Visit by the United States Ambassador to Australia

New United States Ambassador to Australia, Jeffrey Bleich, visited Water: H2O=Life on 7 December 2009. Ambassador Bleich showed strong interest in the exhibition and its several themes, including better water stewardship and the impact of climate change. The visit coincided with the opening of the world climate change conference in Copenhagen.
In the exhibition, the ambassador met and talked with students from Canberra's Melrose High School. He was escorted through the exhibition by senior curator Matthew Higgins after being welcomed by Museum Director Craddock Morton.
Right: Matthew Higgins, left, and Ambassador Bleich. Photo: George Serras.

Exhibition opening
Water: H2O=Life was officially opened by Daniel Gilbert AM, Chair of the Council of the National Museum of Australia, on 2 December.
Alan Draeger, Assistant Director for Travelling Programs at the American Museum of Natural History also spoke at the opening held in the National Museum's Hall.
Right: Daniel Gilbert AM, left, and Alan Draeger. Photo: George Serras.

Gallery install
For several weeks leading up to the opening of the Water exhibition, the National Museum's Temporary Gallery was a hive of activity. Staff from the American Museum of Natural History in New York and from ADS Solutions in Melbourne, together with the Museum's Exhibitions team and contractors, worked hard behind the scenes.
Right: Installing a taxidermy mount.
Photo: Lannon Harley.

Murray Cod makes a splash
'Murray' a 4kg Murray Cod is one of several live specimens on show in the Water exhibition. Murray comes to the Museum with thanks to the National Zoo and Aquarium.
Murray helps visitors understand the importance of rivers and highlights a 90% decrease in native fish population in the Murray-Darling Basin since European settlement.
Right: Murray is transferred to his new home. Photo: Lannon Harley.
Water: H2O=Life is organised by the American Museum of Natural History, New York (www.amnh.org), and the Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul (www.smm.org), in collaboration with the National Museum of Australia, Canberra; Great Lakes Science Center, Cleveland; The Field Museum, Chicago; Instituto Sangari, São Paulo, Brazil; Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada; San Diego Natural History Museum; and Science Centre Singapore with PUB Singapore.