www.australiaonthemap.org.au I s s u e

Map 1 Matters

Issue 7 August 2009

Inside this issue Welcome to the 'Winter' edition of Map Matters, the newsletter of the News on the Map Division of the Australasian Hydrographic Society. World Hydrography Day 2009 If you have any contributions or suggestions for National Library Map Matters, you can email them to me at: stoked at acquiring [email protected], or post them to me at: rare charts GPO Box 1781, Canberra, 2601 Sticky Charts Education award Frank Geurts 2009 Editor Projects update Members welcome Contacts How to contact the AOTM Division

News

World Hydrography Day 2009 Since the United Nations officially recognised 21 June as World Hydrography Day in 2005 it has been marked around the world each year by the international hydrographic community. And this year was no exception. Different divisions of the Australasian Hydrographic Society organised events as befitted the occasion. In Perth the WA Region had a guided tour of the Journeys of Enlightenment exhibition at the Maritime Museum, followed by a lecture on the “Mapping the Coast” database. In New Zealand a seminar and dinner were held. Similarly, the Eastern Australian Region conducted a seminar at the Royal Automobile Club in Sydney, which was followed by a dinner. Rupert Gerritsen accepts the Literary Achievement Award on behalf of Associate Professor Bill Richardson.

I, as Chair of the Australia on the Map Division, attended the Sydney event. The Royal Automobile Club is a grand old building, well suited to the occasion. The theme of the day-long seminar was “Taking Stock of the Industry”. Following a welcome speech by our Patron, Vice Admiral Chris Ritchie, Commodore Rod Nairn, the Australian Hydrographer, set the scene, presenting a lecture on the “Situation in 2009”. Not being a hydrographer by profession I nevertheless found the varied presentations during the day quite interesting. Scott Preskett, of the University of Otago’s School of , presentation raised issues in my mind about the need for courses in the history of hydrography and mapping. Another fascinating presentation was on catamarans as surveying platforms. Catamarans have been around for perhaps 1,500 years so there was an historical connection there too. But for me the most interesting segment was Salvage Master Ian Lockley talking about his work over nearly 30 years in rescuing stricken vessels, in some cases involving very high profile incidents. I had the good fortune to sit next to Ian at dinner and learn more about how stricken ships have been saved, and some of the embarrassing chains of events that have led to vessels of up to 60,000 tons or more running aground. During the dinner awards were presented and I had the honour of accepting the Literary Achievement Award on behalf of Associate Professor Bill Richardson. This was given for his work over many years in critically analysing claims of pre-1606 ‘discovery’ of Australia by the Chinese and Portuguese. Judging from the volume of conversation and the camaraderie, I think everyone, including myself, had a most enjoyable day. Rupert Gerritsen, Chair AOTM

National Library stoked at acquiring rare charts For more Before there were satellites and GPS sailors had to manage to find their information, way across vast oceans by other means. Of course they used charts, if including images they existed. of other maps, go to: While maps and charts of sorts have a long history, the first crude charts as guides th th www.nla.gov.au for voyagers only began to appear in the early 13 century. From the early 16 century the availability of simple magnetic compasses, increasing knowledge of mathematics and geometry, the ability to determine latitude using the cross-staff and astrolabe, along with the printing press combined to make dedicated charting and map making strategically and commercially important activities. It heralded the ‘Age of Exploration’. Borneo Map Photo: Peter Reynders Copies of many of the charts that guided sailors from this period still exist. But working copies, the ones actually used by captains and their navigators are quite rare. The National Library of Australia was, therefore, thrilled to be loaned four such charts by well-known businessman Kerry Stokes. The charts, dating from 1725-1740, were used by the Captain Christiaan Boord of a Dutch ship, the Diemermeer, on a voyage from Netherlands to Java in 1745. One shows the west coast of Australia, still only roughly mapped, which they avoided on this occasion, sailing north well before to avoid a storm. The pencil marks made to show their route can still be seen on the chart.

AOTM Secretary Peter Reynders at the NLA Photo: Peter Kloppenburg

The event was extensively covered by the media. Several Australia on the Map Division members were fortunate enough to be invited, including Chair, Rupert Gerritsen, Secretary, Peter Reynders, and Allen Mawer. Director-General of the National Library Jan Fullerton welcomed Kerry, who spoke about his personal revelation in finding out that Captain Cook did not actually discover Australia. This sparked his interest in the history of the mapping and exploration of Australia’s coasts. Dr Martin Woods, Curator of Maps, provided the historical context for the maps while his staff explained their significance and preservation. And finally Peter Garrett, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts accepted the maps on behalf of the National Library. Most people know Kerry Stokes as Chairman of the Channel 7 network and one of Australia’s 10 richest people. Perhaps less well known is his interest in maps and philanthropic activities. He has arguably the best private map collection in Australia, including iconic maps by the likes of Blaeu, Hondius and Ortelius. And this is not the first time he has helped a major institution acquire rare maps. As we share his passion, we hope it will not be the last. Rupert Gerritsen

Sticky Charts For many people maps are intrinsically interesting, almost having a magnetic attraction. Part of the reason is their visual and tactile nature, they are physical representations of space which convey information in a very tangible form. Some are also objects of profound beauty. Maps are normally produced by people who have something they wish to convey. Often that is of a practical nature, but maps may be the servant of other purposes. Some are intended to be works of art as much as about geography. One need only think of some of the wonderfully illustrated maps produced in the past, with their mythical monsters, beasts and perhaps strange peoples, or with rich decorative illuminations. Other maps may have an ideological agenda embedded within them, such as showing national boundaries that encompass disputed territories. Ultimately, what is deemed to be important enough to be mapped, what sort of maps are produced, the information they contain, how that information is recorded and displayed, and how they are intended to be read and understood is a dimension of maps that can strongly reflect the period and the culture from which they derive. In Australia we are conscious of cultural differences in mapping because of the form seen in Indigenous maps. Often these maps appear as artworks. An example is Mervyn Rubuntja’s 'Water Snake Dreaming' below. It works such as these, elements like Dreaming Tracks, campsites, sacred sites and the like are represented.

I recently became aware of another type of cultural map, in this instance a chart of sorts. These are the Marshall Island 'Stick Charts'. There were three types known, Mattang, Meddo and Rebellib. Each type differs in its purpose, some are navigational teaching aids, others are meant to be representational. This is an example. I had the good fortune to see one at the National Museum of Australia recently, on loan from the Auckland Museum as part of the 'Vaka Moana' exhibition. The Stick Charts were developed as navigational aids by the Polynesians to guide them in their incredible voyages across the Pacific. The sticks actually indicate the direction of the ocean swells, and some of these charts bear an uncanny resemblance to the old portolan charts. At many of the intersections of the sticks in this type, the Rebbelib, there are shells, usually cowrie shells, which indicate particular islands. If you get the chance to see a Stick Chart grab the opportunity. Traditional ones are quite rare and only a select few rulers, acting as pilots for multiple canoe voyages, were initiated into the knowledge of their use. And they, like many other maps and charts, possess their own beauty and fascination. Rupert Gerritsen

Education award 2009 The Australasian Hydrographic Society offers an Annual Education Award of $2,500.

The award is open to students studying or researching in any maritime discipline including, but not limited to, the following: • Hydrography – Nautical Charting – Surveying at Sea • Coastal Studies – Coastal Zone Management • Offshore Resource Surveys and Management • Port Development and Maritime Engineering • Law of the Sea • Marine Cartography • Environmental Studies • Marine Geology and Geophysics Closing Date: Thursday, 10 December, 2009 Application Forms are available from the Australasian Hydrographic Society Web Site: http://www.ahs.asn.au For further information contact: The Australasian Hydrographic Society – Education Board Ph: +61 2 9909 3437 Fax: +61 2 9953 8203 Email: [email protected]

Projects update A snapshot of some of the AOTM Division projects initiated or underway.

National Events Corporation To have a National Events Corporation established to provide a permanent governmental structure and funding stream for commemorations of national significance. No provision in this year's Federal Budget. Issue to be revisited, with a view to further lobbying. Explorers Commemorative Area in Parliamentary Triangle To have an area set aside within the Parliamentary Triangle for the erection of statues, monuments and other commemorative structures to mark significant landmarks in the maritime discovery, contact and exploration of Australia. Information received that Windsor Walk has been designated, letter written to the Prime Minister as Chair of National Memorials Committee urging designation of a more prominent and visible location. 2011—1st Complete Map of Australia (Touring Map Exhibition) To foster a national touring map exhibition to mark the publication of the Freycinet Map, the 1st complete map of Australia. To take place in 2011. Under active consideration by NLA. Meeting between Chair and Curator of Maps scheduled. Stage 2 of Animated Map Arrange publication and widespread distribution of the 'Dunny Door' version of Map of significant early voyages and maritime exploration of Australia’s coasts. Hard draft of maps and information bites have been finalised. Design of map and information hierarchy has been developed. Webmaster will provide GIS expertise and graphic design. Plotting of ships’ routes and graphic representation to continue. Search for Deadwater Wreck To stimulate or if necessary organise a search for the remains of the 'Deadwater Wreck' north of Busselton, WA. Maritime Archaeology Department of the University of WA contacted again recently about provision of costing from their consultancy division. Another researcher in WA may carry out exploratory remote sensing. Refuge Bay Project To ensure an appropriate memorial is erected at 'The Basin' in Sydney Harbour in recognition of the formulation of the first draft of the Australian Constitution at that location. Working group formed, historical significance documented, historical maps located, bay resurveyed, article written. Nomination for National Heritage List being prepared. Ship Images Project A project to place photos and illustrations of iconic vessels, replicas and models on website. Project reformulated to current form. Ships types identified. Working on drawings of ship types and main structural components of sailing ships. Lord Howe Island A project to document and display the maritime history of Lord Howe Island. Scope of project has been agreed. Unable to find cruise company interested in going there to enhance visitor numbers. Will continue working on publication on early history of Lord Howe Island. Centre of Excellence in Hydrography that incorporates a component of historical cartography To have a Centre of Excellence established which teaches hydrography and cartography and related disciplines and technologies and incorporates a component of historical cartography. Strategic alliances being formed. Sources of funding to be identified at appropriate time. Hydrographic History Display To foster exhibitions and displays on the history of hydrography. The Australian National Maritime Museum has made in principle commitment to a three months exhibition. Being followed up with Director of ANMM. Documentaries and Feature Films To foster the production of TV documentaries and feature films on relevant aspects of early Australian history. Discussions held in last 12 months with 3 set of producers, advice and information provided on funding sources, historical background. One project nearing completion, another potential project under consideration. 2016 400th Anniversary To make relevant and interested parties aware of the 400th anniversary of the visit of Dirk Hartog in the Eendracht in 1616 and stimulate appropriate commemorative events. Matter of Dirk being brought to Australia raised again with Dutch Embassy. Committee established in WA Meeting with Dutch Ambassador being sought re plans for 2016. Research on Sailors/Aboriginal Interaction in WA (linguistics, genetics, biogeography, epidemiology, oral traditions) Collaboration with possible research project in this area. Two DNA testing projects in progress. Curtin University DNA testing project involving comparisons between Aboriginal people and descendents of shipwrecked crew members to proceed. Publication—The Hydrographic Journal AOTM Division to be handed editorial responsibility for dedicated heritage/maritime history section in The Hydrographic Journal. New publication arrangements for Hydrographic Journal in place. Next edition of Hydrographic Journal to be produced by AHS. Curriculum Development Fostering inclusion of early history framework in a national curriculum. National Curriculum Plan Discussion Paper issued, appears to incorporate appropriate component on early Australian history. National Curriculum—History Framing Paper issued, appears to incorporate appropriate component on early Australian history. Will review curriculum content made public in 2009.

Members welcome Meetings of the Australia on the Map Division Council are open to all AOTM members who can and would like to attend.

AOTM meets monthly at the National Library in Canberra.

Meetings are held on the first Friday of the month, at 12.30pm in the Friends Lounge of the National Library of Australia in Canberra.

Contacts How to contact the AOTM Division

For more Australia on the Map Division, information Australasian Hydrographic Society go to the AOTM Chair website, Rupert Gerritsen www.australia email: [email protected] onthemap.org.au Secretary & Treasurer Peter Reynders email: mailto:[email protected] Map Matters Editor Frank Geurts email: mailto:[email protected]

©2009 Australia on the Map Division, Australasian Hydrographic Society.