Museum ties renewed

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 655, 24 September 1996, Page 3

Museum ties renewed

Gary Couchman has strong ties with the Queen Elizabeth II Army Memorial Museum in Waiouru evident from a mannequin which was modelled from his face nearly 20 years ago. Mr Couchman worked as design consultant to the

museum trust from 1978 until around 1988, and recently renewed his association with the museum as design adviser. He has travelled from his home in Bris- . bane to assist with the planning of the Citizen to Citizen - 'The Story of Captain

Charles Upham VC and Bar' display which opens at the museum in December. "It is nice to come back and work in an environment which I' m familiar with and a job of which I am proud of," Mr Couchman said.

Even thoiigh the museum environment is familiar, Mr Couchman said things are vastly different from 10 years ago, especially with the introduction of specialist people such as the marketing officer, education officer, archivist and librar-

ian. "All that ensures the institution is seen as a professional organisation and not just an amateur one," Mr Couchman said. "The museum certainly has its place among cultural institutions in New Zealand. It looks as good as the day it went in and that' s a credit to the people who run the museum and I must say, a source of pride. Every time I come in I feel good about it," Mr Couchman said.