Michelle Berry and Patsy the couta boat
Image: Kate Chmiel
Source: Museum Victoria
After two decades at Museum Victoria, senior conservator Michelle Berry is leaving for Tasmania to work with the Australian Antarctic Division.
With a reputation for seeking adventure during her annual holiday, Michelle spent two field seasons in Antarctica conserving Mawson’s huts. Her new-found love of the Antarctic has lead to further work on the Mawson’s Hut database and a third field season later this year. On the eve of her departure, she reflects upon her time in one of the museum’s most intriguing behind-the-scenes departments.
Like others in her profession, Michelle has “a mind fascinated by materials – how they are made, and why they are made, and how they survive." She observes that the most significant evolution in the field of object conservation is philosophical rather than physical. “Early object conservation was concerned with returning an object to its original form,” she says, “but now we recognise that the history of the object is embedded in its materiality.”
This approach extends to recording conservation treatments as an invaluable reference for future caretakers. In 2000, Michelle documented the 8-month restoration of Patsy, the couta boat in the front window of Melbourne Museum. Patsy’s records now include evidence of the modifications made by previous owners to keep her a viable fishing vessel, as well as the methods used in her most recent repair.
Michelle’s passion for object conservation was fostered when she was still at school. With a keen interest in archaeology, she volunteered in the Auckland War Memorial Museum’s Ethnographic Department. “They didn’t quite know what to do with me… they locked me in their store with a dustpan and brush and a can of fly spray,” she laughs. Fortunately, preparator and conservator Leo Cappel invited her to work with him. She later studied at the University of Canberra and in 1989, joined Museum Victoria to undertake a condition survey of the non-Australian indigenous cultures collection. Since then she has worked on numerous objects and exhibitions, and was a member of the team that relocated the museum’s collection in 2000.
“The Indigenous collection, in particular, was incredibly cramped at Swanston Street and it is the most extraordinary collection,” recollects Michelle. “Creating the new stores was so satisfying because suddenly you could see all these objects and know that they were protected. It was a real delight to stand here at the end and see the change.”
Leaving Museum Victoria is bittersweet. “The museum is full of odd objects that have beautiful stories,” she reflects. “I’m proud of the work that the conservation department has done over the years, and it’s great to see it’s now such an integral part of what the museum does.”
Michelle’s work in Antarctica presents some unique conservation problems that she never imagined. “Odd things happen in extreme environments – the minute there’s a pinhole breach in the wall you get these amazing puffs of powder snow coming in… it gets absolutely everywhere!” She is drawn to Antarctica by its stunning beauty and the everyday challenge for survival.
The staff and collections of Museum Victoria thank Michelle for her 20 years of careful and close observation, and wish her the best of luck in her new role.