Members: The Birds of Australia Exhibition Viewing & Panel Talk

Recommended Ages: 12+ years

As a valued member of the Australian Museum, enjoy a Members' exclusive evening dedicated to The Birds of Australia. Enjoy private access to this beautiful exhibition, followed by an engaging discussion with a panel of experts. Learn all about our native birds and the production of this popular exhibit with biologist and author, Tim Low AM, Head of World Cultures, Archives & Library, Dr Vanessa Finney and Co-Director of Studio ESEM, Dr Sarah Barns, in a discussion hosted by Touring Exhibitions Coordinator Louise Teteris.

Expanding upon the popular interactive storytelling cube that toured throughout NSW, The Birds of Australia explores the fascinating avian species across the country and celebrates the story of John and Elizabeth Gould, pioneers in the scientific documentation of these amazing creatures. The multi-media exhibition also dives into First Nations perspectives and how the protection of endangered species reflects how we can care for Country.

Enjoy a drink in the Lounge before heading upstairs to discover the amazing birds of Australia in this Members-exclusive evening.

Not a Member? Join now to receive free or discounted entry to special exhibitions, exclusive events, access to our Members Lounge and a range of benefits.

Tim Low AM is a biologist and best-selling author of seven books on nature and conservation. His book, Where Song Began (2014), became the first nature book to win the Australian Book Industry Award for best General Non-fiction. He was invited to speak about it at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the leading bird institute in North America. An earlier work, Feral Future (1999), inspired the formation of conservation group, the Invasive Species Council. Tim wrote a regular, long-standing column in the Australian Museum’s Nature Australia magazine.

Dr Sarah Barns is Co-Director of Studio ESEM, the team behind the Birds of Australia: STORYBOX program delivered in partnership with the Australian Museum. With a background in public history, digital strategy, research and creative production, Dr Barns brings a multidisciplinary approach to exploring and enlivening the layered stories of people, places, and habitats through digital and experiential media. Other recent works include immersive installation Superorganism – Listening to the Anthropocene (2020), large-scale audio-visual dreamscape We Dream the City (2021), and the book Platform Urbanism (Palgrave, 2020).

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.

Louise Teteris is Touring Exhibitions Coordinator at the Australian Museum, where, since 2011, she has played a key role in presenting the Museum’s collections to diverse audiences across Australia and internationally. Louise is passionate about crafting accessible and meaningful experiences that resonate with visitors. Her collaborative approach and commitment to innovative storytelling enhance the Museum’s offerings and help connect communities with Australia’s rich natural and cultural heritage. Prior to the Museum, Louise served as the Public Programs Producer at the Powerhouse Museum and worked as an independent theatre producer.