FACT SHEET 1
Work Experience
Info
DIFFERENT
DEPARTMENTS
Below are the different Departments within Museum Victoria you will
be visiting and working with during your Work Experience time.
Birds and Mammals Collection
What is an ornithologist? What species of birds and mammals are
under the threat of extinction? What are the habitats and
migratory patterns of certain species of bird? See the now extinct
Tasmanian Tiger and the display of the various mammals and
marsupials on display.
Conservators
What is an appropriate way in displaying 1000 year old cotton and linen?
How are bronze sculptures preserved so that they last for many, many
more years to come? What materials are used in the process of the
conservation of artefacts? The Conservators at Museum Victoria will be
able to answer all these questions!
Customer Service Team
Be a part of the Customer Service Team – find out about how the Museum
deals with customer complaints and also how they help enrich the
experiences of all visitors to the Museum. Visit the Cloakroom and also
the Ticket booths and see how they work!
IMAX
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How big is an IMAX roll of film? How much does it cost to
replace an IMAX light globe? How is a 3D IMAX movie
projected onto the massive screen? These questions, and
many more, are answered when you visit the IMAX facility.
Immigration Museum
Find out what activities the Education Department runs for
students aged from Prep to Year 12. Spend time with the
Immigration Museum and find out the stories behind (and within)
those mysterious little red boxes!
Live Exhibits
Do you fancy working with creepy crawlies? Feeding bugs and insects? Can
you stomach experiencing the Spider Wall? Visit the Live Exhibits team
and experience this opportunity of a
lifetime!
Market Research
How does the Museum find out what the public wants on
display and what to exhibit? Take part in surveying the
public and also find out what trends are predicted. Meet
the Market Research team and find out!
Preparators’
Discover how the many different objects, artefacts and
exhibits for the Museum are created. Look at how
specimens are prepared for display and exhibition. See the
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process of freeze drying, the Maceration Tank and also how ‘Hotel
Bugeato’ works.
Public Programs
Museum Victoria would not be able to run the many different
aspects of the organisation without the support of the Volunteers.
Work with one facet of the Public Programs department, the
Volunteers (Vols) and find out what it is like to be a volunteer
within the Museum.
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FACT SHEET 2
Work Experience
OCCUPATIONAL
Info
HEALTH & SAFTEY
All workplaces are responsible for the health and safety of their
employees; Museum Victoria is no different. Museum Victoria has an
Occupational Health and Safety Induction Program, whereby all
employees are involved in a 4 hour long Occupational Health and Safety
session. As you are completing Work Experience with Museum Victoria, it
is very important that you become familiar with and understand the
Occupational Health and Safety requirements of the organisation.
This Fact Sheet intends on giving a brief outline of OH&S – on your first
day, the Vocational Education Officer will give you a briefing of this
policy and the appropriate procedures.
EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Museum Victoria Induction Handbook has information regarding the
health and safety of all employees. All employees of Museum Victoria are
required to understand the following responsibilities:
Responsibilities of our people:
Each individual involved in working at Museum Victoria has
OH&S responsibilities and obligations. These
responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Co-operate and consult with management to ensure the proper application of all
health and safety policies and procedures
Perform all work and associated functions in the safest possible manner
Follow all reasonable written and verbal instructions regarding health and safety
Follow prescribed standard operating procedures at all times
Correctly use personal protective equipment as required
Report any health and safety hazards, accidents or incidents
Assist in the investigation of accidents and incidents as and when required
Ensure a safe working environment for their fellow workers, as far as possible
Seek appropriate first aid or medical treatment, as and when necessary
Participate in return to work programs
All contractor personnel will be considered equivalent to MUSEUM VICTORIA
personnel in all aspects of health and safety
Induction Handbook 2005, Page 6
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ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
If you witness or are a part of an incident, it is your obligation to report
it. All accidents, including minor incidents such as paper cuts, are to be
reported as soon as they occur.
All accidents / incidents and near hits are to be reported using the Incident
Report form, within 24 hours, to the Manager, Occupational Health & Safety
or a Supervisor.
Induction Handbook 2005, Page 9
CORRECTIVE ACTION
During your Work Experience placement with Museum Victoria, you may
be asked to complete a wide variety of tasks; however, these tasks must
be of a safe nature and must not include the following aspects:
Working at Height
People working at heights or operating high lift plant or equipment
shall hold a current WorkSafe Victoria Certified Licence (Class
WP). All equipment operators must receive instruction and
supervision to ensure safe work practice. Persons who have not
undertaken training in the operation of elevating work platforms
are prohibited from using this equipment.
Induction Handbook 2005, Page 15
Basically, as a Work Experience student, you are prohibited in working at
heights (including standing on chairs), unless you have been licensed by
WorkSafe Victoria. During your Work Experience, if you are asked to
work at heights (highly unlikely), you are to refuse as you are unlicensed.
Ladders
At Museum Victoria, Safe Work Permits are required for the use of any
ladder, including step ladders and scaffolding. As you do not have a
‘ladder licence’, you are unable to work with ladders for the duration of
your time with Museum Victoria.
OVERALL
Occupational Health and Safety is about being responsible, safe
within the workplace and it is also about using common sense as
to what it safe and what isn’t. If you are unsure about the task
asked of you – ask yourself the question - ‘Is it a task a
reasonable person would do?’
Enjoy your Work Experience opportunity and ‘Think and Talk Safety’!
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FACT SHEET 3
Work Experience
Info
BUILDING EMERGENCY
PROCEDURES
It is important to understand the Building Emergency
Procedures. During your first day with Museum
Victoria, the Vocational Education Officer will brief
you in more detail about the procedures and what is
required of you, as a Work Experience student, in
case of an emergency.
There are two distinct sounds that you need to keep
an ear out for during an emergency. Each sound has a
different way in responding to the situation. If there
is ever an emergency in the Museum during the time
of your Work Experience, you are required to follow all instructions and
exit the building when told to.
Sound 1: BEEP … BEEP … BEEP
1. Your Warden will respond directly to the signal, general occupants
are to take no immediate action. Do not leave your floor or area.
2. When directed by your Warden; secure your area and assemble at
the fire isolated stairs or closet exit
3. EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY if a threat to life exists.
DO NOT USE LIFTS
Sound 2: WHOOP… WHOOP … WHOOP
1. Make your way to the nearest fire isolated stairs or exit and follow
the directions of the Wardens
2. Evacuate via the fire isolated stairs or exit, DO NOT use the lifts
3. Move through the exit in an orderly fashion
4. Move to the Assembly Area
DO NOT USE LIFTS
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FACT SHEET 4
GETTING
Work Experience
Info
AROUND
Getting around the different campuses of Museum Victoria can be quite
tricky. Here are some general information maps to help you move around
the campuses.
MELBOURNE MUSEUM
The Great Wall of China
1. 1, 2, 3, Grow 6. Forest Secrets
2. The Virtual Room 7. Two Laws
3. CSIRAC – Australia’s First Computer 8. Koori Voices
3. Marine Life: Exploring Our Seas 9. Belonging to Country
4. Southern Diversity 10. In honour of Lin Onus
5. Bugs Alive!
22. Dinosaurs in Time 11. Te Vainui O Pasifika
12. Bodyscape 17. Phar Lap
13. Body Parts 18. Melbourne Stories
14. Biotech and Beyond 19. Windows on Victoria
20. Top Designs 2007
21. Darwin to DNA 11. Te Vainui O Pasifika
6. Forest Secrets
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SCIENCEWORKS
1. Schools Entrance 6. Pumping station
Each school group arriving at Scienceworks is met Guided tours of this historic site may be booked
by a trained Volunteer guide. for student groups.
2. Exhibition Galleries 7. Planetarium
Student trails are provided to guide small groups Astronomy shows are available in the Melbourne
around the exhibition(s) they are booked into. Planetarium.
3. Lightning Room - Victoria University High 8. Science Stage
Voltage Theatre A variety of science shows are available each
A variety of Lightning Room Shows are available. term.
4. Cafe 9. To the Train or Ferry
The Scienceworks Cafe can make Lunch Packs. Getting to Scienceworks is easy. Travel by train,
Free barbecue facilities are also available. ferry or take advantage of our free bus parking.
Spotswood train station is 8 minutes walk from
5. Play areas Scienceworks.
As well as a large grassed arena, there are two
playground areas available.
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IMMIGRATION MUSEUM
There are a few ways to get to the Immigration Museum including:
Tram 48, 70, or 75 to corner of Flinders Street & Market Street.
Free City Circle Tram to corner of Flinders Street & Market Street.
Train to Flinders Street or Spencer Street Station.
Free Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle service to Stop 8 on William Street.
GENERAL INFORMATION
ADDRESSES:
Melbourne Museum: Scienceworks:
11 Nicholson St 2 Booker Street Spotswood,
Carlton, Victoria Victoria Australia
Ph: 13 11 02 (within Victoria) Ph: 9392 4800 or 13 11 02
Open 10:00am to 5:00pm daily Open 10:00am to 4:30pm daily
Immigration Museum:
Old Customs House
400 Flinders Street, Melbourne
Ph. 03 9927 2700
Open 10:00am to 5:00pm daily
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ACTIVITY SHEET
1
Work Experience
MV MAGAZINE KID’S PAGE
Design Your Own Kid’s Page
The MV Magazine contains a Kid’s Page filled with fun and interesting
things for children to do and read. Your task is to create your own Kid’s
Page for publication within the MV Mag.
Some help :
Review past MV Kid’s Pages and develop a new
page. It has to link with the themes within the
Museum (or the Immigration Museum or
Scienceworks, if you’re keen!), but in a kid –
centred and friendly way.
Include activities, puzzles and interesting facts
and information about one of the themes, or any
new exhibition you may think would be
interesting for kids.
Research the topic you have chosen (you may wish to
utilise the resources available in the Discovery
Centre), design your activities and then create a mock
up of your page using an A3 sheet of paper.
Apart from designing the page using a computer, you can
use coloured pencils, textas and paper.
Good luck and have fun!
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ACTIVITY SHEET
2
Work Experience
DESIGN YOUR OWN
EXHIBITION!
Imagine that you have been employed as a Curator.
There is the opportunity for an upcoming exhibition that
will be on display to the general public for at least the
next 5 years. Unlimited funds are available for the
upcoming exhibition. Due to your expertise and world –
wide recognition as a Curator, the Museum has asked you
specifically to design and create this new exhibition.
Your task is to create and design an exhibition that you
(and potentially others!) would be interested in seeing.
When designing and creating your exhibition, include the
following information:
Write an explanation for the reasoning behind your
choice of exhibition theme. Who is your audience?
What objects would you use in your exhibition? Though
you have unlimited funds, how would you source these
objects?
Create a legend for your exhibition space to explain as
to where objects (or groups of objects) are located
On an A3 sheet of paper (or several sheets!), draw an
outline of where your objects would be placed
All exhibitions need a logo and slogan to attract visitors. On a
separate A4 sheet of paper, create a poster advertising your
upcoming exhibition
Good luck and have fun!
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ACTIVITY SHEET
3
Work Experience
BUNJILAKA
ACTIVITY
Curriculum Focus:
VELS Level 5: Historical knowledge and understanding
At Level 5, students analyse and describe key events in ancient and medieval societies…explain key features of
community life including myths and legends, religious beliefs and practices and cultural expressions such as art and
drama.
VELS Level 6: Historical knowledge and understanding
Students evaluate the impact of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and the fight for
civil and political rights and land rights.
Milarri Garden:
Locate the walking trail that meanders through the garden. As you
are walking along the trail, answer the following questions by filling
out the tables provided for each question:
a) Find one plant that was used for food.
Language name:
Common name:
How was it used:
Plant: Leaf:
Picture of plant:
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b) Find one plant that was used for Medicine.
Language name:
Common name:
How was it used:
Plant: Leaf:
Picture of plant:
c) Find one plant that was used for making tools.
Language name:
Common name:
How was it used:
Plant: Leaf:
Picture of plant:
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d) Locate one plant that was used for Shelter.
Language name:
Common name:
How was it used:
Plant: Leaf:
Picture of plant:
e) Search for one plant that was used for repairing things
Language name:
Common name:
How was it used:
Plant: Leaf:
Picture of plant:
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f) Have a look at ‘Belong to Country’ – locate one plant that was used for
making something.
Language name:
Common name:
How was it used:
Plant: Leaf:
Picture of plant:
g) Find one plant that was utilised for more than one purpose.
Language name:
Common name:
How was it used:
Plant: Leaf:
Picture of plant:
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ACTIVITY SHEET
4
Work Experience
BUNJILAKA
ACTIVITY
Curriculum Focus:
VELS Level 5: Historical knowledge and understanding
At Level 5, students analyse and describe key events in ancient and medieval societies…explain key features of
community life including myths and legends, religious beliefs and practices and cultural expressions such as art and
drama.
VELS Level 6: Historical knowledge and understanding
Students evaluate the impact of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and the fight for
civil and political rights and land rights.
Two Laws:
Locate the glass case with Sir Baldwin Spencer in it.
1. Choose two objects and fill in the tables below with the appropriate
information.
Object 1:
Object Name: ______________________________
Name of Anthropologist: ______________________
Description of Object Picture of Object
Object 2:
Object Name: ______________________________
Name of Anthropologist: ______________________
Description of Object Picture of Object
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Locate the map of Australia showing the different Aboriginal Tribes.
Use the information from the map to answer the following questions:
2. a) In the present time, how many tribes and dialects are we aware
of?
Tribes: _____________
Dialects: ____________
b) What are the names of the five traditional tribes that surround
Melbourne?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
c) Previously, you would have heard of at least one of the tribes
on the map. In relation to Melbourne’s history, what is the historical
significance of this tribe?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
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Find the bark painting of the Kangaroo located near the Tribal Map.
3. a) What do you think was the significance and use of this
painting?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
b) How is this way of teaching similar or different to contemporary
teaching styles?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
c) Compare the above Aboriginal style of teaching with current European
teaching. Is the Aboriginal style of teaching used or not in modern day
schools?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Find the dot painting on the wall next to the Map. Focus on the painting to
your left and answer the following questions:
4. a) Explain the story of this painting.
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
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b) Where in Australia would you find this type of painting?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
c) What painting style do Victorian Aboriginals use?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
d) Compared with the Northern Territory, why do you think the
style of painting is different in Victoria?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
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