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7 March, 2006: "SHF wins Heritage Office Grant"
Mar 07, 2006
Sydney Heritage Fleet receives Fundraising Grant NSW Heritage Office provides Kick Start funds for John Oxley Appeal
News Release Last month the NSW Government, through the NSW Heritage Office announced a grant to the Sydney Heritage Fleet. The grant has been awarded under the “Kick Start” program aimed at encouraging and assisting recipients to raise money towards a specific project. The project for which the funds were awarded to SHF is to raise money for the restoration of the steam boilers in the engine room of the Fleet’s current project, the restoration and eventual operation of the 1927 built relief pilot vessel and buoy tender John Oxley which has heritage and maritime significance.
The grant has some innovative and unusual features which require the recipient to act quickly and decisively. SHF has to raise $40,000 towards the project within 4 weeks of launching the appeal and raise a total of at least $80,000 during the 2 year project period. If these conditions are not met the grant must be returned.
In announcing the receipt of the grant Hugh Lander, Development Manager at Sydney Heritage Fleet appealed to Sydneysiders for financial support. “I know that our pleas for help come regularly and unceasingly and I well know the generous contributions that so many supporters so regularly make”, he said. “We can only continue our operations if we continue to receive the support of donors, sponsors and the general public. If we get the backing we need we will be that much closer to raising steam on John Oxley and to getting our next project, the restoration of the ferry Kanangra, under way” Mr Lander said.
The Kick Start Appeal will be launched at a function to be held at the Fleet’s Heritage Shipyard, Gate 4, James Craig Rd., Rozelle Bay on Tuesday 21st March at 12 noon. Representatives from the Heritage Office will be in attendance
Sydneysiders, particularly those who drive over the Anzac Bridge, will know of the activity at the Fleet’s Heritage Shipyard in Rozelle Bay. Following the successful restoration, and subsequent operation of the 19th Century square rigger, James Craig, the current, project, for the most part being carried out by volunteers, is restoration of the 1927 pilot vessel and buoy tender John Oxley.
Hugh Lander asked for the assistance of the public to raise funds for this important heritage project. “Please help” he said “your support will be acknowledged, receipted and, above all, greatly appreciated. All donations, greater than $2.00 are tax-deductible” he added. All donors will be regularly kept up to date with progress and be invited to the Fleet’s Heritage Shipyard to review progress. Ends Word Count 419 For more information or clarification please call Hugh Lander 92983844 or 0411754739
See “Background Information and Photos below
Some background information about the Fleet Sydney Heritage Fleet is a volunteer based and oriented organisation. The Fleet is a not-for-profit tax-deductible gift recipient (DGR) under Australian Taxation Office rules. Sydney Maritime Museum Ltd is a corporation, limited by guarantee, and is “owned” by its members. The Museum receives no direct government funding, either Federal or State, but acknowledges support from the Australian National Maritime Museum and the NSW Maritime Authority through the provision of space for our Heritage Shipyard at Rozelle Bay..
Sydney Heritage Fleet has been in existence for 40 years, being founded in December 1965 with the acquisition and restoration, entirely by volunteers, of the VIP steam launch Lady Hopetoun, built in Sydney in 1902. Since then the Museum has authentically restored the steam tug Waratah, also built in 1902, the gentleman’s schooner Boomerang, built in 1903, the tall ship James Craig, built in 1874 and several other smaller boats including the 1908 inner-harbour ferry Protex and the 1956 built Manly speedboat Kookaburra.
In addition to the vessels already mentioned the Fleet is restoring a number of other ships and boats of significant maritime heritage value, including the 1927 steam driven buoy tender and relief pilot vessel John Oxley and the 1912 Sydney Harbour ferry Kanangra. We also have a large collection of static display boats, either fully restored or under restoration.
The group is diverse but cohesive. It encompasses the officers and crew of the operational ships, the trained guides who share their treasures with visitors, and the shore-based volunteer workers in the office and library, the boat restoration workshops and in the Heritage Shipyard at Rozelle Bay. This magnificent band, volunteers all, make the Museum “happen”.
The Fleet has around 600 active volunteers who, in the past year, recorded around 126,000 hours of invaluable voluntary service. Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Sydney Heritage Fleet; without them the Fleet could not exist. However it is equally true that neither could it exist without the generous support of donors and sponsors.
The Fleet’s current major work-in progress is the restoration of the 1927 built steam driven buoy tender and relief pilot vessel John Oxley which is currently on the Sea Heritage Dock at the Heritage Shipyard, James Craig Road, Rozelle Bay. For those seeking more detailed information the Fleet runs an excellent website at www.sydneyheritagefleet.com.au which covers the entire gamut of their activities.
For more information or clarification please contact Hugh Lander 02 92983844 or 0411 754739 or hlander@sydneyheritagefleet.com.au
Posted by
Hugh Lander on 7 March, 2006
