Batavia and Zeewijk: Community leaders lay groundwork in Geraldton for significant maritime anniversaries

Community leaders and heritage advocates have laid groundwork for two of WA’s most significant maritime anniversaries — the shipwrecks of the Zeewijk and Batavia off the Mid West coast. A wide range of projects and events are planned to mark the milestones of the shipwrecks at the Abrolhos Islands. In 2027, it will be 300 years since the Zeewijk was wrecked, while in 2029 it will be 400 years since the Batavia met its fateful end. At workshops attended by more than 50 guests at Batavia Brewery late last week, stakeholders outlined ideas for a program of commemorative activities. The plans blend education, tourism, live performance and historical preservation with a focus on community involvement and calls to include First Nations voices prominently and involve local schools. Among the proposals is a highly visible and engaging public build of a full-scale Turtledove replica — a 17-metre-long rescue vessel constructed by Zeewijk survivors — to take place near the Geraldton foreshore. “The actual ship is not really that big, think of 88 people on a 17m ship, plus supplies. Imagine how many baler shells they used to keep the water out as they were making their journey,” said Mandy Collinson, who is building a 1/10 scale model of the Turtledove. The WA Museum is planning a major revamp of its Shipwrecks Gallery and hopes to secure part of an international touring exhibition under the Batavia 2029 project. “A small number of people get out to the Abrolhos. We want the public to be able to understand this incredible place and how important it is . . . to bring immersive digital experiences to the museum,” Museum of Geraldton manager Leigh O’Brien said. Efforts are also under way to secure a permanent berth and funding for the Batavia longboat replica. It currently lacks a dedicated mooring under a marina upgrade, with skipper Vince Nock said $25,000 a year was needed to secure its future. “This wonderful asset can continue to be a great visual display for the museum and for the people of Geraldton,” he said. One of the more ambitious ideas floated was transporting the 56m, three-masted Batavia reconstruction from the Netherlands to Geraldton for the 400th anniversary in 2029. “The vision is that (the Batavia replica) will form a backdrop to public performances about the Batavia story,” maritime historian Howard Gray said. “This is a big project, but it’s one of those big wishes that I think we need to aim for.” The commemorations will also include a campaign for the Houtman Abrolhos Islands to gain UNESCO World Heritage status. Coordinator Elizabeth Reid told attendees the process was under way and encouraged locals to support the nomination. “Inscription of the Abrolhos Islands as a World Heritage site highlights our unique natural and cultural assets on a global platform,” she said. The group acknowledged a range of challenges still ahead including funding and attracting volunteers to support the construction and community engagement activities.