The Whanganui Regional Museum has appointed a new general manager, Eric Dorfman.
He will take up the position in March next year, museum board chairwoman Penny Robinson said yesterday. He would fill a vacancy that had existed since early May when the contract of former director Wallis Barnicoat was terminated prematurely.
Dr
Robinson said Dr Dorfman would bring to the museum a wealth of national and international experience in museology.
"His background and skills are exactly what we have been looking for," Dr Robinson said.
Dr Dorfman is the director of Eklektus Inc., a consulting company in the heritage sector; the vice-president of the International Council of Museums of Natural History; an adjunct lecturer at Victoria University's Museum Studies School, and respected author of several books in science and natural history.
He knows the Whanganui Regional Museum by reputation and regards it as having "an impressive collection and is known for the scope of its taonga and, of course, the history of the Whanganui region".
He is enthusiastic about his move to Wanganui from Wellington.
"I experienced a kayaking holiday on the river about three years ago and fell in love with the river, the scenery and the city itself, so I am delighted at the opportunity to become a part of this community," he said.
