Museum needs new volunteers
CIVILIANS and defence personnel alike are being urged to give their time and lend a helping hand to the Army Museum North Queensland at Jezzine Barracks Townsville.
The museum collects and preserves the history relating to the army’s North Queensland activities.
Museum manager Major John Lavery said volunteers were in high demand.
“We’re fairly desperate for volunteers, we currently have 55, we need volunteers to come in and be gallery attendants for the free gallery,” he said.
Maj Lavery said he was looking for a diverse range of skill sets in people.
“I think communication skills, good people skills, most of our volunteers that have come here have come from different walks of life, including from corporations,” he said.
“We go through a process where we look at them and what they bring to the museum and vice- versa … we want people who want to be with the public.
“The majority of volunteers here have never been in the ( Australian) Defence Force … people come here with no knowledge of military … it’s nice but not a prerequisite.”
Russell Gordon is a veteran who spent 20 years serving in the Australian Defence Force and went on tour in Vietnam.
Following his exit from the ADF, Mr Gordon then became a business owner and joined the museum as a volunteer nine years ago.
“I think it’s really good. It means a lot to me to see what we can preserve and conserve,” he said.
“It’s very important you have to remember the past to go to the future.”
Mr Gordon said volunteering at the museum was the “best thing someone could do”.
“The camaraderie is really good, the conditions are good, we don’t get paid but you can see how everyone enjoys being here,” he said.
Maj Lavery said the museum required IT skills for a program being developed, where people can research ancestors named on the honour boards.
Maj Lavery said the museum meant “everything” to him.
“It’s a fantastic showcase of Army in North Queensland. The place here is run, and the exhibits to be seen are made, by volunteer staff,” he said.
“The people who do the work, they don’t get paid for their most valuable asset, which is their time, to make sure this museum showcases Army in North Queensland to the world. The staff are generous, knowledgeable and just helpful.”
The public can make a donation to the Kissing Point Military Foundation.
To get involved email a r m y _ m u s e u m _ n q @ b i g - pond. com or call ( 07) 4721 1495.