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Disasters affecting cultural collections

Exterior of Charlton Golden Grains Museum, Victoria

Recent and ongoing natural disasters have had their impact on our collections and cultural institutions. Floods, cyclones and fires are unpredicable and devastating in their destruction, highlighting the need for organised and effective disaster preparedness plans for your institution and, indeed, for your personal collections.

Museums Australia wishes to express our support for members, friends and colleagues affected by the continuing natural disasters around the country. MA also wishes to express great gratitude and acknowledgement to the swarms of volunteers, donating their time and energy to the clean up and support for those affected.

Exterior of Cardwell & District Historical Society Museum, Queensland, after TC Yasi

Rockhampton & District Historical Society Museum, Queensland

There have been some great emergency responses from within the sector. MA has compiled a handy list of links for research and information regarding disaster preparedness and response.

AICCM:	http://www.aiccm.org.au/ http://www.aiccm.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1168&Itemid=74
ALIA:	http://www.alia.org.au/disasterrecovery
Australian Government:	http://www.disasterassist.gov.au/www/disasterassist/ disasterassist.nsf/
Australian War Memorial:	http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/conservation/recovery.asp
BlueShield Australia:	http://www.blueshieldaustralia.org.au/index.html
MA (Vic):	http://mavic.asn.au/disaster-response
NSW State Records Disaster Planning:	http://www.records.nsw.gov.au/recordkeeping/topics/ disasters-and-records/managing-disasters
Queensland Disaster Information Network (Q-DIS):	http://manexus.ning.com/group/qdis
Records and Information Management Professionals Australasia:	http://forums.rmaa.com.au/
State Library of NSW Preservation of Collections:	http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/about/collections/ preservation/index.html

Museum & Gallery Services Queensland (M&GSQ) is compiling a register of people and organisations willing to donate their time, expertise, services, equipment and financial assistance to flood affected museums, galleries and other cultural heritage organisations in Queensland. If you would like to register your details, please contact M&GSQ on 07 3215 0820 or email information@magsq.com.au

The effects of the Queensland, NSW and Victorian floods, and TC Yasi, have been featured in the upcoming issue of Museums Australia Magazine 19(3).