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Shop for Gifts and Help Save WATTLE too ...

Wattle-Merchandise2022

It's that time of year again, so make it easy on yourself and help Wattle out at the same time. Click the image or this link for an order form to download — and get in early before stock runs out. Send any queries to traviner@gmail.com


A New Day for Wattle:
Support the Restoration Fund

Look what we’ve done since 2009 – raised nearly $1.8 million in support, and received over 40,000 hours of volunteer labour worth $1.6 million. We are so close to getting Wattle back in service! After slipping for painting and other works, we can apply for Marine Survey, our ticket to operate. We've had some amazing support since this appeal began—and particularly thank the Gras Foundation for two very generous donations—and now we only need $40,000 to finish this historic project.

Would you support us at this important time? We'd welcome any contribution towards this wonderful vessel, and all donations are fully tax deductible.


 DONATE HERE 

Or use bank deposit to: Wattle Restoration Account
BSB: 083 163     Account No: 437459324

What We'll Do with Your Donation

See our illustrated page of Tasks Ahead! We'll slip and repaint the tug, finish the fitouts, buy safety equipment, pay insurance, licences, and organise bringing Wattle into survey. And it's your donation that will make this possible.

How We'll Express our Gratitude

You will be thanked in our online record of benefactors and on our Donors Board (although, if preferred, your gift may also remain anonymous).

You'll be able to join our public steamings for free, and receive discounts on charter steams.

And best of all, you will know you have contributed to a new life for an irreplaceable aspect of Australia's rapidly disappearing maritime heritage.

Facebook Volunteer News

[Please CLICK HERE if the Facebook feed does not appear below]



The amazing journey …

"The steam tug Wattle is historically, socially and technologically significant at the national level as the only small harbour steam tug still surviving in Victoria."

Historic steam tug Wattle was launched in 1933 at Cockatoo Island and worked with the Royal Australian Navy until 1969. Then Wattle arrived in Melbourne and soon became an iconic sight, steaming on pleasure cruises around Port Phillip as its delighted passengers experienced the romance of a bygone era. Wattle was lifted ashore in 2009 for restoration by a dedicated team of volunteers and returned to the water in 2015. Since then a steady program of repairs and renovation took Wattle almost to operational status: until Covid-19 hit. But now at last — with your help — we're almost there!


The Romance of Steam Cruising

Help us complete Wattle's restoration, so all generations can enjoy steaming in a heritage vessel around Victoria Harbour and Port Phillip.

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