Auckland Museum Medals awarded

Auckland Museum Medals awarded

Auckland War Memorial Museum has honoured the careers of four outstanding individuals in its annual Museum Medals ceremony. The Auckland Museum Medals for 2014 were presented at a function at the Museum on 23 September 2014, to:

· Linda Tyler - who has championed the role of university collections and museums and represented New Zealand at international conferences. With some 20 years’ experience in the museum sector, she actively supports the use of museum collections by undergraduate and postgraduate students and energetically seeks new opportunities for research and its dissemination.

· Margaret S. Morley – who has made an outstanding contribution to the work of Auckland Museum, in particular the advancement of its marine collections. Her sharing of knowledge and enthusiasm has extended to participation in exhibition development and the delivery of talks and other public programmes for the Museum.

· Dame Cheryll Sotheran DNZM – whose outstanding contribution to the New Zealand museum sector has been far-reaching. Recognised as a leader within the wider creative economy and cultural community, in particular through her roles with central government agencies including New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.

· Professor Jonathan Ngarimu Mane-Wheoki CNZM – who has contributed significantly to academic and museum circles and has held senior positions that place him at the forefront in on-going dialogue about New Zealand’s history and expression in the arts.
Linda Tyler and Margaret Morley were made Associate Emerita of the Auckland War Memorial Museum. This is awarded to Museum staff, research associates, volunteers or other individuals associated with the Museum to mark noteworthy achievement. Their contributions to Auckland Museum, or to the interests of the Museum, are considerable, and have the potential for long-term benefit.

Jonathan Mane-Wheoki and Dame Cheryll Sotheran were made a Companion of the Auckland War Memorial Museum, which recognises achievement or contribution to areas relevant to, or in some way connected to, the public service of Auckland Museum or other New Zealand museums.
The recipient’s profiles are provided below.

Speaking at the event, Auckland Museum Director Roy Clare said: “We’re thrilled to be awarding Museum Medals to these very deserving recipients. Auckland Museum values scholarship, academic achievement, research and service to the community and all of our awardees have made significant contributions in these areas. It is a pleasure to honour them and celebrate with their families and friends.”

Also recognised was former Museum Director, Evan ‘Graham’ Turbott who was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award for his services to the Museum. Graham served 35 years at Auckland Museum, 15 years as Director, a position he held until retirement in 1979. He celebrated his own centenary this year, turning 100 in May.

The event also featured a keynote address by Professor Conal McCarthy, Programme Director Museum and Heritage Studies from Victoria University of Wellington, and a short presentation on DIY culture in post-war New Zealand by Ryan Bogardus, an Auckland University student who received a Nancy Bamford Research Grant in 2013. In addition, the inaugural Sir Hugh Kawharu Scholarship was presented to Auckland University student Nikau Hindin. It comprises a $10,000 grant and is made available to a full-time student of Māori descent who has an interest in cultural heritage.

Ends

© Scoop Media