Renowned Dutch Archeologist Visits Hobart

The Maritime Museum of Tasmania will be hosting a very special presentation on Tuesday 4th October 2016 as part of its regular Monthly Talks Program.

As part of the events commemorating the 400th Anniversary of Dirk Hartog’s landing in Western Australia, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is supporting a visit to Tasmania by Dr Wendy Duivenvoorde, a world-renowed maritime archaeologist. Wendy will be presenting a talk on early Dutch exploration of Australia and Tasmania. Of course, next year will the 375^th Anniversary of Abel Tasman sighting Tasmania for the first time with European eyes and his landing on Forestiers Peninsula. So there is a lot happening with our Dutch connection.

Because this is expected to be a very popular talk, the Hobart City Council have kindly provided the ballroom at the Town Hall for the presentation.  The talk starts at 12 noon. Admission is free.Seating is limited so don’t miss out by arriving late.  Lunchtime talks are scheduled to take under an hour, so you’ll make it back to work!

Go to the Dirk Hartog 2016 facebook page for more information on all the activities happening this year, then stay tuned to the AWBF news blog for updates on 2017 planning.

Australian Wooden Boat Festival Volunteers

If you are thinking of getting involved with the Dutch theme of the AWBF in 2017 as a volunteer, this is an essential introduction to the history of Abel Tasman’s travels and will come in handy if you are assisting with any of the Dutch-themed events.  Here’s a chance to ask your questions of one of the world’s leading authorities on the subject.  Take a few notes! AWBF volunteer registration opens on our website from Monday 3 October.  Jump aboard here:  australianwoodenboatfestival.com.au

We welcome back all out our wonderful volunteers (there were 435 of us at the last festival) and promise you an event that will interest you, excite you and make you proud of our unique maritime heritage. New to our event? You will use all your skills, learn some new ones, work ’til you drop and love every minute of it!  We have an award-winning (really, it’s up there on the wall) volunteers program and yes, we do need you.