Dear warm hearted workers on the front line,

I am a friend of TMAG. I have been a regular visitor for all my adult life, and when I became a grandmother I took the children when they were of an appropriate age to learn about the natural environment, spending hours in the collections, drawing specimens, year after year, and we would take the lift up to the Antarctic collection and pull out the drawers to admire penguins and seabirds. Some days were spent in different areas, they know their way around now, and could lead groups themselves!

We would cross the road and have fish and chips at Mures. A family tradition.

I was a teacher and accompanied groups to TMAG, and as a practicing artist I continue to visit to visit every new exhibition and special shows in the natural history area. TMAG, along with the Maritime Museum and the Allport are among my favourite places to take visitors. I meet there with artist friends and we always spend hours longer than we intend.

My role as a grandmother is the one I take most seriously. The future of maintaining integrity is in the hands of the next generation and I hope I have had some input into their development as responsible caretakers of our exquisite island.

As a result of their rich nature-based childhood experiences, two of them have decided to study next year at uni to become Marine Scientists. One wants to focus on the Antarctic.

I had an idea of something which might be worth following up. I am not longer able to be on the front lines organising such events, as much as I have curated many exhibitions and events over thirty years to raise awareness about environmental issues and human rights. 

Sir David Attenborough visited TMAG, I remember reading of the land snail/slug named in his honour. I recall watching the ABC documentary created from his visit. It was such a landmark happening! And isn’t he everyone’s favourite? 

If David was approached, he might be willing to have a short video made in which he speaks up for TMAG and the importance of its legacy to all Tasmanians and the world.

This could be played large on the side of a building. Fanciful as it may seem, I thought it would be fantastic to have a pageant of children dressed as Tasmanian fauna, flora, insects etc, walking down Macquarie Street and ending up at TMAG where the video could be projected at the entrance. I’m sure some schools would be behind it and use it as a way to educate children about their role in conservation and as cultural gatekeepers of the future.

There you have it. 

In good faith and with ongoing vigorous hope for the opening of a fresh awareness in those who make decisions on behalf of us all.

Warmly, 

Desiree Fitzgibbon.

Via email 2026-10-04