We were proud to be the principle sponsor of the recent Victorian Museums & Galleries Conference, held at Cowes, Victoria, between the 6th and 7th October.
Cowes is the main township on Phillip Island in the Gippsland region of Victoria. It is about two hours’ drive from Melbourne and can also be reached by ferry from Stony Point on the Mornington Peninsula. Cowes is located on the northern side of Phillip Island and faces towards French Island and the Mornington Peninsula.
The Victorian Museums & Galleries Conference 2016 was attended by 140 delegates, and under the central theme of Future-proofing, the Conference provided the delegates the opportunity to consider the challenges facing museums and galleries, and focus on innovative ways to achieve financial, social (succession planning, staff training), and environmental sustainability.
The delegation enjoyed a wonderful evening on the opening night of the conference at the Churchill Island Heritage Farm. Prior to partaking in some local food and beverage the delegates were able to experience a piece of Victoria’s heritage on this historic island, where they enjoyed a relaxing stroll through the fragrant cottage gardens and lawns. The gardens offer magnificent views of Phillip Island and Western Port, while the restored farmhouse and cottages provide a glimpse into the past lives of early Australian settlers and past farming practices. The special guest speaker on the night was local resident, Australian comedian and actor John Clark, who provided us with an informative tale of the area’s history.