Director - Louis Le Vaillant

Louis took up the position of Director of The Johnston Collection following fourteen years as Curator - Applied Arts at Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira. Prior to this appointment he was Director of the Fisher Gallery (now known as Te Tuhi Centre for the Arts) and as Registrar and Exhibitions Manager for The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery in New Plymouth, New Zealand. Louis has also been an external advisor for the Craft / Object and Craft Fellowships for Creative New Zealand Toi Aotearoa.

In 2004 Louis was awarded a scholarship to attend the three week residential Attingham Summer School in the England during which time he visited and studied the collections of more than 35 great country houses with professional colleagues from the UK, USA and Europe. In addition he also had internships at the National Trust, English Heritage, the V&A Museum and the Royal Collections.

Louis strongly believes in the role that museums and their collections play in society, the enjoyment they bring to the community.

Manager, Marketing & Administration - Fil Natarelli

Fil has vast experience of working for leaders in media and business.  

She particularly enjoys working with visitors to find the most suitable tours and programs offered at The Johnston Collection to meet their needs.

Fil’s private passion is in antique jewellery.

Curatorial Assistant - Olivia Gill, B.A., Grad.Dip.Mus.Studs.

Olivia commenced at the Johnston Collection in January 2006 and has a special interest in the cataloguing of the collection and particularly in undertaking digital imaging of the collection. 

Gardens & Visitor Services - Natalie Handsjuk

Voluntary Guides

Guiding at the Johnston Collection is a project supported by the Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society and all successful applicants become ADFAS Associate Members. Volunteers are also encouraged to join the Friends of the Johnston Collection.

Please note that because of the conditions of the Permit to Operate issued by the City of Melbourne no parking is available within the vicinity of The Johnston Collection. It is also not possible for volunteers to leave the premises to move their cars during their rostered time on. There are a number of public transport options available.

Volunteers click here.