Queenscliffe Maritime Museum

The Museum has developed from the time when the last Queenscliff lifeboat was offered to the Borough of Queenscliffe for care and display. At a public meeting held in Queenscliff on March 13 1980 a committee was formed to investigate how the lifeboat could be preserved. This led to the formation of the Queenscliffe Lifeboat Preservation Society Incorporated which oversaw the early stages of restoration of the vessel and the establishment of the museum.

The Maritime Museum building was opened in 1986 to display the lifeboat. Since then, the Museum has expanded to cover the maritime history of Queenscliffe, Southern Port Phillip and the Bass Strait interface. In 1998 the name was changed to the Queenscliffe Maritime Museum to better reflect the ever expanding collection.

Over the ensuing years a boatshed has been built to house exhibits and to provide workshop space. Artefacts continue to be added to the Collection, donated by individuals, families, collectors and companies.

In July 2005 a purpose built archival repository was added to the Museum. This stand-alone building is temperature and humidity controlled and houses works on paper such as charts, maps, photographs, paintings plus some other artefacts which require controlled atmosphere storage. The initial collection of items held in the Repository represent charts and other documents relating to Port Phillip and adjacent waters and date from the commencement of European settlement.

The thousands of items in the Repository will take some time to catalogue, and will eventually be accessible on-site to maritime researchers, through the Museum Research Service.

The Repository is included on the register of 'Community Places of Deposit' by the Victorian Public Records Office. A photograph of the Archival Repository is shown at left.

Museum membership is by annual subscription. Some our loyal friends have been with the Museum since 1980, some are now life members and new members are always very welcome.

Members receive a 10% discount on any items purchased from the Museum gift shop, a quarterly newsletter and are welcome to come and visit as often as they wish.

Family:	$ 25.00
Single Adult:	$ 15.00
Concession:	$ 10.00
Child:	$ 10.00
Corporate:	$300.00

The Museum is an incorporated body governed by a Committee of Management. The Committee is elected by Museum members at the Annual General Meeting.

One full-time staff member is employed as Administration Officer. Other staff may be engaged from time to time to perform duties related to projects funded from external sources.

A loyal and enthusiastic band of volunteers ensures that the Museum operates successfully. Our treasured group of volunteers provide the following vital services which keep the Museum vibrant and alive:

Our volunteers are our lifeblood, without them the Museum would not survive. We are always happy to welcome new volunteers aboard to join our happy crew. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer please contact us.

Museum operations are funded from visitor entrance fees and memberships, donations and from shop sales. Fundraising activities are held to raise additional funds. Submissions for funding for specific projects are made to appropriate sources such as State and Commonwealth government agencies and philanthropic bodies.

Maintenance of the Museum building is supported in part by the Borough of Queenscliffe. Restoration and maintenance of the collection is undertaken by volunteers with donated materials.

The continuation and growth of the Museum is reliant on donations of funds and artefacts.

The Museum is registered by the Australian Taxation Office as a Tax-Deductible recipient. Donations of over $2.00 are tax deductible. Receipts are issued for each donation, with our sincere thanks.

Artefact donations: The Museum welcomes donations of artefacts relevant to the collection, which focuses on the maritime history of Queenscliffe, southern Port Phillip and the Bass Strait interface.

If you have an artefact or maritime memorabilia which you think might be appropriate to donate to the Museum please contact us.

Disability friendly access and toilets; parking for coaches, cars and caravans close by; walking distance from ferry terminal and Queenscliff harbour; 5 minutes from the Bellarine Peninsula Tourist Railway; a short walk to Fort Queenscliff, the shopping centre and cafés.