Push to stop sale of maritime objects

Maribyrnong Weekly -

Williamstown residents are up in arms that the National Trust is "selling off" its maritime heritage.

A collection, valued at between $70,000 and $120,000, has been put up for sale this Sunday by auction house Leonard Joel.

It includes marine instruments, maritime artwork, ship plaques, uniforms and fine furniture.

Seaworks site manager Geoff Dougall said he was disgusted at the sale of shipbuilders' models and other items that were significant to Williamstown.

He said many of the objects had been donated by the public and belonged to the people of

Victoria. "We weren't told by the National Trust that these items were going to be auctioned.

"Realistically, the whole collection, because it's been donated, should be kept in one collection, not sold off to private collectors.

"I'm disgusted that they're selling it and people like ourselves who are protecting our maritime history haven't been given the opportunity to take this up before auction."

One item causing consternation is Lot No.63, the Gellibrand pile light manufacturer's stamp for Brandt Brothers, Melbourne, together with another pile light. "Even if it's a model, it's part of our heritage and it shouldn't be going to private collectors," Mr Dougall said.

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