To be a leading institution that researches, collects, conserves, interprets and exhibits the tangible and intangible heritage of North Queensland's relationship with the sea and its waterways.
To extend public knowledge and awareness of the importance of conserving and interpreting North Queensland's maritime heritage; to support the protection of the region's marine environment; to promote its maritime industries; and to foster a strong culture of safety on the water.
In 2015 a new not-for-profit company, known as Townsville Maritime Museum Limited with a board of directors, came into being. Established for the purpose of ensuring the ongoing viability and financial sustainability of the Museum, this company took over the ownership and management of the Museum from the Townsville Maritime Historical Society on 1 July that year. It continues operating the Museum under its former name, Maritime Museum of Townsville.
Drew Penny
Kelly Jorgenson
Donna Jefferies
Hugh Ripley
Ken Veness
Yael Relf
Born in Haarlem, The Netherlands, Robert immigrated with his parents to South Africa in 1962. He studied at the University of Pretoria and was conferred a PhD in Cultural History in 1990. He also completed a Post-Graduate Diploma in Museum Studies in 1979.
From 1983 till 2005, Robert was employed as a museum professional by provincial and national museum organisations in South Africa, ending his museum career in this country as Manager of the Tswaing Meteorite Crater, a 3,000-hectare conservation area north of Pretoria featuring a 200,000-year old meteorite impact crater of international geological and environmental significance, .
In 2005 he became a full-time heritage consultant running his own business, specialising in heritage impact studies, heritage management planning and heritage training with numerous projects in South Africa and Mauritius.
After immigrating to Townsville in 2011, Robert was employed at the Museum of Tropical Queensland as Project Officer and thereafter at the then Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection as Heritage Officer. After working full-time as heritage consultant in 2015, he became Curator of the Maritime Museum of Townsville in February 2016. In May 2018, he became Managing Museum Curator.
Robert has extensive experience in all aspects of museum management, such as collections management, conservation, exhibitions, education programs, community engagement, security, human resources management, training, strategic planning and research.
