Protest! Wharf activism – not a new phenomenon

Much of the news this past month has concerned protest in our city.

The shipping industry paper DCN News recently reported, “18 pro-Palestinian activists were arrested at Webb Dock, Port of Melbourne, for blocking terminal gates while protesting against export shipments to Israel.”

Leaving aside the specific concerns that motivated this particular protest action, it was a graphic reminder that since the late 19th century protest action aimed at achieving social change on the Port of Melbourne’s wharves has been a consistent feature of our maritime heritage.

On the early wharves in the riverport of Melbourne, workers were generally poor, uneducated, and often immigrants. While maritime trade in the Port of Melbourne boomed and Victoria prospered, working conditions on the wharves remained appallingly dirty and dangerous. Even securing employment on the wharves was difficult, degrading, uncertain and unjust.

Understandably, wharf workers began to protest collectively by forming unions to seek better working conditions and fair pay. Protest in the form strikes disrupted lucrative port operations and maritime trade.

Though often condemned by government and commercial interests, such protest actions ultimately resulted in better working conditions on wharves as well as significant social change and equality of benefit for all working people in the long term.

Given that our wharves were – and still are – our primary physical link to global engagement, it is perhaps not surprising that recent protest action has again targeted maritime trade.

Victoria Harbour – Heritage Fleet at the Boat Show

Volunteer members of our immensely tenacious Heritage Fleet will once again participate in the 2025 Melbourne Boat Show on Harbour Esplanade.

Regrettably, the dispute between the Heritage Fleet and Development Victoria over the proposed relocation of heritage vessels from North Wharf remains unresolved. A reminder: the roll out of the Lendlease Tower Project along North Wharf will soon render the Heritage Fleet’s working spaces and berths inaccessible.

To support the Heritage Fleet, Melbourne Maritime Heritage Network (MMHN) sincerely hopes that many in Docklands will visit the 2025 Boat Show and take the time to see the Heritage Fleet along Harbour Esplanade. The generous volunteer crew of the steam tug Wattle will host representatives from some of the 17 members of Maritime Museums Victoria (MMV) during the Boat Show. Plenty to see and to discuss!

The Heritage Vessel Polly Woodside – thoughts anyone?

Sadly, the Polly Woodside is quietly floating, landlocked on Southbank, unable to join the rest of the Heritage Fleet in Victoria Harbour during the 2025 Boat Show. Why? Too many low bridges and too many seemingly intractable, costly impediments must be addressed before such adventures can be contemplated.

But you can take action. Now is your chance to help solve a uniquely Melburnian maritime heritage “Polly problem”. MMHN appeals to all maritime enthusiasts who share a fondness for the Polly languishing in the heritage-listed Duke & Orr’s Dry Dock amid the hospitality venues of South Wharf.

MMHN invites you to share any ideas or proposals you may have to maximise the irrefutable heritage value of the Polly in our port city. The Polly has enjoyed multiple incarnations in her long life. Perhaps there are more to come. MMHN looks forward to hearing your thoughts about how to create a bright future for this special vessel.

Take the tram from Harbour Esplanade along Flinders St, get off near the Mission to Seafarers, then walk over the river on the Seafarers Pedestrian Bridge to Southbank. Look at the Polly and email your thoughts to [email protected].

Invitations for the Docklands Community

1. When: October 14 to 19

Once again, Offshore and Specialist Ships Australia (OSSA) and the Melbourne Maritime Heritage Network (MMHN) are collaborating to present the Docklands Primary School Maritime Art Exhibition. All students have been invited to create artwork during their school holidays and submit it upon their return to school. All artworks will be on display at Magnet Gallery in The District Docklands. A professional maritime artist will select student artworks of merit from each grade level. Awards will be presented at 3pm on October 19 on centre stage at the 2025 Melbourne Boat Show.

2. When: Wednesday, 8th October at 6:30pm

You are invited to hear a presentation: Williamstown, Submarines and the Future Peter Quinlivian, lawyer (BAE Systems), historian, author, and MMHN Board member, will share his unique insights into both the historical and current complexities surrounding submarine matters. Where: MMHN AGM presentation at the Royal Historical Society Victoria premises, 239 A’Beckett St, Melbourne. Take the William St or Elizabeth St trams. •