A 30th anniversary toast Reminiscences from our founding members
Turning 30? It’s an exciting time of life – a time to savour, a time for reflection. As part of the museum’s 30th birthday celebrations this year, we talked to some very special members of our community who are celebrating their three-decade involvement with our museum – our highly valued founding members. By Daina Fletcher and Matt Lee.
THE MUSEUM HAS 30 FOUNDING MEMBERS who joined us in our first year of opening. So, who are they and why did they join the brand-new museum back in 1991? What are their observations of the museum over its 30 years and their recommendations for the future? Many, like former Senator for New South Wales Vicki Bourne, were attracted to the idea of joining a national museum at its very inception and being part of a growing museum community dedicated to exploring and communicating the cultural history of Australia’s maritime identity. Vicki is very proud to be member number nine and was one of those who joined up before the museum doors had actually opened. Others, including sailor John Jeremy AM, former CEO of Cockatoo Island Dockyard, either come from maritime walks of life and or have friends or family who do. Others had careers in the Royal Australian Navy. Some just love boats and ships – as sailors, would-be sailors, romantics, workers or athletes – and were dazzled by the idea of seeing a tremendous variety of craft displayed in and around the museum.
Some members were attracted to the working lives of the vessels that were then being assembled at the museum’s wharves and in nearby Berrys Bay – tall ships, the wooden pearling lugger John Louis from northern Australia, the smaller couta boat Thistle from the south and the former naval destroyer HMAS Vampire. As well, there were elegant racing craft such as the 1888 gaffcutter Akarana and robust world-cruising ketch Kathleen Gillett, built in 1939 – what a feast for boat-lovers. Among the favourite themes of founding member Richard Newton, a video producer, are the floating vessels, the Wharf 7 watercraft display, maritime archaeology, navy and defence. He nominated James Cameron’s Challenging the Deep exhibition and SY Ena among his highlights, on top of long lunches at the museum’s waterside café. One of the many benefits our members noted was the idea of belonging, friendship and fun. So many enriched their social lives and networks through the museum, meeting like-minded people and sharing similar interests and an enthusiasm for all things maritime. Australian National Maritime Museum
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