Seaworks has just opened a permanent exhibition that celebrates Williamstown’s rich Naval history thanks to the support of The Victoria Remembers Grant Program.
The Victoria Remembers Grant Program honours and commemorates veterans’ service or educate Victorians about veterans’ contributions.
“We consider the exhibition on the Navy and its long connection to Williamstown a vital and important part of our story here at Seaworks” said Glenn Jones, Executive Officer of the Seaworks Foundation. “We strongly believe this will be of great benefit not only to our museum guests and school groups but also a place where veterans and dockyard workers can gather and share their own stories”.
The exhibition enhances the Navy exhibition to a professional standard including large museum quality display cases for the ship models and artifacts, large interpretive photographic panels, and interactive screen to display the large collection of photographs of the dockyard. Many of the actual ships were built at the Williamstown dockyard (now BAE Systems) next door, which had been one of the Commonwealth’s most important naval shipbuilding facilities.
Minister for Veterans Natalie Suleyman:
“We are proud to support projects like this which shine a light on the lesser-known stories of our defence history and honour the invaluable contributions of our veteran community.”
Williamstown is regarded by many historians as the birthplace of the royal Australian navy.
Navy’s connection with the maritime precinct at Williamstown, which was once one of the Commonwealth’s most important ship construction and repair facilities, is longstanding. It is the place from which sailors departed overseas in defence of their country in peace and war. Its industrial capabilities and the vital dry dock made possible the construction of many of the Navy’s warships, including some still in service. This same industrial capability enabled the refit of numerous Navy ships over prolonged periods. During these times, many Navy personnel – uniformed and civilian – called the Williamstown area home as they stood by their ships and awaited their return to sea.
The Williamstown Naval Dockyards Exhibition was supported by the Victorian Government and the Victorian Veterans Council.
The Seaworks Maritime Museum is open 11am – 3pm Wednesday and Sunday
