06/04/2005 - Efforts to
help identify, understand and preserve Queensland's
rich shipwreck heritage have been boosted
with an announcement today of $37,782 in funding
from the Australian Government's Historic
Shipwreck's Programme.
In making the announcement, Minister for the
Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell
said the funding would assist the Museum of
Queensland's ongoing projects to increase
the public's understanding, appreciation and
enjoyment of Queensland's maritime heritage.
"Funding will help the Museum of Queensland
develop cultural tourism and community information
initiatives that will help make the state's
shipwreck sites more accessible to visitors.
"It will also be used to implement a
range of shipwreck related projects, such
as working with the dive industry and training
marine park rangers to monitor shipwreck sites.
"Projects will help ensure these unique
relics of Australia's maritime history are
conserved for future generations to enjoy.
Ongoing monitoring and surveillance is important
to protect Australia's submerged treasures.
"The Historic Shipwrecks Programme supports
investigation, research and interpretation
so that we can see into our past and discover
more about our history particularly in areas
such as trade, defence and migration,"
Senator Campbell said.
A total of $391,000 will support 40 shipwreck
related projects around Australia through
Australia's Historic Shipwrecks Programme.
Under this programme, the Australian Government
funds its state and territory partners to
help protect, preserve, research and inform
about some of the nation's 6500 shipwrecks
and related materials.
