Media Release: Supporting our maritime heritage

The Morrison Government is pleased to announce $125,000 for 22 projects and 10 internships through the 2019‑20 round of the Maritime Museums of Australia Project Support Scheme.

The Scheme is administered by the Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM) and provides grants of up to $15,000 in-kind support to not-for-profit organisations to help display and conserve objects of national and historical maritime significance.

Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said Australia’s maritime heritage is an important part of our national story and must be preserved.

“The sea and our inland waterways are a crucial part of our history and inform how we relate to and understand our environment today,” said Minister Fletcher.

“These projects will showcase our historical connection with the sea and inland waterways. Some of the projects include a conservation assessment of Aboriginal watercraft, boat building and shipping on the Manning River, digitisation of the maritime history of Dover and the far south of Tasmania and the preservation of oral histories.”

The Scheme also provides up to $3,000 per person for internships at the Museum or another collecting institution to develop professional networks and skills. 

“Internships have been offered to staff and volunteers from remote and regional organisations in New South Wales, Norfolk Island, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia,” Minister Fletcher said.

Since the Scheme commenced in 1995, more than $1.8 million has been provided to support 440 projects and over 60 internships.

The next round of funding will open in February 2020. For more information visit: www.sea.museum/about/grants-and-awards/funding-for-maritime-heritage