SA Museum CEO Dr David Gaimster steps down, to be replaced by Clare Mockler

The decision comes in the wake of a restructuring plan that sparked months-long protests and an inquiry by the state government. Find out who’s replacing him.

The SA Museum boss will step down after a board recommendation for new leadership of the institution was approved.

Dr David Gaimster, who was appointed as SA Museum chief executive in July 2023, will be replaced by the former Adelaide City Council chief Clare Mockler.

She will hold the interim role while a recruitment process will be undertaken to find a permanent replacement.

In a LinkedIn post, Dr David Gaimster expressed “pride in his contributions” over the last eighteen months that entirely focused on creating “a sustainable future for the Museum”.

“Although sorry to be leaving, I have great confidence in the next stage of the Museum’s strategic planning process, which I have helped put in place,” the former chief executive wrote.

Greg Mackie, the CEO of History Trust of South Australia, voiced his support in the comments, stating that one day the ‘the truth will be out there’.

“The challenges faced by the South Australian Museum were not of your making,” commented Mr Mackie.

“They are the cumulative result of years of neglect and budget ‘efficiency dividends’ none of which were of your making.”

He further went on to say that Dr Gaimster had the “grave misfortune of being the messenger”.

“The ‘burning platform’ inherited by you and the constraints foisted upon you by your superiors left zero wriggle room,” he said.

The CEO of SA Museum, Dr David Gaimster, has stepped down. Picture: Supplied

Former Adelaide City Council chief executive officer Clare Mockler will step in as interim CEO. Picture: Adelaide City Council

Dr Gaimster’s vision for a contemporary overhaul of the museum was overturned earlier this year after the controversial restructure plan targeted jobs and ‘outdated’ exhibitions.

These changes were announced to staff in February during a PowerPoint presentation and subsequently sparked widespread protests which included 350 prominent Australians signing an open letter to the Premier criticising proposed changes to research and collection.

The changes proposed in the now-defunct plan included the replacement of 27 jobs in the Museum’s research and collections division with 22 new roles that focused on curatorial research.

Moreover, much-loved displays like the Egyptian and Polar exhibitions were previously under review for not addressing current global challenges like climate change.

The restructure aimed to make the museum displays more “sustainable” and “accessible” for the 21st century.

An inquiry was also conducted by the state government with a further injection of $4.1 million into the museum, and the appointing of a new board chair after the backlash prompted the resignation of former museum chair Kim Cheater.

Arts Minister Andrea Michaels said the government accepts the board’s recommendation that “new leadership is in the best interests of the Museum going forward”.

“The Museum is incredibly important to the people of South Australia and the Museum board are focused on delivering the recommendations made by the Premier’s Review Panel,” she said.

“I thank Dr Gaimster for his contribution to the Museum and I wish him all the best for the future.”

But opposition spokesman John Gardner said: “David Gaimster’s departure has a sad inevitability to it, as a result of the Government’s woeful and pitiful mismanagement of the Museum.

“While the Board Chair and the CE (chief executive) have both been removed as a result of the Museum restructure fiasco, it’s pathetic that no members of the Labor Government have taken any responsibility for the mess.”

Ms Michaels accused the Liberals of “rank hypocrisy” after “savings” were allocated by successive governments over the past decade.