Brian Sherman made Governor Emeritus of The Australian Museum
State Liberal MP for Vaucluse Gabrielle Upton addressed the Brian Sherman Dedication Dinner held at The Australian Museum.
Gabrielle Upton, Brian Sherman and Director and CEO of the Australian Museum: Kim McKay
Among the guests were MP Dave Sharma and his wife, Emanuel Synagogue’s Rabbi Jeffrey Kamins, the executive director of AIJAC Dr Colin Rubenstein, Jeremy Jones and the Shermans’ children, Emile and Ondine.
She praised Project Discover, a $58million undertaking which she said: “expands the exhibition footprint, amenity and opens up our Nation’s first museum to a much broader audience”.
Gabrielle Upton said: “The Shermans are philanthropic leaders across our cultural sector – their leadership is admired and respected.
The Shermans also generously supported ‘Project Discover’, in the way they have supported the Museum for many years.
Philanthropy means the Government is able to leverage its investment in the Museum and we thank you for that.
She highlighted Brian Sherman’s formative leadership at the Museum – including as President of the Board of Trustees from 2001 and as the inaugural Chair of the Australian Museum Foundation.
She continued: “The Museum has come a long way since Brian entered its doors. We have heard the stories about cramped and pokey accommodation which was unsuitable for staff and for its important objects and specimens.
Brian set forth to fix that, garnering support and funding for a new wing. Amongst other things, he set up the President’s Circle to help build an acquisitions fund and raise the profile and standing of the Eureka Prizes.
Not content just to be the President, he also got his fingers dirty serving on numerous Museum committees.
Brian – thank you – you have put your heart and soul into the Australian Museum for over 20 years and we honour that which is far in excess of any philanthropic donation.
It is only fitting that the Crystal Hall – the award-winning” entrance that leads to the heart of the museum – will now be dedicated as the ‘Brian Sherman Crystal Hall’.
As a soon-to-be Governor Emeritus, thank you Brian, and thank you Gene, and congratulations again.”
Brian Sherman told J-Wire: “I felt very honoured. My journey with the Australian Museum was a long dusty road, stressful at times, but the result has been exceptional. I feel proud to have been a part of the revitalization of the Museum and I commend Kim McKay for the outstanding job she’s done.”
