ADVOCACY

MMHN’s strong advocacy for maritime history and heritage has been recognised by the History Council of Victoria with the announcement on 21 October 2021 that MMHN was shortlisted for the inaugural Jane Hansen Prize for History Advocacy. We came second and received an honourable mention – the only organization to receive such recognition.

MMHN was established as a network through which to endorse the Value of History. Studying our past and telling our stories is critical to our sense of belonging, to our communities and to our shared future.

MMHN congratulates the 2021 winner, Sue Thompson of Lilydale Historical Society who generously accepted the prize on behalf of all volunteers in the history sector across Victoria. Congratulations also to all others on the stellar shortlist: Catherine Dwyer, David Waldron, Marion Littlejon and the President of the RHSV, Richard Broome.

History shapes our identities, engages us as citizens, creates inclusive communities, is part of our economic well-being, teaches us to think critically and creatively, inspires leaders and is the foundation of our future generations.

See: https://www.historycouncilvic.org.au/statement_of_value_of_history

​MMHN’s advocacy for Melbourne’s future through recognition of Maritime Melbourne takes many forms. For recent examples of our advocacy, see the following submissions.

Central Pier position statement, January 2021

Central Pier position statement, January 2021

Despite evidence of incompetence over decades, the State Government continues to entrust Development Victoria (DV) with custodianship with Central Pier – the heritage-listed, ostensibly protected and Victoria’s most significant examples of maritime infrastructure. Yet DV continues to demonstrate zero commitment to heritage preservation.

Response to Ports Discussion Paper, September 2020

Response to Ports Discussion Paper, September 2020

This response is on behalf of the Melbourne Maritime Heritage Network (MMHN) and Offshore & Specialist Ships Australia (OSSA). Thank you for the opportunity to make comment on your Ports Discussion Paper. Overall this paper is well presented and extensive in its breadth. We have focused on three areas which we feel need further thought and discussion.

Redevelopment of Mission to Seafarers, August 2020

Redevelopment of Mission to Seafarers, August 2020

MMHN are delighted that the City of Melbourne’s Council last night unanimously approved the passing of the proposal to proceed with a feasibility study and building a business case for the redevelopment of the iconic Mission to Seafarers building. This is a great step forward aligning with the vision of MMHN to develop a Melbourne Maritime Precinct. This redevelopment together with the new Seafarers Rest Park will be a wonderful gateway to the Precinct.

Submission to Development Victoria on-line Community Consultation for Central Pier, December 2022

Proposal for Docklands Container Installation, August 2020

Short-term to mid-term activation of Docklands 1/8/2020. Proposal for Docklands Container Installation. This project involves Victoria University, ANL and DV – and potentially the CoM, the Docklands Chamber of Commerce and the AFL It is all Shipping container, creative new technologies Genesis MMHN board member, Associate Professor David Goodwin (VU) has proposed a ‘container installation’ for Docklands.

Contagion, March 2020

Contagion, March 2020

These are extraordinary, unpredictable indeed sobering times for us all. Bushfires, floods and now contagion! It is fitting for the MMHN to reflect on maritime involvement with two earlier pandemics and one shipboard epidemic – namely Black Death, Spanish Flu and Typhoid. Much has been written of these catastrophic events – but not always from the maritime perspective the following brief insight prepared by MMHN Board members.