She and husband Dennis Spinks moved to Goulburn nine years ago to be closer to their children.

Ms Bryan is qualified in history, librarianship and museum studies.

Most recently she was the Pacific archivist at the Noel Butlin Archives of Business and Labour, a national archive at the Australian National University (ANU), with more than 20 kilometres of archival records. “I am thrilled to end the Monday to Friday commute to Canberra and work just minutes away,” Ms Bryan said.

Since retiring from the Butlin Archives job, she had been helping move the ACT Heritage Library to Fyshwick.

So when the Riversdale job came up, she was available.

“I am looking forward to working with the great team of volunteers, including retired managers Ros Loftus and Dawn Giles,” Ms Bryan said.

Ms Bryan has also been: the curator for the University of New England’s Museum of Education; manager of Museum Services at Dubbo City Council, responsible for the Old Gaol; and integrating the Dubbo Museum into the Western Plains Cultural Centre.

She was also curator/manager of the Liverpool Regional Museum and Collingwood Historic House in Liverpool.

“My skill set is in library management, heritage and Australian history,” she said. 

“I am passionate about the need to preserve and maintain local history as a permanent accessible asset.

“Local communities – including schools, churches, sporting bodies and businesses – have objects and records of considerable significance that need to be preserved. This needs to be in a properly government funded, staffed and maintained facility.

“Riversdale is a community treasure and there is the separate work done by the Goulburn Historic Society, but there is need for a dedicated Goulburn region archive, too.”

Since major restoration works at Riversdale in 2018, the house had entered a new phase in its history, she said.

“The National Trust wants to see the house expand its role in the Goulburn community to enhance cultural tourism, events and development projects,” she said. “Also, to connect with other National Trust properties throughout NSW.

“Volunteers are the beating heart of the house and it could not open without their loyalty and dedication. 

“The two previous managers, Ros and Dawn, have worked at the house for over nine years. They are continuing on in support of me as volunteers.”

Riversdale is “always looking for new volunteers”, Ms Bryan said. (Phone 4821 4741.)

The quarterly Riversdale Car Boot Sale is on February 17, with an emphasis is on books and collectables. There will also be Devonshire teas, barbecue, plants and house garden tours.