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Meet the Greenough Museum and Gardens Team
Buy TicketsOur museum and its collection are maintained and operated by a dedicated group of volunteers and our full-time curator. The historic buildings and gardens of the old Maley family homestead, and the associated archive, were entrusted to the Community Group of Greenough in 2012.
In the years since, that group, now called the Greenough Museum and Gardens Community Organisation Inc, has worked tirelessly to preserve the history of the site and its collection, to provide a vital community hub for the people of Greenough Flats, and to create a vibrant and fascinating museum for visitors from all over the world to enjoy.
You can find out more about the museum’s history, here, and about our collection, here:
Collections WA
Collections Management Policy
Curator – Gary Martin
Although originally a British import, Gary grew up on a farm at nearby Walkaway. A keen interest in this region’s history led to him completing a BA in Cultural Heritage Studies at Curtin University. He has helped write Conservation Plans for many historic buildings in the Mid-West, worked with local governments on the interpretation of heritage sites, has had long involvement with local history groups and is also a local author. Gary has been resident curator at this museum since 2003. In 2013 he was awarded the City of Greater Geraldton Award for Outstanding Heritage Achievement. He enjoys challenging perceptions as to what constitutes a local history museum.
Volunteers
As a community-run museum, we couldn’t do what we do without our amazing volunteers. A hard-working and happy band of local people (and even some from much further afield) help ensure our visitors have a great experience and our archive is carefully preserved. Our volunteers maintain the garden, greet our guests, catalogue our collection, keep everything spick–and–span, provide tourist information and help with exhibitions and community events. They are an amazing group of people!
We are always looking for people wanting to volunteer. It could be you!
Committee Members
Chair – Margaret Jones
Margaret is a descendant of William Criddle, an early Greenough pioneer. On her mother’s side, she descends from convict William Edward Wass (#261), who worked at Mt Hill, near Walkaway. Her volunteering passions at the museum are cleaning, accessioning and meeting people.
Deputy chair – Ian Byers
Ian has been involved in the museum since 2015 and has held a variety of roles on the committee. Ian lives locally (in a heritage house) and has an interest in miniatures, which he shares through the museum’s social media and exhibits.
Secretary – Tunya Brown
Tunya is the museum’s longtime secretary. A health promotions practitioner, she has a keen interest in community development, sourcing funds, and working on exciting projects that engage with and enrich the lives of visitors and local people.
Treasurer – Marjolein Towler OAM
Marjolein has been a member since 2013 and became Treasurer in 2020. As a business management consultant, she brings strategic business management and project management skills to the role. She lives in Perth and has a special interest in digitising the collection and in the museum’s online presence.
Committee member – Roy Jones
Roy was born in the UK and spent most of his working life as a Radio Officer on ships and oil rigs. He has been involved with various committees in both New Zealand and Australia and is a valued member of the museum’s team.
Committee member – Connie Sullivan
Connie was born in the UK and migrated to Australia as an eighteen year old in 1963. She worked at the Victoria District Hospital before marrying Bob Sullivan in 1966. She is the mother of three daughters and a son. Connie has always had an interest in history and been involved with this museum for over thirty years.
Connie also serves as a Justice of the Peace.
Committee member – Diane Geqwin
Di is a Greenough local, residing in the historic ‘Rose Cottage.’ Mother of three daughters, Di has a passion for youth involvement and environmental care.
Patron – Dr Nancy May Broad
Nan grew up on a remote sheep station in the Gascoyne. Married life took her to Mingenew and an interest in local history soon developed. In the mid 1990s, as a mature–age student, Nan studied cultural heritage at Curtin University. She went on to achieve a Doctorate, which has greatly assisted her writing career. Nan is an enthusiastic and generous supporter of this museum.
Benefactors
The museum gratefully acknowledges the support of the following benefactors:-
1999 – The Estate of Herbert William Maley
2006 – Geoff & Marjolein Towler
2007 – Fay Mary McKinnon
2008 – Ian James Maley & James George Maley
2009 – The Estate of Robert (Bob) Sullivan
2013 – Lotterywest
2015 – City of Greater Geraldton
2018 – City of Greater Geraldton
2019 – Graham Grundy
2022- City of Greater Geraldton
2023 – Dr Nancy (Nan) Broad.
2024 – James George Maley OAM & Dr Nancy (Nan) Broad