An invitation to meet the scientists involved in the Australian Museum’s Norfolk Island expedition

The Australian Museum is leading an expedition to Norfolk Island from Friday 21 October to Saturday 5 November, 2022. The expedition goal is to learn about the flora and fauna of Norfolk Island, and the island’s Polynesian history.

Joining the Museum team of scientists will be experts from the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney and Auckland War Memorial Museum who will work with Parks Australia and the local community to explore as much of Norfolk Island and the surrounding islands as possible.

This expedition involves terrestrial surveys of Norfolk Island and will be followed in 2023 and 2024 by further work on the marine environments around Norfolk Island.

During the expedition scientists will conduct surveys of native and introduced plants and animals to add to the existing scientific knowledge of the island’s biodiversity and inform its ongoing conservation.

A program of archaeological fieldwork, including excavation, will be conducted by Australian Museum scientist Dr Amy Way and University of Sydney Masters student Nicola Jorgensen. This aims to further our understanding of pre–European, Polynesian settlement on Norfolk Island and explore the nature and extent of this occupation through the objects they left behind.

Community feedback, engagement and consultation is crucial to our shared understanding of the history and biodiversity of Norfolk Island. We warmly invite all community members to meet with the scientists to take part in that conversation throughout the week.

Meet the scientists

Sunday 23 October

To kick off the expedition, join the museum experts for tea, nibbles and an informal, one-on-one chat about their field work. Children welcome.

When: 5pm–7pm, Sunday 23 October
Where: Rawson Hall, Taylors Road

Saturday 29 October

An expedition open day will be held at Rawson Hall as a show-and-tell for the community. Light refreshments will be available.

When: 9am–12pm, Saturday 29 October
Where: Rawson Hall, Taylors Road

Daily, 24 October–4 November

Each day of the expedition, scientists will be available to talk with community members to discuss the progress of the fieldwork and hear your contributions.

The Olive Café, 8am–9am (*For Wednesday morning, we will be at the Golden Orb café)

The SDA school building, 5pm–6pm

Please visit the Australian Museum website for more information about the expedition (including an up-to-date program), to express your interest in upcoming events, and to share your knowledge or ideas: https://australian.museum/learn/expeditions/norfolk-island/

(written by Alice Gage, Paul Flemons)