- Author
- Lind, L.J.
- Subjects
- History - general
- Tags
-
- RAN Ships
- None noted.
- Publication
- December 1990 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
Building 31 – Museum
In October, 1985, at the opening of the Garden Island Art Exhibition in which we had a display, the Secretary of the Department of Defence Production officially handed over Building 31, the original gallery of the Dockyard, as a museum.
Initially, a Committee was formed from representatives of Dockyard Organisations, Naval Associations, in which category was included the Naval Historical Society, the Royal Australian Historical Society and dockyard officers. This Committee met twice but was found too unwieldy as a controlling body. Further meetings were then held with the General Manager the outcome of which two officers were appointed to organise, set-up and conduct the Museum. The officers were myself as Director and Mr Norman Rivett as Assistant Director. The Naval Historical Society of Australia was appointed Principal Sponsoring Organisation.
L to R: Mr Lew Lind, Admiral Sir Victor Smith, Rear Admiral N.R. Berlyn and Rear Admiral David Martin’
The Directors of the Museum were given the power to recruit Voluntary Curators and over the next four years fifteen were appointed all of whom, including the Director and Assistant Director were members of the Naval Historical Society.
At the time of hand-over Building 31 was in use as a store for the Navy Supply Team. The present Northern Gallery was a Cold Store and the Southern Gallery a Dry Store. A large amount of work was involved in the dismantling of the store, repairing walls, painting and carpeting.
The Museum was officially opened on 5 October, 1986 by Admiral Sir Victor Smith, AC, KBE, CB, DSC. Choice of the date was very significant in that it was the day on which the 75th Anniversary of the Royal Australian Navy was celebrated.
In the four years since it was officially opened it is estimated that some 40,000 people have visited the Museum. This number has included two State Governors, members of both Federal and State Parliaments, former and serving members of the Royal Australian Navy, Royal Navy, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal Netherlands Navy, United States Navy, Japanese Navy and the German Navy.
1984
Several changes in the composition of our Committee occurred in 1984. The President was Mr L.J. Lind, BEM, FAIA; Vice Presidents Captain L.M. Hinchliffe, DSC, RAN (Ret.) and Lieutenant R. Gillett, RANR; Secretary Mr John Sullivan; Treasurer Mr Trevor Weaver and Committeemen Petty Officer K. Malony, RAN, Mrs E. Colthorpe and Messrs E. Tree and S. Heber.
It is interesting to note that by 1984 four Honorary Life Members had been appointed to the Society. These were Vice Admiral Sir John Collins, KBE, CB; L.J. Lind, BEM, FAIA, Dip.J; Lieutenant Commander P. Churchill, RN (Ret.) and Lieutenant R. Atwill, DSM, RN (Ret.).
A sad note in this year was the death of the President of our Victorian Chapter, Mr Douglas Robertson who had contributed so much to the establishment of the Chapter. Another sad loss was Rear Admiral A.B. Doyle, CBE an early member of the Society. Rear Admiral Doyle served as an engineer officer in the old torpedo boat destroyer HMAS PARRAMATTA in World War I and was General Manager of Garden Island from 1933 to 1942.
The first Society Church Service was held in the Garden Island Naval Chapel on 2 December. One hundred and sixty attended the service which was followed by a luncheon at HMAS KUTTABUL.
Three interesting addresses presented during the year were ‘The British Pacific Fleet’ by Lieutenant Commander W.O.C. Roberts, DSC, RAN, ‘The Royal Navy on the Australia Station’ by Lieutenant Reg Torrington, RANR and ‘The Salvage of HMAS PARRAMATTA’ presented by myself.
Late in the year I had the pleasure of receiving on behalf of the Museum a magnificent oil painting of Garden Island in 1840 which was presented by Dr Raven of Perth under the Government Assistance for the Arts Scheme. The painting was valued at $30,000 by Christy’s.