A busy month for boating and maritime enthusiasts

Many in the community may not recognise that they have a rich maritime heritage of significant social, cultural, and economic value – past, present and future.

The most powerful weapon in the Melbourne Maritime Heritage Network’s (MMHN) armoury is advocacy directed at engagement with government at all levels, relevant agencies, institutions, maritime industry, and related commercial sectors in order save our maritime heritage assets, too many of which have been squandered in the past.

The Docklands community is only too aware of the prime example of Central Pier being squandered. MMHN has made many submissions to Development Victoria (DV) outlining the well-researched case for a project designed to compensate the community and act as a focal point to activate Victoria Harbour.

Our website examines this under the heading “Opportunities”. On August 23, DV released a summary of lengthy community consultations on its website called Revitalisation of Central Pier & Adjacent Waterfront. Groan!

It is frustrating to learn that DV plans further consultations. So, given that demolition works are likely to take yet another two years, the degenerating wreck of the heritage-listed pier will continue as a blight on Victoria Harbour visible from all around the Docklands Precinct for far too long.

MMHN can only hope that DV’s eventual replacement infrastructure will provide the Docklands community with infrastructure of appropriate imagination, quality and form as warranted in this unique marine location.

A more cheerful note – an invitation

We all need to remember that Australia is an island nation with a rich maritime heritage of great significance and that Australia will remain dependent on the maritime sector in future. Mindful that young people are indeed our future, MMHN will host the first …

MMHN Children’s Maritime Heritage Festival in Docklands 2023

Do come along for all or part of the free program presented below – and bring any budding maritime enthusiasts along with you.

Launch of Victoria’s first Children’s Maritime Heritage Book (ages 8-12) entitled, River to Bay –Victoria’s Maritime History: Thursday, October 19 from 4.30pm to 6.30pm at Docklands Library Theatre Space to be officially launched by the former Premier, The Hon. Ted Baillieu, chair of the Australian Heritage Council. Hear from well-known author Carole Wilkinson about capturing this fascinating historical tale, and gifted iIlustrator Prue Pittock speaking about the illustrations which illuminate the text together with award-winning Wild Dog Publishing CEO Maryann Ballantyne. This is a free event but please RSVP to [email protected]

Annual Children’s Maritime Art Exhibition. The District Shopping Centre, Docklands: Monday, October 23 until Sunday, October 29.

Free Public Exhibition convened by Offshore and Specialist Ships Australia (OSSA) and MMHN on view at any time. Inspired by their unique harbourside neighbourhood and its maritime environment, this Docklands Primary School students exhibition will showcase their maritime art, completed in their own time during September term break. They have all joined the long and rich tradition of maritime art. You are invited to see what our young maritime artists see around them.

Children’s Maritime Heritage Festival Medley Program: Thursday, October 26 from 4.30pm to 7.30 pm. Docklands Library Theatre Space. 

An entertaining program of short presentations by maritime enthusiasts including talks, sea shanties, films, etc., all about our maritime heritage including of heritage ships and shipwrecks specialist ships, the work of local seafarers and a special maritime history quiz.

Melbourne Boat Show: Thursday, October 26 until Sunday, October 29 from 10am to 7pm, 2023.

This year the Melbourne Boat Show includes the Heritage and Wooden Boat Precinct on North Wharf. Take the heritage ferry Grower leaving from NewQuay across Victoria Harbour to explore North Wharf Heritage and Wooden Boat Precinct.

Children’s Maritime Art Awards on Centre Stage of Boat Show at NewQuay, Docklands: Sunday, October 29 at 3pm.

Renowned maritime artist Brigid Thomas will visit the art exhibition and select two notable artworks from each grade level at Docklands Primary School to receive a Special Recognition Award. These student maritime artists will be invited onto the Boat Show’s centre stage to receive their awards and will also win a tour of the heritage vessel steam tug Wattle at a later date. The award ceremony convened by OSSA, MMHN and the Boating Industry Association (Vic). This is a free public event – all are welcome. •