OUR MISSION
“To promote and uphold the history, prestige and traditions of Naval service and to preserve Australia’s naval history.”
Archives
The Society maintains an archive of media on Australian naval history. If you have any historical naval documents, we’d love to hear from you – confidentiality assured.
Library and publishing
The Society maintains a library of works on Australian naval history.
Members only are able to access the catalogue and borrow books. Contact the Librarian at +61 2 9359 2372.
Given the location of the Society’s National Office within the Garden Island Dockyard Sydney and security issues associated with the site prior arrangements must be made to physically access the library.
Periodicals
We currently publish 3 periodicals.
- The Buzz – an informal newsletter distributed to members, the Buzz details coming events and items of topical historical interest.
- The Naval Historical Review – The Review has been published quarterly to members since 1970. It contains personal recollections, anecdotes, book reviews and articles on wide-ranging subjects including naval operations, events and engagements. The Review is available to members only and is included in the annual membership subscription – more details about subscriptions.
- Call the Hands – This monthly digital newsletter has been published since September 2016 and circulated to members and subscribers by e-mail. Back copies are available on this website. To subscribe, contact the Society.
Website – www.navyhistory.au
Our website is an important way for the public to learn about the Society and to access our work.
The online database is a guide and research tool and is compiled from authenticated Australian naval records and archives in Australia and oversea. It also includes a number of previously unknown and unpublished works
Garden Island Guided Tours
The Society operates guided tours of the “Garden Island Historical Precinct”. We have more information about tours.
More on our main volunteer tasks
Graphics
The Society has produced three DVD’s to date and is looking to produce several more in the near future. We gather and research the material, write a script record the script and produce the videos. We have expert assistance available to guide our efforts. Software being used and open for instruction to interest volunteers is Adobe Creative Design, Corel Video Studio along with various related packages.
The Society also produces catalogues, certificates, photos and publications, together with maintaining databases of ships’ crests and ships’ photographs, the latter holding some 22,000 pictures. Scanning and editing of material is all part of the various items being sought by the public and our members
It is interesting and fun work providing a great sense of achievement. The current producer learnt his skills from scratch over the past few years.
IT
The Society runs a server and 15 computers with the latter having been renewed in 2017 with the latest CPU’s and SSD hard drives. Monitors are 23” and a projector rounds out the viewing capabilities. Operating systems are Windows 7 and Windows 10, the latter increasingly replacing the former. Microsoft Office programs are in use, with Outlook 365 handling our emails. Our website is handled offsite, but with direct input ability from our office. The Society is also assisted by a third party contractor where needed.
On the job learning is welcome – none of our staff are IT experts, but people willing to learn and assist. We are always looking for better ways to achieve our goals.
Tour Guides
The Society operates tours of Garden Island on a regular basis and is looking at possible ways to further develop these in both content and frequency.
Our tour guides are a mix of people with Naval or Dockyard experience, plus those just willing to assist. The tours run for about 75 minutes and areas seldom seen by the general public. Training as to what is required is available, together with support material to make the tour as interesting as possible for visitors. Most tour groups consist of 10-12 visitors, together with the leader and often, accompanied by a uniformed sailor.