Debbie Trueman like challenges.
It fuels her passion.
“It’s the drive to accomplish something ... it’s just something new to try and achieve,” said Trueman, general manager of the Nanaimo Museum, about why she continues to push for cultural projects in the museum and in the community of Nanaimo.
She said when you have a challenge, and work with a great group of people, it’s rewarding.
“It always comes down to the people,” she said.
When the possibility of moving the museum into the Vancouver Island Conference Centre was on the horizon in 2004, Trueman didn’t wait for the opportunity to come to her.
She and her museum team were preparing behind the scenes, discussing options, discovering grant opportunities and creating proposals with staff and board members.
She said to onlookers it might have looked like it just happened or the museum was just in the right place at the right time, but it took a lot of work.
The Nanaimo Museum moved into the conference space in 2008, which allowed the museum to expand and add new elements such as the Sports Hall of Fame.
“The opportunity to grow into the space was the most fun I have ever had in my life,” said Trueman. “I am still enjoying the job and am looking forward to the next steps for the museum. There are some new things on the horizon.”
Trueman developed the museum’s Adopt an Artifact campaign to assist with raising money to move to the new location. There have been more than 60 artifacts adopted through the program.
Trueman became Nanaimo Museum’s business manager in 1989. She was one of the founding members of the Cultural Managers Working Group that helped advise the City of Nanaimo Culture and Heritage Department.
For her work over the past 25 years, Trueman is receiving the Honour in Culture Award during the Culture and Heritage Awards Ceremony April 13, 7 p.m. at the Port Theatre.
“It’s prestigious company I am in,” said Trueman.
Trueman said she couldn’t have done it without the support of her husband, Gord, and son, Parker.
She won’t be attending the award ceremony as it conflicts with a Canadian Museum Conference she will be attending.
arts@nanaimobulletin.com