Where’s the Davenport?
Where’s the Davenport? By Greg Close Having recently retired from recreational scuba diving after some 50 years of it, I’ve been reasonably satisfied that I’ve seen and recorded most of what I wanted to see. However there is one thing in particular that has always had me wondering if, despite the time and effort put […]
Tales of Bass Strait Pirates
We’ve been down the rabbit hole of Trove the last few days, and came across this cracker of an article about a Mr Charles Winter that we simply must share. Continue scrolling to have a read. If anyone knows more about this chap or has photographs of him, we’d love to hear from you! Please […]
Bluff Blitz Program
BASS STRAIT MARITIME CENTRE x SEA SHEPHERD MARINE DEBRIS Twice a year we join forces with Sea Shepherd Marine Debris to clean up our local coastline, focusing on the stretch of beaches between The Don and Mersey Rivers. Rubbish is picked up for one hour, and then sorted. The sorting of the rubbish is very […]
Vino & The Visual: Johnno Johnstone
‘Vino & the Visual’ brings us the opportunity to visually translate the brilliant tale of ‘Johnno Johnstone’ – who donned a 76kg upright divers suit & walked the floor of the Bass Strait circa 1937. This proved a successful and skilled effort in fixing the one phone cable that lay between Tasmania & the mainland […]
Maritime & History Talk: Lynette Stuart’s Book Launch
Our April Maritime & History Talk brings to light one of the longest serving lighthouse keepers in Australia, and one of the first in Tasmania, through a new book being launched by Lynette Stuart. Hear from Lynette as she speaks of what inspired her to write the book, and why William Aaron Campbell is such […]
Torquay Stories
26 July 2019– 2 February 2020 Explore stories of courage and commitment, strength and resilience, and unknown gems on the eastern side of the Mersey River. In late 2019, the temporary exhibition space held a local history-focussed exhibition on the little told story of Torquay (East Devonport prior to 1890). These days, West Devonport gets […]
Clements & Marshall Apple Label
Did you know it is believed that the first apple tree in Tasmania was planted by William Bligh in 1788 on Bruny Island? Since European settlement the apple has been an important part of Tasmania’s agricultural industry. This particular apple label was an export of Clements & Marshall; well-known merchants of early Devonport. Image Credit: […]
Pioneering Devon with Snow Thomas
Please join us this November for our next Maritime & History Talk with Snow Thomas, a descendant of the Thomas Family, who settled at Northdown in 1828. Snow will focus on the 1826 explorations of Henry Hellyer; the main surveyor for the Van Dieman’s Land Company. When: November 12, 7 pm Where: 6 Gloucester Avenue, […]
Construction of Ferry Terminals
This photograph shows the Ferry Terminal in East Devonport being built in the late 50s. Do you have any fond memories of how the wharves have changed over the years to accommodate our many Bass Strait Ferries such as the Princess of Tasmania and the Empress of Australia? Image Credit: BSMC Historical Collection. Construction of […]
