To get to the new UNE Natural History Museum!

The relocation of exhibits to UNE’s new Natural History Museum has begun, and has already drawn spectators. Skeletons of a false killer whale, Pseudorca crassidens, and leopard seal, Hydrurga leptonyx, were carefully walked by a team of UNE staff and volunteers from the old Zoology museum to their new home in the Integrated Agricultural Education Building last week.

Museum design and installation contractors from Environmental Creations and Thylacine have been working with Romina Rader, Kirsti Abbott, Sandy Watson, Louise Streeting and volunteers to prepare and transfer specimens.

Leopard seal

The UNE Natural History Museum will feature a significant collection of biological, geological and paleontological specimens. As with all museums, the majority of the collections are housed out of sight, stored carefully for use in teaching and research projects. However, the stunning foyer of the new Integrated Agricultural Education Building now provides a striking front-of-house exhibition space for specimens from across all animal taxa, including one of our own Australian dinosaurs.

The official opening of the new building will take place in early 2017. The museum will be an exciting and dynamic place to visit, showcasing not only our amazing biological and paleontological collections but also the regions own artistic talents via public exhibitions.

Watch this space!