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The Maritime Heritage Coast Concept When in 1606, the Duyfken, captained by Willem Janszoon, made a landing at Cape York Peninsula, and charted 300 kilometers of its coastline, it marked the first recorded European contact with the Great Southland (now Australia). In 2006 it will be 400 years since that first European contact after which Australia first appeared on world maps. Western Australia has a very rich history of maritime exploration by the Dutch, French and English including shipwrecks, a horrendous mutiny, several maroonings and cultural integration with the indigenous people, long before it was officially settled by Europeans in 1829. Following the establishment of the Swan River Colony in 1829, people came from all corners of the world to settle arriving by ship and landing along its coastline. To recognize the efforts of these early mariners and pioneers commemorations are planned in 2006 under the banner of Australia on the Map 1606-2006 - the organisation coordinating commemoration activities in 2006. As part of these commemorations it has been proposed to create the concept of a "Maritime Heritage Coast" which will run from Esperance, following the coast, to Broome. The Maritime Heritage Coast concept aims to involve all coastal communities to research, record, display and publish their maritime and early settler experiences and to commemorate and celebrate these historical efforts in the year 2006. The proposal involves (1), amongst other things, school students investigating the maritime history of their own local area (and this could be expanded to include other early pioneer history) and report it in any of a number of ways. A separate project called Schools Project 2006 has been initiated and all coastal schools (remembering it is a maritime event) can participate. This is an opportunity for schools and the community to work together to record and assemble their own local history - centered on a maritime theme - into a unique testimony and to participate in showcasing this history at appropriate locations and functions during 2006 and beyond. It is suggested that the output of school projects becomes part of a wider community education programme. Depending upon the format of the output, student’s efforts could be displayed, presented, performed or shown in such venues as theatres, local community centers, libraries, shopping centers and shire offices. Preferred material could become the basis for more permanent presentations at local museums, Visitor Centres, Heritage Centres and Historical Societies these becoming the focal point for the presentation of heritage and historical information of the Community, Shire or Region. The lasting record created would serve to inform and attract visitors to the local area. It would provide a focal point for celebrations in 2006. With such efforts repeated all along the coast the concept of a "Western Australian Maritime Heritage Coast" would emerge. These centres could be enhanced with artifacts and memorabilia associated with the history portrayed as well as point to the location of appropriate monuments and memorial plagues erected to mark the commemoration of specific events or historic places. Such much needed facilities would attract visitors, both local and overseas adding significantly to the tourism potential of the State. The Concept further involves (2), Commemorative Festivals or Festivities taking place in towns along Western Australia's coast sequentially from North to South during the year 2006 - the Quad Centenary of the landing of the original Duyfken on Australian shore. These Festivals will involve a high degree of community participation from individuals as well as community groups. Festival activities could include (suggestions only):
stimulating
a carnival atmosphere in the town for a period of time (a day, a week, a
month?). The Concept further involves (3), coordinating the outcomes of several other Projects planned for 2006 to take place in coastal towns during their planned festivities in 2006. At
this stage
the projects involved are:
The Vision for 2006 is that the arrival of Duyfken, accompanied by ships of the Australian and Dutch Navies (maybe others) and possibly tall ships and a flotilla of local shipping, will commence the town's festival (content left to local community groups) in each of the coastal towns on the Maritime Heritage Coast. The VOC Historical Society cannot guarantee that all of the above named project will proceed as envisaged. We all need to work together to make sure it happens. Liaison with the following groups (and there maybe others as 2006 approaches) will need to take place to synchronise activities in coastal Cities and Towns in 2006.
The benefits of being involved in these commemoration activities in 2006 are:
The 2006 commemorations will leave a lasting legacy by
Click here for a list of Participating Community Groups and Councils.
Contact
Check out these web pages for more information on the activities of this project.
Developed by the VOC Historical Society Inc. - Project initiators and promoters.
© VOC Historical Society 2004 / MHC Concept created March 2004 For any comments and suggestions on this website contact the WEBMASTER
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