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About Us
The Queensland Maritime Museum was founded in 1971 and is run by a self-funded voluntary Association.
It is situated on the banks of the Brisbane River at the southern end of South Bank Parklands. The Museum
contains extensive collections of historical maritime artefacts, books, documents and photographs. The
collection is displayed to the public in the galleries and grounds of the Museum under the broad headings
of Navigation, Lighthouses, Ship Models, Marine Engines, Vessels, and the Dry Dock.
On behalf of members of the public the Queensland Maritime Museum carries out research on all aspects of
Queensland's and Australia's maritime history as well as on maritime matters generally.
The Museum is staffed by volunteers and a Chief Executive Officer and an Operations Supervisor. Our
members include a high percentage of retired persons, many still using the skills of their trade or
profession. There are retired ship masters, marine engineers, and ex naval personnel. There are persons
skilled in carpentry, painting, boilermakers, fitters and turners, motor mechanics, printers - using
presses over 100 years old - bookbinders, boat builders and people from management and other fields all
working to restore and maintain the museum's collection. Others are learning skills in preservation of
historic artefacts and how to display them. In the library we have members cataloguing books, photographs
and drawings as well as doing research into maritime history. In addition, there are those who look after
the entrance, selling tickets and souvenirs, and those who guide tour groups and aged persons, as well as
the very many school excursions that come to the museum to learn a little of our maritime history.
In 1969 a Queensland branch of the World Ship Society was formed. Those who joined had an interest in
both shipping and maritime history. The members were asked to assist in showing maritime historical
artefacts as part of Navy week.
As a result of the interest shown in the display, and realising the scope of historic artefacts in
Brisbane, it was decided to form a steering committee to investigate the possibility of establishing
a maritime museum in Brisbane. The Queensland Museum advised that it was responsible for all government
museums under the Museums Act, but had no plans for establishing a maritime museum.
It was decided to call a meeting of interested persons and as a result of this meeting a decision was
made to form an organization to establish a maritime museum with agreed Memorandum of Association
stating that it shall be run by volunteers for the preservation and display of historical artefacts
for the benefit of the public. Read more...
In 1969 a Queensland branch of the World Ship Society was formed. Those who joined had an interest in
both shipping and maritime history. The members were asked to assist in showing maritime historical
artefacts as part of Navy week.
As a result of the interest shown in the display, and realising the scope of historic artefacts in
Brisbane, it was decided to form a steering committee to investigate the possibility of establishing
a maritime museum in Brisbane. The Queensland Museum advised that it was responsible for all government
museums under the Museums Act, but had no plans for establishing a maritime museum.
It was decided to call a meeting of interested persons and as a result of this meeting a decision was
made to form an organization to establish a maritime museum with agreed Memorandum of Association
stating that it shall be run by volunteers for the preservation and display of historical artefacts
for the benefit of the public.
An approach was made to the Queensland Tug Company for the retired steam tug Forceful. In time, approval
was given by the tug company and on 10 June 1971, the tug was handed over to the Association.
The Queensland Government was approached for the disused South Brisbane dock for use as a site for a
maritime museum, the request was granted and the Brisbane City Council offered support. As a result
of the press, radio and TV publicity there were applications received from 50 persons wishing to be members.
After taking possession of the South Brisbane dock on 1 April 1973, work commenced to clear the grounds
as well as refurbish Forceful. In 1974, Brisbane had the biggest flood for many years, which flooded the
area and destroyed what had been done. The flood covered the dock grounds to a depth of over 1 metre and
flooded most buildings, leaving silt and rubbish everywhere.. The members set to and in December 1979 the
old diesel workshop was opened as a museum display hall by the then Governor Sir James Ramsay.
The next highlight was when the Royal Australian Navy was persuaded to make the recently decommissioned
World War 2 frigate Diamantina available as an exhibit in South Brisbane dock. The dock had been flooded
for years and there was a lot of work, mainly by volunteers, making the dock ready for the ship. This
included the removal of over 3 metres of silt from the dock floor.
A crew of our members, with the help of 12 Naval technicians, sailed the Diamantina from Sydney to Brisbane.
In 1981, at last, all was ready and the ship placed in the dock and work commenced to restore her to her
original configuration as a frigate. The restoration is still continuing. The ship is open to the public
with mess decks and other spaces now housing displays of Naval historic artefacts which date from Queensland
Colonial Naval Defence Force to today's Navy.
Following Expo '88, the building then used for the "Pavilion of Promise" display was given to the Queensland
Maritime Museum Association as a museum hall. After a lot of hard work, the building was, and still is, open
to the public each day with displays of classic ship models, marine engines, photographs, paintings and lighthouse
equipment and many other historic items. It also houses a valuable library. The Queensland State Government
funded an extension to the building in 2001/2, making it one of biggest maritime museums in Australia. Read less...
The Museum collection and displays continue to increase steadily each year. The work by the dedicated group
of volunteers and members in restoring items goes on, with new items coming on display regularly.
The museum is run by the Queensland Maritime Museum Association, which is governed by an elected Board consisting
of a Chairman and eight Directors (5 Internal and 4 Invited). The Queensland Maritime Museum is a
self-funded organization.
Contact Us
Street Address
South Brisbane Dry Dock,
Stanley Street,
South Brisbane,
BRISBANE QLD 4101
Throughout its 35 year history the Museum has received and appreciated the generous support of many
corporations and individuals in Queensland. Without that assistance the Museum would not have
developed into a high quality exhibition of which Queensland can be proud.
The Association sincerely thanks the many individual and corporate sponsors who have assisted
with in-kind and financial contributions.
RECENT DONATIONS AND SUPPORT
The Museum thanks AL Quip for its loan of scaffolding to assist with repainting Diamantina.
The Museum acknowledges with thanks the support of the Gambling Community Benefit Fund with funding:
to cast a new main circulating pump for Forceful in 2008.
Motto: Engaging our Maritime Heritage Vision: To create a world class maritime museum of the people of Queensland. Mission Statement: The Queensland Maritime Museum operates to preserve... Read more...
The Museum is run by the Queensland Maritime Museum Association, which is governed by an elected Board
consisting of a Chairman and eight Directors (5 Internal and 4 Invited). Read more...
In the course of its normal trading operations the Queensland Maritime Museum Association
(QMMA) collects private information in a number of ways, including: Read more...
The Wooden Boat Association of Queensland of Queensland is open to all owners, builders, restorers and lovers of boats
made of wood (not surprisingly). The Association meets at 7:30 pm... Read more...
Mission
Motto
Engaging our Maritime Heritage
Vision
To create a world class maritime museum for the people of Queensland.
Mission Statement
The Queensland Maritime Museum operates to preserve in perpetuity the significant aspects
of the rich maritime heritage of Queensland as a resource for the education and enjoyment
of visitors. We respect and express the cultural diversity of this great Nation and we honour
the enormous contribution made to the Australian maritime community by the men and women
of present and past generations.
The Museum is run by the Queensland Maritime Museum Association, which is governed by an
elected Board consisting of a Chairman and eight Directors (5 Internal and 4 Invited).
The Queensland Maritime Museum is a self-funded organization.
In the course of its normal trading operations the Queensland Maritime Museum Association (QMMA)
collects private information in a number of ways, including:
Member Mailing Lists
Private information supplied to QMMA by way of form submission from members and the general public
Private information collected by way of telephone conversations and or telephone marketing
Private information volunteered to QMMA in the normal course of its business
Private information collected in any way whatsoever
QMMA does not sell, rent, share or disseminate in any way private information collected as a
result of any means, including member's mailing lists.
Any supplier or sub-contractor that performs work for QMMA where that supplier or contractor has
access to any personal information is bound by the provisions of this Privacy Policy.
QMMA does not Spam. All electronic newsletters and/or unsolicited communications generated by QMMA
provide for an Opt Out, from within the newsletter or communication.
If you would like to contact QMMA to clarify our privacy policy, please email QMMA directly. Any breach
of this privacy policy is taken very seriously.
The Wooden Boat Association of Queensland of Queensland is open to all owners, builders, restorers and lovers
of boats made of wood (not surprisingly). The Association meets at 7:30 pm, the second Tuesday
of each month, except January, at the Queensland Maritime Museum. As well as general show and
tell and a boasting/confessing session, a guest speaker or practical session is arranged for
most meetings to talk or demonstrate topics related to wooden boats and boating. Meetings are
preceded by a BBQ meal.
Members range from inexperienced amateurs to professional boat builders who have been practicing
the art since the 1930's and who are pleased to share their skills. The Association also runs a
boatshed at the Queensland Maritime Museum, documenting and restoring various historic Queensland
Maritime Museum boats and running wooden boat building and repair workshops.
Members enthusiastically support wooden boat shows, festivals and Classic Boat Regattas in and
around Brisbane to showcase member's and Museum boats.
