5 minute read
The difference you make
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Thanks to our generous donors
Our donors play a vitally important role in enabling the Australian National Maritime Museum Foundation to support the operations of the museum. During these difficult times the generous response of our supporters has been overwhelming, with more than $170,000 in cash raised in June alone.
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The museum is quickly building a reputation as the nation’s pre-eminent collection of contemporary art from the Torres Strait Islands
01 The acquisition of Alick Tipoti’s work Danagai Waar (Blind Turtle) was supported by museum Ambassador Ms Christine Sadler. The work will feature in the exhibition Mariw Minaral (Spiritual Patterns), a retrospective of Tipoti’s works. 02 Students will continue to learn about the heroic exploits carried out on board MV Krait thanks to a generous donation honouring Sgt Douglas Herps, Z Special Unit and Mrs Patricia Herps. Images Andrew Frolows/ANMM
RECENT DONATIONS HAVE ENABLED US to continue work in three areas that are particularly important to us: migration, building the National Maritime Collection, and educating future generations about maritime history.
Celebrating our migrant stories Thank you to those who supported our fundraising campaign for A Mile in My Shoes. In recent months, more than $94,000 has been raised to support this important exhibition, including through the museum’s first ever crowd-funding campaign. To date, we have received individual donations totalling over $14,000. The City of Sydney, Settlement Services International and the Kytherian Association of Australia have also been generous supporters. Thanks to our donors, and with the support of the Australian National Maritime Museum Foundation, A Mile in My Shoes will be shown at the museum in January 2021. Following the social dislocation of COVID-19, the opportunity to share stories of the migrant experience that explore our shared humanity will be most welcome.
Recently 300 organisations – including 199 community groups, 39 consulates and 17 Chambers of Commerce – were approached about this important initiative and there was a great deal of interest and excitement about its potential. We continue to look for ways to further support this project as we seek to raise an additional $50,000 over the next few months.
Building our national collection The museum is building the nation’s pre-eminent collection of contemporary art from the Torres Strait Islands. Museum Ambassador, Ms Christine Sadler, generously helped build upon this collection by supporting the acquisition of Alick Tipoti’s work Danagai Waar (Blind Turtle). Made of fibreglass, resin, ghost net, paint and trumpet shell, this beautiful piece will feature in the forthcoming exhibition Mariw Minaral (Spiritual Patterns), a retrospective of works by Alick Tipoti to be held at the museum from October 2020 to March 2022 (see page 42 for details). The Australian National Maritime Museum Foundation contributed the funds necessary to acquire a second major Tipoti work, Gul (Canoe), for the retrospective. Made of fibreglass, cassowary feathers, natural fibres and rope, this piece was a priority acquisition for the museum. Mr Tipoti has donated five works for the exhibition and the museum is also purchasing pieces to become part of our collection. Mr Tipoti used funds from the earlier sales to purchase a printing press for his community, helping them to earn money from their own artmaking.
Educating the next generation A generous donation honouring Sgt Douglas Herps, Z Special Unit and Mrs Patricia Herps ensures the astonishing historic events of MV Krait will be recounted to future generations. Berthed near destroyer HMAS Vampire and submarine HMAS Onslow, MV Krait looks like an unassuming Japanese fishing vessel – which it once was, and under which disguise it undertook daring undercover operations during World War II. Our education team is producing a student program detailing Krait’s involvement with Operation Jaywick and Z Special Unit. The Australian National Maritime Museum Foundation invested $135,000 in objects for the collection in 2019–20 and underwrote a further $205,000. Your support of the Foundation can make all the difference. Please donate now to support: • building upon our national collection • the Migration Heritage Fund – to continue showcasing the stories that have made Australia the rich multicultural society it is today • keeping our historic fleet ‘ship-shape’ to continue educating and inspiring our visitors.
Donate now
Direct deposit BSB 062 000 Account 1616 9309
Please ensure your name is listed on the transaction. Alternatively, send a cheque made out to ANMM Foundation (a reply-paid envelope is included in this edition of Signals) or call Marisa Chilcott, Foundation Manager, on 02 9298 3619.
We need your support more than ever
COVID-19 has triggered dramatic changes in the operations of the Australian National Maritime Museum and many longstanding plans have had to be adjusted or shelved.
With the loss of up to $10M in self-generated revenue, roughly a third of our budget, the museum is looking to the Australian National Maritime Museum Foundation – and its donors – for assistance.
Conservator Sue Frost uses a miniature vacuum cleaner and screen to gently clean a woolwork picture made in the 19th century. Image Andrew Frolows/ANMM A recent study found that most museum-goers are unaware that museums are facing challenges due to COVID-19.1 Yet, when asked how they felt the loss of museums would affect them, either through closures or dramatically reduced services, most said they would be devastated:
Our museums help keep our collective memory alive. If we lost even one of these important institutions, it would be like someone had blown out a candle or turned out the lights on a vital piece of our society. A huge blow to children’s education. These trips help spark curiosity. Without these organisations telling the stories of marginalised communities, many of those stories won’t be widely shared at all. The Foundation is requesting donations to: • Support the Migration Heritage
Fund
• Acquire important objects for the
National Maritime Collection
• Support the conservation of precious objects • Assist the museum with strategic projects such as the search for
Cook’s Endeavour.
Your tax-deductible donation will help with the museum’s recovery from COVID-19.
We are not alone and we know many other organisations are facing similar shortfalls and we greatly appreciate your support at this time.
For more information go to sea.museum/donate or contact Foundation Manager Marisa Chilcott on 02 9298 3619 or email marisa.chilcott@sea.museum
1 See wilkeningconsulting.com/data-stories
