Museum loses a treasure

Published: 18 December 2018

Shetland Museum and Archives lost one of its greatest treasures last week as member of staff Cathy Hallett retired.  Cathy has been a Visitor Services Assistant at the Museum since its opening in 2007 when she welcomed Queen Sonja of Norway and the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay to our Museum. 

Earlier this year, the Museum also waved goodbye to fellow longstanding Visitor Services Assistant Trevor Jamieson and Collections Assistant Laurie Goodlad.  As part of the Museum Team they have been a key part of the excellent visitor experience at the Museum and Archives.  They have engaged generations of Shetland folk and visitors in Shetland’s outstanding heritage, bringing it to life for all.

Cathy said, “my favourite part of the job has been working with such a wonderful team of people who are so passionate about Shetland’s heritage and in helping people to engage with it.  Tommy Watt was the Curator when Shetland Museum and Archives was built.  It was his dream and vision that shaped the Museum we have today and it was a privilege to work with him and the team to realise that dream.”

Ruth Mackenzie, Chair of the Shetland Amenity Trust who operate the Museum and Archives said, “Cathy, Trevor and Laurie have contributed so much to the Museum over the years as part of a fantastic team.  Their hard work, commitment, and outstanding service has been a huge asset to the museum, to the organisation, and to Shetland as a whole.  Their knowledge, experience and passion has engaged people of all walks of life in our shared heritage and they are a huge loss to the team.”

Cathy said that she is looking forward to a full retirement and is embarking on a lengthy and ambitious ‘bucket list’.  As part of that she wants to see a new generation of Visitor Services Assistants getting involved at the museum and is willing to work with the team to mentor new staff and help out at key events – but only as her busy schedule allows.