By Goya Dmytryshchak
Williamstown’s place as the birthplace of the Australian Navy is being honoured with a permanent model ship exhibition opening this Sunday.
Naval historian Geoff Dougall said 14 navy ship models had been donated to Seaworks Maritime Museum by another local, Paul Webb.
Many of the actual ships were built at the Williamstown dockyard (now BAE Systems) next door, which had been one of the Commonwealth’s most important naval shipbuilding facilities.
Mr Dougall said all 14 ships on display were by Max Montague, regarded as a master model builder.
“He built two Sydney II models – one is on display here, the other is in a private museum,” Mr Dougall said. “Max has built many ship models, many of them now in museums and institutions all over Australia.
“He is a perfectionist with many of his models considered to be the finest in Australia.
“When you look at these models on display, you will notice the detail on them, detail that you don’t see on other models.
“Max would study photos and if he noticed anything on the ship that wasn’t in the original plans, he would include it on the model. His efforts to keep naval history alive have produced over 50 navy ships.”
Mr Montague is expected to join RSL members at Sunday’s exhibition launch, which will be marked with the Last Post bugle call in military tradition. It’s on Sunday, August 25 from 1pm at Seaworks, 82 Nelson Place, Williamstown. Entry is by gold coin donation.
