21 June
2006 - Projects to conserve shipwrecks around
the country have received over $400,000 in funds
under the Australian Government’s Historic Shipwreck
Programme (HSP), announced today by the Australian
Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator
Ian Campbell.
Senator Campbell said shipwrecks
and their relics hold the key to revealing much
about Australia’s past, particularly defence,
migration and exploration, and their protection
is vital.
“Australia’s coast is scattered
with thousands of wrecks. They are an invaluable
and irreplaceable resource. The Historic Shipwreck
Programme enables those wrecks to be preserved
and most importantly studied to provide greater
insight into Australia’s history,” Senator Campbell
said.
“Whether they sank as a result
of a storm or lack of knowledge of the coastline,
or because of human error, each wreck contains
a rich and diverse story that contributes to Australia’s
colourful past.
“Many of us will never visit
a shipwreck but stories are being brought to the
surface and shared with Australians through new
and improved exhibitions, multi-media displays
and educational programs funded through the Historic
Shipwreck Programme,” he said.
Senator Campbell said that funding
would support a range of projects being undertaken
by state and territory partners including:
• Conservation Plans – project to be carried out
by Heritage Victoria that will see the preparation
of conservation management plans for SS Kanowna
(1940), SS Queensland (1876), both located off
Wilsons Promontory, and SS Coramba (1934) located
off Port Phillip Island, Victoria.
• Finding Australia – an education and conservation
project which aims to promote heritage tourism
through publications and interpretive materials
with a specific emphasis on the 400th anniversary
of European maritime exploration in Australia,
New South Wales.
• Sound of the Sky – a project by the Museum and
Art Gallery of the Northern Territory that will
produce a scholarly work on maritime history,
art and science at the time of early European
contact with northern Australia, Northern Territory.
• Interactive Shipwreck Display – to be developed
by the Museum of Tropical Queensland in Townsville
the interactive display will promote the protection
and preservation of shipwreck sites, in particular
the SS Yongala wreck located off the coast near
Townsville, by providing opportunities for the
public who do not access shipwrecks or underwater
environments to experience an exciting virtual
reality technology display, Queensland.
• Location and protection of the French exploration
vessel Le Casuarina lost at sea in 1803 – this
project will develop a management recommendation
for the anchor lost in Australian waters off the
Yorks Peninsular in 1803 by the French vessel
under the command of Louis Freycinet. The project
looks at the discovery and mapping of this region
by the French in 1802-03, South Australia.
• Permanent shipwrecks display – this project
will utilise the resources of the Queen Victoria
Museum in Launceston to develop a permanent shipwrecks
display at the Low Head Pilot Station museum,
to promote the Historic Shipwrecks Programme in
the north of Tasmania.
• A Site Inspection & Management Programme
– to be carried out by the Western Australian
Maritime Museum, will work to conserve and protect
historic shipwreck sites and associated material
as cultural resources of the nation and will involve
regular examination and surveys of historic sites
to monitor their condition and status.
For more information about the programme and funded
projects visit www.deh.gov.au/heritage/shipwrecks/index.html
Rob Broadfield (Senator Campbell's Office)
