Left: Lady Hopetoun’s funnel goes skywards in the first stage of the operation to remove her boiler - see Page 3. (Picture: Brett Smith)

Top right: The face is familiar, but not perhaps in a hard hat in John Oxley’s engineroom. Dennis Conner, guest of honour at the Fleet’s May fundraising dinner, on a visit to the Shipyard.

Right: Boomerang alongside Jones Bay Wharf and the venue for the fundraising dinner - see Page 2. (Picture: Tim McDonald)

Farewell, but not Goodbye

FROM: Chris Stannard - President

Hugh Lander stepped back from the General Manager’s job after a short baton-changing period with the new General Manager, Jon Simpson. For those of you who don’t know, Hugh filled this position after John Gillham departed in 2004. Hugh began his association with the Museum in 1998 as consultant Fundraising Manager for the James Craig. In 2000 Hugh came on staff as Operations Manager James Craig and continued in this role until 2003, when he wore a new hat as Public Affairs Manager, taking up his role as General Manager in July 2004.

I asked Hugh what were the more memorable moments during his time with the Museum. Without hesitation he said two things: firstly, the day in 2000 the James Craig set sail down Sydney Harbour, a moment held dear for all who saw a 30-year vision become reality.

His second thought was when all volunteers from the Sydney Heritage Fleet were awarded the State Government Volunteer Heritage Award in 2004. To quote Hugh “volunteers are the Museum’s greatest asset.”

Hugh, I know you are enjoying a well-earned break before resuming duties within the SHF. We look forward to having a revitalised Hugh in the near future.

FROM: Hugh Lander - General Manager to June 2005

This is my last “talk” with you as SHF General Manager, as I opted not to stay on after 30 June. I would very much like to

take this opportunity to thank all members, and especially those of you who are also volunteers, for your support of me over the last year and more particularly for your support of the Sydney Heritage Fleet.

One thing I have learned about you all since I came here in January 1998 is that you are a passionate lot. Without the knowledge, dedication, skills and passion which reside within our community we could not exist. Having said that there are many challenges which lie ahead, nearly all of them connected, directly or indirectly, with funding or with finding a location for our workshop activities. What members and volunteers need to know is that a tremendous amount of activity is going on behind the scenes in an attempt to make our financial future more certain and to ensure that we have a suitable worksite for our shipyard activities.

I wish your new General Manager, Jon Simpson, every success as he takes over the tiller of this great organisation. The new incumbent faces many challenges but will not do so alone. Your Museum now has a strong board, an effective staff and, above all a fine body of volunteers, active across the spectrum of the Fleet’s activities.

In closing I should like to pay tribute to our many generous sponsors and donors and above all to our major benefactor and Patron, Robert Albert AO RFD RD. I will be maintaining my ties with the Fleet and after a rest I look forward to coming back to work on specific projects.