Cairns, 19^th March, 2021 – The Cairns Historical Society is seeking a forward thinking executive officer to guide the organisation’s strategic direction.

Clive Skarott, president of the Cairns Historical Society, said the time had come for the Society, which has continued to grow, to appoint a management professional at the helm. 

“This is a new position and a positive step for Cairns Historical Society, which was founded in 1958,” Mr Skarott said.

The not-for-profit organisation also operates the Cairns Museum, which has grown in popularity and use by both the local community and visitors.

“We have amazing staff and volunteers and they have proved their dedication and commitment to preserving and sharing the history of Cairns and the Far North region, especially with the difficulties presented by the Covid-19 restrictions.”

Mr Skarott said as well as implementing the organisation’s vision, mission and overall strategy, the executive officer would be hands on in guiding and evaluating the work of the society’s different departments and volunteer workforce.

“Another important part of the role will be engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in accordance with cultural protocols.

“A major initiative for Cairns Historical was the formation of an Indigenous Roadmap Committee with the aim of bringing stronger engagement with Indigenous people, “ he said. 

The organisation’s Archives and Research Centre database hold about 39,000 items, including maps, plans, posters, books, bulletins of Cairns, Eacham and Mulgrave shire historical societies, journals and periodicals, early Far North Queensland business ledgers, newspaper clippings and photographs. 

Around 19,000 have been digitised in whole or part and these can be viewed on screen. For further information, or a copy of the job description, please call Leslie on 0403 877 318. The position advertised on Seek will close on Sunday, March 21 at 5pm, however applications will be accepted until March 28, 5pm.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 Cairns Historical Society

The Organisation

The Cairns Historical Society (CHS) was founded in 1958. It also operates the iconic Cairns Museum

Overview

Reporting to the CHS Management Committee, the Executive Officer (EO) has overall responsibility for implementation and integration of the strategic direction of the organisation. This includes responsibility for all components and departments of the business.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Implement the organisation’s vision, mission, and overall strategy.
• Reporting to, and soliciting advice and guidance from, the CHS Management Committee
• Liaising with Cairns Regional Council for all business management issues
• Engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in accordance with, and understanding of, cultural protocols.
• Representing the organisation in a civic and professional capacity 
• Participating in industry-related events 
• Leading, guiding, directing, and evaluating the work of the CHS sections and volunteer workforce.
• Ensuring a culture of respect underpins work practices.

Education, Experience

It is preferable that the EO is tertiary education and has a proven record of management experience. Experience in one or more of the following areas will be highly regarded:  HR, financial oversight, not-for-profit sector, cultural collections sector, digital literacy and volunteer management.

Skills & Competencies

Interpersonal, Analytical, Leadership, Management, Computer, HR and Marketing skills

To Apply 

Please click on the button below and attach your resume and cover letter. For further information, or a copy of the job description, please call Leslie on 0403 877 318.

Applications close on March 28, 5pm. 

Caring for family heirlooms and collections at home is easy with a little know how and the right advice from Cairns Historical Society and Museum.

Cairns Museum’s Cairns Historical Society Collections Manager, Melanie Sorenson, said free conservation advice clinics were being offered to members of Cairns Historical Society and Cairns Museum on the first Friday of every month from February until November.

“Advice sessions can offer easy tips and tricks on caring for precious items and where to go for specialist treatment if needed,” Ms Sorenson said.

Members are invited to book for a free 15-minute session with Ms Sorenson and bring one item to discuss its care and any concerns. Sessions are limited to two participants and one item per session. People wishing to bring two items must book two time slots.

“General conservation and collection care advice will be offered,” Ms Sorenson said. “No valuation information or treatment will be provided or undertaken during these sessions, although advice may be given on where to find appropriate expertise and where to get an appraisal.”

The conservation clinics begin on February 5 and run from 10am, with the last appointment offered at 3pm. Members may book through the Cairns Museum website at www.cairnsmuseum.org.au  

The sessions are not for donations to the museum collection.

Other organisations, including historical societies seeking advice, may book a separate appointment with Ms Sorenson at collections@cairnsmuseum.org.au

Cairns Historical Society has wrapped up another successful year with continued visitor growth at Cairns Museum, further investment in educational school programs and completion of the Edmonton Collection store just some of the highlights in 2018/19.

Speaking at the recent annual general meeting, Clive Skarott, president of the Cairns Historical Society, said the not-for-profit organisation had ticked off a number of achievements over the last 12 months.  

“A softening in the tourism industry, particularly in the second half of the year, has been noticeably felt.

“That said, our financial performance and visitor numbers, including our efforts to grow the school market remained strong.”

Mr Skarott said the visitor market to Cairns Museum was split with 21 percent local, 43 percent domestic and 36 percent international.

He said the Society’s decision to invest in a dedicated collections manager had also been another important long-term decision.

“Having a dedicated collections manager has ensured best practice care of the Society’s collection, which includes nationally significant books and documents, newspapers, clippings and audio-visual material.

“Melanie Sorenson’s appointment has also allowed us to recruit new volunteers with a diverse range of background and skills, as well as helped us to build the skills of the Society’s existing volunteer base who assist in the care of this collection.”

Mr Skarott said a grant from the Gambling Community Benefit Fund also allowed for the purchase of a ductless fume-hood cabinet and museum vacuum, to assist in this preservation work.

“These items will be integral when we process our mould effected material and deteriorating film and tapes.”

The 2018/19 year also saw the relocation of the Society’s off-site collection to a new purpose built Edmonton store.

“Volunteers transferred over 160 boxes to the new site. This has been a major achievement for the Society, enabling greater capacity to accommodate future acquisitions in the climate controlled storage space at the School of Arts site in the Cairns CBD.   

“Acquisition highlights include the land and deed ledgers from MacDonnells Law and the Les Paul Miniature Furniture Collection among a vast array of donations offered to the Society from the Cairns community,” Mr Skarott added.

Looking ahead, the next year will see major progress on the digitisation program. “Volunteers are being trained in using the new equipment and the first set of materials – fragile journal articles – will be digitised by the end of this financial year.”

Mr Skarott thanked staff and volunteers for the year’s work – the Society currently has 90 volunteers ranging in age from 16 to 80.

“Volunteers clocked up a staggering 22,488 hours, which if paid out at $20 an hour is a significant contribution of $250,000,” he added.

Mr Skarott said 2019/2020 promised to be another busy year as the organisation looked to new initiatives and ways of sharing its collection, which through the generosity of the community, continued to grow.

COACH TOUR OF DOUGLAS SHIRE HERITAGE

It’s on again!

Join the Cairns Historical Society and the FNQ Branch of the National Trust for a Heritage coach tour of our northern neighbours on Sunday 19th May.

The tour will visit sites at Daintree Village, Mossman and Port Douglas, with Jan and Dawn providing social history and heritage commentary. 

Morning Tea will be at Daintree Village, with the Society providing devonshire scones and coffee available for purchase. Lunch will be under the beautiful rain trees  at St David’s church, so BYO as the cafe’s may not be open on a Sunday.

Meet at the Cairns Museum at 8.45 am, for a short walk to the bus departure point at Abbott St. The bus will leave at 9 am. You will be dropped back at Abbott St (outside the regional gallery) at 5pm.

The cost will be $40 per person and pre-payment is required. You can pay in person at the Museum or book online now.

As numbers are limited, please book early to avoid disappointment. For more information contact the Museum

See you on the bus!