We don’t simply assist to preserve the past. We work to define and advance our social and scientific heritage, both in Western Australia and on the world stage, now and for future generations.
We are the Foundation for the Museum of Western Australia.
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20 Years of Scientific Discovery
Since 1998, Woodside has partnered with the WA Museum to understand the biodiversity of northwest Australia in the Dampier Archipelago and the Kimberley regions. The Foundation for the WA Museum has become increasingly involved in the partnership since 2003 and has worked with the Museum and Woodside to explore project opportunities and develop and support the relationship.
The partnership has expanded to include more than 140 scientists from 25 countries, 19 Australian and international museums, 43 Australian and international universities, 17 State and Commonwealth government agencies, and 23 industry and private partners.
Researchers have surveyed 315 sites across 575,000 square kilometres of ocean off the Kimberley coastline, collected more than 55,000 marine animal and plant specimens, and discovered more than 700 species new to science.
The research has won 11 WA and national awards for excellence in science, environment, business and technology; and more than 50 million people worldwide have viewed the exhibitions, documentaries, publications, lectures, articles, live fieldwork feeds, websites and educational resources produced.
The knowledge gained is being used by managers, decision-makers and the community to contribute to biodiversity conservation and natural resource management, and will help guide the future of sustainable development, business and conservation policies and the assessment of natural heritage values.
Material collected during the project partnership is housed at the WA Museum, and available to scientists and researchers around the world. Work to examine and identify the specimens collected is continuing.
This video celebrates Woodside’s ground-breaking 20 year partnership with the WA Museum, and its 25 year partnership with the Australian Institute of Marine Science.
Watch the video
Image: Sea slug mollusc, Phyllidia coelestis (Scott Reef) is found in clear water on tropical Indo-Pacific reefs where it feeds on sponges. Clay Bryce, WA Museum.
Foundation + Partners + Museum = Cultural Impact
In October this year the exciting new Tianqi Lithium Connections Gallery was framed! A 45 metre-long steel structure, weighing 30 tonnes, was carefully lifted into position to complete the frame of the cantilever gallery, a major feature of the striking New Museum currently under construction in the Perth Cultural Centre.
More recently the WA Museum revealed a video animation ‘fly-through’ taking viewers inside the $396 million project. Viewers are taken on a journey from Yagan Square, over the Perth Cultural Centre, through the New Museum’s public spaces and then are offered glimpses into the new exhibition Galleries. The iconic and much loved 24m Blue Whale skeleton can be seen, suspended through the triple-height ceiling space of Hackett Hall.
The animated video shows what an exciting experience the museum will offer locals and visitors with viewers given a sense of where each Gallery space is located. The Foundation for the WA Museum is currently engaging support from the local and global community interested in Gallery Naming Rights and the opportunity to partner in this once-in-a-century project.
The New Museum project is on schedule, with the building expected to be complete in 2019. Exhibition fit-out will occur over the following 12 months, ready for opening in 2020.
Watch the fly through Watch the time lapse
Picture: WA Museum, Multiplex
Woodside on the Move
3,200 Woodside staff have recently moved into their new 32-storey headquarters, which the company has named Mia Yellagonga. The name means “place of Yellagonga” and pays homage to the Whadjuk elder who interacted with Capt. James Stirling when the Swan River Colony was founded.
Mia Yellagonga hosted a range of activities for Woodside staff and their families over a full weekend in September. The weekend provided an opportunity to activate the new building with various engagement activities including a taste of The Antarctica Experience, currently showing at the WA Maritime Museum in Fremantle.
Without question, the marine craft activity offered to children visiting the building for the first time and a touch cart providing a hands-on experience of the Museum’s Woodside Collection were highlights of the weekend. WA Museum Curators were on hand to talk to the key outcomes of Woodside’s 20 year partnership with the Museum which has focused on understanding the biodiversity of northwest Australia in the Dampier Archipelago and Kimberley regions.
Picture: Michael Wilson
