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Heritage Collections Council
The Cultural Ministers Council agreed to establish the Heritage Collections Council at its 17 December 1996 meeting to replace and build on the achievements of the Heritage Collections Committee.
The Council's mission is to facilitate accessible, well managed and conserved heritage collections reflecting the continuity of Australia's history - from its beginning indigenous traditions through to contemporary Australia's cultural and natural diversity.
The Council's strategic action plan covers four key areas:
- identification of Australia's heritage collections;
- a plan for their care;
- a plan to increase people's use and enjoyment of them; and
- a plan to promote and profile them both within Australia and internationally.
Both the National Conservation Strategy and 
Australian Museums and Galleries On Line were integral to the Council's strategic action plan.
The Council's membership includes representatives from the Commonwealth, State and Territory and local governments, and from the museum industry (with observers from the library and archive sectors). Dawn Casey of the Department of Communications, IT and the Arts chairs the Council, which will operate until 2001.
For more information about the Heritage Collections Council see:
- the media release Australia's heritage collections to become more accessible 17 December 1996.