Professor Ann McGrath AM Appointed to National Museum of Australia Council

Distinguished History Professor, Ann McGrath AM has been appointed as a member of the National Museum of Australia Council for a three-year term. Professor Clare Wright OAM has been announced as the new Chair of the Council, alongside new members Professor Megan Davis and Ms. Janine Freeman.

Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, expressed his enthusiasm for the new appointments, highlighting the significant contributions these distinguished women will bring to the museum. “It’s fantastic to welcome Clare as the new Council Chair, as well as Ann, Megan, and Janine as members – four extremely distinguished women in their respective fields. Their vast depth of shared knowledge ranges from history, sociology, and governance to so much more – all of which will be of great value to the Council.”

Professor Ann McGrath AM is a W.K. Hancock Distinguished Professor of History and the Director of the Research Centre for Deep History at the Australian National University (ANU). She holds a Kathleen Fitzpatrick Laureate Fellowship until next year and was the founding Director of the Australian Centre for Indigenous History in 2003. In 2019, she became the Director of the Research Centre for Deep History.

Professor McGrath has received numerous accolades. She was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2007 and the John Douglas Kerr Medal for Distinction in Research and Writing Australian History in 2016. In 2018, she was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for her significant service to the social sciences as an academic and researcher in Australian Indigenous history, and to tertiary education.

Professor McGrath comments, “I’m honoured to be appointed to the Council of this crucial national institution. Its role in addressing our nation’s full history is significant for us now, as well as for future generations of Australians. I am looking forward to working with this talented group of fellow Council members and museum staff.”

Her expertise in Australian Indigenous history and social sciences will be invaluable to the National Museum of Australia. Her work has consistently focused on deepening the understanding of Australia’s complex history, particularly in relation to our Indigenous communities. Her appointment to the Council signifies a continued commitment to inclusivity and a comprehensive representation of Australia's diverse cultural heritage.

The National Museum of Australia's new Council members collectively bring a wealth of experience and knowledge. Professor Clare Wright OAM, the new Chair, has a distinguished background in history and public engagement. Professor Megan Davis is a leading constitutional lawyer and expert on Indigenous Peoples and the law. Ms. Janine Freeman has a robust history in governance and public service.

Together, these appointments are expected to guide the museum in fulfilling its vision for the future, ensuring that it remains a vital institution for preserving and sharing Australia’s stories with the world.