- Author
- A.N. Other
- Subjects
- History - general, Ship histories and stories
- Tags
- RAN Ships
- None noted.
- Publication
- September 2011 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
The recently opened Maritime Centre is currently the public face of the Maritime Museum. The museum and society have striven to continue to preserve the maritime life of the Hunter by using its collection as the information and entertainment focus for the local community and national and international visitors. The museum is a highly-regarded, innovative exhibition which promotes the role that the port and the sea have played and continue to play in the Hunter Region.
The exhibition features a range of outstanding models including HMAS Condamine and Princess of Tasmania, both of which were built in the State Dockyard. There is an actual part of Cook’s Endeavour which enables visitors to reach out and touch the past. Extensive audio visual presentations tell the stories of the daring rescues of the port right beside the actual rescue boat Victoria and a Rocket Brigade wagon.
In our cinema you can view unique footage of maritime life with views of the rescue of the Pasha Bulker, life on a tug, right back in time to the days of sail including amazing footage of the last windjammer to operate commercially from Newcastle (in 1947) the Lawhill.
The Maritime Centre aims to share the proud maritime history of our city both in war and peace, in industry and pleasure. It is a rich history full of daring and adventure, tragedy and triumph. Situated right on the harbour with the big ships still plying their trade as a backdrop the Maritime Centre is a must-have experience for any lover of all things nautical.