Welcome to Blue Shield Australia's website

Who we are

Blue Shield is the cultural equivalent of the Red Cross. It is an international committee, working to protect the world's cultural heritage threatened by armed conflict and natural disasters.

Blue Shield Australia (BSA) is a member of both the Association of National Committees of the Blue Shield (ANCBS) and of the International Committee of the Blue Shield (ICBS).

FLOOD DISASTERS ACROSS AUSTRALIA

Our thoughts are with our colleagues in the devastating flood affected areas across Australia. In response to the flood disaster the BSA Committee convened two special meetings in Melbourne on 17th & 27th January 2011. The meetings gathered available information at the time as to how the floods have affected the cultural heritage sector. It also canvassed possible recovery efforts, which could be implemented immediately as well as what activities should be undertaken in the short, medium and long-term.

To assist with these activities BSA agreed to establish a central register of cultural heritage affected by the floods. The register will collate a list of all affected archives, historical societies, libraries, museums and galleries and monuments and sites and be posted on the BSA website. This register will be used to prioritise and better understand how, where and when best to respond and assist cultural heritage custodians affected by the floods.

The BSA committee has also agreed to meet more regularly with not just BSA pillars and associate members but any other cultural heritage organisations wanting to assist. In the coming weeks and months updates on BSA actions to the flood disaster will be posted on the BSA website and facebook page as well as BSA member organisations websites and discussion lists.

To contribute to the BSA flood disaster register please email the Blue Shield Secretariat at: info@blueshieldaustralia.org.au

News

Blue Shield comes to New Zealand [more]

The BSA committee is following the tragic events in Japan with great concern. [ more ]

BSA committee is shocked to hear about the earthquake damage in Christchurch NZ. Our thoughts and support go to our colleagues in the affected earthquake area. We are gathering news and information from the NZ library, museum, archive, gallery and build heritage profession and posting it on the BSA facebook site as it becomes available. [ more ]

Flood Affected Cultural Heritage Register 2011

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Blue Shield Australia Events

MayDay 2011