Students Digitize David Fleay's Archival Collection at Australian Museum
University of Sydney students have initiated a project to digitize and catalog the personal archives of David Fleay, a notable Australian naturalist and conservationist, at the Australian Museum. The collection, acquired in 2024, includes fragile glass plates used as lantern slides for public education on native fauna. Under the guidance of museum staff, the students are uncovering historical insights, such as reevaluating the story of a platypus sent to Britain during World War II. This work highlights the role of archives in preserving and interpreting scientific history, with future plans to explore other conservation figures.
Key facts
- David Fleay's personal collection was transferred to the Australian Museum in 2024.
- University of Sydney students are digitizing glass plates from the collection as part of an internship.
- The archives reveal new perspectives on historical events, including platypus diplomacy during wartime.
Entities
Institutions
- Australian Museum
- University of Sydney
- David Fleay Wildlife Park
Locations
- Sydney
- Gold Coast
- Australia