CEO'S NEWS Apologies, a draft version was previously sent in error – this is the final edition. End of an era Ian MacLeod Image copyright WA Museum I know that Ian MacLeod’s 38 years at the WA Museum is by no means the longest tenure by a member of staff, but it is surely one of the most significant? This week we say goodbye to Ian who began his career with the Museum in 1978 as a Research Officer in the Department of Materials Conservation. Here, with Dr Neil North, Ian was involved in the development of treatment methods for the Batavia’s composite iron-copper-solder-brass cannon. In 1982, he became Curator of Conservation and in those early days, he was thrown in at the deep end – literally – conserving 10 tonnes of waterlogged wood from the wreck of the Batavia and treating more than 35,000 silver coins from the VOC ships. From 1986 onwards he was Head of Department in Materials Conservation and over this period he began to build his international reputation in conservation science. He also began to develop his knowledge and expertise on the deterioration of Aboriginal rock art in Western Australia. He has been a key member of the Ministerial Burrup Rock Art Monitoring Management Committee and, for many years, has been the Museum’s delegate on the Department for Aboriginal Affairs’ Cultural Materials Committee as constituted under the Aboriginal Heritage Act (1972). Between 2003 and 2006 Ian was jointly responsible, with Diana Jones, for overseeing the re-location of collections and staff to the Collections and Research Centre in Welshpool. In many ways this was a thankless task, at a time when staff were reluctant to move. Nevertheless, the move was completed successfully. In 2006, Ian became Executive Director of Collection Management and Conservation. One of the key projects he worked on during that period – and has done ever since – was the conservation of the Australian World War One submarine, AE2 – scuttled in the Dardanelles. Introducing sacrificial anodes has significantly decelerated the rate of corrosion. It was very appropriate, therefore, that last year he presented at a plenary lecture in Istanbul on the in situ conservation of AE2 at a ceremony to mark the 100th anniversary of Gallipoli. Ian was also instrumental in getting the render removed from the walls of Fremantle prison, which had been contributing to the deterioration of paintings on the internal walls by trapping moisture. As Executive Director, Fremantle Museums and Collections from 2011, Ian has built strong and lasting community relationships with stakeholders and community groups in Fremantle and the wider region. Ian’s expertise, built up over all those years, is in demand both locally and internationally. In the past few months he has contributed to a major international conservation conference in Bangkok, as well as finding the time to advise on the aftermath of the terrible fires at Yarloop. There is little doubt that his expertise and advice will continue to be sought far and wide. Ian’s many awards have included being elected a Fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute, a Fellow of the International Institute for the Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works, a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological and Engineering Sciences, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. In 1990, he was awarded Honorary Life Membership of the Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Materials. Then, in 2003, Ian was awarded a Centenary Medal by the Prime Minister “For service to Australian Society in metallurgical science and engineering”. In 2004, he was awarded the Corrosion Medal of the Australasian Corrosion Association for services to the profession and in recognition for services to public education and community awareness. He is also a past president of the Australian Corrosion Association. One of the areas in which Ian has developed a particular expertise, together with his colleague Vicki Richards, is in situ preservation of submerged or buried shipwrecks and other maritime material. Ian’s interests and activities go well beyond his work at the Museum. He has been a member of the St George’s Cathedral Bellringers Association since 1976, a pastoral assistant at the Cathedral since 1993, and a Lay Canon there since 1997. He is a Foundation member of the St Martin’s Bellringers Association and was on the initial planning committee for developing a belltower in which to house the historic ring of 12 bells from St Martin-in-the-Fields in London. This work ultimately resulted in the building of the Swan Bell Tower. Ian is Chair of the Board of the Swan Bells Foundation which has secured $485,000 of funding for casting and installation of a 6.5 tonne Anzac centenary commemorative bell, to hang above the other 18 bells at the Bell Tower at the recently restored Barrack Street Jetty. Oh, and of course he is the President of the WA branch of the Clan MacLeod Society – a position he has held for nearly as long as he has worked at the Museum! If his academic and professional achievements are considerable, his personal qualities are just as impressive. His warm, considerate and caring nature is well known and there are many colleagues and friends who have benefitted from his kindness and counsel – I include myself amongst those. Below this piece, we have included an appreciation by Ian’s Administrative Assistant, Sandi Davy, which gives a beautiful insight into his humanitarian nature. In all senses, Ian has been and, I hope, will continue to be a wonderful Ambassador for the WA Museum and for his scientific discipline. It was a bitter sweet occasion when we farewelled him on Wednesday night at the Maritime Museum. It was no surprise that a very large crowd gathered. Guests included Ministers John Day and Joe Francis, former Minister Sheila McHale and Honorary Dutch Consul Arnold Stroobach. Ian's farewell at the WA Maritime Museum: with two serving Ministers, one former Minister, and an Honorary Consul (and me)! Image copyright Minister John Day (via @JohnDayMLA Twitter) As well as receiving gifts and a booklet with messages of appreciation, it was a great pleasure to confer upon Ian the title of Fellow of the Western Australian Museum. This is a conspicuous and rare honour conferred on only very few people. The only other living Museum fellow is John Bannister who was, very appropriately, also at the event. Fellows, now sadly deceased, include Ken Colbung and Harry Butler. Museum Trustee Ian Fletcher presented the Fellowship certificate to Ian and it was a very fitting tribute to a man whose commitment, loyalty and humour has lit up the WA Museum for 38 years. Ian receiving the Fellowship certificate Image copyright WA Museum Ian MacLeod – an appreciation by Sandi Davy Ian, what can I say? Your enthusiasm and passion for every task you undertake for the Museum; how you never compromise your integrity, and yet get the job done and always see it to its conclusion, no matter what it may be. Whether it be standing with your waders in one of the tanks collecting data, or holding an audience captive and enthused with the delivery of a talk. I’m sure that your many engagements within and outside the Museum have left the world of science a richer place. Thank you for sharing your passion and having a little of it rub off on all of us here at Fremantle specifically, and for the insights you so willing shared into life itself with all of us. It certainly added some colour to our days. The seemingly endless hours you put in to promote and enhance the Museum’s identity in the fraternity of museums and research, we will be forever grateful for. It’s been a memorable time of our working lives – having you as our leader; your integrity, authenticity and openness (these seem like trite words, but they are truly meant). The time you took to see us and treat us as important individuals with kindness, compassion – when needed – and always making time to listen to each of us no matter your busy schedule. The application of your caring and spiritual life always comes to the fore. Thank you. – Sandi Davy, Administrative Assistant to Ian MacLeod Guardian angel with Greg Image copyright WA Museum Ian as a sunfish for a talk at Maritime Image copyright WA Museum The good shepherd! Image copyright WA Museum Who am I? Head of the Department of Aquatic Zoology, Dr Jane Fromont I grew up in Whanganui in New Zealand. I am the youngest of six kids, so to feed us all we had a market garden and orchard. We lived adjacent to the Whanganui River with a freezing works nearby. It was wild days when the bulls, with cows in tow, broke out of the holding paddocks and stampeded down our street on their way to the river to escape their impending slaughter. Needless to say I am a vegetarian; I wonder if those wild-eyed crazed animals, fleeing their fate, assisted with that decision. My first scuba dive was off a stunning beach in far northern NZ. I was hooked. I loved being able to swim over a reef teeming with life completely unworried by my presence. I found everything about being underwater to be wonderful, including breathing from a tank, the different sounds, the changes to light, and variety of animals. I completed a science degree at The University of Auckland that included marine biology. After graduating I worked long enough to get money to head off on my OE (overseas experience). Coming from such a small place at the end of the world this seemed quite important. After a couple of years of adventure I was close to broke in Asia so caught a flight to Perth, where I worked for environmental consultants, waitressed at the Art Gallery of WA's restaurant, and volunteered at the WA Museum for Marine Invertebrates Curator, Loisette Marsh. During that time I attended a sponge training workshop in Melbourne held by Professor Pat Bergquist (New Zealand), and Dr Felix Wiedenmayer (Switzerland). Pat suggested I undertake a Masters with her, and fearing saying no would put an end to my marine career, I went back to The University of Auckland. I then received a scholarship to do a PhD on sponges of the Great Barrier Reef. I accepted this fabulous opportunity in large part to indulge my love of diving and travel and left for James Cook University in Townsville. During those four years I dived at many places including Papua New Guinea, Torres Straits, New Caledonia and around Australia. I arrived at the WA Museum in May 1996 with a three year Australian Biological Resources Study scholarship from the Department of Environment and funding from the Museum to undertake part time curatorial work, as Loisette had retired. I successfully won the Curator’s position three years later, and I am still here! I have loved putting sponges into the minds and hearts of regulators, politicians, scientists and people generally. Sponges are now included in all environmental assessments in WA where they might be impacted. However, it does mean a lab full of sponges, with 2000 currently awaiting identification from a project we are working on! I am fortunate to work with a wonderful team of people in Aquatic Zoology, most quite new to their positions and incredibly enthusiastic about WA, our marine environment, the Museum, interacting with the public, and life in general. I am really privileged to have a job where I can do scientific research in a comparatively unexplored, and huge, marine environment, where communicating science and with the public is part of each day, as is maintaining the State collections, especially the ethanol specimen collection in the fabulous new wet store. – Jane Fromont Jane holding her favourite sponge spicule from a deep sea glass sponge Image copyright WA Museum It is great to read of the enthusiasm of your staff, Jane, but no-one could be more enthusiastic than you! Have a great weekend everyone – and to Ian MacLeod: take it easy! Alec Coles If you have any feedback please email CEOFeedback@museum.wa.gov.au Metro events at the Museum Regional events at the Museum