The Outreach Programme

The Maritime Archaeology Department outreach programme is a multi-faceted element of the Department's overall shipwreck management strategy. One element is the 'wreck trail' concept. Wreck Trails and the regional wreck marking project have been in place since 1981 with the marking of the wrecks at popular Rottnest Island for educational and recreational purposes. In the Rottnest case, divers and non divers alike are catered for, as are walkers, cyclists, the aged and the infirm. Each site is marked both above and below water with an information plaque (glass below, brass above) and those interested can also obtain an information pamphlet on the wrecks of the area from the local museum, which features a display on the wrecks, and from tourist outlets.

After a period of assessment, the idea has been extended elsewhere with the aim of producing a State-wide facility catering for the needs and nature of each particular community or region. Albany, Hamelin Bay, Gingin, Wanneroo and Mandurah have underwater and above water markers. Exmouth, Bunbury, Geraldton and the Abrolhos Islands are in the first stages of completion, with Rockingham and Shark Bay in preparation. Other centres such as Esperance, Dampier?Karratha, Broome, Derby and Wyndham are next in line. School groups, under the work experience scheme, disadvantaged young adults, and academic extension groups are involved, making the project broader based and more relevant to the general community.

The Volunteer Programme

This scheme was initiated with the formation of the Maritime Archaeological Association of Western Australia, allowing interested members of the general public to train with, and to join the museum on its excavations and site inspections. In recent years the programme has been expanded to include the growing number of older people interested in applying their particular skills, be it drawing, research, writing, etc. in the service of the department. Often their work results in publication under the name of the volunteer. People with disabilities are catered for in the programme.

One growth area is the graduate programme. Under this scheme graduates, and in some cases undergraduates, from tertiary institutions are able to avail themselves of the work stations, expertise and collections at the Department in order to embark on research programmes, internships and the like. This is considered a most important element in our work. The Department also runs a Post Graduate Diploma in Maritime Archaeology, in association with tertiary institutions in WA.

Lectures

Maritime Museum staff give lectures to many interest groups some far afield as part of the teaching and public information function. If you would like to know more about the outreach programme please contact us at the Maritime Museum on 08 9431 8444