The Maritime Museums of Australia Project Support Scheme

Installation of electric lift mechanism to suspend 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 shore based whaling history. Based on outcomes and recommendations of a 2022/23 "Hunters of the Sea" Exhibition Design Concept Plan, this grant will support the design, and installation of system for the suspended display of Old Tom's skeleton above the existing mezzanine well in the recently extended "Tom" Gallery of the Eden Killer Whale Museum.

Conservation of Dunbar and HMS Challenger Memorial

The first two projects are the second round of conservation works for both memorials. The first stage was recently completed and funded by a MMAPSS grant.

‍1. Conservation of Dunbar memorial consecration stone. The trust has discovered the original memorial plaque in St. Stephen’s Church. The plaque will be re attached to the consecration stone.

‍2. Conserve the HMS Challenger Memorial. Historic photos show a stone finial in the shape of a cross once topped the memorial. The stone cross will be reinstated.

The third project also relates to the Dunbar:

‍3. Conservation of John Ridley headstone (Dunbar victim). When the cemetery was walled in 1948, tombstones were stood around on the inside and fixed with steel pins and cement. Much damage has been caused by corroding pins. The works include core drilling out the pins in situ and patching the cracks. New (non-corrodible) stainless steel pins may need to be inserted.

Iluka's River Training and Port Works Schemes 1862 - 1971

Iluka History Group would like to have printed a display recognising the work completed between 1862 to 1971 on the breakwaters of the Clarence River. The Clarence was a very busy river with many ships using it as a transport source for cargo to go up and down the river. Due to the dangerous nature of the river over many years walls were built to increase the safety of navigating the mighty Clarence. Training the river took many stages from Edward Moriarty's Training Scheme 1862 -1886, Coode's Training Scheme 1893-1903, 1914-1917, with others up until 1971. Our project will display maps, photos, engineers plans and information on the scheme. The display will be of a high quality with a long lifeline for display purposes. This grant is for the graphic design and supply of the printed display.

Pivot to a Maritime Focus - Concept Site Plan

This project is stage one of a programme which will implement a collections pivot from general local history to a focus on our maritime and coastal heritage. In line with the transition process, a Concept Site Plan will guide re-orienting accession and de-accession strategies and recommend interpretive opportunities, including capital works.

‍It is envisaged that relevant training in specialist areas such as lighting design for vessel artefacts will be requested from organisations such as the ANMM once the plan is in place. This grant will fund a consultant to prepare a concept plan for the site.

Display Panels - Metal

This project is to confirm the accuracy of our existing material and convert the printed format into aluminium display panels more suited to the marine environment. Due to this organisation’s position over the ocean and the condition of the Wharf Building which houses the museum, the paper materials deteriorate quickly. This grant is for the research and production of display panels for subjects of maritime significance.

Mid Murray Heritage and Maritime Committee - Museum Interpretive Plan document

The objective of this application is to review the entire planning and development process for both the Mannum Dock Discovery Centre and Morgan Landseer Museum, to develop a new and updated interpretive plan to guide future development now and into the future.

‍Both locations were a critical components of early river trade and commerce and the Mid Murray Heritage and Maritime Committee is determined to develop each to ensure that the heritage is preserved and presented for all to enjoy.

‍This will be a critical document to guide funding and provide clear direction for Local Government and the community moving forward.

‍The Mannum based facility was flood impacted during the recent River Murray Floods.

In-kind support is awarded for a museum expert to assist with the development of an interpretation plan.

May Queen Re-Caulking

May Queen is moored on public display in Constitution Dock, unprotected from the elements. Accordingly the vessel management plan requires ongoing maintenance and conservation repair to ensure the vessel's survival into the future. This project is designed to replace the caulking in the main deck, ensuring as watertight a deck as is possible to achieve without artificial or structural covering.

Our First Mariners

The Bass Strait Maritime Centre (BSMC) are seeking to redress a 50-year-old omission of Tasmanian Aboriginal Maritime History at BSMC, to tell the story of Tasmania's first mariners in the region known as Bass Strait. This project aims to do this by presenting a major new display at BSMC, in close consultation with local Aboriginal elders.

Portland Lifeboat and Admella Discovery Resource

This project will see the development of a suite of education resources highlighting the state heritage registered Portland Lifeboat and Admella shipwreck. Aimed at supporting teachers and those delivering education in a non-school setting, the resource will increase access to the story of the lifeboat and its use in the rescue of survivors of the Admella shipwreck. Objects in this collection such as photographs of the lifeboat crew, artefacts from the Admella and firsthand accounts of those involved in the rescue will bring the story to life. In collaboration with the National Maritime Museum UK this organisation will, for the first time, include digitally, Captain James Fawthrop's gold Admella medal. A digital exhibition complimented by activities supporting the Victorian Curriculum learning areas - arts, history, design technologies and civics will allow teachers and homeschoolers to access the collections online and then visit the museum to experience the lifeboat in real life. Funding will be used for a photographer and an interpretive consultant.

Preservation Needs Assessment

The Geelong Naval and Maritime Collection is of state and national significance. A Preservation Needs Assessment needs to be undertaken to identify the current physical condition of the collection items and the storage and housing facilities. The Geelong Maritime Museum was closed in 2017 with the closure of the Osborne House Complex. Many objects remain on display with some items outside of the building. The remaining have either been placed in archival safe boxes or improperly housed in large plastic tubs. The paper/photographic objects are stored in filing cabinets. The collection is housed in a heritage building with no climate control or HPA system installed. The report will make recommendations, including conservation treatment, improved collection housing, storage and digitisation. The report will be used for applying for funds which will enable the implementation of the recommendations outlined in the report.

The Lauritzen Commemorative Plaque, Seafarers Rest Park, Docklands, Victoria

The project is for a commemorative plaque to be laid in the newly developed "Seafarers Rest Park", Docklands, Victoria in memory of the Lauritzen Line polar ships and their seafarers. They were an integral support to the Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions (ANARE) and its expeditioners together with the City of Melbourne, Yarra River North Wharf infrastructure over the period of 1953-1975.

Red Gum Boat Preservation & Display

The Wahgunyah Progress Association Incorporated WPA) established the History Group in 2012 as a working body of the Association tasked with the collection, reception, collation and preservation of material relating to the history of Wahgunyah.

‍The WPA has been given a red gum boat which has been now listed on the Australian Register of Historic Vessels (Ref. HV 000509). This boat is presently in storage in a factory in a relatively stable atmosphere.

‍It is intended to construct a suitable environmentally controlled building at the Willows Reserve, Wahgunyah for the storage and display of the vessel.

In-kind support is awarded for a museum conservation expert to review the vessel management plan.

Historic Jukong Restoration Project

This project aims to preserve the last working Jukongs. This will be achieved by supporting the local community to restore each of these five boats in turn.

‍In so doing, the knowledge and skills of the last two master boat builders on island (both in their senior years) will passed down so that future generations can keep this most vital part of the Cocos Island Maritime Cultural Heritage alive.

In addition to a grant, in-kind (non-cash) support will be made available for a Museum expert to visit the site for the purpose of assisting with establishing the significance of the collection and with documentation of each vessel. This support will provide conservation guidance for the restoration phase and a general plan for the ongoing preservation of the collection.

Whales from the Air: Aircraft Exhibition

Following on from the in-kind assistance provided by the 2022/2023 MMAPSS program, an ANMM Interactive Projects team Creative Producer visited the site and assisted in outlining exhibition concepts for the central whaling exhibition. From this visit, the whale spotter aircraft was identified as an asset to the interpretive capacity of the area.

‍Currently in storage, the whale spotter aircraft has not been accessible to visitors for upwards of 15 years. Due to its 12m wingspan, there are limited places within the museum that are large enough to display the aircraft. This project aims to utilise an existing gantry structure within the ‘Solubles Shed’ to hang the aircraft, constructing a ‘Whales from the Air’ permanent exhibition.

Funding is to display the aircraft with interpretive signage and interactive elements. This project will enable the museum to move forward with recommendations from previous MMAPSS support.

Maritime Museums Administrator’s Course Recipients:

Awarded support for a staff member or a volunteer to attend this one-week course at the Australian National Maritime Museum.

- New Italy Museum Inc.

- Pig & Whistle Fleet Club Incorporated

- Camden Haven Historical Society Inc.

- Lighthouses of Australia Inc.