FRUSTRATED Chiltern tourism members have welcomed a move by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) to advertise for a property coordinator for the town's three historic buildings – Lake View House, Federal Standard Printing Works and Dows Pharmacy.
National Trust executive manager for assets and conservation Sherredan Maher said an advertisement closed last Friday with strong contenders for the position.
Chiltern Tourism member Karin Berrysmith said the significant buildings' closures off and on through a variety of reasons with the Federal Standard Printing Works shut for the past 18 months had been detrimental in attracting visitors to the town.
"Besides our historical streetscape the three buildings are quite a significant chunk of history," she said.
Ms Berrysmith said the COVID pandemic had not helped but various reasons had contributed to the ongoing issues of opening times including changes with National Trust coordinators.
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But concerns remained about the Trust that manages the buildings not listening to the community's needs for a coordinator who understands the town's history as well as being able to relate to the community and its volunteers who have helped run the buildings.
With an advertisement placed in Seek.com and not in local papers, Chiltern's Tourism member Andrea Wilcox said suitably qualified local people could have missed the advertisement.
Ms Berrysmith said visitors kept ringing and asking when the printing building would be open.
"We've had to turn groups away as it won't be open until the end of the year," she said.
Delays in opening the Federal Standard Printing building had been compounded with health and safety concerns where an interstate organisation had been contracted for equipment maintenance but still remained untouched.
"We have someone local who can do the job," Ms Berrysmith said.
Ms Berrysmith had been advised that opening hours for the three buildings during summer months had to be limited due to humidity risks that affected the buildings too.
"A number of volunteers well–conversed in Chiltern's history were no longer needed as well with reduced times of operations," she said.
"The shire has been really supportive assisting us working with the National Trust because they see this as an important part of tourism in the North East," she said.
Ms Berrysmith said it was important for the National Trust to work with local people who understood the history, have the knowledge, networks and community connections which is important to business too.
In moving ahead, Ms Maher said the National Trust looked forward to engaging with the community where the organisation had already made inroads.
"Our previous Chiltern coordinator worked hard within the community and we look forward having even more regular and wonderful volunteers again, with teams who can engage visitors at our properties," she said.
Ms Maher said volunteers needed included customer service, gardeners and tour guides.
"We hope to have the buildings fully open by the end of the year," she said.
A meeting was held with by National Trust staff, Chiltern stakeholders with shire staff on Wednesday.
