Fed: National Museum of Australia director named

AAP General News (Australia)
12-20-1999
Fed: National Museum of Australia director named

CANBERRA, Dec 20 AAP - A former heritage and Aboriginal affairs bureaucrat has been
named as the first operational director of the National Museum of Australia, due to open
early in 2001.

The museum, being built over the site of the former Canberra Hospital on Acton Peninsula
beside Lake Burley-Griffin, opens its doors to the public on March 12, 2001.

Dawn Casey, who has been acting museum director since April, will replace Bill Jonas,
who left to take over the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Social Justice Commission, Arts
Minister Peter McGauran said today.

Ms Casey was previously head of the heritage branch within the former Department of
Communication and the Arts.

She has also held senior positions within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet,
the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and AusAID, and most recently headed the taskforce
responsible for the museum project.

"I am delighted that Ms Casey has accepted this key appointment," Mr McGauran said
in a statement.

"Her extensive background in indigenous affairs and public administration, responsibility
for the initial stages of the Acton Peninsula project and success as acting director,
place her in an extremely strong position to lead the museum through its next historic
stage."

The Museum, to be co-located with the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Studies, will house Australian heritage items and stories, focusing on
themes of the land, the nation and its people.

Exhibitions will be highlighted by state-of-the-art technology and interactive design.

AAP rft/jg y

KEYWORD: MUSEUM

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