Museums & Archaeology

Timeline

  • 1965–73
    Curator of Anthropology, South Australian Museum.
  • 1972
    Convenor and Editor of the National Seminar on Aboriginal Antiquities in Australia, Canberra. May 1972.
  • 1973
    Commissioned by the Commonwealth to carry out a survey of rock art in Western Arnhem Land, as part of the Alligator River Environmental Fact-Finding Study in the lead-up to the establishment of Kakadu National Park
  • 1973-75
    Deputy Principal, Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies and Torres Strait Islander Studies.
  • 1975-80
    Founding Director, Aboriginal Arts Board of Australia Council.
  • 1978
    UNESCO Regional Seminar on the Role of Museums in Preserving Indigenous Cultures, held in Adelaide and chaired/organized by Robert Edwards.
  • 1979-85
    Consultant to South Australian Government on redevelopment of South Australian Museum (authored the influential "Edwards Report").
  • 1980
    Founding Executive Director, International Cultural Corporation of Australia Ltd (ICCA, later AEA).
  • 1982
    Coordinated The Entombed Warriors exhibition, breaking attendance records and launching the blockbuster era.
  • 1984-90
    Founding Director, Museum of Victoria (attendance increased from 300,000 to 1 million).
  • 1989
    Appointed Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for service to conservation, the environment, and museum organizations.
  • 1990-96
    Chairman, National Museum of Australia Council.
  • 1990-2019
    Returned to role as Chief Executive and Director, Art Exhibitions Australia Ltd (AEA).
  • 1997-2000
    First Chair of the National Portrait Gallery.
  • 2011
    Awarded Curator Emeritus from the South Australian Museum.

Heartfelt Tributes

Bob's legacy continues to inspire us all.

"Bob's passion for Aboriginal culture was unmatched and inspiring."

Jane Doe
Curator, Museum Victoria

"His contributions to anthropology have left a lasting mark."

John Smith
Director, Art Exhibitions Australia