History

ICOM was formed in 1946. It is a non-governmental organisation maintaining formal relations with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation
(UNESCO ). It has a consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC ).

The Australian National Committee of ICOM (ICOM Australia) has been active for more than twenty-five years.  Its Chairpersons and other office bearers have been regular participants at the annual meetings of ICOM’s Advisory Committee, while several Australians have served on ICOM’s Executive Council.  Many Australian members have attended ICOM General Conferences and participated in the work of ICOM’s numerous International Committees and Affiliated Organisations.

Because its members are resident all over Australia, ICOM Australia does not hold regular meetings, other than in association with the annual conferences of Museums Australia , with which it has a close working relationship.  Members of ICOM Australia constitute Museums Australia’s International Committee.  ICOM Australia keeps its members informed about international developments via its website and occasional E-News bulletins to those members with registered email addresses.

ICOM Australia has hosted two major events in past years – the 5th Regional Assembly of ICOM’s Asia and Pacific Regional Organisation in Sydney in 1995, and the ICOM General Conference in Melbourne in 1998.

ICOM Australia is a pillar body of Blue Shield Australia (the Australian National Committee of the International Committee of the Blue Shield, an organisation established to develop and coordinate responses to natural and man-made disasters that impact on cultural and natural heritage).