Australian Golf Heritage Society -              Policy and Procedures

Strategic Plans

Strategic Plan 2015-2020

Museum Sub-Committee Strategic Plan (approved August 2015)

Aim: To develop and promote the Museum as the flagship of the Society’s activities.

Objectives
 Activities
 Outcomes
 Objective #1.
 Increase Museum visitations  		 Explore all available
 avenues for mainstream
 advertisement and
 promotion of the Museum,
 and the Society’s other
 activities.
 
 Consider promoting tours to
 groups such as golf clubs
 members, other club
 members (e.g. R.S.L.),
 senior citizens, schools, and
 community groups. 
 
 Be more accommodating
 with Museum hours to cater
 for group visits.
 
 Develop and publish a
 simple guide that visitors can
 follow when visiting the
 Museum.		  Increased community visibility
 through increased visitation. 
 
 Awareness of updates of
 major and minor exhibitions. 
 
 Word of mouth propagation
 of the Society’s activities.
 Objective #2.
 Major exhibitions 		 Hold at least one major
 exhibition per year. 
 
 By nature, these must occur
 within the Museum premises,
 and will have a strictly
 Australian focus. 		 Reinforcement of the
 ‘Australian-ness’ of the
 AGHS, and the focus of the
 Society’s aims.
 
 Adequate time is available for
 research and development of
 exhibitions, and display
 content is refreshed on a
 regular basis, encouraging
 more regular visits.
 
 Objects are rotated between
 storage and display in line
 with best Museum practice.
 Objective #3.
 Minor exhibitions		  Hold at least two minor
 exhibitions per year.		  These exhibitions may be in
 conjunction with existing
 permanent displays and
 major exhibitions on the
 Museum premises, or they
 may take the form of online
 exhibitions, and – travelling
 exhibition availability
 permitting – make use of the
 purpose built display case.
 
 Australian focus is preferred,
 but not essential.    

 Adequate time is available for
 research and development of
 exhibitions, and display
 content is refreshed on a
 regular basis, encouraging
 more regular visits.
 
 Objects are rotated between
 storage and display in line
 with best Museum practice.
 Objective #4a.
 Develop and enforce
 Museum Collection Policy,
 and related Procedures		  Rewrite and publish a
 Museum Collection Policy
 that is more in keeping with
 the stated aims of the
 Society.		  Establish and publish
 up-to-date procedures that 
 support the Museum
 Collection Policy, and enforce
 a strict discipline on the
 acceptance of objects from
 donors.    

 The Museum increasingly
 focuses on quality rather
 than quantity, and all objects
 are accepted as per
 international Museum best
 practice.
 
 Ownership and provenance
 of objects is established at
 the time of the donation, and 
 learned decisions made on
 the acceptance of the objects
 into the Museum’s collection.
 
 Available space is devoted to
 the storage and display of
 relevant historical artefacts.
 Objective #4b.
 Catalogue collection and
 organise effective storage
 strategies. 		 Complete cataloguing of the
 Museum’s collection, making
 full use of the MOSAic
 software package. 		 Develop a complementary
 storage regime which
 ensures that all objects are
 retrievable within a
 reasonable time, and that all
 objects are stored according
 to their individual
 preservation needs.    

 Will enable a meaningful
 valuation of the collection to
 be undertaken.
 
 Facilitates the most effective
 use of the storage space
 available.
 
 Provides the ability to identify
 objects that are suitable for
 de-accessioning.
 
 Facilitates access to
 research material
 Objective #4c.
 Rationalise collection 		 De-accession objects
 surplus to requirements or
 not in keeping with the
 Museum Collection Policy,
 and arrange either disposal
 or movement into the ‘Tactile
 Collection’. 		 The Museum increasingly
 focuses on quality rather
 than quantity.
 
 Available space is devoted to
 the storage and display of
 relevant historical artefacts.
 Objective #5.
 Membership involvement 		 Increase membership
 volunteer participation in the
 running of the Museum, and
 the strategic aims of the
 sub-committee. 		 Encourage participation
 through more flexible hours
 (half day, morning only,
 afternoon). 
 
 Ensure that volunteers are
 gainfully employed while at
 the Museum by identifying
 and developing individual
 interests and skills.
 
 Invite membership
 participation in all major and
 minor exhibitions through the
 borrowing of articles from
 individual members.    
 
 Increased member 
 participation, resulting in
 increased Museum visitation.
 
 Frees up the Museum curator
 for activities that provide
 greater value to the Society.
 
 Shares knowledge of correct
 Museum procedures.
 Objective #6.
 Member training 		 In the course of meeting the
 Museum sub-committee
 strategic aims, ensure that
 all operational and
 procedural developments
 are completely and
 adequately documented.
 
 Develop step-by-step
 guidelines for use by
 volunteers in carrying out
 assigned tasks and duties,
 and provide one on one
 training for all participating
 members.      		 Frees up the Museum curator
 for activities that provide
 greater value to the Society.
 
 Promotes adherence to
 correct Museum procedures.
 Objective #7.
 Mobile Exhibition 		 Promotes the Society and
 the Society’s activities
 through usage of the
 purpose built mobile
 exhibition case.

 The preferred option is to
 have the display case
 exMuseum at all times. 		 Increased awareness of the
 Society and its activities in
 participating golf clubs. 
 
 Possibility that clubs may
 become more involved
 through availability of the
 Mobile Exhibition. 
 
 Displays mounted with are
 specific to the location of the
 case.
 Objective #8.
 Grants 		 Explore all available sources
 of alternate funding,
 including – but not limited to
 – State Government grants,
 Commonwealth Government
 grants.

 Community grants,
 commercial sponsorship.     

 Reliance is placed on Golf
 NSW and the PGA for only
 operational expenses. 		 The AGHS Museum
 recognised as a valid,
 ongoing entity within the
 heritage community.



History Sub-Committee Strategic Plan (approved June 2015)

To assist in delivering the main aims of the Society, the aims of the plan are to promote an interest in and knowledge of the history of golf in Australia.

The History Sub-Committee has identified 10 objectives, the activities which will address each objective the expected outcomes which, as a whole will deliver the Society's aims in this area.

Objectives
 Activities
 Outcomes
 Objective #1.
 To research, write and
 publish Australian golf
 history.		  Research mainly primary
 sources. Write text clearly
 and append reference list.
 
 Produce suitable images		  Accurate history published in
 The Brassie, the AGHS
 website, and international
 publications.
 Objective #2.
 To locate and correct myths
 or inaccuracies in published 
 Australian golf history.
  Correcting these in The
 Brassie and the AGHS
 website. Editing other
 websites. Writing to website
 and hard copy publishers
 with corrections where
 needed.
  A better informed AGHS
 membership and golfing
 community.
 Objective #3.
 To receive and answer
 questions from the public on
 Australian and general golf
 history.
  Most questions will come via
 the website or visitors to the
 Museum. Give an immediate
 response where possible.
 
 Undertake research where
 needed to give a quality
 response.
  A better informed public.
 Objective #4.
 To conduct seminars on golf
 history.
  Talks and Q&A sessions on
 the latest research in the
 history of golf in Australia
 (and beyond). Display
 interesting items from the
 Museum and tell the story
 behind the items.
  A better informed public.
 More interest in the Museum.
 Objective #5.
 To add interest to club
 twilight nine and dine events.
  Very short talks on
 Australian golf history.
 
 Informal Q&A sessions.
 
 Display interesting items
 from the club and the
 Museum and tell the story
 behind the items. Include
 where possible, a specific
 event in host Club’s history
  Club members and their
 guests better informed about
 Australian golf history.

 More interest in the Museum.
 
 Better informed Club
 members and administrators
 leading to better support from
 Clubs in general
 Objective #6.
 To take part in golf club
 charity days.
  Consult with golf clubs and
 add interest to the event in
 ways suitable to the club.

 For example, give hands-on
 experience of historic putters
 and tell the story of these
 clubs and their importance in
 the way golf has evolved.
  Interest added to the charity
 days. Increase in funds
 raised for the charity.
 Objective #7.
 To conduct history events at
 golf clubs.
  Assisting club historians to
 give talks to members and
 guests on the history of their
 own club.

 Give talks on general golf
 history. Conduct Q&A
 sessions on both activities.

 Display interesting items
 from the Museum and tell
 the story behind the items.
  Golfers more aware of the
 history of their club and of
 general golf history.

 More interest in the Museum.
 Objective #8.
 To add interest to the 
 Travelling Museum.
  Run sessions where club
 members can be told the
 history story behind the
 items.

 Take other interesting items
 from the Museum to the
 session and tell their story.
  Better informed club
 members. Interest added to
 the Travelling Museum.
 Objective #9.
 To plug into the trainee
 professional curriculum.
  As their curriculum is quite
 crowded, give a short talk on
 where to get more
 information on Australian
 golf history, leave hard copy
 for trainees to read, leave
 on display interesting items
 from the Museum with fact
 sheets to tell their story.
  Better informed future golf 
 professionals. More interest
 in the Museum.
 Objective #10. To respond
 to other opportunities as
 they arise to spread well
 informed knowledge of the
 history of golf in Australia.
  Activities to suit the situation.
  Better informed golfers and
 the wider public.


Strategic Plan 2010-2012

History

The Australian Golf Heritage Society began as the private collection of golf professional Tom Moore, who began collecting old golf clubs in 1973 after a trip to the United Kingdom made him realise the importance of preserving Australia’s golfing heritage.

Tom’s collection was formalised when he donated it to the Golf Collector’s Society, which he helped form in 1995. The Golf Collector’s Society changed its name to the Australian Golf Heritage Society (AGHS) in 2008 to give a more representative description of the Society’s interests and scope.

In 2000, the collection was moved to its present location thanks to the kind offer by Golf Mart Granville of the use of their first floor space. Today the AGHS’s Golf Museum is predominantly run by volunteers, and is open to the public every Sunday from 10am to 4pm and by appointment.
 

Aim/Objective:

To encourage the collection, research, recording and preservation of information and objects connected with the history of golf in Australia and to inform golfers, golf clubs and the community in general.
 
The Society has 4 main activities:

  • The Golf Museum (including research library)
  • The Historians Group
  • Publications
  • Playing Events


The Golf Museum

Aim/Mission:

The Museum shall collect, conserve, research and exhibit objects and information of golfing heritage to raise the golfing community’s awareness of golf’s history and the place of that history in the development of the modern game. The Museum’s policy objective is to respect and conserve the history of golf in Australia. (Collection Policy of the Golf Museum)
 
Museum Strategic Plan 2010 to 2012

In April 2010 a Collection Manager was appointed to perform the following functions:

  • Preventative conservation of objects to an appropriate museum standard
  • Processing acquisitions, filming, cataloguing, display and storage techniques.
  • Maintaining and developing all catalogue records, both physical and electronic
  • Managing the reference library and its catalogue
  • Guiding and encouraging museum volunteers
  • Facilitating research by AGHS members
  • Supporting the delivery of museum exhibition programs
  • Developing the museum education & public programs
  • Advising the AGHS Management Committee on collection management generally and the development of systems such as digitisation and web-based access

 
In conjunction with this appointment, and in order ensure the long term viability of the museum and its collection, the following goals have been set for the period 2010 to 2012:

  1. Increase visitation to the museum
  2. Increase public access to the collection
  3. Increase the museum’s online presence
  4. Recruit new volunteers to the museum
  5. Update the museum collection policy
  6. Begin preventative conservation of collection objects

 
How will we achieve these goals?

 Goal 1:  Increase visitation to the museum


Advertising and Marketing

  • Send batches of existing Golf Museum pamphlets to golf clubs via the AGHS Historian’s Group. This should be done annually.

Exhibition Program

  • Complete the implementation of the Interpretation Plan for The Golf Museum dated September, 2007.
  • Create a show-case exhibition to highlight the museum’s collection and encourage visitation from the wider golfing community. Ideally this exhibition should tie in with a prominent golfer, an important golfing organisation, or a significant golfing event or anniversary.
 Goal 2:  Increase public access to the collection


Travelling Displays/Exhibitions

  • The Museum Manager regularly takes collection objects to golfing tournament and events in NSW and on the East coast. The creation of a travelling display suitable for use by museum staff and volunteers at outdoor events would make it easier to do this and perhaps display the collection at interstate events as well. 

  • This display should professionally curated, be reasonably portable and include a carrying case. Funding could be accessed through relevant grant program e.g. M&G NSW Small Grants or M&G NSW Development Project Grants in 2011 or 2012. Additional funding could be sought from Golf NSW.

Website

  • Highlight new and or significant collection objects on the AGHS website on a regular basis e.g. Objects of the Month. Statistics should be recorded of the number of hits this section of the website receives.
Also, see Goal 1: Increase visitation to the museum


 Goal 3:  Increase the museum’s online presence

 
Website

  • Appoint someone to manage and update content on the AGHS website on a regular basis.
  • Implement a regular online display of Golf Museum collection objects.

Web 2.0

  • Create an AGHS / AGHS Golf Museum Facebook page
 Goal 4:  Recruit new volunteers to the museum


AGHS Recruitment Drive

  • At the September 2010 AGM of the AGHS, the need to recruit more members to the society was discussed, and strategies were suggested. This will have an automatic flow on effect for the museum as more society members will mean a wider pool from which to draw volunteers for the Museum.
 Goal 5:  Update the museum collection policy


The ‘Collection Policy of the Golf Museum’ has not been updated for some time. Furthermore, an electronic copy has not been found. This document is vital in ensuring the long term viability and comprehensiveness of the collection.

  • Form a working party including Museum Manager and Collection Manager to update the Collection Policy. This should be done in conjunction with the ‘possible gaps in the collection’ identified in the September 2007 interpretation plan.
  • Once updated, it is important that the Collection Policy is applied to all potential acquisitions.
 Goal 6:  Begin preventative conservation of collection objects


Presently, the Golf Museum has no dedicated collection storage area. The majority of objects are on display and those that are not officially on display are kept within the exhibition space.

Storage

  • Purchase a small quantity of archival quality storage materials to store objects in urgent need.
  • Identify and clear a discreet storage area within the museum premises.
  • Locate appropriate shelving etc to place within the new storage area.
Climate Control

  • As the museum’s air-conditioning is sporadic and unable to be utilised during the week, we need to conduct a climate survey to determine where the most suitable storage and display areas within the current premises are.
Professional Conservation Advice

  • Obtain professional conservation advice regarding conservation and storage priorities. The Community Heritage Grants program (Significance Assessment, Preservation Needs Assessment, Conservation Activities and Collection Management) would greatly assist us in identifying and treating our main priorities and should be applied for at the first available opportunity.

Research and Significance Assessments

  • Increase the output of collection research and significance statements to identify the most significant objects and therefore the most pressing conservation priorities. Enlist the support of volunteers where possible e.g. university museum studies or heritage studies programs.

Long Term Goals

The long term housing and storage of the Golf Museum collection and displays is of key importance to the Museum’s long term viability. The current premises are utilised thanks to the very kind offer Golf Mart Granville. However, this arrangement is uncertain in the long term and there is no formal agreement. As the location of permanent premises is unlikely to happen within the period of this strategic plan, the following has been identified as a long term goal:
 

 Goal 7:  Locate suitable permanent premises to house the museum and 
 collection.
  • Museum Manager to continue investigating suitable alternative premises
  • This issue should be a standing item at every AGHS AGM and the Museum Manager or delegate should provide an update at each meeting.

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