Our people

Director - Professor Robyn Sloggett AM, PhD, Ass DipMatCons, BA (Hons), PMAICCM

As Director of Grimwade Conservation Services, Robyn manages the diverse conservation, teaching and research programs of Grimwade Conservation Services. These programs include responsibility for the conservation of the cultural collections of the University of Melbourne and the provision of a large program for external clients, as well as delivery of the only comprehensive post-graduate conservation professional program in the Australasia-Pacific region.

General Manager - Penny Tripp BEd(VisArt), PGDipArts

Penny joined the University in early 2020 and is responsible for the strategic and commercial operations of Grimwade Conservation Services. She is a cultural collections and engagement specialist with over twenty years experience in the heritage sector and brings to the team senior executive experience in project management, operations, marketing and commercial growth.

Laboratory Manager, Senior Conservator Paintings - Cushla Hill BAppSc (CultMatCons), PMAICCM

Cushla has worked within various Australasian National Institutions and has extensive experience in private conservation consultancy. Her conservation and research interests include the materials and techniques of early twentieth century Australian artist.

Principal Conservator, Paintings - Caroline Fry BAppSc (CultMatCons)

Caroline Fry has worked in the museum sector for over 30 years and has a longstanding interest in the local art scene. Caroline has worked in Vietnam, where she conserved a significant oil painting in the National Museum of Fine Arts in Hanoi. More recently Caroline attended the Royal Collections Studies program in the United Kingdom.

Principal Conservator, Paintings - Vanessa Kowalski BAppSc (CultMatCons), BCA, PMAICCM

Vanessa is interested is conservation of modern and contemporary art. She undertook specialist training at the Museum of Modern Art (New York) and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (New York). Vanessa is also interested in the conservation of Australian Indigenous art and has worked with Indigenous Art Centres across central and northern Australia.

Laboratory Manager, Senior Conservator Paper and Parchment - Libby Melzer PhD candidate, BAppSc (CultMatCons), PMAICCM

Libby has over twenty years’ experience in the conservation of Paper and Parchment. Libby's Master of Art History (Research) from the University of Melbourne specialised in Medieval parchment, and is a current PhD Candidate at the University of Melbourne studying Medieval ink.

Principal Conservator, Paper and Photographs - Katy Glen BAppSc (CultMatCons), BA (Hons), PMAICCM

Katy joined Grimwade Conservation Services in 2003. Her areas of specialisation include the conservation treatment of nineteenth-century photography and the preservation of digital prints. Katy has furthered her professional development by attending conferences and courses both in Australia and internationally.

Paper and Books Conservator - Peter Mitchelson MC-CULMC, PGDip (Hons), GDip, DipEd, PMAICCM

Peter has been Conservator of Paper and Books at Grimwade Conservation Services since 2014 having previously worked at Artlab in South Australia and the National Library of Australia in Canberra. He has additional arts industry experience in Australia and the United Kingdom.

Paper Conservation Intern - Christine Mizzi MC-CULMC, BA (Hons), DipVA

Christine is a recent graduate of the University of Melbourne with a Masters in Cultural Materials Conservation focusing on paper conservation. She is currently undertaking a twelve month internship at Grimwade Conservation Services. Christine has a special interest in the conservation of works of art on paper and printed materials.

Paper and Photographs Conservator - Noni Zachri MC-CULMC, BA (Hons), PMAICCM

Noni has worked in the conservation of paper and photographic materials since 2010. Joining the Grimwade Centre in 2012, she provides conservation advice and services for both University collections and external clients. In addition, Noni has a strong background in preventive conservation, focusing on risk management, environmental monitoring and disaster preparedness and has delivered many workshops on collection care and handling, disaster preparedness and recovery.

Laboratory Manager, Senior Conservator Objects and Archaeology - Holly Jones-Amin PhD candidate, BAppSc (CultMatCons), BA

Holly has over twenty years experience, predominantly working on archaeological materials, indigenous and world cultural objects. As an Archaeological Conservator Holly has worked in Australia, Italy, the Middle East, South-east Asia and Central Asia. Holly engages with multiple archaeological communities in her work.

Principal Conservator, Objects and Textiles - Jacinta Brown MC-CULMC, BSc

Jacinta’s interest is in Asian arts (objects and textiles). Since 2009, Jacinta has divided her conservation work between Luang Prabang in Lao PDR, Australia, Doha and Myanmar. Training opportunities and collaborations have taken her to Hong Kong, Thailand and Hong Kong, where she focused on silk and traditional costume conservation.

Frame Conservator - Jordi Casasayas BFA

Jordi specialises in Frame Conservation and the rehousing of paintings and mounting works on paper. Jordi also designs and constructs custom-made mounting and housing systems for a range of objects and materials such as bark paintings, scrolls and parchments, as well as custom-makes storage boxes, folders and display systems.

Assistant Conservator Objects and Archaeology - Marica Mucic MC-CULMC, BA (Hons)

Marica specialises in the conservation of three-dimensional objects. She is passionate about the preservation of cultural heritage and the conservation of archaeological materials. Marica is also interested in ancient Near Eastern archaeology and has worked on a range of historical archaeological assemblages across Victoria.

Assistant Conservator Textiles - Victoria Thomas MC-CULMC, BA

Victoria is a textile conservator with a background in technical garment design and construction. She trained at the University of Melbourne and gained experience at Artlab (Adelaide) prior to joining Grimwade Conservation Services. She has experience in the conservation of a range of textiles and is particularly interested in the conservation and display of historic and contemporary costume.

Principal Conservator Objects - Dr Evan Tindal PhD, MC-CULMC, BA

Evan has worked extensively with archaeological materials, on conservation projects in both the United States and Australia.  Evan was formally manager of the conservation lab for the Florida Bureau of Archaeological Research. Additional interests include the treatment of metals, functional objects and large, immovable heritage - with an emphasis on integrating multidisciplinary approaches.

Tina Kalliakmanis BA, Graduate (Conservation Studies)

Tina Kalliakmanis has a Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Design from RMIT and a Postgraduate Certificate in Art Conservation Studies from the University of Melbourne. She has been with Grimwade Conservation Services for 13 years, her roles at the Centre include working in reception, administration and as a lab technician.