In June, our volunteers had the incredible opportunity to visit the Australian Museum for a special field trip focused on the digitisation of their collections through the DigiVol program.
Our day began with an introduction to the DigiVol Lab, where over 100 volunteers help digitise the museum’s collections. These dedicated individuals photograph specimens, objects, archival materials, and labels—capturing valuable data that is stored in a database and later transcribed by online DigiVol volunteers around the world. It’s an impressive blend of technology and teamwork, helping make the museum’s collection accessible to researchers and the public alike.
The highlight of the day was an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Entomology Collection led by the Head Collection Manager. We were taken into one of the collection’s storage areas—rows of compactors filled with drawers housing an astonishing variety of insects. From shimmering jewel beetles and vibrant butterflies to the more spine-tingling spiders, we were able to get up close with some of the most fascinating (and sometimes creepy!) members of the natural world.
We learned that insects are the most diverse group of terrestrial organisms, and this is clearly reflected in the museum’s holdings. The Australian Museum’s Entomology Collection is the second largest insect collection in the country and the largest single collection in the museum, with an estimated 1.8 million pinned specimens. All of these are stored onsite in Sydney and meticulously cared for by expert staff.
It was an inspiring and eye-opening day that left us with a deeper appreciation for the crucial role volunteers play in preserving collections.
By Karen Griffiths (Volunteers Program Officer)