Newcastle Council Maritime Museum Plans

BY TAHLIA HALE. 

The Annual General Meeting of the Newcastle Maritime Museum Society (NMMS) has been called for 2pm today to vote on a motion to dissolve the society. 

The Newcastle Maritime Museum ceased its operations permanently in May 2018 after incurring significant operating debts. 

Newcastle Council supports the NMMS's proposed notion to dissolve given its significant number of creditors who have contacted council stating they remain unpaid.

Over the past 18 months the Lord Mayor and/or Council CEO have met on multiple occasions with current and former NMMS board members, as well as NMMS Foundation Director Jeanne Walls, the Maritime Union of Australia, Hunter Workers, and MUA Veterans’ Committee, among others.   

Through these meetings, Council has created a plan of action to repay the museum's creditors and relocate its collection. 

If the NMMS elects to dissolve, Newcastle Council will work with a liquidator on the purchase of a number of items from the NMMS collection. 

Proceeds from the sale of these items will then be used by the liquidator to address debts owed to proven creditors of the NMMS. 

 

The purchased items from the Newcastle Maritime Museum will be placed on exhibit at the Newcastle Museum as part of a permanent maritime exhibition. 

Newcastle Maritime Museum.
Credit: Newcastle Maritime Museum website.