Australian Museum

"One hundred years ago, Shackleton’s goal was to save his men from the ice. Today it is the ice that needs saving from us and the human-induced climate change that threatens it. Thin Ice VR brings to life a story of survival at a time when we urgently need to learn how to prevail against the challenges we face." - Tim Jarvis Follow in the footsteps of Sir Ernest Shackleton on an expedition into one of history’s greatest survival stories in this immersive VR experience, which opens today at the Australian Museum. Book your spot now: https://lnkd.in/gZ2NX2KY

The AM's library began around 1837 and the William Swainson collection, purchased from his widow in 1858, was the first major purchase for the AM. The importance of this acquirisition to the library is immense. Detailed descriptions and accurate drawings provided much assistance in the classification of species. For naturalists of limited means, who could not afford to subscribe to costly illustrated publications, access to public collections was essential. Today, interest in the collection is also due to the rarity of the books themselves, many of which are well over two hundred years old. Many are beautifully illustrated and are a delight to view. It is believed that the AM's collection is one of the largest single collection of significant works of natural history. The books provide an insight into the evolution of classification and scientific knowledge at a time when rapid progress was being made. Swainson’s annotations and comments made by hand in many of the books give an insight into changing interpretations of species. Learn more about the Australian Museum's Swainson's collection: https://lnkd.in/geaPdh3M

What is entomology? 🪲 Entomology is the study of insects, including flies, cicadas, moths, earwigs, fleas, bugs, cockroaches, bees, dragonflies and termites. Join us behind the scenes in the Entomology Collection of the Australian Museum Research Institute, which has over 10 million specimens! Learn why it's critical that we have samples of specimens from different locations and why we must continue to add to this collection, which has existed since 1885, on the AM website: https://lnkd.in/epUnqf6R

"One hundred years ago, Shackleton’s goal was to save his men from the ice. Today it is the ice that needs saving from us and the human-induced climate change that threatens it. Thin Ice VR brings to life a story of survival at a time when we urgently need to learn how to prevail against the challenges we face." - Tim Jarvis AM Follow in the footsteps of Sir Ernest Shackleton on an expedition into one of history’s greatest survival stories in this immersive VR experience. Thin Ice VR is now open at the Australian Museum. Book your spot now: https://lnkd.in/gZ2NX2KY

Do you remember the fabulous Progress Shark which was installed at the AM's entry in 2022? Funnily enough, this was not the first foray into adding fashion to our iconic sea creatures. Peering into the AM archives, we discovered another well-clad specimen. Over 40 years ago, in 1979, an 8-metre long sperm whale model was also outfitted at the AM. The whale sat in the Long Gallery and children covered the whale in pieces of cloth. The model was donated to Project Jonah - the New Zealand Conservation group dedicate to protecting whales. For those wondering where Progress Shark is now - it is touring the globe with the Sharks exhibition - sans amazing costume which is in storage, ready to one day (we hope) return to the spotlight. Which sea creature do you think could do with an outfit update? 📷 Original images taken by Howard Hughes in 1979. Digitised as part of the Photographic Archives Digitisation (PAD) Project in 2023. 📷 Progress Shark image taken by Megan Lawrence in 2023.

"Taking underwater photos allows me to share the brilliance of marine environments and remind people of the need to protect the ocean." - Peter McGee, Photographer. Winner of the Threatened Species category in the 2023 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year, in partnership with the South Australian Museum, this stunning image demonstrates the power of nature photography and allows us to see our planet from a different perspective. See this image and more in this special exhibition, which is FREE and open now at the Australian Museum in Sydney. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gqMce7Je #AustralianMuseum #NaturePhotographer South Australian Museum Australian Geographic 📷 Images: Peter McGee

The Australian Museum is proud to announce Kazan Brown, a senior Gundungurra knowledge holder, will be partnering with the Museum for its inaugural Mob at the Museum: Cultural Residency Program. Mob at the Museum is an initiative in which one First Nations Elder or Knowledge Holder joins the Museum on a series of projects to build relationships between the AM and First Nations communities, and provide the public opportunities to learn from First Nations leaders, artists, creators, and community pillars. In this video, Kazan answers kids questions for Elders sent in on social media. Learn more about the AM's Mob at the Museum: Cultural Residency Program here: https://lnkd.in/g4neebJc

🤔 Would you apply for this job ad? "Dangerous Expedition: Low Wages for Long Hours of Arduous Labour under Brutal Conditions; Months of Continual Darkness and Extreme Cold; Great Risk to Life and Limb from Disease, Accidents and Other Hazards; Small Chance of Fame in Case of Success." While it's contested if this job ad was real, or written in bleak humour after the event, it's surprisingly accurate role description for the ill-fated Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition more than 100 years ago. Visitors to the AM can soon also join Sir Ernest Shackleton on this epic expedition in the immersive Thin Ice VR exhibition. Book your spot now: https://lnkd.in/gZ2NX2KY

VOLUNTEERS WANTED | Do you have a passion for natural science? The Australian Museum is seeking volunteers for National Science Week, from 10 to 18 August. With the help of around 70 volunteers, we want to share the wonders of the world during the Sydney Science Trail, one of Australia’s biggest celebrations of natural science. Brought to you by the Australian Museum and Botanic Gardens of Sydney, the SST includes a five-day education program and two Community Days. Applications close on Sunday, 21 July, unless positions are filled earlier. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g_MRJuEr

The 2023 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year, a South Australian Museum exhibition, provokes a deeper connection with the natural world, offering an intimate insight into the delicate diversity of the environment and a reckoning with the changing climate that threatens its irreplaceable beauty. With over 90 photographs that shine a light on the astonishing array of flora, fauna and landscapes that can be found across the Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica and New Guinea bioregion. This special exhibition is FREE and open now. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gqMce7Je South Australian Museum Australian Geographic #AustralianMuseum #NaturePhotographer 📷: Mel Koutchavlis