Exhibitions
Remarkable – Stories of Australians and their boats April 2021–January 2023
WITH OVER A THOUSAND rivers and a coast that stretches more than 36,000 kilometres, it is no surprise that Australia’s history abounds with stories of people who have lived and worked on the water. Every town holds many stories of local people and their vessels: tales of tragedy, survival, heroism, discovery, adventure or love. It is these stories that give a unique insight into the lives of individuals and their communities. Remarkable – Stories of Australians and their boats is a graphic panel display produced by the Australian National Maritime Museum and the Australian Maritime Museum Council (AMMC). It is the result of a national project in which workshops were held across the country to develop and source unique stories. Forty-six stories were nominated by a panel of Australian maritime museums and heritage institutions, with the 12 most compelling stories selected.
58
Signals 134 Autumn 2021
These include those of lesser-known maritime significance that illustrate the remarkable connections that people and communities have with boats of various types: from Indigenous watercrafts and leisure vessels, to those used for migration and service in war. Remarkable continues a program developed by the Australian National Maritime Museum and the AMMC to support and increase collaboration between maritime museums and heritage centres across the country. It was made possible thanks to the efforts of the passionate staff and volunteers of museums, historical societies, discovery centres and AMMC members across the country. The tour of this exhibition has been assisted by the Australian Government’s Visions of Australia Program. A rescue team in action in Charters Towers Road, Townsville. Image Evan Morgan, used with permission of the Townsville Bulletin
