Commercial operations

Our year in review 2023

Our commercial activities performed strongly, generating over a third of our income and providing often powerful touchpoints to our places and collections. 

The Government Records Repository (GRR) is a world-class storage service and facility for semi-active records created primarily by NSW public sector bodies, including government agencies, local councils, public hospitals and universities. It also provides quality records management services to help government agencies control, access and legally dispose of their records in a timely and compliant fashion, including transferring records into the State Archives Collection. During 2023, the GRR’s commercial holdings grew by over 4,800 linear metres, with the GRR tracking towards meeting its revenue targets for the 2023–24 financial year. Following the launch of a revamped scan-on-demand service (SCOD) in February, usage has increased by more than 27%, with average daily volumes now more than 200 items and peak daily demand exceeding 400 items. The GRR also provides critical support to MHNSW’s collection digitisation program through access to equipment and economies of scale that would otherwise not be possible.

Venue hire, retail, and food and beverage services are also key revenue sources, as well as providing opportunities for clients and customers to experience or discover something of our places and collections, and their histories. During 2023, the Venue Services & Events team achieved record venue hire numbers at Elizabeth Bay House, Elizabeth Farm, Hyde Park Barracks, Justice & Police Museum, The Mint, Museum of Sydney, Rose Seidler House, Rouse Hill Estate and Vaucluse House. Events ranged from weddings, parties and dinners to film and photography shoots, meetings, seminars and conferences. Despite difficult economic conditions, retail performed strongly. Venue, retail and food and beverage activities are also on track to meet their 2023–24 financial year targets.