1. UQ Art Museum The Univ ersity of Queensland
Brisbane QLD 4072 Australia
T +61 7 3365 3046
F +61 7 3365 9004
E artmuseum@uq.edu.au
W www.artmuseum.uq.edu.au
UQ Art Museum
University Drive
St Lucia Q 4072
Director
Campbell B. Gray, D. Phil
22 July 2014,
Re: Ryan Leonard Baines,
To whom it may concern,
I write this general reference for Ryan Baines because of my respect for his intelligence
in, and commitment to every task and circumstance he is appointed to; for his inspiring
energy and his ability to remain calm in pressured situations; and for his remarkable
humanism. Ryan is a rare and wholly impressive person with significant gifts to offer.
I was introduced to Ryan about 18 months ago as he began the Masters’ degree in
Museum Studies at the University of Queensland. Within my role at UQ, I take specific
interest in students of this program, looking for those people who might make
significant contributions to the field that we are endeavouring to improve. Immediately,
Ryan’s optimism, curiosity and warmth were apparent. He was eager to learn. He
asked copious questions. He was entirely respectful, and he engaged with compassion
and humour.
Ryan soon approached us to see if there were opportunities for work experience that
he might volunteer for, and we were able to engage him in a few relatively mundane
tasks. Since that time, we appointed Ryan to work as a voluntary research assistant to
an external scholar contracted to lead the research for a significant exhibition that we
are currently presenting and for its accompanying publication. We have also employed
him as one of our Visitor Services Officers.
As the research assistant, Ryan was able to quickly establish an unusual rapport with
the scholar he was assigned to, who has strong opinions and particular methods. He
went well beyond his agreed commitment, meeting on weekends, leading meetings in
her behalf and representing her at other meetings which brought together key
personalities from leading institutions in Brisbane. His manner was delightful, his
confidence and preparation were clearly apparent and the results of these meetings
were always as good as could ever be expected. The scholar publically thanked Ryan
at the exhibition launch in terms that were effusive in their gratitude.
As our Visitor Services Officer he constantly moves beyond the expected. Usually,
people who occupy this position remain behind the reception counter, answer
questions from visitors and take bags and possessions too large for safe exploration of
the exhibitions on display. Ryan, if possible, chooses to greet people at the entrance
doors, engages each one in conversation learning of their interests and responding
with valuable information about the exhibitions on display – information that he has
learned independently, often by engaging the exhibition curators in enjoyable
conversation as opportunities arise. Ryan is an exceptional student.

2. It is important to understand that this high level of commitment to his studies and his
professional experience and practice, undertaken with the willingness to always extend
himself beyond expectations, occurs amidst a truly remarkable schedule and
commitment to other deeply humanist pursuits. He rarely speaks of his ongoing work in
education and pastoral supervision of young people, however over time and via various
conversations we have had together, I have come to learn of and be quite astounded
by this dimension of his life. On the surface there is the appearance that his work with
us (and other professional art museum pursuits) is entirely separate in kind from his
educational leadership. However, over time it has become quite apparent that these
two worlds blend in his being and in his commitment to making significant and positive
contributions to humanity.
You will see from his resume that there is even more to Ryan than the dimensions I
have referred to above, all going to demonstrate something of this remarkable person.
I recommend Ryan Baines enthusiastically for any role that you are thinking of offering
him. I am absolutely confident that his gifts to you in that role will be greater and more
valuable than you expect.
Sincerely,
Dr Campbell B. Gray
Director