National maritime heritage grants for 2022 announced

The latest round of grants under the Maritime Museums of Australia Project Support Scheme (MMAPSS) for projects that preserve and promote Australia’s maritime legacy have been announced today, with 21 successful applicants from museums and cultural organisations across Australia. The applicants will either receive a grant and/or in-kind support for a project or funding for an internship under MMAPSS. The Australian National Maritime Museum (the museum) administers MMAPSS with support from the Australian Government.

The museum today announced the awarding of more than $155,000 toward new and developing projects and internships. 12 projects have been awarded funding, four are receiving funding and in-kind support, four are being provided with in‑kind support and one internship has been awarded. Three of the grants were awarded under this year’s special provision which gave priority to organisations from communities that were affected by the floods of early 2022. Since 1995, the Australian Government has provided more than $2.2 million to over 520 projects and over 70 internships under MMAPSS.

The latest round of grants for projects that preserve and promote Australia’s maritime legacy have been announced today. Projects from museums and cultural organisations across Australia resulted in 21 successful applicants – comprising grants for projects, in-kind support and funding to support an internship under the Maritime Museums of Australia Project Support Scheme (MMAPSS), which is administered by the Australian National Maritime Museum (the museum) with support from the Australian Government.

Daryl Karp AM, Director and CEO of the Australian National Maritime Museum said, ‘A shared connection with our seas and waterways is an essential part of our national story. As an island continent, our unique identity is reflected in the wealth of vessels, artefacts and stories that make up Australia’s maritime heritage.

‘This legacy extends far beyond large collections and institutions and is sustained by an extensive network of museums, organisations and community projects across Australia – including in regional and remote areas – and the dedicated people who drive and support them.

‘It is through the vital efforts of this network that our national maritime heritage is shaped and preserved for future generations,’ Ms Karp said.

The MMAPSS selection committee reported that the overall quality and scope of the funded projects promises a valuable contribution to the scheme’s objectives to help preserve and display objects of national and historical maritime significance.

Projects include the physical restoration of vessels or strategic planning to enable their preservation, site enhancements that help tell stories of maritime heritage, support to develop and extend information sharing and educational materials that promote community access, digital platforms and publications that share heritage stories and resources, as well as special projects focused on the exhibition and conservation of specific heritage items.

The museum will also provide selected projects with in-kind support, to assist with planning, evaluation, cataloguing and design. Staff and volunteers at museums and historical societies across Australia will have access to subject-matter specialists from the museum’s Curatorial, Fleet, Design, Digital and Communications teams.

Click here to access images from the 2022 MMAPSS awardees

2022 RECIPIENTS AND PROJECTS BY STATE

ACT

• Submarine Institute of Australia Inc, Australian National Submarine Museum – Consultation and support for the development of existing pilot website and building of an online network linking physical submarine displays in museums in Australia and around the World.

NSW

• Lake Macquarie City Council, Nawayiba exhibition and education program – Engage local canoe maker to activate an exhibition of Aboriginal maritime technologies and liaise with local schools.
• Eden Killer Whale Museum Management Committee Incorporated – Conservation and relocation of Orcinus Orca (killer whale) skeleton ‘Old Tom’, an icon of Eden’s unique commercial whaling history.
• Camperdown Cemetery Trust Sydney, Conservation of Dunbar and HMS Challenger memorials – Conservation and restoration of Dunbar and HMS Challenger memorials.
• The Evans Head Living Museum & Community Technology Centre Incorporated, the George Hunt Photographic Collection – Preparation of a publication and museum exhibition including a remote-access program.
• Norah Head Lighthouse Reserve Land Manager Board, Norah Head Lighthouse Book – Print publication of Norah Head Lighthouse and Reserve regional history.
• Merimbula-Imlay Historical Society Inc, David Brown Punt – The construction of a steel cradle, loading and transporting the punt, and installation on site.
• Newcastle Museum, Victoria Lifeboat Conservation Project – Stabilise structural weakening and broken timbers to the bow section of this historic, locally significant vessel.
• Richmond River Historical Society Inc., Ships and boats on the Richmond River – a visual Compendium – Digitisation and display of images and flood-proof storage.
• Greater Hume Council Holbrook NSW, Restoration and Framing of WWII Jolly Roger Flag – Professional restoration and repair of original WWII flag for framing and exhibition.
• City of Canada Bay Heritage Society Museum, Conservation of late-19th century Naval Reserve Jacket – Conserve the Naval Reserve Jacket of Lieutenant-Commander Rupert Oswald Jones, OBE, RNR (Rd.) J.P. and source a bespoke mannequin and reproduction pants for its display.
• Newman Senior Technical College, Securing the future of historic fishing vessel XLCR – Assessment of 107-year-old historic wooden fishing vessel XLCR and preparation of a vessel management plan.

Internship

• Volunteer Marine Rescue NSW, Port Stephens Marine Rescue – One week internship at the ANMM

QLD

• Mackay Regional Council, Vessel Management Plan: Eleanor – Draft a vessel management plan (VMP) for preservation of Historic Vessel Eleanor.
• Queensland Maritime Museum Association, Interpretative signage – Installation of multilingual, QR-coded interpretative and more accessible signage for selected exhibits.

SA

• Rebuild Independence Group (RIG) Incorporated, Fishing Pioneers of American River – Memorial display in recognition of local fishing pioneers, boat builders and local marine conservationists.

• Mid Murray Council, PS Canally interpretation – Creation of interpretive panels depicting the history of the PS Canally and river trade, and upgrade website to enhance online interpretive display.

TAS

• Maritime Museum of Tasmania, Repowering SV Westward – Provide and install a new power pack (engine and gearbox) for SV Westward.

VIC

• Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village, Enhanced Stewardship of Collections Care – New infrastructure to improve care and management of historical objects housed in the collection.
• Queenscliffe Maritime Museum, Vessel Restoration Works for Pilot Vessel Mavis III – Remediation works identified in the Vessel Management Plan to continue restoration of this major exhibit.

WA

• Albany’s Historic Whaling Station, Blacksmith Workshop – Consultation with the museum’s Design and Curatorial Team for concept design to develop a chronological display on whaling history in Australia.

About MMAPSS

The Maritime Museums of Australia Project Support Scheme (MMAPSS) is funded by the Australian Government – through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts and the Australian National Maritime Museum. MMAPSS provides grants of up to $15,000, as well as internships and in-kind support from Australian National Maritime Museum experts.

MMAPSS offers funding to museums and other not-for-profit organisations to help preserve or display objects of national and historical maritime significance. It also supports staff or volunteers, including from remote or regional organisations across Australia, to spend time learning specific skills and making valuable connections.

Many cultural institutions around the country care for maritime items of historical and national significance. The Australian National Maritime Museum supports and encourages efforts to conserve and display unique local objects for today’s audiences and future generations.

MMAPSS gives grants of up to $15,000 for projects that fall into one or more of these categories:

• Collection management (registration, documentation and storage)

• Conservation (preservation, vessel restoration, conservation work/treatments and professional assessments)
• Presentation (research, development of exhibitions, establishing interpretative displays and workshops)
• Development of relevant education or public programs which make collections more accessible to audiences

• Museological training for paid or unpaid workers of not-for-profit organisations caring for Australia’s maritime collections.Internship funding of up to $3,000 is available to help develop museological skills and knowledge, to increase standards of practice in caring for and managing maritime collections (provided by the Australian National Maritime Museum).

Since its inception in 1995, the Australian Government has provided more than $2.2 million to over 520 projects and over 70 internships under MMAPSS, to organisations in Queensland, New South Wales (including Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands), Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory.

Please visit the website www.sea.museum/grants for details on the next round of funding.

About the Museum

The Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney is the national centre for maritime collections, exhibitions, research and archaeology. As a Commonwealth cultural institution, the museum is committed to fulfilling its national mandate by developing programs and opportunities to share its expertise, collection and the national maritime story with regional communities throughout Australia.