Thirty years ago, a discreet, somewhat breathless announcement appeared in a Sydney newspaper, informing the world of the birth of The Australian Museum Society (TAMS).
Things around the Australian Museum, it was suggested, would never be the same. As it happened, the reporter had correctly identified the significance of the fledgling society.
The Society was set up to support and promote the work of the Australian Museum, and act as a bridge between the Museum and the community. Members were to be 'friends' of the Museum.
While fundraising was not mentioned in the constitution of 1972, as it's turned out, in terms of financial assistance, TAMS became one of the Museum's largest benefactors. TAMS contributed significantly to Birds & Insects, the Planet of Minerals, Dreamtime to Dust, and search & discover. Search & discover, the most recent and ambitious sponsorship, was a three year, $300,000 commitment which serves as an excellent illustration of the loyalty of TAMS members. A last-minute appeal for the sum needed to complete the project met with a speedy and generous response. Indeed, the prosperity of TAMS today is the collective achievement of the sucessive councils (presidents and councillors), TAMS staff and members of TAMS.The Society was one of the pioneers of museum membership in Australia and was at the forefront of environmental concern and education. TAMS events were (and still are) the meeting place for an ever-growing group
of like-minded people. They were also a forum - particularly the innovative Science Super Series - for news and discussion of cutting-edge science. As a social organisation, TAMS has always impressed visitors and new members as a friendly, down-to-earth, optimistic and energetic group with a very real sense of community.
This is not the place for a history of TAMS. That's being written. But in summary: prosperity, originality, optimism, commitment and sheer cheerfulness, all undiminished over thirty years, are the distinguishing characteristics of TAMS.
Wendy Wilkins
An Australian Museum Website
Copyright © Australian Museum 2003
