In response to community concerns about proposed changes at the Museum, the Premier’s Review Panel was established in April 2024 and chaired by the then Chief Executive of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Damien Walker, with expert membership of the Chief Scientist for South Australia Professor Craig Simmons, and Chief Executive Officer of the Queensland Museum Dr Jim Thompson PSM. The Panel reviewed the proposed changes and engaged with stakeholders to explore options for the Museum’s future.

The Panel’s Report was handed down in September 2024 and made six recommendations aimed at building a solid, collaborative governance framework for the Museum, improving stakeholder engagement and supporting future reforms:

1.    Cease all proposed changes

2.    Develop a new Strategic Vision and Plan

3.    Develop a Research Strategy and explore sustainable research models

4.    Develop a Collections Management Plan

5.    Investigate financial and commercial opportunities

6.    Conduct an asset management and infrastructure study

You can read the full report here.

The Museum will implement all recommendations and will start by developing a new Strategic Vision and Plan in collaboration with staff, stakeholders and the community.

Beginning in 2025, we will be conducting a thorough and inclusive engagement process that will enable us to develop a new Strategic Vision and Plan that strengthens our collective impact, reflects our shared values and goals.

Museum staff, volunteers, donors, benefactors, the academic community, First Nations communities, supporters, government and non-government stakeholders will be asked to contribute their views and ideas. Visitors and the broader public also will have the chance to be involved in engagement activities.

The stages of strategic planning include:

Reflection and Planning
We will continue to reflect on our experiences and the experiences of others so we can plan a way forward together and prepare to consult and engage with you.

Engagement and Relationship Building

We will provide you with information about the different ways you can ask questions, provide feedback and share your ideas so you can be involved.

Discovery

You will be able to share your views and ideas for the Museum. We will reflect on what we’ve heard and feed this back to you in a consultation report.

Development

Your feedback and ideas will help us develop a draft Strategic Plan together that we’ll release for further consultation.

Collaboration and Consolidation

We will take what we’ve learned from everyone involved and finalise our Strategic Plan together.

For more information, contact us

strategy@samuseum.sa.gov.au