Director’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Life and Community of the Museum 2023

This year’s award celebrates the untiring efforts of Nathan Pharaoh to advance the interests of the Museum in all that he does.

Nathan joined the Museum in 2015 and has always demonstrated a deep commitment to leadership, collaboration, innovation and engagement. He has consistently raised the quality of conservation of the Museum’s unique large technology collection and contributed greatly to some of the Museum’s most iconic objects, including the Royal Daimler and the Paddle Steamer Enterprise.

Nathan inspires everyone he meets by demonstrating his deep appreciation of the nation’s cultural heritage through countless public programs and various media platforms. His enthusiasm for his work is boundless and he has a strong work ethic grounded in commitment, reliability, collaboration and excellence. With an impressive suite of skills and professional capabilities, he maintains a deep respect and openness to all those who have preceded him professionally and supports and mentors those who will take up these responsibilities in the future.

Nathan is known for his willingness to collaborate with a broad range of stakeholders, volunteers, collection donors, families of notable Australians, interest groups, craftspeople, heritage industry specialists and peak bodies. He is particularly committed to addressing the shortage of heritage engineering skills.

An innovative and creative thinker, Nathan develops treatment solutions and explores and embraces new approaches and methodologies in his practice while paying homage to traditional skills and craft. This was especially notable in his work to complete the successful restoration of the Royal Daimler and his continuing efforts to maintain and operate the Museum’s large technology collection.

Nathan Pharaoh is enthusiastic and encouraging to everyone he meets and has made an outstanding contribution to the life and operations of the Museum. In making this award, we commend and thank him for his passion and commitment.