UTS students of the Socially Responsive Design have designed two eBooks on the history of the Australian Milling Museum, as well as interactive material aimed at primary school students and Mill enthusiasts.
The Australian Milling Museum (AMM) is dedicated to preserving and promoting Australia's grain milling history through a unique public museum and research facility run by a passionate, not-for-profit. In 2020 AMM first approached UTS Shopfront to ask Socially Responsive Design students to create a digital map of NSW depicting the developmental history of gain milling from 1778 to 2020. Two students from that project are now board members for the AMM. Being allowed to sit on the board and influence the organisation's direction has built the students' expertise in understanding the structure of AMM.
In 2021, through the UTS Shopfront Community Coursework Program, a team of the Design, Architecture and Building faculty students worked to develop the graphics of the two eBooks. The first book was a short photographic history of milling in Australia, and the second was a collection of 100 beautiful flour bag labels from the 1920s and 1930s.
Dr Jess Jennings, CEO of the Australian Milling Museum, was happy with the outcomes. As a result, the books were published by AMM and Halstead Press.
These two book publications have significantly increased the profile and community reach of the AMM. The on-demand printed hardcopy version has enabled "coffee-book" style book publication for sale by the AMM and engagement with various core audiences, such as AMM members, milling enthusiasts and milling industry entities.
This year, AMM is working with the students of the Tourism Capstone subject to develop a marketing campaign to launch their new virtual tour across twelve primary schools in the country.
Over the years, the students found that working for AMM raised their awareness of the industrial heritage of mills and milling. Promoting cultural tourism to mills across Australia strengthened their will to foster positive outcomes in the community.
The work of the AMM is promoted beyond their usual audience, and the impact of their work is known more broadly. The students have learned much about the organisation and community sector, improving their consulting and project management skills. This reciprocal relationship is vital for continued community building and inviting new perspectives into an organisation.
Shopfront links the community sector to university expertise through pro bono projects completed by students as part of their studies, supervised by academic experts in their field. We aim to create mutual value, supporting community organisations while engaging students in important social justice issues. Find out more.