Free open day at Flagstaff Hill

MEDIA RELEASE: December 1, 2011

Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum will throw open its doors free to the public this Sunday.

The open day will be one of the first opportunities to see the museum’s newest acquisition – the Carmichael Watch recovered from the infamous 1878 shipwreck of the Loch Ard.

The event will coincide with the Hillside Markets, barbecue lunch and the launch of Flagstaff Hill’s Summer Events Program.

Flagstaff Hill manager Peter Abbott will also lead a behind-the-scenes tour of the village at 11.30am, offering a rare insight into the workings of one of the South-West’s premier tourist and cultural attractions.

“I think people will be surprised when they realise just how much happens behind the scenes,” Mr Abbott said.

“We will also have our rare book collection out for people to view as well as museum items not usually on public display.”

The free open day will run from 9am to 1pm, during which time children can also feed the village’s farmyard animals including a pair of nine-week-old piglets.

“Flagstaff Hill has always been well supported by the Warrnambool community and this is our way of giving back to them,” Mr Abbott said.

“We can’t wait to see everyone up here enjoying everything Flagstaff has to offer.”

Other events during Flagstaff Hill’s action packed Summer Events Program include the final Hillside Market on Sunday December 18, New Year’s Eve on the Hill, December 31, Wednesdays on the Wharf every Wednesday in January and the Deakin Summer Series of activities during the first two weeks of January.