26/06/2026
Australian National Maritime Museum announcement.
Maritime Heritage grants allow cultural organisations nationwide to preserve Australian maritime history
The Australian National Maritime Museum has announced this year’s successful recipients in the latest round of
grants under the Maritime Museums of Australia Project Support Scheme (MMAPSS). Museums and cultural organisations across the country will receive funding and support toward projects that protect and preserve Australia’s proud maritime heritage.
Twenty-seven successful MMAPSS applications will share in more than $162,560 in grants and support, with 19 projects awarded funding and 8 applicants funded to attend a week-long museological training course at the Australian National Maritime Museum. Projects were allocated full or partial funding, plus in-kind support where applicable.
This announcement highlights the breadth and depth of new and ongoing maritime heritage initiatives, each reflecting stories and legacies that are both deeply rooted in their local context and nationally significant. This includes developing an artwork-led exhibition exploring the relationship between the Thaua People of Twofold Bay and beowa (killer whales), conserving and digitising a rare photographic album documenting an international voyage
by HMAS Australia, producing a hands-on ‘discovery cart’ for museum collections education activities, restoring an historic fishing boat, and supporting boatbuilding students to undertake a placement with the Australian National Maritime Museum.
The MMAPSS Selection Committee noted that this year’s successful awardees demonstrate the continuing evolution of the Australian maritime heritage sector, as maritime museums find creative ways to bring to life shared stories which connect audiences across the country with Australia’s oceans and waterways.
Minister for the Arts The Hon. Tony Burke said, ‘These projects bring to life Australia’s maritime history and audiences across the country will be able to experience the unique stories being told.’
The Hon. Hieu Van Le AC, Chair of the Australian National Maritime Museum, said ‘As an island nation, Australia has always been shaped by its enduring relationship with the sea. Our maritime heritage lives in the stories, vessels and objects that connect communities across generations and across the nation. It is through the care, generosity and dedication of people and organisations throughout Australia that this rich legacy will continue to be preserved, shared and entrusted to those who come after us.’
MMAPSS is administered by the Australian National Maritime Museum and funded by the Australian Government
through the Australian National Maritime Museum and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional
Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts. Since 1995, MMAPSS has provided more than $2.7 million to
over 580 projects and over 100 museological training opportunities to organisations across Australia.
Projects include the physical restoration of vessels, conservation and digitisation of significant collections, exhibition
development, educational resources and interpretive displays, and strategic work that improves public access to maritime heritage.
The Museum will also provide selected projects with in-kind support, to assist with planning, evaluation, interpretation, conservation, and education. Staff and volunteers at museums and historical societies across Australia will have access to subject-matter specialists from the Museum’s Curatorial, Fleet, Conservation, Education, and Communications teams.
VICTORIA
City of Greater Geelong – This project will conserve and digitise a photographic album documenting HMAS
Australia’s 1934–35 voyage to England, to ensure preservation and improve public access.
Queenscliffe Maritime Museum – This project involves conservation works to stabilise the historic couta boat Maud
and prepare it for long-term preservation and future restoration.
Australian National Surfing Museum – This project will research, develop and design new exhibition content
exploring the history, culture and sporting evolution of surfing in Australia.
Portland Maritime Museum – This project is to design and produce a mobile Discovery Cart to expand interpretation
capacity and enable hands-on engagement with maritime collections.
Seaworks Foundation – This project will install interpretive signage across the Seaworks Maritime Precinct, to
strengthen cohesive storytelling and visitor understanding.
Mallacoota & District Historical Society - This project enhances the SS Riverina lifeboat display shed through
conservation upgrades and immersive interpretive elements.
MARITIME MUSEUM ADMINISTRATORS’ COURSE GRANTS (VIC)
Gillian Wright, Echuca Historical Society
Katherine Wake, Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum & Village
Glenda McKenna, Western Port Oberon Association
Rosemary Kendall, Western Port Oberon Association
