BEECHWORTH'S Burke Museum and Historic Precinct manager Cameron Auty departed yesterday for a career move to Melbourne University's Department of Museums and Collections as its associate director of operations.
"The department, set up a few years ago coordinates museums and collections across the university and it's going to be an exciting challenge with a number of interesting projects underway," Mr Auty said.
"It's also going to be fascinating going back to my old university as a member of the leadership team for the museums department rather than a student."
Mr Auty had brought exceptional expertise to his role at the Burke Museum and historic precinct, which he held for five and half years, forging ahead with a number of exciting projects.
Proud of his many achievements, Mr Auty said among highlights were two big projects – the Courthouse Kelly Trials experience due to launch in June with the other being the historic precinct master plan nearing completion.
"Over my time here, I have engaged the museum more with the museum sector and we've won a number of statewide museum awards too," he said.
"I've really tried to push our medium–sized regional museum and historic precinct to being part of the national conversation."
Among other achievements has been creating a Deakin University link for the museum's online digitisation program as well as his election to the Australian Museums and Galleries Association (AMaGA) National Council.
Another proud moment has been the 'People of Beechworth' exhibition, linking past history with today's modern vibrant community.
"The museum has been largely a 19th century history space and the addition has been quite revolutionary, but I think it's been a really good outcome and visitors love it," Mr Auty said.
"We have historical collections, but we need to interpret them through a modern lens and we have a responsibility to interpret them for our audiences."
Other highlights have been working with communities across the shire with the Chiltern Athenaeum, Rutherglen Historical Society and Yackandandah Museum.
"There have been good opportunities in meeting many different community members to provide some support and advice and help with projects as well as helping them have improved links to the rest of the sector."
He said among challenges in his position had been leading the team through the pandemic with support as they transitioned to work from home with some great work outcomes over that period as well as working with council to help staff with their wellbeing.
Mr Auty said he had taken pride in helping to improve workplace conditions for the well–being of staff and volunteers including a new office space built for museum staff as well as a kitchen and repainting the museum's interior.
"Working in historic buildings can be really challenging with their facilities," he said.
"I'm really proud of what we have achieved as a team and with our volunteers, where five years has gone quickly.
"We have a professional hard–working team at the Burke Museum and I'm really grateful to Indigo Shire for being a wonderful place to work and to the community for the support they've given us over the years.
"I think the legacy that I've tried to build here will be continued where the historic precinct will have an exciting future as well.
"The Burke Museum is a special place with great collections, buildings and stories that people need to know about.
"I'll always feel really connected to the museum particularly having gone through those challenges of the pandemic period."
The University of Melbourne's director of museums and collections, Rose Hiscock, said the university has exceptional museums and a significant collection.
"Cameron's leadership skills and deep knowledge of the museum sector made him an ideal candidate for the role of associate director operations," she said.
"I'm looking forward to Cameron joining our team – we share a vision to strengthen our museums, galleries and collections for students and general visitors alike.
"Cameron will bring significant strength to the position through his experience in the museum sector and his time as the manager of Beechworth's Burke Museum and Historic Precinct.
Indigo Shire's Tourism manager Susannah Doyle said in August 2017, council had been thrilled to bring Cameron onboard and it heralded the beginning of significant evolution for a professional museum operation, appealing and relevant exhibitions, major projects funded and delivered or underway, museum sector awards and recognition, and a cohesive, skilled and proficient team.
"Cameron has established the foundations for the team to continue the success he has led over the last five–plus years," she said.
