CAIRNS MUSEUM THANKS ITS VOLUNTEER HEART
MUSEUM NEWS: 19 MAY 2021
The Cairns Historical Society and Museum is giving a huge shout out during National Volunteer Week to the incredible volunteers who give their time and contribute to the success of the organisation.
For more than 60 years, the Society – incorporating Cairns Museum – has been a proudly volunteer-run organisation.
Clive Skarott, president of Cairns Historical Society, said the organisation was honoured to have many hard-working, passionate and positive people on board, contributing their time, skills and service.
It is because of these volunteers, that the Cairns Historical Society has been able to manage, store, protect and showcase at Cairns Museum, Far North Queensland’s valuable historical materials and memories.
The Society has 60 active volunteers, from 18 – 80 years of age, drawn from across the region, who help maintain the collection, containing more than 60,000 items.
“Our volunteers donated an impressive 12,000 hours to caring for and sharing the Society’s unique collection of Cairns in the last financial year, equating to a $240,000 contribution,” Mr Skarott said.
Volunteers make everything possible – from tour guiding, children’s programs, exhibitions and running reception to cataloguing, data entry, collections management, historical research, conservation, photography, writing books and office admin.
“Without volunteers we would have no museum or historical society. They bring skills, enthusiasm, energy and knowledge.
“The Society holds many treasures, the most precious being our volunteers,” he added.
And there’s always room for more – if you would like to be a volunteer get in touch at info@cairnsmuseum.org.au.
Various roles include archives, imaging, collections, tour guide, reception, administration, graphic design, photography and IT assistant.
CAPTION: Pauline O’Keeffe leads the imaging department at Cairns Historical Society. She was awarded a life membership in November 2020 in recognition of her valuable contribution to the collection and dissemination of North Queensland history.
For media enquiries, images or interviews contact:
Tanya Snelling
Strategic PR
P 0417 202 663
