Page 40 - Tropic Magazine Issue 34

TROPIC • COMMUNITY

Creating connections

Q&A
The volunteer-run Cairns Historical Society, which operates
Cairns Museum,opens opportunities for fascinating,
fulfilling and skill-building work. Tropic spoke to two team
members and found their motivations are about much more
than simple altruism.

Karen Mitchell
How long have you been What is it about the Society that
volunteering at the Cairns made you want to volunteer?
Historical Society? I was going through university on
Since February 2020 – almost two an archaeology major and found out
years now. Normally I put in around about the Museum as part of a course.
15 hours a week over three days. It was what I had wanted to do down
the line, be part of a museum.
What inspired you to get involved? So, I looked for openings and found
History has always appealed to me out they were searching
and especially that of my hometown, for volunteers.
being a fourth generation local.
I volunteer front-of-house as a guide Is there a particular job you
and back-of-house in archives. I also specialise in?
joined the team that visits primary I actually do a bit of everything
schools, bringing hands-on local around the Museum. Guiding,
history to children. reception, display construction,
the school trailer. I do quite a bit.
What's your favourite part of the job?
That’s quite difficult to decide as What does an average day look like?
I love all three departments! But Usually I’m on reception, admitting
perhaps the school trailer brings me visitors, making transactions, that
the most satisfaction. It’s utterly
1 sort of thing. When the school year
delightful bringing local history alive starts, I take the trailer out to classes
to children. with other members of the team and
have a day with the kids.
What skills and expertise have you
picked up? Do you have a favourite
My computer skills have been lifted exhibit or item?
to new heights working in archives! I am a big fan of the weighted sugar
Working as a guide challenges my bag*. Especially when there are
memory and enhances my public kids around.
speaking. Tailoring displays and facts
to suit patrons’ interests means being
receptive to comments and body How does this line of work differ
language, while the school history from or complement your day job?
trailer presentations have honed It isn’t that different, aside from
my time management skills as it’s needing to know Cairns’ history.
vital we fit in with each school's busy It actually helped me develop my
program. Most notably, developing customer service skills.
a captivating presentation which *The weighted sugar bag is an
inspires children’s imaginations interactive challenge
and holds their attention has tested 1. Volunteers Karen and Mitchell
my creativity. 2. Cairns Museum

The Cairns Historical Society is welcoming new recruits now.
MORE: cairnsmuseum.org.au/volunteer
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40 • Tropic • Issue 34