Council of the National Museum of Australia
The Council of the National Museum of Australia is responsible for the overall performance of the organisation, including setting the strategic direction and establishing goals for management. The Council works with senior management in developing, executing, monitoring and adjusting the appropriate strategies.
The National Museum of Australia Act 1980 (the Act) provides for a Council consisting of a Chair, the Director of the Museum and no fewer than 7 but no more than 10 other members. All members are appointed by the Governor-General and, apart from the Director, are part-time appointees for terms of up to 3 years, although terms of appointment can be extended. The Director can hold office for a period not exceeding 7 years.
Council members are appointed under Section 13(2) of the Act.
Members as at 25 March 2025
Professor Clare Wright OAM (Chair)
Term as Chair: 21 August 2024 to 20 August 2027
Term (Member): 27 October 2022 to 20 August 2024
Ms Natasha Bowness (Deputy Chair from 29 February 2024)
Terms: 1 November 2024 to 31 October 2027
1 November 2021 to 31 October 2024
Mr Peter Walker
Terms: 7 November 2024 to 6 August 2027
5 August 2024 to 4 November 2024
5 August 2021 to 4 August 2024
20 July 2018 to 19 July 2021
Professor Ann McGrath AM
Term: 1 August 2024 to 31 July 2027
Ms Janine Freeman
Term: 1 August 2024 to 31 July 2027
Professor Megan Davis AC
Term: 1 August 2024 to 31 July 2027
Ms Kate Fielding
Term: 12 September 2024 to 11 September 2027
Ms Karen Mundine
Term: 10 October 2024 to 9 October 2027
Mr Tony Ayres
Term: 6 March 2025 to 5 March 2028
Executive member
Katherine McMahon, Director, National Museum of Australia
Term: 18 February 2024 to 17 February 2029
Audit, Finance and Risk Committee of Council
Terms of reference
- To examine and recommend the Museum’s annual financial statements for Council’s endorsement.
- To review internal audit reports on the Museum’s activities and, on behalf of Council, monitor action taken.
- To consider reports of the Auditor-General on the Museum’s operations, advise Council of the implications and monitor action taken.
- To advise Council on any other matters referred to it.
- To consider the development and implementation of both Budget and off-Budget operational and business strategies.
- To review the Museum’s identified strategic risks and monitor risk management plans.
- To review the Museum’s fraud risk assessment and fraud control plan and, on behalf of Council, monitor action taken.
Members as at 24 January 2025
Ms Natasha Bowness (Chair from 18 March 2024)
AFRC terms: 1 November 2024 to 31 October 2027
24 February 2022 to 31 October 2024
Mr Mark Lucas
AFRC term: 6 November 2024 to 5 November 2025
Ms Janine Freeman
AFRC term: 23 January 2025 to 31 July 2027
Ms Karen Mundine
AFRC term: 23 January 2025 to 9 October 2027
See National Museum of Australia Council – Audit, Finance and Risk Committee charter for the HTML version.
National Museum of Australia Indigenous Reference Group
The primary role of the Indigenous Reference Group (formerly the Indigenous Advisory Committee) of the National Museum of Australia Council is to provide expert Indigenous advice to the Council regarding the Museum’s activities that represent and serve the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the broader Australian community.
Members as at 3 December 2024
Professor Megan Davis AC (Chair)
Term: 15 November 2024 to 31 July 2027
Mr John-Paul Janke (Deputy Chair)
Terms: 1 May 2022 to 30 April 2025
1 May 2019 to 30 April 2022
Mr Paul House
Terms: 1 May 2022 to 30 April 2025
1 May 2019 to 30 April 2022
Ms Michelle Broun
Term: 14 August 2023 to 13 August 2026
Collections Committee of Council
At its May 2022 meeting, Council established a Collections Committee whose purpose is to review collection-related policies and the strategic direction of the National Historical Collection, including proposed acquisitions and material marked for deaccessioning.
Members as at 25 March 2025
Mr Peter Walker (Chair)
Collections Committee terms: 7 November 2024 to 6 August 2027
5 August 2024 to 4 November 2024
27 May 2022 to 4 August 2024
Mr John-Paul Janke
Collections Committee term: 21 June 2023 to 20 June 2026
Professor Clare Wright OAM
Collections Committee term: 1 September 2023 to present
Professor Ann McGrath AM
Collections Committee term: 23 January 2025 to 31 July 2027
Development Committee of Council
The Development Committee, formerly an advisory group to Council, was formally constituted as a committee of the Council of the National Museum of Australia under section 21 of the National Museum of Australia Act on 30 May 2024. The functions of the Development Committee include oversight of philanthropy, fundraising and corporate partnerships at the Museum.
Members as at 24 January 2025
Ms Kate Fielding (Chair)
Development Committee term: 6 January 2025 to 11 September 2027
Ms Natasha Bowness
Development Committee terms: 1 November 2024 to 31 October 2027
30 May 2024 to 31 October 2024
Mr Peter Walker
Development Committee terms: 7 November 2024 to 6 August 2027
5 August 2024 to 4 November 2024
30 May 2024 to 4 August 2024