Conservation has become an accepted term to describe the preservation of our natural environment, but it applies equally to our cultural heritage. Conservation is a highly technical task based on knowledge of the structure and chemistry of the materials involved. It includes preventative action through the creation of a safe environment for storage and display and treatments to stabilise and repair objects. Where needed restoration techniques are employed to enhance the aesthetic nature while preserving the historical integrity of the item. In Australia, conservators are guided by the Code of Ethics and Guidance for Conservation Practice which aims to govern their work practices and outlines their obligations to their clients, colleagues and employees.
Conservators are people trained in the theory and specialised practice of materials conservation.
They work in a variety of places such as museums, art galleries, libraries, archives and in private practice. Conservators usually specialise in one field on conservation due to the vast range of natural and manufactured materials used in the creation of our cultural heritage. The following papers detail conservation strategies for various media and provide additional references on each subject. All are in PDF format and require the Adobe Acrobat Reader . It also provides opportunities for institutions to expand their expertise and to make bold experiments in the arena of new technologies.