The Bicentennial Conservatory in the Adelaide Botanic Garden.

Stephanie Richards, New Botanic Gardens director named, InDaily, May 2021

A museum administrator who has worked for cultural institutions across Australia and the United Kingdom has been announced as the new director of the South Australian Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium.

The State Government this morning announced Michael Harvey as the new director, to replace outgoing leader Dr Lucy Sutherland from July for a three-year term.

Harvey has over 20 years of experience working across the museum sector, including the past eight years as assistant director and chief experience officer at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney.

He has also previously worked in management roles at the National History Museum in London and the Australian Museum in Sydney.

The State Government this morning announced Michael Harvey as the new director, to replace outgoing leader Dr Lucy Sutherland from July for a three-year term.

Harvey has over 20 years of experience working across the museum sector, including the past eight years as assistant director and chief experience officer at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney.

He has also previously worked in management roles at the National History Museum in London and the Australian Museum in Sydney.

His appointment comes as the Adelaide Botanic Garden prepares to rollout a new masterplan and faces ongoing construction at the neighbouring Lot Fourteen site.

Department for Environment and Water chief executive John Schutz said that Harvey’s appointment created an “exciting opportunity to not just build on the foundation of the past, but explore new and contemporary ways to engage the community”.

“Michael’s passion for exploring, building and communicating the important relationship between science, culture and people really stood out during the recruitment process,” he said.

“I warmly welcome Michael to the team.”

Harvey said he was excited to move to Adelaide with his family.

“At a time when we are all re-evaluating our relationships with the natural world, institutions such as the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium have a fundamental role in building deeper connections with nature’s beauty and complexity,” he said.

“Along with my family, I am excited to be coming to a city and a community that is so renowned for natural and built heritage and a deep cultural vibrancy.”

The Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium manages Adelaide, Mt Lofty and Wittunga botanic gardens.