As the name suggests, the Friends of Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery are very fond of the museum.
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For Robin Barnes of Trevallyn, it is a relationship that both she and her family treasure.
Mrs Barnes first became a Friend of QVMAG three years ago.
A regular visitor, she said the membership was suggested to her by a friend who had notice how often she took her two children Sam and Matilda to visit.
It was also suggested she become a part of the Friends of QVMAG committee – a position she has held ever since.
We do find ourselves at the museum fairly regularly but it seems to go in waves,” she said.
“We tend to go more when there is an exhibit that the kids want to see.”
Mrs Barnes said her favourite thing about the museum was natural history.
“Having everything from the local Tasmanian animals to dinosaurs provides something for everyone,” she said.
“The interactive exhibits get all kids, big and small, involved in science.
“It’s an amazing resource to have in a small town.”
The QVMAG is Australia’s largest museum, not located in a capital city, and boast a varied collection dating back to 1842.
The QVMAG Friends work to promote and support the museum and its varying exhibitions.
They group also enjoys regular catch-ups, including the popular Morning Coffee Lecture Series.
For Mrs Barnes, the most popular exhibitions are often the ones she can enjoy with her children.
“I am and have really enjoyed the special exhibits like the Spiders and Permian Monsters,” she said.
“We were lucky to go on a behind the scenes tour organised for the friends and I was completely amazed at what is under the Royal Park site. It’s an amazing collection.
“The Ask the Expert series was great. There was an expert talking about platypus, spiders and snakes.
“This was a great experience for us and the kids got up close and to live spiders and snake and we all came away learning a lot.”
This week the family made the most of National Science Week, spending their Friday night exploring the museum in a different light for Night at the Museum.
The annual event allows visitors to get up close and personal to museum exhibits, in almost total darkness.
Mrs Barnes said it was a great way to end the working week, as well as learn something new.
“Everyone should be making the most of events like this,” she said.
“It is an incredible asset for our town.”
More information on Friends of QVMAG can be found at qvmag.tas.gov.au.
Jessica Willard
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
