Members News Southern Swan struck fear into passing ferries last April on our pirate family cruise, with staff and guests prepared to give no quarter. Below right: Members volunteers George Pepperal and Jeanette Whieldon, public programs manager Neridah Wyatt-Spratt and acting Members manager Di Osmond. Photographs by Sharon Babbage
Will Jones and son Joseph stepped right out of the Spanish Main.
A trick on the helm under the watchful eye of pirate Captain Marty Woods, Member Jo Sokalski and some junior pirates.
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Signals 99 june to august 2012
Prize draw for Members A big welcome to all our new Members who joined recently, and of course welcome back to those who have renewed their memberships. Each month we will be offering new and renewing Members the opportunity to go in the draw for some terrific prizes. In June you could win a family lunch or one of ten morning teas aboard our neighbouring heritage ferry South Steyne – the former queen of the Manly run that’s now a function centre and restaurant.
Over the next two months we will be asking you to take part in surveys and focus groups that we are undertaking to ensure that your interests are being met by our programs and Members’ benefits. Your feedback is most important to us, so do let us know what you think. We hope you will enjoy some recent changes to the Members lounge: fresh flowers, daily newspaper, a range of herbal teas and fresh fruit available for children. Don’t forget you can make bookings or renew your membership in the lounge as well. Drop in on your next visit to the museum and meet our friendly hosts. Our winter program has something for everyone, with lots to celebrate. Did you know this year is the 175th anniversary of P&O? We’ll say happy birthday with a lecture by historian Rob Henderson who’s been delving into the shipping line’s archives. In this period of Royal Australian Navy Centenary celebrations, we know you’ll
enjoy the ceremony of the ever-popular wardroom dinners aboard our Daring class destroyer, ex-HMAS Vampire. Sign up to pass the port! There are two fantastic, themed family days coming up. There’s Lighthouse Larks, put together in honour of Lighthouse Week. Another is Terrific Tugboats, celebrating those Little Toots that everyone loves. That’s when you can meet the author of the new book Heroic, Forceful and Fearless: Australia’s tugboat heritage, Randi Svensen, who tells her story of getting to know the tugboats and the characters who worked on them (read more starting on page 36). At a time when Sydney Harbour has lost its vibrant working life this is an important testament to Australia’s commercial maritime heritage. Randi’s talk is part of our regular author series. Another features naval historian Dr Ian Pfennigwerth, who spent 35 years in the RAN in seagoing, staff and overseas postings. His sixth and latest book commemorates the life of Samuel Elliot Lees Stening, a poignant true story of courage, conviction and brutality during WWII. Look out for two new, regular programs which commence in July: Meet the Neighbours and In Conversation with Members. I look forward to seeing you at the museum soon. Enjoy your winter edition of Signals. Di Osmond Acting Members manager