and supporters, who have made this annual grant distribution possible.”  

Coralie Bishop, Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation for the WA Museum added, “The Foundation is proud to fund these two strategic projects for the WA Museum, which will create a lasting impact in both a local and global context.” 

“We would not be able to issue this grant without our many supporters and donors, especially our Founding Partners. We are grateful for the visionary leadership that the Founding Partners – Minderoo Foundation, Rio Tinto, Stan Perron Charitable Foundation, Tianqi Lithium, Wesfarmers and Woodside Energy – demonstrate through their support. We look forward to continuing to work towards enhancing the WA Museum’s cultural, social and scientific impact into the future.”