Section 3 - Management & Accountability (continued)
Museum, Gallery and Visitor Services
The Mint is responsible for maintaining the National Coin Collection. These coins and other coin related artefacts are displayed in the public gallery and the tourism functions of the Mint.
There were approximately 124,000 visitors to the public gallery in the year 2007–08. This number reflects the continuing decline resulting from the refurbishment works and the closure of the observation gallery. Visitors are able to watch the up-to-date video, which now explains the refurbishment process, visit the “Treasures of the National Coin Collection”, the Mint shop and are able to mint their own coins on the visitor presses.
Plans are being developed for the fitout of the new visitor’s gallery, which is due to open early next year. The Mint participated in a satisfaction survey conducted by the University of Canberra across ten major Canberra attractions and the recommendations will be included in the final brief when they are available. The operations of the Museum and Gallery were audited during the year by independent auditors. The report concluded that the National Coin Collection is supported by policies and procedures and is secured within a controlled environment. There were some recommendations for procedural improvements, the majority of which have been implemented. The National Coin Collection was independently valued at $12,580,680.
The provision of Museum, Gallery and Visitor Services is designated as a Community Service Obligation (CSO) and is currently partly funded from seigniorage using a model approved by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer in 2003. The remaining cost of providing these services is cross-subsidised from the proceeds of the Mint Shop and visitor presses.
It is intended to review the funding of the CSO function in the financial year 2008–09. The review will take account of increased rents following the refurbishment and the need to continue to meet the public expectations on the Mint as a National Institution.
Acknowledgement and funding of the museum gallery and visitor services as a CSO will determine the extent of engagement the Mint can have with its visitors. In particular resolution of ongoing funding arrangements will determine whether the Mint can provide an educational experience for school tours that links closely with the school curriculum.