After 30 years at the Australian Museum, Colin Macgregor has decided to make use of his Long Service Leave before retiring from the institution. Colin’s last day was 3 May.
Colin began working in conservation after graduating with a post-graduate diploma in archaeological conservation from Durham University in 1981. His early conservation jobs in the UK included the Scottish Museums Council, Sheffield City Museums and the National Museum of Scotland. Colin and his family moved to Australia and he began working at the Australian Museum in 1989, becoming Manager of Conservation in 2001.
Colin has a passion for archaeology and has done site work in the UK, Italy, Cyprus, Australia and Vanuatu and also worked on the conservation and relocation of Aboriginal carved and scarred trees throughout NSW. Colin had wide-ranging interests and expertise in conservation beyond archaeological work. An advocate of preventive conservation, he worked on building design for optimal and sustainable conditions as the Museum was renovated over the years. And he has a keen interest in laser scanning and 3D modelling equipment, applying it to archaeological sites like Lake Mungo.
Colin has always been an active and engaged member of AICCM, especially in the New South Wales Division, and has been known to wear multiple hats on NSW Council in order to keep the division operating. His long involvement has been an asset to the council, with his unstinting provision of corporate knowledge in a calm and generous manner. Colin actively attended AICCM events as often as possible, and always encouraged and facilitated attendance by other staff members.
Colin has been a strong supporter of conservation in Australia over the years; a seemingly unflappable statesman in the profession. He had a way of combining high-level conservation principles with access to the collections. Access and use are fundamental to our purpose, and need to be carefully balanced against preservation. Colin understood this duality.
Not everyone knows of Colin’s musical talents. He plays several instruments, ranging from bagpipes (of course) to ukuleles. His mellow Scottish accent and musical influences will be greatly missed. However, we know Colin won’t be too far away for the time being, and we hope to see him around in the future.
