News

The Maritime Museum is calling on volunteers to help restore HMAS Townsville to its new glory.

Maritime Museum of Townsville curator Vivienne Moran said the museum was looking for people with engine and general maintenance knowledge to come forward.

"We've got some people who know what they're doing in terms of electronics and ongoing needs of the ship but we're now looking for people who can contribute to those areas like returned servicemen from the navy who know what a ship needs to look after it," Ms Moran said.  "We're also looking for guides to take people thorough both the museum and the ship."

While work is currently underway on the design of a special display and interpretive centre at the Maritime Museum in Palmer St, Ms Moran said there was still a long list of things that had to be achieved before the ship as a display could open.

"We're waiting on results from a survey we had done in the creek which will determine what is under the creek and were we can hold the ship, Ms Moran said.

It's taking a long time for that information to come through and until it does we can't do anything."

Ms Moran said the Maritime Museum had a big ‘wish list' for HMAS Townsville, most of which came at a high cost.

"Plans on our great wish list include having the ship as a floating display in a specially indented wharf at the seaward end of the museum. A boardwalk would link the vessel to an interpretive centre for the display of artefacts from the vessel and we would also like to see a dining area," Ms Moran said.

HMAS Townsville was given a $100,000 boost from the Townsville City Council , $200,000 from the Federal Government and donations from the private sector, but Ms Moran said plenty more was still needed to get the job done.

Source: Townsville Bulletin 9/01/2008