People

Sally Hirst 

- Director

Sally has worked with many of Australia’s most prestigious institutions and most successful destinations. She has worked across the country developing places, and programs, working with communities, creating social and cultural capital, driving business sustainability and creating economic advantage. She founded Hirst Projects, to focus solely on high value strategic and actionable outcomes, particularly in the arts and culture, tourism, community and education sectors. She also acts as a leadership advisor and mentor.

Her background in developing and managing high quality visitor experiences, establishing new business models and integrating commercial enterprise into community developments gives her a unique insight into the contemporary world of partnership and collaboration in developing successful destinations.She works with architects, landscape architects and urban planners in strategic planning for towns and city precincts, bringing her stakeholder engagement, strategic analysis and conceptual skills into play.

Prior to her consulting and advisory roles, she held executive management roles at the City of Melbourne, Parks Victoria, The Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, The National Gallery of Victoria and Museums Victoria.

Sally has a B.Ed (Hons) from the University of London, She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and an active member of several professional associations.

Dr Robin Hirst PSM

- Director

Robin Hirst has more than 30 years’ experience in leading museum development. His work spans social and natural history museums, science centres as well as planetaria, children’s museums and specialist centres of excellence. He drives strategic thinking in collections development and management, research and exhibitions. He works across disciplines. He utilises high level skills in engaging collaborators, partners and supporters.

Prior to joining Hirst Projects in 2017, Robin held the position of Director Collections, Research and Exhibitions for Museums Victoria for almost two decades. He was responsible for the development of, and stewardship of, the State Collection of 17 million items and a highly successful research program involving major universities. He oversaw the development of long term exhibitions of international standing and a program of major touring exhibitions across Melbourne Museum, Scienceworks and the Immigration Museum.

He has a skill set that spans the strategic to the operational.

Boards
He is Chair of Deakin University’s Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies Advisory Board, a member of the Advisory Panel for RMIT University Design Archives and a member of the Indigo Shire Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee. He serves as a member of ICOM’s Strategic Planning Committee, appointed in 2017. He was the President of the Australian Museums and Galleries Association (2017-2021). He was President of The International Council of Museums (ICOM) Australia from 2013-2016 and works with world leaders to set directions for museums and galleries globally.

Awards
He was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2017 for outstanding service to the museums and galleries sector. He is an Honorary Life Fellow of Museums Victoria.

Robin has a PhD in Infrared Astronomy from the University of Melbourne.