Each year, the Australian National Maritime Museum supports Australia’s extensive network of regional museums and organisations, preserving the national maritime legacy, through the Maritime Museums of Australia Project Support Scheme (MMAPSS). Funding is awarded to assist these groups in the collection, conservation and display of objects of historical national maritime significance.
Since its inception in 1995, the Australian Government has provided more than $2.1 million to over 500 projects and over 70 internships under the scheme. For the 2021 round, the Australian National Maritime Museum is pleased to announce the awarding of more than $150,000 to organisations throughout Australia, toward projects and internships that extend and promote our national marine heritage.
Tanya Bush, Interim Director and CEO of the Australian National Maritime Museum said, “Australia’s maritime heritage is ably supported by our significant network of regional maritime museums – arguably one of the best in the world. The Australian National Maritime Museum takes great pleasure in supporting these projects, which will continue to protect the rich extent of this nation’s maritime history for future generations.”
Ms Bush continued, “Museums and historical organisations play a key role in preserving and sharing Australia’s maritime heritage. Through these grants, we are supporting communities throughout the nation to ensure that significant objects are preserved, along with their important regional stories, which are such a valuable part of our collective maritime history.”
MMAPSS is funded by the Australian Government, through the Australian National Maritime Museum and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications. This Scheme provides grants of up to $15,000, as well as internships and in-kind support from Australian National Maritime Museum experts.
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said Australia’s maritime history is an important part of our national story.
“Preserving our maritime heritage provides a significant opportunity for Australians to reflect on our history and how we interact with the sea and inland waterways,” Minister Fletcher said.
“With more than $150,000 support from the Morrison Government, the Maritime Museums of Australia Project Support Scheme is providing important financial assistance to these organizations to enhance their conservation and presentation of objects of historical national maritime significance.”
With 30 project applications requesting over $271,814 in funding and five internship applications, the MMAPSS selection committee reported a highly competitive field of applicants, making the final selection of 23 projects and five internships a difficult process.
Projects include the physical restoration of vessels or strategic planning to enable their preservation, support to develop information and educational materials that promote community access, digital platforms and publications that share heritage stories and resources, as well as special projects focused on exhibition and conservation of specific heritage items.
Further funds and in-kind support will also support staff and volunteers from regional and remote museums and historical societies across Australia to evaluate restoration projects and assist with planning, the catalogue of heritage objects, and identifying opportunities to extend awareness of objects and stories.
2021 RECIPIENTS AND PROJECTS BY STATE
ACT
· Submarine Institute of Australia Inc – Development of an accessible website which includes links to relevant physical displays in Australia and around the world
NSW
· Lawrence Historical Society Inc – Assess and prepare a vessel management plan for the historic Clarence River vessel, Gladstone Skiff, the ‘ Ulla Gundah’
· Norah Head Lighthouse Reserve Land Manager Board – Production of a book and e-book detailing the history of the Norah Head Lighthouse and all recorded shipwrecks on the coastline between Barranjoey and Nobbys Head
· La Perouse Museum (Randwick City Council) – Production of a short (10-15 minute) film telling the story of the La Perouse Anchor at La Perouse Museum
· Cundletown and Lower Manning Historical Society (C&LMHS) and Cundletown Museum – Restoration of the milk/cream boat ‘Sunlight’
· Lake Macquarie City Council Arts Culture and Tourism – Development of exhibition and education resources focused on 9 Squadron RAAF Rathmines’ involvement in WWII actions and the loss of HMAS Sydney
· Macleay River Historical Society – Publication of ‘Coasters of the Macleay Valley – The Days of Sail and Steam, 1836 – 1959’
· Bondi Surf Bather Life Saving Club – Conservation and storage of a textile archive collection, pertaining to the Club’s history as the world’s first surf lifesaving club
· Evans Head Living Museum Inc – Support for the digitisation, storage, museum exhibition and on‑line public access of the George Hunt Photograph Collection.
Internships
· Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (x2)
· Jervis Bay Maritime Museum
· Bondi Surf Bather Life Saving Club
QLD
· Woodford Historical Society – Restoration and display of a Woodford Flood boat
· Emu Park Historical Museum Society Inc – Purchase of display cabinets for the Emu Park’s Maritime History collection.
SA
· Historic Ketch Falie Inc – Restoration of ‘Falie’, a 1919 auxiliary engine tall ship
· Rural City of Murray Bridge – Commence the initial stages of restoration of the milk boat ‘Union’- caulking and oakum processes.
· Cobdogla Steam Friends Society Inc – Commence the project restoration of vessel ‘Roy’, to a fully working, on-water example of an early 1900’s professional fisherman’s paddle steamer
· Port MacDonnell and District Maritime Museum Inc – Upgrade of the Museum’s audio-visual displays
Internship
· Historic Ketch Falie Inc.
TAS
· Friends of Maatsuyker Island – Upgrade of catalogue and digital storage to make the collection more publicly available
VIC
· Sail & Adventure Limited, trading as Alma Doepel Museum – Conservation and display of plans and model of 1903 Topsail Schooner ‘Alma Doepel’
· Seaworks Foundation – Restoration, interpretive signage and an interactive panoramic overlay for the Gellibrand Pile Light
· Offshore Specialist Ships Australia Ltd – Restoration of the ‘Aurora Australis’ Tank Test Model
· Port of Echuca Discovery Centre – Conservation and repair of archives in the collection
· Lake Boga Flying Boat Museum – Assessment of significance and interpretation action plan for the Lake Boga Flying Boat Museum collection.
WA
· Albany’s Historic Whaling Station – Installation of solar-powered audio posts, to increase visitor engagement
· Irwin Districts Historical Society Incorporated – Design and fit-out of Packout Room Pop Up Museum for the Museum of Fishing and the Sea;
About MMAPSS
The Maritime Museums of Australia Project Support Scheme (MMAPSS) offers funding to regional museums and organisations to help preserve or display objects of national and historical maritime significance. It also supports staff or volunteers, from remote or regional organisations, 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 (the Museum) supports and encourages efforts to conserve and display unique local objects for today’s audiences and future generations. Funding is provided by the Australian Government and the Museum.
The Scheme gives grants of up to $15,000 for projects that fall into one 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 $2.1 million to over 500 projects and over 70 internships under the Scheme, to organisations in Queensland, New South Wales (including Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands), Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Please check the website www.sea.museum/grants for details of 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.
