ACT
Submarine Institute of Australia Inc In-Kind Support
Australian National Submarine Museum
The Submarine Institute of Australia (SIA) is establishing an Australian National Submarine Museum, to build awareness of the historic and future significance of submarines in Australia. Stages include developing an accessible website, with links to physical displays in Australia and around the world. A pilot website is at www.ansmpilot.org.au
The next stages include development of the website and expanded network of submarine displays, to include Onslow at the Sea Museum, Holbrook Submarine Museum, and Ovens at the WA Maritime Museum.
This project received in-kind assistance from experts at the Australian National Maritime Museum to assist SIA with the ANSM Project.
NSW
Camperdown Cemetery Trust $15,000
Conservation of Dunbar and HMS Challenger Memorials
This project will repair and restore two maritime memorials. The unstable and leaning base stone of the Dunbar Memorial will be straightened and its draped urn stone top - which is currently sitting nearby in the cemetery - reinstated. Locating and reinstating the missing plaque is also part of this project.
Repairs will be carried out to preserve the integrity of inscriptions on the HMS Challenger Memorial. Weathered stone roll details at the top of the memorial will be indented and lead flashing installed to prevent water damage and further decay. Sections will be re-mortared at the base.
HMS Challenger memorial in its existing condition -
Camperdown Cemetery Trust
City of Canada Bay Heritage Society - Museum $1,100
Conservation - Late C19th Naval Reserve Jacket
This project seeks to conserve the late 19th Century Naval Reserve Jacket of former Concord resident Lieutenant-Commander Rupert Oswald Jones, OBE, RNR (Rd.) J.P., who was born in London 1881 and died Concord, NSW, 1959. He emigrated to Newcastle in 1908, and joined the Royal Navy Reserve. In WWI he managed the Port Suez Convoy Office, responsible for controlling shipping through the Suez Canal and port areas, and was awarded an OBE for excellent services. In 1930, he moved to Concord and joined the Royal Australian Naval Reserves, Rushcutters Bay.
Funding is awarded for conservation of the jacket and purchase of a mannequin-only display for the Museum.
Eden Killer Whale Museum Management Committee Incorporated $15,000
Conservation, rearticulation and relocation of Orcinus Orca (killer whale) skeleton "Old Tom".
As the most famous of the Twofold Bay killer whales, "Old Tom" is an icon of Eden's unique commercial whaling history. Based on recommendations in the Eden Killer Whale Museum Preservation Needs Assessment (Kim Morris, Art and Archival, 2018) and the Conservation Assessment of the Skeleton of the Killer Whale Old Tom (Robert Clendon, Australian Museum, 2019), a Natural Sciences conservator will be engaged to carry out conservation treatment on Old Tom’s skeleton, undertake any necessary rearticulation and relocate it to a new gallery space. The project will include a staff and volunteer training component.
Greater Hume Council $2,812
Restoration and Framing of WWII Jolly Roger Flag
The restoration of the Jolly Roger flag of Royal Navy U-class submarine, HMS Unsparing, will include professional repair and conservation-based framing of this authentic WWII flag, so that it can be properly displayed and incorporated as a key piece in the Jolly Roger exhibition. The Jolly Roger will hold pride of place within the Museum, in a display that tells the story behind this rare submarine artifact, its historic importance and its meaning to those who served.
HSM Jolly Roger Flag - courtesy Holbrook Submarine Museum
Lake Macquarie City Council $15,000
Nawayiba exhibition and education program
Rathmines Theatre, which houses Rathmines Heritage Centre, is also known as nawayiba (canoe place) in Awabakal. The Centre's 2023 exhibition Nawayiba will present Aboriginal maritime technologies, stories, and local Aboriginal archaeology, including bark canoe construction, scar trees, middens, and cultural food resources. The exhibition will involve Aboriginal community members who continue to fish and recreate in this place today, in continuing connection to country, community and culture.
Grant funding will enable canoe maker Luke Russell to be involved in the development of the exhibition. He will also act as educator, activate the exhibition and assist local schools with high Aboriginal student numbers to deliver curriculum linked outcomes.
Merimbula-Imlay Historical Society Inc $9,912
David Brown Punt
This project will support relocation of an historically significant and fragile punt, originally built as a salmon punt, and then brought to Merimbula and employed as an oyster punt. The project will involve construction of a steel cradle, loading the punt, transport to the Merimbula Old School Museum and installation on site.
Support from ANMM staff has also been made available for the development of a vessel management plan (VMP) for the punt.
Newcastle Museum $6,478
Victoria Lifeboat Conservation Project
The Victoria lifeboat performed a significant and dramatic role in local maritime history for her involvement in dozens of rescues from stricken vessels off the coast of Newcastle, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Assessment of Victoria has highlighted structural weakening and broken timbers to the bow section.
Funding will see the vessel stabilized, to prevent further deterioration. The broken timbers will be replaced, and a temporary support structure will be built. An independent conservation assessment of the vessel has been commissioned with International Conservation Services, which will guide Victoria’s future management and restoration, prior to its display at Newcastle Museum.
Newman Senior Technical College In-Kind Support
Securing the future of the historic fishing vessel XLCR
The project is to develop a vessel management plan, for 107-year-old historic wooden fishing vessel XLCR. The XLCR is a fine example of boat-builder Gus Green's craftmanship, in constructing purpose-built offshore fishing boats for Bill Padden who pioneered fishing techniques such as trapping, still used today.
The XLCR fished out of Port Macquarie for much of her working life and contributed prominently to the area’s history. One well-documented example from WWII saw the XLCR called out to rescue survivors of the sinking SS Wollongbar, hit by a Japanese submarine. The XLCR continues as a fine working vessel, crewed by volunteers who give school students and community groups valuable experiences on the Hastings River.
In-kind (non-cash) support has been awarded for Australian National Maritime Museum Curatorial and/or Fleet team to conduct an inspection of the vessel and assist in the preparation of a vessel management plan (VMP).
Historic Trawler XLCR - Launch Day 1915 hand coloured
image courtesy Newman Senior Technical College Port Macquarie
Norah Head Lighthouse Reserve Land Manager Board $13,090
Printing of Norah Head Lighthouse Book
Funding is awarded for printing of the Norah Head Lighthouse Book, which is a detailed history of the Norah Head Lighthouse and Reserve region. The book also contains superbly-presented graphics of the building design, engineering and history of the Lighthouse construction.
The book is written and illustrated by Tony Jones - a long term volunteer and supporter of the Norah Head Lighthouse.
Richmond River Historical Society Inc. $5,476
Ships and boats on the Richmond River - a visual Compendium
Recent experience of catastrophic flooding has highlighted the need to store digital backups of these images in off-site, secure locations. More than 120 images of the many vessels that have plied the Richmond River that are held by the Society are presently only accessible to visitors in hard copy - mostly without supporting information. The project aims to share this rich collection and tell stories of the maritime links of the City of Lismore, via the Richmond River.
Images will be scanned, catalogued, and presented in digital display, with summary information on touch screens within the museum, adjacent to another display - previously funded by MMAPSS.
Lismore Museum Ships project- ‘Ramornie 5' at Lismore,1903
- Richmond River Historical Society Inc
Lismore Museum Ships Project - ‘Tomki’ at Government Wharf, Lismore
- Richmond River Historical Society Inc
Lismore Museum Ships Project - 1. from Box D-11, Riverboat Richmond River,
possibly ‘Australasia’- Richmond River Historical Society Inc.
The Evans Head Living Museum & Community Technology Centre Incorporated $15,000
Public Access to George Hunt Photographic Collection
The Evans Head Living Museum has completed high-definition digitisation of the George Hunt Maritime photographic collection, through the auspices of an ANMM grant (2022). The current project involves detailed research into the photographic collection, preparation of a high-quality book for publication with ISBN, and a related museum exhibition at which the book will be launched.
Part of the project will involve making selected images available to the public as part of a remote access program, through an updated MOSAIC program.
Coastal steamer Bonalbo - possibly 1927 flood at Coraki -
Evans Head Living Museum & Community Technology Centre Inc.
Internship - Volunteer Marine Rescue NSW
This internship awards a one-week curatorial internship at the Australian National Maritime Museum.
QLD
Mackay Regional Council In-Kind Support
Vessel Management Plan - Eleanor
This project is for a draft vessel management plan (VMP) for the Eleanor, located at Mackay Museum. Listed on the Australian Register of Historic Vessels in January 2022, the Eleanor played a significant role in the maritime and social history of Mackay in the early 20th century, particularly the city’s recovery following the devastating 1918 Cyclone. The VMP will support museum staff to seek funding for much-needed conservation work on the Eleanor, to address existing and further deterioration of the vessel, and ensure that this key artefact is preserved.
In-kind support is awarded for the Australian National Maritime Museum’s Curatorial and/or Fleet team to conduct an inspection of the vessel and assist in the preparation of a vessel management plan.
Queensland Maritime Museum Association $13,636
This project funding is for installation of new multilingual, QR-coded interpretative signage at Queensland Maritime Museum for some of its main exhibits - including pearl lugger Penguin, Ella's Pink Lady, US WWII submarine torpedo, heritage-listed Pump House and Lighthouse and Ship Models galleries.
The new multilingual, QR-coded signage will refresh existing exhibits and allow QMM to offer more accessible, informative displays to the public.
SA
Mid Murray Council $8,000
PS Canally Interpretation
This project involves investigating the history of PS Canally and creating significant interpretive panels that will depict its local significance and role in the region’s river trade. The panels will be located both on board the vessel and within the Port of Morgan complex, to increase engagement with the vessel’s history and on-board cruising experience.
The PS Canally website will also be upgraded, to enhance the online interpretive display, ensuring this information is preserved and is more widely accessible.
PS Canally - Phil Reed - Mid Murray Council
Rebuild Independence Group (RIG) Incorporated $1,195
Fishing Pioneers of American River
The project aims to create a display at a recognised maritime precinct – the Rebuild Independence Group Shed at American River – in memory of the fishing pioneers of American River, on Kangaroo Island. There has thus far been no recognition of the fishers, boat builders and local marine conservationists who built the fishing reputation and industry of American River, and who were responsible for the enormous influx of tourists who visit to fish here, from all over the world.
American River has a diverse maritime history and is regarded as a fishing paradise. Funding will be for a memorial, drawing on local memory and developed in consultation with the community, and will be in the existing maritime heritage precinct.
TAS
Maritime Museum of Tasmania $15,000
Repowering SV Westward
This project will provide and install a new power pack, including engine and gearbox, for SV Westward. The current configuration was installed in 1974. The gearbox recently failed completely and is beyond reconditioning. It is not practicable to fit a new gearbox to the existing engine. This funding will provide a total replacement of engine and gearbox.
SV Westward - Sailing on the Derwent - Maritime Museum of Tasmania
SV Westward - Sydney Hobart Finish 1948_49 race - Maritime Museum of Tasmania
VIC
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village $7,100
Enhanced Stewardship of Collections Care
The project aims to improve the care and management of historical objects in the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum collection. The current collection store has reached capacity, which creates safety risks for individual objects, limits public access and does not meet museum standards and best practice.
The project will focus on providing new infrastructure and new collection furniture, which will expand capacity for adequate storage, collection care and quality access. This project aims to increase awareness and appreciation of the maritime heritage of the Southwest coast of Victoria for local, national, and international audiences.
Funding is awarded for the purchase of shelving and a storage cabinet.
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum Incorporated $12,551
Vessel Restoration Works for the Pilot Vessel Mavis III at Queenscliffe Maritime Museum
Setting out from Queenscliff, Victoria, pilots have guided vessels through the dangerous entrance between Port Phillip and Bass Strait since 1839. Today, two pilot services operate twenty-four-hour essential pilotage services to Victoria’s maritime industry from locations near where those first pilots launched their whaleboats.
In March 2020, the pilot vessel, Mavis III, was donated to Queenscliffe Maritime Museum. She served twenty-six years in 'the Rip' and exemplifies the shore-based launch service that began in 1979, ending the era of ships having to stop to transfer pilots. Following previous ANMM support, including a vessel-management plan and remediation works, this project seeks to continue restoration of this major exhibit in the collection.
WA
The Jaycees Community Foundation Inc & Discovery Bay Tourism Precinct Ltd T/A Albany’s Historic Whaling Station In-Kind Support
Blacksmith Workshop: Part 1 – Concept Design
Following recent modernisation and upgrades of many areas within the museum in recent years, the Blacksmith Workshop is the focus of this project. Most of the collection’s historic artefacts are displayed in this building, however interpretation is not up to standard. This project will begin the process of addressing an upgrade, with a concept design that will aim to create a distinct chronological history of whaling in Australia and include modern interpretive displays.
In-kind assistance from the Australian National Maritime Museum’s (ANMM) Design and Curatorial team is awarded to develop this concept design.
Blacksmith Workshop - Image source - Albany's Historic Whaling Station