Our 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:

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. 

Being a museum volunteer comes with opportunities to:-

Meet interesting people and make new friends.

Learn more about our local history.

Take home fruit or vegetables grown in the garden.

Come and be part of our great team and help care for one of the best-run community museums in WA.

Di took care of our gardens.

Committee Members

Chair 

Deputy 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. 

Secretary – Sharon Beer

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 – Glen Whistler Carr 

Committee member – Jacob Hickey

Jacob emigrated to Western Australia in 2009. Born and raised in London, UK. Visited National Trust Houses and Castles as a youth. Worked as a Carpenter doing heritage projects and restoration work. Notable projects included the Federation of Master Builders Board Room’s restoration of its Edwardian Panelling, where he discovered a time capsule and fell in love with history, architecture and antiques.  Recently married into a Walkaway Family, after falling in love in 2019. Jacob currently works as the Caretaker for the busy Greenough Historic Settlement on Yamatji Land for National Trust WA.  

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 – Geoff Towler  

Geoff has been involved with the Museum, as a donor, since 2006, but only became a committee member in 2025.

Growing up in Yorkshire in the North of England, he trained as a Toolmaker and 51 years later ended his career as a Consultant developing Project Management Systems for multi billion $ Oil & Gas Projects.

Geoff lived and worked in South Africa, The Netherlands, Germany, and Norway before migrating, with wife Marjolein, to Australia in 1987. He lives in Perth, but manages to visit Greenough a couple of times a year, and attends committee meetings via remote access.

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. 

Patron – John Sewell

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

2026 – Dr Nancy (Nan) Broad.