ABOUT US

Background

Australian Age of Dinosaurs (AAOD) Inc was formed at Winton following a public meeting in August 2002.

Since that time we have organised dinosaur digs in western Queensland, primarily in collaboration with the Queensland Museum. This has led to the discovery and recovery of what is now the world's largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils.

To complement our discovery program (and out of necessity), we have built and operated Australia’s largest fossil preparation facility since July 2006.

To promote our activities we publish an annual journal aimed at the preservation of Australian natural history.

The activities of AAOD and some of its members have received a remarkable level of recognition, attracting substantial Australian and international media attention.

Organisation Structure

Australian Age of Dinosaurs Ltd (AAODL) is a western Queensland based, non-profit organisation which draws support from across Australia. We rely on volunteer effort and the contributions of interested people and sponsors. Our mission statement is:

“To encourage, promote and facilitate the discovery, preservation and display of fossil material from the age of dinosaurs within Australia.”

AAODL is a Company Limited by Guarantee and its membership is Australia wide. AAODL was registered on the 16th of June 2008 following the restructuring of Australian Age of Dinosaurs Incorporated (AAODI) which was wound up on 31st October 2008. The work of AAODI now forms a large part of the ongoing activities of AAODL. AAODL is a registered Income Tax Exempt Charity (ITEC) and Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR).
 
Management of AAODL is by a Board of Directors (limited to a maximum of 9) with the majority of directors being responsible persons as defined by the Australian Tax Office. It is preferred that half are sourced from the local Winton area if possible to manage daily operational issues and the other half from points around Australia. It is also desirable that Directors have expertise in marketing, project management; collection management or business finance and if not then external advisory expertise is sourced.

Autralian Age of Dinosaurs Society

The AAOD Society is an unincorporated body that is operated by AAODL to:

• Promote and support the work of AAODL
  
• To raise funds towards the AAOD Museum
  
• Manage the AAODL Gift Fund
  
• Receive, publish, and distribute members benefits as determined by AAODL

The Australian Age of Dinosaurs Society has its own membership structure that is designed as a subscription to the AAOD Journal. Membership of the AAOD Society does not carry voting rights.

Project Aims

AAODL aims to be the foremost provider of Australian natural history products and resources through an interactive education facility for primary and secondary school children, a study and research base for universities both in Australia and overseas, and a world class attraction for domestic and international visitors.

To accomplish this we will develop a not-for-profit working dinosaur museum; an educational facility, research facility and tourist attraction focused on Australian evolution and in particular the discovery, conservation, and research of Australia’s dinosaurs.

The museum will offer a significant educational experience by presenting the story of the development and evolution of the Australian continent and emphasizing that development as a special part of the heritage of all Australians. The organisation’s goals include:

• The support of worldwide scientific research and the development of significant research product for Australian and overseas universities through comprehensive dinosaur fossil collection and laboratory facilities
  
  
• The educational development of Australian children through class excursions and school project resources, teacher development courses, teaching resources, and contributions to curriculum development
  
  
• Further development of domestic and international tourism in regional Queensland through the provision of new tourism product, development of new national and international markets and the expansion of existing markets.
  
  

Our aspiration is to develop an important cultural icon that will capture the imagination of all Australians and people from other parts of the world, providing them with a uniquely Australian experience.

Nowhere is there a Museum specifically focussed on Australia's evolutionary history. Australia is one of the oldest continents in the world with a history spanning 4.5 billion years yet we know only the tiniest part of her story, especially from the age of dinosaurs

Australia is in a historically unique position, being the last continent to separate from Antarctica as the great Gondwanaland supercontinent began to tear apart some 200 million years ago. As the last place to hold on to a Gondwanan heritage the fauna is unique. Australia has become the 'keeper of relics'; retaining animal groups well after their extinction elsewhere on Earth. A more complete understanding from the age of dinosaurs will no doubt produce many new and exciting finds that could only be made here.

Circumstances have changed dramatically and it's now clear that the Australia does have large quantities of very well preserved dinosaur fossils, the majority of which are coming from the Winton Formation in western Queensland. Representation of Australia’s biggest dinosaurs is now possible and has potential far beyond the capacities of a small regional museum.

There is a huge shortfall in educational material, information and experiences pertaining to the Australian age of dinosaurs. Children in Australian schools are learning about American and other foreign dinosaurs due to the lack of educational material on the natural history of their own country.

The rarity of Australian dinosaurs has meant that there is a huge gap in our knowledge of the evolution of not just Australia, but the world. There are countless researchers and institutions throughout the world that have a vested interest in the evolution of Australian dinosaurs and their relationship with the rest of the world. The Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History will play a very important role in this research and the subsequent revelations such research will provide.