Lynley Crosswell will step down as Chief Executive Officer and Director of Museums Victoria on Friday 18 December 2026, after nearly ten years, to become Chief Executive Officer of Zoos Victoria.
Chief Financial Officer Georgina Cox will be appointed as Interim Chief Executive Officer from 19 December 2026, ensuring continuity of leadership.
Appointed in 2017, Ms Crosswell is the first woman to lead Museums Victoria in its 172-year history.
A hallmark of Ms Crosswell’s leadership has been her commitment to placing First Peoples’ living cultures, histories and knowledge at the heart of Museums Victoria.
Under her leadership, Museums Victoria has become Australia and New Zealand’s most-visited museum organisation with consistent growth in revenue. Highlights of her decade-long tenure include:
establishing the Museums Victoria Research Institute
opening Our Wondrous Planet, Melbourne Museum’s award-winning biodiversity gallery
bringing Horridus, one of the world’s most complete Triceratops fossils, and the State of Victoria Gold Jewellery Collection into the State Collection
Museums Victoria is also Victoria’s largest provider of education programs outside the Department of Education. Ms Crosswell guided the organisation through the COVID-19 pandemic and into a strong recovery.
Museums Board of Victoria President Mary Stuart said:
“On behalf of the Board, I thank Lynley for nearly a decade of transformative and ambitious leadership. Together with our talented people, she has built a Museums Victoria that is stronger and more connected to Victorians than ever. She has led with great care, and we wish her every success at Zoos Victoria."
Georgina Cox will be appointed as Interim CEO effective from 19 December 2026. A Chartered Accountant with more than 15 years’ experience in finance and business leadership, including at two of Victoria’s leading cultural institutions, Ms Cox has been Museums Victoria’s Chief Financial Officer since 2022, leading Corporate Services across the organisation.
Ms Stuart said: “I am delighted that Georgie has agreed to take on this role. She knows this organisation deeply, is highly respected by her colleagues, and will provide steady, responsible leadership. The Board has full confidence in Georgina and our executive team.
“Museums Victoria’s purpose is bigger than any one person. Our strategy is clear, our research and collections remain central to our work, and we will continue to deliver cultural, educational and economic value for every Victorian.”
About Georgina Cox
Georgina Cox has been Chief Financial Officer of Museums Victoria since 2022, leading the Corporate Services Division. She joined Museums Victoria in 2019 as Strategic Business Adviser, having previously held finance roles at the National Gallery of Victoria and at professional services firm Pitcher Partners.
About Museums Victoria:
With more than 3 million admissions across its sites every year, Museums Victoria remains the most visited museum organisation in Australia and New Zealand. Museums Victoria is home to three museums – Melbourne Museum, Immigration Museum and Scienceworks – as well as IMAX Melbourne and the Museums Victoria Research Institute. Museums Victoria is also custodian of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building. Through transformative experiences, storytelling, collections, exhibitions and learning, Museums Victoria visitors encounter wondrous discovery and trusted knowledge every day.
Antoinette Marshall
Senior Media & Communications Manager, Museums Victoria [email protected] +61 400 577 830
