What's On: Summer 2013-14 by South Australian Museum

South Australian Museum

Summer 2013â&#x20AC;&#x201C;14 Museum Map on page 5

Contents

From the Director. ............... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................ 1 About the South Australian Museum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................ 2 Plan your visit....................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................ 4 Map.. . . . . . . . . . . ........................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................ 5 Museum Online.................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................ 6

Special Exhibitions

Life Before Dinosaurs: The Permian Monsters.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................................................ 8 Traversing Antarctica: The Australian Experience.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...................................................... 10 Call for competition entries .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...................................................... 11

Museum Galleries

Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...................................................... 12 South Australian Biodiversity Gallery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...................................................... 14 World Mammals. ................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...................................................... 16 Whales & Dolphins. ............... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...................................................... 16 Pacific Cultures. ................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...................................................... 16 First Life: Ediacara Biota....... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................................................ 16, 18 In the Footsteps of Sir Douglas Mawson.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...................................................... 17 South Australian Megafauna.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...................................................... 17 Minerals & Meteorites. .......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...................................................... 17 Opal Fossils of South Australia.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...................................................... 17 Ancient Egypt....................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...................................................... 17 Giant Squid. .......................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...................................................... 17 Festival Season Special Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...................................................... 19 Ways to Support the Museum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...................................................... 20 Out of the Glass Case........... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...................................................... 22 Programs. . . .......................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...................................................... 24 Calendar.. . . ............................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...................................................... 25

Cover: A budding palaentologist enjoying Fossil Fest activities.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s On is printed 100% carbon-neutral. All information is correct at publication. Programs and events may change due to circumstances beyond our control.

From the Director

Life has survived, through remarkable and devastating circumstances, for hundreds of millions of years on Earth. This season at the South Australian Museum we are celebrating the dramatic and captivating stories of first life, climate change and mass extinctions that have shaped the life of our planet – and Australia in particular – over the last 600 million years. As highlighted by Sir David Attenborough in his Emmy Award winning documentary First Life, the Ediacaran Hills in our very own Flinders Ranges are home to some of the best preserved Ediacaran period fossils that show how the very first multicellular life evolved on Earth a very long time ago. You can view and learn about these amazing organisms in our new Ediacaran Gallery reopening 16 December – our first smartphone interactive gallery! We’ve also joined forces with the Adelaide Festival to raise awareness about the Ediacaran period as an important South Australian story. Their 2014 cover features illustrations of Ediacaran fossils, and in March we’ll be offering Dig it!, transforming our North

Terrace lawns into a series of paleontological digs and fun fossil experiences for all. Next up, gigantic lizards and flying insects! During the Permian period 250–300 million years ago, the Earth was dominated by incredible reptiles that evolved into many forms and achieved monstrous size. Millions of years before the dinosaurs, life was fascinating and strange, and ended with the largest ever extinction, when 90% of all species died. It took many millions of years for life on Earth to recover from this event and our exhibition, Life

“… journey through the incredible history of life on earth at the Museum …” Before Dinosaurs: The Permian Monsters opening in December, must also come to an end in March 2014. We have also enhanced the megafauna display. Megafauna are a group of giant animals that evolved during the most recent geological periods. In the Americas the megafauna include the saber-tooth tiger and cave bears; in Australia, they include giant kangaroos and snakes, and the marsupial lion. These large animals started to go globally extinct 40–50 000 years ago due to the pressures of climate change and hunting by humans. Please do come and journey through the incredible history of life on Earth at the Museum this holiday season. I hope to see you there. My best wishes to you and yours.

Prof Andrew Lowe Acting Director, South Australian Museum

About the South Australian Museum

Come and explore the South Australian Museum – the most visited natural history museum in Australia and one of Australia’s most important scientific and cultural institutions. We’re committed to sharing our specimens, stories and science with you in an interactive and fun environment to inspire lifelong learning and give you an experience you’ll never forget. Wander through five floors of amazing exhibits where you’ll be surprised by nature and fascinated by our stories. The Museum cares for over four million objects and specimens collected over the last 150 years, ranging from minerals and meteorites to polar exploration artefacts and parasitic creatures. Our unique and globally significant collections are a vital part of Australia’s national heritage and the international scientific record and they’re growing every year! Exploring South Australia or Australia for the first time? Start your journey at the gateway to Aboriginal Australia – the Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery. Our collection of Aboriginal material is the largest and most

comprehensive in existence – a truly international resource. Here you can see Aboriginal artefacts from across the country and watch Aboriginal Australians tell their stories. The South Australian Biodiversity Gallery highlights the extraordinary diversity of the wildlife you’ll encounter on your travels through the different regions of the State. Have the locals been telling you tall tales about our animals?

The Museum’s Information Centre is open every day – our science communicators can answer your questions or identify any specimens you bring in. Generations of Adelaideans have explored the Ancient Egypt gallery, marveled at Nathan the lion in our World Mammals Gallery and rushed up four floors to see our 11-metre-long giant squid from top to bottom. South

Australia’s unique fossil history is on show in the Fossils Gallery where you’ll find 40 000 year old megafauna fossils, 120 million year old opalised fossils and even 500 million year old fossils from the Flinders Ranges that changed our understanding of evolution. Take some time out between galleries to relax and enjoy a meal in the Museum Café or browse through the Museum Shop, where you’ll find books,

jewellery, toys, cultural artefacts and even fossils. The South Australian Museum is also a major centre of exciting scientific discovery. Behind the scenes, scientists use our collections to understand Australia’s natural and cultural heritage and are world leaders in palaeontology, evolutionary biology, terrestrial invertebrates and mineralogy. Our scientists don’t just stay in the Museum, they take exhibits

to regional areas for our Out of the Glass Case Roadshow. Our music programs, community initiatives and public events also inspire the community to learn more about our natural environment. Museums are a trusted information resource because they are based on the real thing – the collections. Come and see ‘the real thing’ at the South Australian Museum.

Plan Your Visit

To Migration Museum

State Library of South Australia

South Australian Museum

KI N TORE AVEN U E

Whether you’re in for a whole day of exploring or just a quick visit, we’ve got thousands of incredible creatures and spectacular stories to share. The South Australian Museum is on North Terrace in the cultural heart of Adelaide, between the Art Gallery of South Australia and State Library of South Australia. With five floors of exhibits, we’re recognised internationally for the size and breadth of our collections. Our permanent galleries have been favourites for generations of visitors, including the Ancient Egypt gallery and our giant squid that stretches over four floors. We also showcase collections from other museums around the world through visiting exhibitions. Self-guided tours are available at any time or our dedicated volunteers can guide you at 11am on weekdays and 2pm and 3pm on weekends and public holidays. We even run special guided tours on selected days so that you can learn about individual galleries and collections in more detail. Give us a call on 08 8207 7500 or visit www.samuseum.sa.gov.au to find out what’s on and when.

Art Gallery of South Australia

To Rundle Mall

To Government House To Adelaide Railway Station

G AWLER PL ACE

N O RTH TERRACE

If you’ve got questions about what you’ve seen then pop into the Information Centre and have a chat to our friendly and knowledgeable staff. The Museum is an easy walk from accommodation, public transport, car parks and the Rundle Mall shopping precinct. Admission: Entry to the Museum is free. Entry fees may apply for special exhibitions. Service animals are freely admitted. Deaf and hearing impaired tours are available during the year.

To University of Adelaide To Adelaide Botanic Gardens

Getting here: Bus: Bus stop G1 Train: Adelaide Railway Station Tram: Rundle Mall Parking: Street parking on Kintore Ave and commercial car parks on North Terrace

Facilities: Museum Café, Museum Shop, public lawns, parents’ room, wheelchair accessible.

RU N D LE M ALL

Opening hours: Open daily, 10am–5pm. Closed on Christmas Day and Good Friday.

Map n

Main Lift to Levels G 1 M 2 3 Stair to Levels G 1 2 3 Ediacaran Fossils

Southern Lift and stair to Levels G 1 2 3

Mawson

Minerals & Meteorites

Museum Shop Museum Cafe Information Desk Cloaking Toilets Parents Room

Megafauna Fossils

South Australian Biodiversity Gallery

Ancient Egypt

Opal Fossils

Stair to Level 1

Mezzanine

Giant Squid

Pacific Cultures Gallery Stair to Level M Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery

Giant Squid

Information Centre World Mammals Stair to Level M North Foyer

Ground

Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery

Giant Squid

Special Exhibitions

Whales & Dolphins

rt o

Museum Lawn

Main Entrance

Main Foyer

Museum Online www.samuseum.sa.gov.au

The South Australian Museum recently launched a new-look website which won the Culture and Events category of the State 2013 Australian Web Awards. The website was launched in July and showcases the Museum’s galleries, research and collections in visually exciting ways while allowing for easy navigation of our content. New user-friendly features include event booking, online donations, science bulletin Unlocked: Stories from our Scientists, and offers a fascinating glimpse behindthe-scenes through digitised collections.

Museum Branding and Digital Strategy Manager Angie Hua led the project, and says “We are so excited about this award. Our new website is fresh, contemporary and easy to use. The award confirms our belief that cultural institutions like ours need a strong digital presence to engage with the public. We are thrilled that our efforts have really paid off.” Tegan Ali, Communications Advisor at LiTHe Communications, who designed and developed the site says, “Our focus on user centric design, functionality and accessibility along with a dedicated team of online

professionals produces successful websites like these. And we really must thank and congratulate the South Australian Museum for their support, engagement and hard work which were essential ingredients in the results we see today.” The Museum will continue to build on the success of its website, with future plans to launch more digitised collections, an online Museum Shop, and online competition entries.

Stay Connected

Go Behind the Scenes

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Like us on Facebook and let us know what you think about the Museum, share your stories, ask a question, and see what our Museum teams get up to.

Twitter

Follow @SAMuseum on Twitter for up-to-theminute news, upcoming events, fun facts and stories.

We’ve curated an eclectic mix of videos and short films that take you inside the special exhibitions and permanent galleries of the Museum, behind the scenes to our science labs, and even feature our annual holiday message. Explore the South Australian Museum library on vimeo.com today and be inspired.

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Capture and share your Museum experiences with the world! Tag us on Instagram @‌southaustralianmuseum. #southaustralianmuseum #samuseum

Scan this QR code to visit the Museum’s website: www.samuseum.sa.gov.au

Online Science Stories

The South Australian Museum is a major centre of exciting scientific discovery. Each month we tap into the important work being done by our scientists across the globe. Unlocked: Stories from our Scientists is a special online series that features stories about new discoveries, fieldwork, new acquisitions and more. Stay upto-date online at samuseum. sa.gov.au/media/unlocked

Be the first to find out about happenings and special offers at the South Australian Museum by subscribing to our monthly Enews at samuseum.sa.gov.au.

What’s On

Our seasonal What’s On helps you stay in touch with all our upcoming activities and events at the Museum and across the state. It is a carefully created resource designed for you to share with friends and family. What’s On is distributed across Adelaide, and mailed free of charge to subscribers. To sign up today simply email your request to marketing@ samuseum.sa.gov.au

Donate

Donations help us to share our collections, undertake research and tell important stories through our exhibitions and galleries. Make a gift online today and help us to offer many of our much-loved, free educational programs for South Australian families. Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.

SPECIAL EXHIBITION

Life Before Dinosaurs: The Permian Monsters 14 Dec 2013 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 10 Mar 2014

Special Exhibition Gallery Level G 3 2 M 1

Tickets Adult $13 Concession $10 Child $7 Family (2 adults + 2 children) $30

A travelling exhibition produced by Gondwana Studios

Media Partner

Promotional Partner

Step back in time 290 million years when bizarre-looking animals dominated life on land and sea, and find out about the greatest extinction the world has ever seen in Life Before Dinosaurs: The Permian Monsters. From the creators of Hatching the Past: Dinosaur

Eggs & Babies, this unique exhibition brings the past back to life with fossilised skeletons and full size life models of the animals that ruled the world millions of years before the age of dinosaurs, in a time known as the Permian.

SPECIAL EXHIBITION

Traversing Antarctica: The Australian Experience 13 December 2013 – 2 March 2014

In the Footsteps of Sir Douglas Mawson, Level 3 3 2 M 1

Free exhibition

Proclamation Ceremony on Proclamation Island, Antarctica, 13 January 1930 (detail). Photographer: Frank Hurley. NAA: A4311, 365/9/3. National Archives collection

Imagine life in a land of ice and blizzards. What motivates people to venture to a place of such extremes as Antarctica? One word: discovery. Traversing Antarctica: the Australian experience reveals how Australia’s connection with the frozen continent has developed over 100 years since the 1911–14 Australasian Antarctic Expedition led by Douglas Mawson. A wealth of documentary material

from the National Archives unveils this fascinating history. A rare collection of original equipment and diaries from early expeditions is displayed together for the first time as well as inspiring interactive displays and imagery. The exhibition is a joint project by the National Archives of Australia, the Australian Antarctic Division and the Western Australian Museum.

COMPETITIONS

Call for entries

Australian Geographic ANZANG Nature Photographer of the Year 2014

The South Australian Museum’s annual international photography competition is a great way to capture the beauty and fragility of the natural world through your lens. Through this competition the Museum focuses on enhancing a general knowledge of Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica and New Guinea by encouraging photography of its nature and wilderness to stimulate interest in its ongoing conservation. The competition is open to professional and amateur photographers worldwide. Enter your photographs for a chance to win cash prizes and have them on show at the South Australian Museum and venues around Australia.

Entries Open

20 January 2014

Entries Close 7 March 2014

For more information: www.anzang.samuseum.sa.gov.au

2014 Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize

The Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize is a unique opportunity for talented artists to immerse themselves in the wonders of science. Use your skills in your chosen media to interpret the natural world and contribute to the great environmental debates facing our planet. Now in its twelfth year, the Waterhouse is a valuable fixture in the Australian art world and offers a platform to showcase your skills and attract further exciting career opportunities. Prizes will be awarded in the following categories: Paintings, Works on Paper, Sculpture and Objects, The Waterhouse Youth Art Prize, the Dr Wendy Wickes Memoriam Prize and the People’s Choice Award. Finalists’ artworks will be displayed at the South Australian Museum and winners will tour to the National Archives in Canberra.

Entries Open

3 February 2014

Entries Close 9 May 2014

For more information: www.waterhouse.samuseum.sa.gov.au

GALLERY HIGHLIGHT

Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery

Level G & Level 1 3 2 M 1

Principal Sponsor

The South Australian Museum’s Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery was developed in partnership with Aboriginal communities around Australia. It’s the most comprehensive Aboriginal cultural gallery in the world and provides a fresh perspective on many aspects of Aboriginal culture and history. We encourage you to find your own way pathway through this modern and multi-layered gallery which includes over 3 000 objects and hundreds of photographs from all regions of Australia. The gallery explores the achievements, creativity

and diversity of Australian Aboriginal cultures before the significant impact of European contact. Artefacts, artworks, films, sound recordings, field notebooks and manuscripts are brought to life in the gallery’s many multi-media exhibits that include touch screens, virtual reality sequences, sound recordings and films. Arriving in Australia over 50 000 years ago, Aboriginal people successfully colonised the entire continent, adapting and thriving with elegant solutions to one of the world’s harshest environments. You’ll

discover how Aboriginal people knew when and where to move seasonally and how they used their knowledge of the landscape, plant species and animal behaviour to hunt and gather food. Special modules in the gallery feature the technological achievements of Aboriginal people – from fish-killing boomerangs and bark buckets to chisels and axes. The diversity of tools created by Aboriginal people across Australia is awe-inspiring. Food gathering tools and samples of the foods they ate like wild yams, truffles,

grasshoppers and witchetty grubs are on display, together with plants and techniques used to make medicines and hunting poisons. Storytelling sticks, spinning tops and games as well as ceremonial objects will leave you with a vivid impression of everyday Aboriginal life. The gallery is a living collection – information is widely used by members of Aboriginal communities in genealogical research and has helped many people discover ‘their country’. At the time of European settlement, there were more than 250

Aboriginal language groups across Australia and regional case studies are a major feature of the gallery. Films of Aboriginal people talking about ‘their country’ are used alongside maps and spectacular landscape images to give each region an identity. Come and see Aboriginal people continue to tell their stories through the Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery.

Museum visitors in the Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery.

GALLERY HIGHLIGHT

South Australian Biodiversity Gallery

Level 2 3 2 M 1

Principal Sponsor

From giant squid in the deep Southern Ocean to hopping mice in the hot northern deserts, South Australia is home to a diverse and distinct range of wildlife. The South Australian Biodiversity Gallery at the South Australian Museum celebrates our amazing wildlife across four distinct environmental regions: arid, temperate, coastal and marine. Travelling through South Australia? A visit to this gallery is a must to help you spot and identify the unique wildlife you’ll see during your trip. There are over 12 000 models in the gallery which are so detailed that it’s hard to believe that they won’t spring to life as you approach. Listen to the sounds of the ocean and the birds calling as you wander through the gallery and explore each region through interactive specimen drawers, multimedia interpretive panels, electronic labelling and discovery boards. Play hide and seek with animals at sea, guess which jaws are adapted for biting different foods and learn about corals and sea slugs in our marine environment. The deep sea environment has also been

recreated in ‘Life in the Deep’; a stunning display that stretches over four floors. Its star is an 11 metre long lifesized model of the largest squid ever recorded. The giant squid is accompanied by models of its fellow sea creatures like vampire squid, jelly fish and crabs while interactive screens detail the mysterious world of these creatures. South Australia’s wildlife has a well-earned reputation – you can learn about the deadly weapons of our spiders, snakes, octopuses and jelly fish and watch ants defend their nest against intruders. You can match the animal to their desert home, discover which animals only come out at night and even try your hand at matching the scat (poo) to the animal! Want to get involved? Visit the research station within the gallery to learn more about what you can do to help protect our precious biodiversity.

Museum visitors in the South Australian Biodiversity Gallery.

Museum Galleries

World Mammals Level G

Take a walk around the world with animals from all geographic regions in the World Mammals gallery. Have you ever wondered how you measure up to an elephant or an elk? Prepared in the early days of the Museum by our excellent taxidermists, our specimens put mammals into perspective, both large and small. Many animals that now call the Museum home actually lived long and happy lives at the Adelaide Zoo – each animal in our gallery has a story to tell.

Whales & Dolphins Main Foyer, Level G

Whales and dolphins are a favourite with many Australians as they symbolise our love of the ocean and its amazing marine life. The Museum has the largest collection of cetaceans (whales and dolphins) in Australia – our gallery is just the tip of the iceberg! Right next door to the Museum Café, our display of an 18m sperm whale skeleton – one of the largest ever collected – is not to be missed.

Pacific Cultures Level M

The Pacific Cultures Gallery is the largest exhibition of Pacific material in Australia and a truly remarkable collection of the material cultures of the Pacific. Artefacts are on display from Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Santa Cruz Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Fiji and New Zealand. The collection has about 3 000 items including spears, shields, utensils, ornaments and ritual objects. Information and images within the gallery help to explain geographic differences and cultural changes over time. You can also learn about the scientists, missionaries, government officers and other collectors who have contributed to the collection. The Pacific Cultures Gallery is being preserved as an example of 19th century museum display using the original heritagelisted wall cases and flat cases. This forms a striking contrast to other collections within the Museum.

Marvelling at the sea floor display in the Ediacaran Fossils Gallery.

Ediacaran Fossils Level 3

Did you know that fossils of the earliest known forms of animal life were found in the Flinders Ranges in South Australia? The Ediacaran Period is named after the region where these fossils were found and this period is one of the most exciting areas of palaeontology today. South Australia’s truly unique and crucial contribution to our understanding of evolution can be found in this freshly redeveloped gallery. The time-scale and magnitude of the discovery can be hard to comprehend, but seeing these rare fossils is an opportunity you shouldn’t miss. Generously supported by Beach Energy.

In the Footsteps of Sir Douglas Mawson Level 3

This gallery will be temporarily replaced by the Traversing Antarctica installation until March 2014.

Opal Fossils of South Australia Level 3

Can you imagine finding a mighty marine reptile in the dry opal fields of outback Australia? Come and see the partial skeleton of a six metre long Megafauna Fossils plesiosaur discovered in an Level 3 Andamookan opal mine along Marvel at the skeletons of with pieces of the ancient sea megafauna from the Pleistocene bed. You’ll uncover species era when South Australia was new to science and fossils from a land rich in animals that were the Moon Plain, a rich hunting at least one-third bigger than ground for fossils from the their close relatives. Meet the ancient inland sea. diprotodon, the world’s largest marsupial that looked like a giant wombat and much more.

Minerals & Meteorites Level 3

Stunning colours, shapes and sizes – they’re all on display in this gallery. You’ll see a ‘rainbow’ of mineral formations, meteorites and even rocks from Antarctica. We’ve handpicked each mineral from our collection that holds over 35 000 specimens – one of the largest in Australia. From diamonds to dolomite , the Minerals gallery showcases material from Australia’s first mines and explores the stories behind each discovery.

Ancient Egypt Level 3

The Ancient Egypt gallery holds the mummy and coffin of Renpit-Nefert, along with more than 650 artefacts that shed light on Egyptian life. The gallery forms part of our Foreign Ethnology collection that holds over 26 000 items from the Pacific, Asia, Africa and the Americas.

Giant Squid All Levels

Our Life in the Deep display was twelve months in the making and it’s easy to see why – our giant squid extends over four floors!

3 2 M 1

Reconstructed plesiosaur model in the Opal Fossils Gallery.

GALLERY REDEVELOPMENT

First Life: Ediacara Biota

South Australia is home to rocks that formed from sand in an ocean where the first animals evolved. They tell the story of an extraordinary moment in time that has captured the imagination of visitors for generations, including British naturalist and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough in his series First Life. The story begins in 1946 when Dr Reginald Sprigg, the late geologist and conservationist, discovered the fossilised remains of an entire community of soft-bodied creatures. He made this amazing discovery in the Ediacaran Hills on the western margins of the world-renowned Flinders Ranges. This incredible find led to the revision of the international Geological Time Scale in 2005 to reflect the newly created Ediacaran Period. This was the first new geological period to be declared in more than 120 years and the first to be named after a location in the Southern Hemisphere. Ediacaran fossils are significant because they represent the oldest known complex animals on earth. They are almost certainly the forebears of all living animals today so understanding their

origin and their evolution is critical to unlocking the story of life on earth. At the South Australian Museum, our palaeontologists have for the past decade been excavating at the National Heritage Listed Ediacara fossil site at Nilpena. Led by the Museumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Senior Researcher Dr Jim Gehling, teams of dedicated volunteers have uncovered a wealth of new fossils and have discovered complex evidence that shows how these animals moved, fed and reproduced over 555 million years ago. The Museum is also the steward of virtually all the fossil specimens collected from the Flinders Ranges, making it one of the most significant collections in the world.

The Museum is committed to sharing the story of the Ediacaran Period as part of South Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s distinctive fossil heritage, and for the past three years we have been planning important updates to the much-loved Ediacaran Gallery. Under the wonderful leadership of Project Chair Mrs Mary Lou Simpson, and with the generous support of private donors, the new First Life: Ediacara Biota gallery is now ready to be enjoyed by all. Thank you to all our donors, and also to Beach Energy for their long-term support for this gallery.

Restoration work on the sea floor display from the Ediacaran Gallery.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT

Festival Season Special Events

Dig It! at the Adelaide Festival Sat 1 – Sun 23 March

Bring your budding paleontologist to the South Australian Museum during this year’s Adelaide Festival to discover evidence that life, as we know it, began over 560 million years ago here in South Australia. Join our dig in the sand to uncover the mysterious fossils buried there. Combine this engaging hands-on exploration ‘in the field’ with a visit to the newly re-opened Ediacaran Gallery, displaying fascinating finds that will amaze all ages.

See the full Festival program at www.adelaidefestival.com.au

Explorers’ Tent at WOMADelaide Fri 7 – Mon 10 March

Awaken your senses! Join scientists and experts from the South Australian Museum as they guide you through the sounds and wonders of the natural and cultural world. Visit the Explorers Tent in the KidZone to play and learn with hands-on science discovery activities for the whole family. Generously supported by the Thyne Reid Foundation.

See the full WOMADelaide program at www.womadelaide.com.au

Ways to Support the Museum

Museums depend on the generosity of individuals, corporations, governments, community groups and associations to reach their full potential. We encourage you to consider becoming involved, to help make a difference and keep the stories flowing.

The South Australian Museum Foundation

The focus of the South Australian Museum Foundation is to further the scientific, cultural and educational projects and programs at the South Australian Museum, through philanthropic support. As an independent notfor-profit organisation, the Foundation works to ensure the Museum remains at the forefront of natural history debate, research, and visitor attendance in Australia. The Foundation was established in 2005 to realise the vision for the South Australian Biodiversity Gallery. Since that time it has nurtured relationships to raise vital funds necessary to complete the restoration of the Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery, to acquire and conserve artefacts, to complete collections, and to

extend the Museum’s outreach initiatives to a wider audience. The South Australian Museum Foundation exists to support the Museum in its endeavours to inspire current and future generations.

How you can help today

• Make a gift online using our new website. Gifts of $2 or more are fully tax-deductible. • Meet your friends for lunch or coffee in the Museum Café, and choose a unique gift or book from our Museum Shop – all profits benefit the Museum. • www.samuseum.sa.gov.au/ support

Foundation Chair The Hon Diana Laidlaw AO (left), with Mr Anthony Simpson, President, The Waterhouse Club (centre) and Prof Alan Cooper, Director, Australian Centre for Ancient DNA at the University of Adelaide, at the Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize Gala, July 2013

Scan this QR code to donate online:

South Australian Museum Foundation Polly Pearson, Foundation Officer 08 8207 7660 polly.pearson@samuseum.sa.gov.au

Waterhouse Club Expedition to Kangaroo Island Emu Bay Trilobite Fossil Site, 2011.

The Waterhouse Club

The Waterhouse Club was established in 1987 to provide an innovative approach to the traditional role of a support group, in an era of reducing public sector funding. The Club takes its name from the South Australian Museum’s first Curator, Frederick George Waterhouse. The Club’s annual program offers a fine blend of entertainment and education in the company of the Museum’s award winning researchers and collection managers. The locations for these events range from the Museum’s own special spaces to world-class tourist destinations. The objective of The Waterhouse Club is to make associating with the South Australian Museum fun, while also raising significant funds for the Museum each year. The Club’s goal is to build a network of like-minded, passionate people who are active in the community and able to influence outcomes important to the future of the Museum. The Waterhouse Club Natalie Rollinson, Secretariat 08 8203 9802 waterhouseclub@samuseum.sa.gov.au

Friends of the South Australian Museum

The Friends of the South Australian Museum are dedicated to helping the Museum tell the story of Australia’s unique natural and cultural heritage for the benefit of current and future generations. Founded in 1965, the Friends is an entirely volunteer organisation that raises funds through membership fees, tours and donations in order to support the South Australian Museum.

Please donate

Consider making a gift when you visit the South Australian Museum. Donation boxes are located in the Main Foyer, and for a gold coin donation, you can make our T-rex roar! Every donation helps the Museum support life-long learning in the community.

FOSAM Joy Mallett, President 08 8207 7389 friends@samuseum.sa.gov.au

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT

Out of the Glass Case

At the South Australian Museum, we know that not everyone can come to us. That’s why every year since 2003 we’ve hit the road, taking our Out of the Glass Case Roadshow to regional, rural and remote SA. The roadshow is one of the few programs of its type in Australia – we take our collections out of their cases (and scientists out of their labs!) to share their latest research with our community. Our Out of the Glass Case Roadshow has travelled over 45 000 kilometres to share our stories, collection items and science, amazing and inspiring over 36 000 people along the way. Our specially-trained staff provide free, interactive and memorable learning experiences that are suitable for all students. We work with schools and communities to provide curriculum-linked sessions and public programs that promote cultural connections, help people learn more about their region and other cultures and environments. The roadshow isn’t just for students – everyone gets involved in our community

Having fun with science, taken during the 2013 Out of the Glass Case Roadshow to Idulkana Anangu School in the APY lands.

events which include field days, interactive activities and talks. Since 2010, the Out of the Glass Case Roadshow has been visiting the Anangu, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands. It provides an opportunity for people in remote communities to engage with Museum stories and our collections. We’ve

taken young people on a quick trip through four and a half billion years of history and shared stories about discovery, nature and culture. Our team gets a real buzz out of the roadshows too. People in rural and remote areas often have great first-hand knowledge of their environment and the enthusiasm of the young

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SOUTH AUSTRALIA

ADELAIDE

Out of the Glass Case destinations 2003–2014 people (and the adults!) really inspires our team. From the oldest of fossils to newly discovered species, our Out of the Glass Case Roadshow gives people of all ages an unforgettable museum experience. It can open discussion on pathways for further education in science, natural and cultural history. It’s also a great chance for

students to see research in action, discover the relevance of science in everyday life linking the past, present and future. Generously supported by the Wood Foundation and a private philanthropic fund.