Maritime heritage in Australia will be given a boost, with the announcement that 19 organisations will receive a share of $125,000 under the Maritime Museums of Australia Project Support Scheme for 2020-21.
The Scheme is administered by the Australian National Maritime Museum and provides grants of up to $15,000 to not-for-profit organisations to help display and conserve objects of national and historical maritime significance. Successful applicants may also receive in-kind support from the Museum.
In addition, the Museum provides grants of up to $3,000 per person for internships at the Museum or another collecting institution to develop professional networks and skills.
Senator for New South Wales Jim Molan said “the funding was a boost for locals working tirelessly to preserve Australia’s maritime heritage.”
“I am pleased to announce this funding will support two organisations in Gilmore to conserve and display significant local objects for today’s audiences and future generations,” Senator Molan said.
“The projects include the Clyde River & Batemans Bay Historical Society and the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum.”
“The funding of $6,525 for the Clyde River & Batemans Bay Historical Society will go towards Establishing an online community for South Coast heritage and the funding of $12,273 for the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum will go towards the re‑floating of the Kingfisher.”
“The internship funding will support a volunteer from the Clyde River & Batemans Bay Historical Society and the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum in Gilmore in learning specific skills to increase the standards of practice in caring for and managing the maritime collection.”
Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said our maritime history is an important part of Australia’s national story and must be shared.
“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, as well as the environment,” Minister Fletcher said.
“Our focus this year was to prioritise applications from communities affected by the 2019-20 bushfires, as part of our commitment to support their economic recovery and to get more Australians back into jobs. There are four such successful applicants, with one project benefitting up to eight local organisations.”
“This year, the Maritime Museums of Australia Project Support Scheme is supporting a total of 15 projects with grants, four projects will receive a grant and in‑kind support, with a further six projects receiving in‑kind support from the Museum to preserve and showcase our fascinating maritime heritage to audiences across Australia. We are also pleased to support two paid internships, which will offer exciting professional development and networking opportunities.”
The Australian Government has provided more than $1.9 million to over 460 projects and over 60 internships under the Scheme, since its inception in 1995.
The next round of funding opens in early 2021. For more information, including the successful 2020‑21 applicants, visit: www.sea.museum/about/grants-and-awards/funding-for-maritime-heritage