A new exhibit that dives into the beautiful underwater world of whales and their relationship with local Aboriginal communities will be developed at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum.
The project has been supported with a $6500 grant from the Maritime Museums of Australia Project Support Scheme.
Through an exciting blend of science, storytelling, artefacts and art this exhibit will take visitors on a journey from local Aboriginal culture and history through to the marine environment and eco-system as a part of the wider southwest shipwreck coast and our current relationship with these mammals.
“This is going to be an amazing new addition to Flagstaff Hill,” Warrnambool Mayor Cr Tony Herbert said.
“The recent redevelopment of Flagstaff Hill saw a much-needed Aboriginal perspective added to the stories being told and this will further strengthen those connections and also explore the fascination we all have with the whales that have lived off our shores for millennia.”
A vital component of this project will be the collaboration and partnership between Flagstaff Hill and Aboriginal elders, Uncle Robbie Lowe and Uncle Locky Eccles.
Flagstaff Hill’s Collections and Education Team will work in partnership with Uncle Robbie and Uncle Locky to interpret and celebrate the unique relationship between the local Aboriginal communities and whales.
Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said Australia’s maritime heritage was 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.’
The Maritime Museums of Australia Project Support Scheme is administered by the Australian ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Maritime Museum (ANMM) and provides grants and in-kind support to organisations to help display and conserve objects of national and historical maritime significance.
The grant is administered by the Australian ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Maritime Museum (ANMN) and along with financial assistance the ANMM will provide Flagstaff Hill with in-kind support through the provision of professional interpretation and design advice.
Flagstaff Hill has also been successful in securing an internship at the ANMM which has been made available through the project support scheme.
