Art Benefits John Oxley

There is a limited number of prints (100) of a painting of James Craig by Ian Hansen, painted on board during this year’s Sydney-Hobart voyage. The original is in the ship’s guest book. The painting was copied in Hobart and signed by Ian on return to Sydney.

The A4 prints are $30 each. All profit from the sale and distribution of these prints will go toward plates for the John Oxley.

Secure your print by sending $30 (cheques made out to Sydney Heritage Fleet or credit card details, but by post, not email) to:

David Mitchell
42 Burton St
Concord NSW 2137
0425 207 837
Please include your address.

Steam Training

We have three very significant steamers in our Fleet and it is important that we look well into the future when considering their long-term survival as viable operating vessels.

The problems that steam operators face today include the loss of the technical skill base that operates, maintains and surveys steamers and the difficulty of sourcing steam-specific spare parts and consumables.

Volunteers have been discussing these problems and have agreed on aims, including promoting steam programs and displaying heritage steam technology for the benefit of the community.

We need to broaden our steam operations with programmes to expand volunteering, commence new steam training courses and generate the support of business and industry to keep our steamers running well into the future.

Andy Munns

The Fleet’s Maritime Records and Research Centre

The Fleet’s Library has a new name, the Maritime Records and Research Centre. The December issue of Mariner published a notice of the then impending retirement on 2 February 2005 of long-serving volunteer Joseph (Lew) Lewis-Hughes OBE from his position of Honorary Librarian. A most enjoyable function to celebrate Lew’s twenty-year tenure was held on the James Craig on 28 January, with many of his friends attending. It should be emphasised that Lew has relinquished only his position of Honorary Librarian. He remains a member of the Fleet and intends to visit from time to time, in an advisory capacity and to continue his own maritime historical research.

The position vacated by Lew has been filled by Bill Bourke, who becomes the Centre’s Curator. Bill will be responsible for overall administration and supervision of the Centre and liaison with the General Manager. Bill also has oversight of the Fleet’s acquisition and disposal activities in his current role as a Director on the Board.

Late last year the “Library” volunteers met with Lew to discuss ideas for its future organisation, management and development. Based upon Lew’s recommendations a more appropriate name was chosen, to reflect its current activities and responsibilities, which have evolved under Lew’s excellent leadership.

These activities and responsibilities are:

• accessioning all donations and Fleet acquisitions and ongoing maintenance of relevant records
• carrying out research commissioned by individuals and dealing with requests for information from the public
• establishment and maintenance of registers of all the Fleet’s collections including its vessels and heritage boat collection
• archiving of important Fleet records such as annual reports, board minutes and other records as required
• maintenance of a general and technical library for research purposes
• management of the image library, plans, charts and ephemera collections, information database and security storage of rare/valuable items and
• the sale of images and ships’ plans.

It was decided at the meeting that, to enhance day-to-day operations and management of the Centre, its activities should be structured into three broad areas with a volunteer, in the position of custodian, responsible for each. These are:

• Research, Records and Library—custodian: Bill Bourke
• Accessions and Records—custodian: Chris Chubb
• Images, Plans and Charts—custodian: Mike Ellery.
• Each custodian will be appointing individual volunteers to various specialist positions such as Heritage Boat Registrar, Art Supervisor etc.

Volunteers have a specialised function under one of the custodians, but also turn their hands to other functions—indexing, research etc—as the need arises.

Additional volunteers are always being sought, but in this day and age basic computer skills are essential. Specifically volunteers are sought for the accessioning of acquisitions by the Museum. If you are interested and would like to contribute to achievement of the Fleet’s mission, please contact Bill Bourke at the Centre.

New Members