Stories of the Lifeboat Shed return as part of national festival

Queenscliff's Lifeboat Sheed. (C McKinnon) 329702_01

Queenscliffe Maritime Museum’s (QMM) Lifeboat Shed holds a wealth of stories of wrecks, rescues, and the lives of the lifeboat crews, which will be shared as part of the National Trust Australian Heritage Festival this April.

The QMM will be offering tours at the Lifeboat Shed for four days in April to bring to life the history of the lifeboat, the lifeboats sheds and the fishing and steamer piers in the Queenscliff maritime precinct.

The National Trust Australian Heritage Festival is a nation-wide celebration, with Victoria’s events held from April 18 to May 18.

The Lifeboat Shed tours will be held on April 20, 22, 27 and 29, with four 30-minute tours running on each of those days.

Queenscliff’s last lifeboat was decommissioned in 1976 it was preserved by the town to eventually become the centrepiece of the Queenscliffe Maritime Museum.

QMM secretary Carolyn McKinnon said the tours were a wonderful chance for people to experience the history of this iconic landmark.

“These tours are a chance to see inside the shed and learn about the dramatic launch of the lifeboat, and then visit the museum to see the last lifeboat Queenscliffe and learn more about the stories of wrecks and rescues,” she said.

“Volunteers from the town have been risking their own lives since 1858 to assist people in distress on the water. This is the second round of the tours, and we received a Borough of Queenscliffe event grant last year to help establish this new event for Queenscliff.”

For more information contact Queenscliffe Maritime Museum on (03) 5258 3440 or email info@maritimequeenscliffe.org.au.