MHAV represents over 40 organisations and hundreds of members supporting maritime awareness, collections, experiences and historic vessels. From canoes to clippers, immigrants to container ships, the sea has touched the lives of all Victorians. But Victoria is the only Australian state without a major centre to preserve and celebrate its vast maritime riches.
Welcome to our latest Maritime Interest Groups:
Join us!
If you support our aims, or would like to keep up with local maritime developments, please become a member of the Maritime Heritage Association of Victoria. It costs only $15 a year, but gives you regular newsletters and invitations to maritime talks and events, and will help in preserving our fascinating past for future generations.Click here for the latest MHAV newsletter
27 August 2010 - Seaworks Lease is Signed
Since 2003 a derelict site at Williamstown has been transformed by community efforts into Seaworks, a public precinct for maritime events and visiting vessels. The site has the location and history to become a world-class 'working port' centre - a tourist drawcard and economic driver for Victoria. The MHAV aims to facilitate the development and management of a world-class State maritime heritage centre at Seaworks. See the Williamstown vision and site proposal.Press Release: Parks Victoria and the Seaworks Foundation have signed a 21 year lease. More...
Williamstown Seaworks Site Strategic Development Plan
Williamstown Seaworks Site Masterplan
Background: Since 2003, many hard-working volunteers have contributed their time, money and labour to the Seaworks site. Efforts have included a massive clean-up of the site after it was left derelict for decades, setting up the Williamstown Maritime Association and the Pirates Tavern, painting and repairing sheds, professional plumbing and rewiring, organising community-interest events and heritage boat festivals, hosting James Craig and other historic vessels, plus continual ongoing maintenance.
After the 2004 Heritage Boat Show, Premier Steve Bracks endorsed the idea of a maritime heritage precinct on the site and directed Parks Victoria to work with representative groups. The Seaworks Foundation, consisting of business and community leaders, was established in 2006 to manage the planning and development of the site. Seaworks and Parks Victoria have finally signed a lease for the site in August 2010.
MHAV Member Organisations
Appreciation
MHAV would like to express its appreciation for the support it has received
from the Port of Melbourne
Corporation, Seaworks Foundation
and Williamstown Maritime Association and The
Pirates' Tavern for the use of their facilities for meetings. MHAV also
receives free community hosting from Web Hosts
Australia.













