Central Stories - Our Stories, Our Volunteers’ Voices
June 2025
Alexandra’s Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery is a treasure: it’s very much acclaimed as our district’s cultural and heritage centre. A vital component underpinning our reputation here is our wonderful band of loyal volunteers!
Their very generous gift of time, of 80-100 hours each week means we’re open every day welcoming our local, and out of town visitors.
We’re able to host amazing art exhibitions and musical events, and showcase all things ‘Central” in our museum and our shop. And... why do these good folk volunteer? Who better to tell you than our own volunteers! Listen now to their diverse voices, to their own stories, - what’s Central Stories to them?
“I love its history – the romance of it all.” Our displays, interactive and static, capture “such courage, determination, around what must have been so daunting,” to live here earlier on.
“It’s a fantastic hub for visitors, creators, artists. I love being here. I get energised by all the people who come in and the creative energy that’s here. I feel it’s a crucial service to the community and the region, and... it gives more to me than I give.”
“I already had an interest in family history and genealogy. I wanted to help and share with the public my knowledge, and the resources we have here in our Research Room, with the community.”
“After I watched Paula (our Manager) in action I felt she was so worth supporting, seeing how she understood how to get it up and going.”
“What makes it all worthwhile is that after helping construct new displays and projects, we see how these draw even more into our amazing museum including our schools and people from all ages and ethnicities across the community.”
“I love coming here – the camaraderie is good – I love it! It’s fun, and I’m learning too.”
“Because I’m interested in the Collections’ 12,500 items, I’ve been working on these for three years. I’m upskilling, and upskilling others here; there’s lovely company, great afternoon teas we bake for each other, friendships formed!”
“I first became familiar with Central Stories as part of the Winter Stellar exhibition, as a photographer. I let Paula know that for many years I’ve wanted to volunteer to do some photographic cataloguing – here I am and loving it!"
Our volunteers’ voices and passion for Central Stories capture the heart and soul, the essence of what we are and who we are, of our vision.
Our ADMI (Alexandra District Museum Inc) trustees and 14 staff know we are truly blessed to have such a stunning group of women and men so devoted to ensuring we do far more than survive: as volunteers their energy, input and vision is integral in supporting us to thrive into the very long-term!
Written by: Mary Ann Baxter