Ngadlu tampinthi ngadlu Kaurna Miyurna yartangka. Munaintya puru purruna ngadlu-itya. Munaintyanangku yalaka tarrkarriana tuntarri.
We acknowledge we are on Kaurna Miyurna land. The Dreaming is still living. From the past, in the present, into the future, forever.
Published on 15 August, 2022
The South Australian Museum announced today that its Director, Brian Oldman, will be standing down at the end of 2022 after nine years in the role. He will be returning to the UK where he previously held roles at the British Museum, Zoological Society of London, and National Maritime Museum.
Kim Cheater, Chair of the South Australian Museum Board, thanked Mr Oldman for his enormous contribution to the Museum and his leadership during the challenging environment of the pandemic in recent years.
“Brian has been an energetic and enthusiastic promotor of the Museum and I know he will leave Adelaide with many strong connections and enormous respect for his achievements.”
The South Australian Museum achieved many milestones during Mr Oldman’s tenure including:
Annual Museum visitor numbers of more than 800,000 and reaching 1.4 million people through wider Museum programmes and touring exhibitions.
Record attendances to major exhibitions including Opals, Dinosaur Revolution and last year’s Wonders from the South Australian Museum.
A renewed focus on Australian Aboriginal culture including the Yidaki: Didjeridu and the Sound of Australia exhibition, increased repatriation of Aboriginal ancestral remains and programmes to revive lost Aboriginal languages.
Maintaining the Museum’s leading position in winning competitive scientific research grants and creating joint research positions with all three Adelaide universities.
Securing funding for the $86.5 million Cultural Collections storage facility opening in 2024.
“It has been a tremendous privilege to be the Director of the South Australian Museum and to lead this incredible institution. The collections are internationally significant, and the quality of the Museum’s research is recognised around the world.
The opportunity to become Director and live in South Australia has undoubtedly been a career highlight”, said Oldman.
“Adelaide will always be a special place and I intend to retain my property in the city. This will enable me to maintain my many friendships and escape the English winter.”
A national and international search will commence to identify a suitably qualified candidate to be the next Director of the South Australian Museum.