National Library welcomes the appointment of two new Council members
The National Library of Australia is pleased to welcome Distinguished Professor Sean Ulm and the Hon David Templeman to the Library’s Council.
National Library of Australia
National Library of Australia
Distinguished Professor Sean Ulm is a Distinguished Professor of Archaeology at James Cook University and Director of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Indigenous and Environmental Histories and Futures. He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities, the Queensland Academy of Arts and Sciences and has authored over 160 scholarly publications and numerous books.
The Hon David Templeman is a former Minister for Culture and the Arts, Heritage, International Education, and Sport and Recreation in the Western Australian Government. As Minister, Mr Templeman presided over the construction and opening of the award-winning Western Australian Museum Boola Bardip and oversaw the commitment to and building of Western Australia’s first film facility, Perth Studios. He is a passionate advocate for Australia’s collecting institutions and is particularly interested in their engagement with young Australians.
It’s a pleasure to welcome both Sean and David to the National Library of Australia’s Council. Sean brings a wealth of experience, particularly his significant work with First Nations communities. David’s passion for the Arts and collecting institutions, will support the Library in its efforts to connect with Australians young and old, from all corners of our vast country.
Distinguished Professor Ulm’s contributions have been recognised through the Bruce Veitch Award for Excellence in Indigenous Engagement and the Rhys Jones Medal for Outstanding Contribution to Australian Archaeology. He served as a member of the University of Queensland Fryer Library Advisory Committee for nearly a decade and led projects to make collections visible and accessible to First Nations communities.
Mr Templeman served as a Member of the Parliament of Western Australia from 2001 until 2025, representing the seat of Mandurah. In 1994, he was elected to the Mandurah City Council and subsequently became Deputy Mayor of Mandurah in 1997. He has also served as a board member of various arts organisations and been an active participant in the Western Australian arts and cultural sector.
We are excited to welcome Sean and David to the Council. Both bring significant expertise and passion in a range of areas that will be invaluable to support the Library’s work in knowledge and storytelling, helping shape how Australians understand themselves.
Both Distinguished Professor Ulm and Mr Templeman have been appointed for three-year terms.
Media enquiries
Georgia McDonald, Media Liaison, National Library of Australia
Phone: 0401 226 697
Email: media@nla.gov.au