The Western Australian Museum – Geraldton will welcome new regional manager Leigh O’Brien this week as Catherine Belcher takes maternity leave from Friday, 1 February.
Leigh, a curator from the WA Museum’s history department, has been with the Museum since 2006 and will take over the role as Geraldton’s regional manager for the next 12 months.
“Geraldton and the wider Mid West is such a vibrant, constantly changing community and it is wonderful that the Museum is very much connected to its community,” Ms O’Brien said.
“What attracted me to this position was the opportunity to continue to develop the fantastic Museum we have here.
“Museums are very powerful places where people can see something of themselves as well as learn something new – they contain stories and histories that can touch us all.”
Outgoing manager Catherine Belcher said she was grateful for the hard work and dedication of the Museum’s team, and for the support of the City of Greater Geraldton Council and staff, and Mid West communities.
“I’ve had an incredible range of opportunities since moving here six years ago,” Ms Belcher said.
“The production of the site’s master plan last year which is attracting funding interest has been a career highlight. And our whole team has worked hard to develop locally driven and produced exhibitions with the Mid West community such as the Aboriginal languages in the Mid West, the history of the Sunshine Festival, Italian migration to the region, Unearthed: Mining in the Mid West and our current display of Seeing Change: A photographic story from Abrolhos Fishers.
“Geraldton has become my home and I am very much looking forward to enjoying it while I’m on leave with my family.”
WA Museum Chief Executive Alec Coles said Catherine Belcher has done a wonderful job for the WA Museum in Geraldton.
“Catherine has put the Museum at the heart of its community, and I have full confidence that Leigh will also be a great regional manager during Catherine’s absence,” Mr Coles said.
Mr Coles will visit Geraldton on Thursday January 31 to officially welcome Leigh to the Geraldton team.
Media contact: Niki Comparti, Western Australian Museum, 6552 7805, niki.comparti@museum.wa.gov.au
