Margot Jolly

Originally from Forbes and now living in Parkes, I lived and worked in Sydney for 23 years. A Museum Studies graduate from the University of Sydney, I worked for the Historic Houses Trust (Sydney Living Museums) for 10 years in the areas of guiding, education programs, collection management and curatorial.

Prior to working in Museums, I studied at the National Art School, worked in Arts retail in Sydney and travelled.

My first Museums & Galleries Museum advisor position commenced in the Bland Shire in 2006. In 2008-9 I worked at Old Parliament House on the its transition to the Museum of Australian Democracy. Subsequently I took up a museum advisory role with Narrabri Shire and am currently working with Shoalhaven City Council

Current projects

The Shoalhaven City Council areas covers an area on the south coast from Berry to just north of Batemans Bay.

In this area I am working with four museums that are quite different and are dealing with varying issues typical for small volunteer-run museums. Strategic planning and reviewing collection management plans and procedures are common issues for all the museums.

One of the museums is embarking on a program of cleaning tired displays, updating interpretation and labelling, and re-focus of the museum to better reflect the original collector. Another is working on improving display and interpretation skills and working towards a capital project.

Personal statement

Originally a country person although I spent many years in Sydney studying and working in the museum sector, I have kept strong ties to the rural and regional sector. I have a great understanding of the issues facing small regional museums, having spent the past 10 odd years working across the state on varied projects as a museum advisor and a contractor. I am very much a people person and love working with enthusiastic teams to facilitate, encourage and achieve great outcomes.