The
concept of this Project was developed with National celebrations in 2006 of the quad
centenary of first European contact with Australia in mind. It was in 1606
that “The Southland” was added to the world map and Australia’s recorded
history began.
Because
the theme of the celebrations is all things maritime the concept aims to involve
all coastal towns and communities to research, record and display and
publish their maritime history and to commemorate and celebrate this heritage in
the year 2006.
The
proposal suggests, amongst other things, that school students undertake an
investigation of the maritime history of their own local area (and this could be
expanded to include other early pioneer history) and that they report on it in
any of a number of ways. A project for schools to participate in this effort has
been initiated. (See: http://www.voc.iinet.net.au/voceducone.html)
The
purpose is to make local history more accessible and meaningful in the area
where it all happened and to highlight this heritage in 2006 (and possibly
beyond) with tangible commemorative events during 2006.
Many
places in other parts of the world have grasped such opportunities and have
celebrated past historic events with re-enactments and other cultural activities
relevant to the occasion to the benefit of the wider community. Dressing up in period costume is one way of bringing history
alive, be aware of it and to show we care about it.
Australian
history needs to be told and displayed. Our history is that important!
People
in other parts of the world are fascinated by the uniqueness of WA, with its
wide-open spaces and recent history. There is, apart from ourselves, a captive
audience out there who would love to learn more about us.
The
benefits of being involved in commemoration activities in
2006 are:
·
The
establishment of a unique and accessible historical record of maritime and early
settler heritage for the community and visitors alike,
·
Identification
of maritime and early settler sites,
·
Establishment
of heritage facilities and signposting,
·
Development
of heritage trails and locations "of interest",
·
Local
commemorative festivals in 2006 and beyond,
·
Naming
and possibly re-naming of coastal feature after mariners, pioneers, ships and
such,
·
Increase
in tourism.
The
2006 commemorations will leave a lasting legacy by
·
raising
awareness of the history,
·
providing
better access to that history,
·
providing
an opportunity to develop educational material for students,
·
elevating
the awareness of Australia in other countries,
·
boosting
the profile of Australia in Europe,
·
increasing
tourism by promoting an interest in a shared heritage.
On
a world scale, two-thirds of all tourism is Heritage Tourism. In Australia it is
less then 10 percent - meaning there is a great potential for growth.
View
full text of the Maritime Heritage Coast Project at www.voc.iinet.net.au/coast.html
The
VOC Historical Society
is the initiator of the
Maritime Heritage Coast
Project.
For
further information:
Telephone:
(08) 9528 1217 or (08) 9299 6549
or Email:
vocsoc@iinet.net.au