International Museum Weekend

From Australia comes news that the Geelong Amateur Radio Club (GARC)and Amateur Radio Victoria will be taking part in the International Museum Weekend of the 20 and 21 of June.

GARC President Dallas Jones VK3DJ is encouraging other clubs and individuals to set up stations and operate from museums on that weekend too.

GARC has been operating from the Geelong Regional Museum for a few years and now expands its operation to also include the Queenscliffe Maritime Museum.

Amateur Radio Victoria Event Coordinator Terry Murphy VK3UP advises that the state-wide organisation will operate from the HMAS Castlemaine at Gem Pier Williamstown on the Sunday.

The Geelong, Queenscliffe and Williamstown museums have very much welcomed amateur radio. There should be no shortage of museums that would be available on the weekend.

Terry VK3UP says, “The Maritime Trust of Australia and its volunteers have welcomed the radio activation of the museum ship - Sunday 21 June also coincides with an annual display at the pier of war-time vehicles that generates lots of interest.

“Radio communications were vital during WWII and many of the service personnel involved in that activity had been radio amateurs before putting on a uniform and serving their country. It is therefore very fitting that amateur radio operates from the ship on the International Museum Weekend.”

He added that the event will build on the ongoing activation of the Williamstown Lighthouse and Timeball Tower by Amateur Radio Victoria VK3WI each year on the International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend.

Members of Amateur Radio Victoria will put the minesweeper and escort vessel HMAS Castlemaine J244 on air, under a callsign yet to be announced, primarily on the 20m, 40m, 2m and 70cm bands.

Websites:

International Museum Weekend www.ukradioamateur.co.uk/imw/

HMAS Castlemaine
www.hmascastlemaine.com/page1.htm

Jim Linton VK3PC