Visitor Engagement Officers rallied to save their jobs outside the Museum Carlton site as patrons attended a soiree before the public opening of the new Star Wars exhibition this coming weekend.  

Save Our Visitor Engagement Officers (VEOs)

Their roles are under threat.

Museums Victoria plans to merge VEOs with security staff.

VEOs are the heart of Melbourne’s museums — offering hands-on learning, exhibit insights, and unforgettable visitor experiences.

What’s being lost?

12.2 full-time equivalent roles cut
464 hours per week lost from services to the Victorian public
Part-time and full-time hours will be cut

This is not workable.

VEOs engage, educate and inspire.

Security guards protect, monitor, and enforce.

These are distinct roles — combining them weakens both.

Over 50% of visitors rely on VEOs to enhance their visit (Museum Visitor Survey, 2019).

Replacing VEOs with dual-role staff will damage the museum experience and reduce cultural engagement.

We must protect the VEO role — for quality, education, and the future of our museums.
 
Don’t cut what makes our museums great.    Keep VEOs doing what they do best.