[1] In 1853 Skene was placed in charge of the District Survey Office at Geelong and in 1854 was appointed Surveyor of the colony under patent.
Three years afterwards Mr. Skene was specially employed to report on the nature and capability of the land of the colony, and in 1862 was transferred to Melbourne.
Skene was a key figure in producing an accurate map of Victoria on a scale of eight miles to the inch (about 5 km per cm) in 1876.
At its first meeting held at Weber's Hotel, Elizabeth Street Melbourne at 12.30pm on Saturday 9 May 1874, the Institute acknowledged with regret Skene's inability to accept the office of President, but was hopeful that as a member, Skene would take as active an interest as possible in the affairs of the Institute.
[1] Skene, who married Catherine Williamson at Heidelberg, Victoria, on 31 August 1842, was appointed a justice of the peace (J.P.) in 1865.