Media Release:  Minister for Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts

7 May 2013

The Minister for Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts, Ian Walker, welcomed Professor Suzanne Miller as the new CEO of the Queensland Museum Network.

Professor Miller is the former Director of the South Australian Museum and brings with her a wealth of experience. She is also the first female director in its 151 year history.

“Professor Miller has the drive to build on the Museum’s impressive record of research, partnerships and dynamic experiences,” Mr Walker said.

“Making our state’s cultural treasures and resources available to the community aligns perfectly with the Queensland Government’s Arts for all Queenslanders policy.”

Professor Miller holds an Honours degree in Geology from the University of St Andrews and a PhD in Marine Geology from Imperial College, University of London. She has been the Director of the South Australian Museum for the past six years. Prior to that, Professor Miller spent 12 years with National Museums Scotland, latterly as Keeper of Natural Sciences.

Professor Miller is a member of the Australian Research Council Advisory Council, the Cooperative Research Centres Committee, the National Cultural Heritage Committee, the National Parks and Wildlife Council and the Council of Australasian Museum Directors.

Mr Walker paid tribute to Dr Ian Galloway, CEO of the Queensland Museum since May 2000, who is retiring on 2 July 2013.

“Under Dr Galloway’s leadership, we have seen the Queensland Museum Network of four great museums expand across the state, last year welcoming more than one million visitors to Cobb+Co Museum in Toowoomba, the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre in Brisbane, The Workshops Rail Museum in Ipswich and Townsville’s Museum of Tropical Queensland,” Mr Walker said.

Mr Walker said the international search for a CEO had considered a strong field of candidates.