Alice McKenzie Ebbels – Member Spotlight

I was the seven-year-old who understood in meticulous and arguably quite morbid detail how an Egyptian mummy was created down to the last incision and amulet. There was never any doubt that I would end up in a history-related field. Visitor services was my way into the world of museums and heritage interpretation.

 

My current role is as a Curatorial Assistant at MoAD working on the redevelopment of the Press Gallery exhibition.

Ancestry/Cultural Heritage

Anglo Australian

Where and what did you study?

I completed a Bachelor of Arts majoring in history and minoring in heritage and museum studies as well as a Bachelor of Business Administration at the Australian National University.

What does Interpretation mean to you?

Interpretation encourages you to discover your world. For me it is a masterfully presented tour or a sign on a walking track positioned at the perfect spot for a breather. The world is a fascinating place. Without interpretation there would be much less enlightened.

When and how did you start working in Interpretation?

My first role in interpretation was in the front of house team at the National Museum of Australia, presenting the building and many objects on display. I discovered that what I had been doing was called ‘interpretation’ when I joined the Interpretation and Content Development team at MoAD. In this role I developed interpretive displays and media to encourage visitors to understand not only the significance of where they were standing but how Australian parliamentary and democratic history affected and continues to affect their lives.

What is your favourite interpretive project to date and why?

My favourite project is the interpretation of the Clerk of the Senate’s Office in Old Parliament House. I took the lead on the content development including recreating the office to represent 11 November 1975, writing the interpretive text, and selecting images and television footage. I learned a lot about the role of Clerk of the Senate and the man who occupied the role in 1975, James Odgers. To bring the room to life I scoured archives for photographs of the room and spoke to James’ former colleagues and even his now very grown-up children. The project came together fantastically and is a popular addition to the museum’s offerings.

What role does Interpretation have in the world today?

As the world becomes more and more complex, people are seeking a connection to their history to help them understand their place in it. Interpretation fills this desire, helping people to better understand the place they live and the community they live in by discovering what was under their noses all along.