ISSUES with the management of the Cannery Arts Centre came to a head earlier this week, when representatives from the Cannery and Esperance Community Arts (ECA) met with the Esperance Shire Council to discuss a path forward.

Cannery Arts Centre chair, Tim Fewings, said Tuesday’s meeting had been a success, and was positive about the future.

“Over the years we have had problems with retaining staff, and it has gotten to the public’s attention,” Mr Fewings said.

“It was good to be able to discuss our problems openly and productively. We’re not trying to hide that we have problems.”

In recent weeks a manager resigned from the Cannery, and Mr Fewings confirmed that a member of the Cannery board has also resigned.

Mr Fewings said the Cannery would now be looking at implementing new policies – such as a code of conduct for members, staff, and volunteers, to help move forward into the future.

Shire President, Ian Mickel, commented on the issue saying: “It’s fair to say that there has been some anxiety by all three groups regarding the high turnover rate of managers at the Cannery, and how that may be improved.

“There are no immediate answers. The Shire has offered to provide some human resources support in developing some management policies to limit the conflict between members.

“Our goal is to encourage the Cannery to get on top of the issue so they can continue to provide the support to the arts that they have had a long history of in the past.”

ECA coordinator, Mary Rogers, said all groups were hopeful of a positive future.

“In the past, ECA has been concerned that the high turnover of staff could be affecting the core business of this community facility.

“ECA, through the Shire community development fund, devolves funding to the Cannery, and would like to support the changes needed to ensure the Cannery is able to support a manager by having the policies, procedures and structure to manage the position,” Ms Rogers said.

ECA chair, Thuriyya Ibrahim, said ECA was pleased to be involved in the process.

“The Cannery Arts Centre is an important arts and cultural hub for the Esperance Community and as the peak arts body in Esperance, ECA is pleased that strategies are being put in place to allow for greater access to the Centre in the future and for the Cannery to be able to meet the diverse needs of the Esperance arts and broader community.”