Discover

The 'Museum of Tropical Queensland', also called MTQ, is located in Townsville, Queensland, Australia, in the state of Queensland [1]. MTQ is a member of the Queensland Museum Campus Network [2].

Contents

History

Research

Marine archaeology

Marine megafauna

Corals

References

External links

History

The museum opened in 1987 under the direction of Dr. Carden Wallace, at that time titled 'Curator in Charge'[3]. Its new building was built at a cost of $18 million Australian dollars [4], and was opened on 3 June 2000 by Queensland Premier Peter Beattie [5].
In 1997, Dr. Wallace was named Director of the museum [6].
In 2003, Sally Lewis was named Director of the museum[7].

Research

Scientists in the museum have gained international recognition in various fields, particularly those with marine themes.

Marine archaeology

The museum houses artefacts recovered from the wreck of HMS Pandora, one of the most significant wrecks in Australian waters. The ''Pandora'' sank off the coast of north Queensland in 1791 after capturing some of the participants in the infamous mutiny on the Bounty.
The Maritime Archaeology Section administers the ''Historic Shipwrecks Act'' 1976, which covers sites including the ''Pandora'' and SS ''Yongala'' wrecks. Access to these sites is through permit only[8].

Marine megafauna

In 2006, worldwide attention was received for the discovery of the Australian Snubfin Dolphin, the first species of dolphin to be discovered in 56 years [9].

Corals

The museum also houses what has been described as 'the scientifically most important coral collection in the world' [10].

References

★ 'Getting Here'

★ 'Queensland Museum Campus Network'

★ Queensland Museum Annual Report 1999-2000

★ 'Profile of Townsville City Area'

★ New dolphin species under the spotlight at MTQ

★ 'Ask a Staghorn Coral'

★ 'Women Scientists at the Queensland Museum'

★ 'Wallace, Carden: Bright Sparcs Biographical entry'

★ Queensland Museum Annual Report 2002-2003

External links

★ Museum of Tropical Queensland