Members: Archives Show & Tell - The Goulds' Global Volumes

Step behind the scenes and explore history in this intimate, Members' exclusive show and tell session with the magnificent works of renowned naturalists John and Elizabeth Gould. Enjoy a private viewing of this prized collection as the Australian Museum's Head of World Cultures, Archives and Library, Dr Vanessa Finney, and Library Technician, Anina Hainsworth, discuss their enduring legacy.

John and Elizabeth Gould are widely-recognised for their beautiful and accurate works in The Birds of Australia, but have also built a legacy for their other works, capturing the beauty of wildlife across the world. See some of their original publications with beautiful plates depicting birds and mammals from across Asia, the Himalayas, New Guinea, Britain, and the Americas. Dr Finney and Anina guide you through these remarkable antiques and explore history in vibrant colour.

Book now to secure your spot in this intimate, unmissable session.

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Dr Vanessa Finney is Head of World Cultures, Archives & Library at the Australian Museum. A historian, curator, and archivist, she leads the care, digitisation, and interpretation of the museum’s cultural and documentary collections. She is the author of two award-winning books - Transformations: Harriet and Helena Scott and Capturing Nature: Early Scientific Photography at the Australian Museum - exploring the intersections of science, art, and museum history. Dr Finney holds a PhD in the History of Science from the University of Sydney and has held research fellowships at the Royal Society and the Max Planck Institute for the History of Science.

Anina Hainsworth has worked at the Australian Museum for over 20 years, combining her lifelong interest in natural history with her passion for rare books and libraries. In her role as Library Technician, Anina helps care for one of Australia’s finest collections, comprising over 10,000 rare books, journals and modern natural history titles. She has a particular interest in the remarkable stories revealed through historical scientific publishing, especially works authored by women in science. For Anina, every book holds a unique narrative — and preserving these voices remains at the heart of her work.