FOR the majority of Karen Barrett's career she has been immersed in museums and galleries and now she is bringing everything she has learned to Leeton.
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Ms Barrett is the museum, gallery and heritage officer at the Leeton Museum and Gallery and she has hit the ground running since starting in the role in June.
"I've been in the museum industry for going on 20 years now," she said.
"I've worked mostly in Queensland at state museums, regional museums, working with small, volunteer-run museums and I've done some consultancy work for museums as well.
"There's a lot to love about this industry. A lot of it comes down to the people.
"When I first started it was the objects in these museums, but over time it has become more about the people involved and seeing their love and passion come through."
Ms Barrett has qualifications in archaeology and a strong interest in the arts sector, which is something Leeton is set to benefit from.
Over the years she has built up many connections and networks that will help her to attract all kinds of shows and exhibitions to the museum here in Leeton in the former WCIC Building.
The museum has been building back up since lockdown and while it still is operating under certain restrictions, there is plenty happening and coming up.
"What I loved about this role when I heard about the position was the staff here as I already knew Sues (Vos)," Ms Barrett said.
"But the other thing that drew me to the role was the diversity.
"I enjoy being a 'Jill of all trades' when it comes to the industry.
"You have your general things that need to be done, but no day is ever really the same.
"You might be bumping in an exhibition one day, then writing a collection policy the next or meeting with an artist and everything in between.
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"The other thing that is special about Leeton is our volunteers here. They do a wonderful job as do the staff we have here too.
"It's a really positive and fun place to be."
On display at the museum at the moment is the "kid curators" section featuring work from Whitton-Murrami Public School students, with Gralee School to follow before the end of 2021.
Coming up early next month is the How Cities Work exhibition from the Sydney Living Museums, which will have something for all age groups to explore and marvel at.
"We've got lots of wonderful ideas all bubbling away for the museum, it really is a special place to have here in Leeton both for our residents and visitors to town," Ms Barrett said.
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