Museum to launch

The Queenscliffe Maritime Museum will begin an exciting new venture to nourish its cultural program through the launch of its ‘New Horizons: In Conversation’ series next month.

The museum will welcome award-winning playwright Hannie Rayson to 360Q on October 11 to discuss a range of topics in relation to the museum and how it continues to impact and inform the community.

The Queenscliffe Maritime Museum is trimming its sails,” QMM committee member Andrew Scorgie said.

“With a mission to reinvigorate our cultural programming and audience engagement, we invite you to get to know the skipper at the helm of these changes,” museum manager and curator Valentina Bydanova.

“Valentina and award-winning playwright Hannie Rayson discuss why museums matter and how our maritime museum might sail into a new creative future.

“We invite the community to hear how water has inspired both Hannie and Valentina in their creative work and ponder why maritime stories are so fascinating and how they shape culture and place.”

Ms Valentina assumed the role of QMM manager in August and is undertaking a PhD in experimental maritime curatorship, where she is now designing projects that aim to position waterways as creative theatres to generate art, engage diverse audiences, and reconnect Victorians to the marine fabric of their state.

Ms Rayson is the author of 16 plays performed across Australia and the world.

She is best-known for feature film Hotel Sorrento and is the only playwright ever to be nominated for The Miles Franklin award for a play.

Ms Rayson’s memoir Hello, Beautiful! was adapted to a stage show which she performed in 37 theatres around Australia.

Hannie then co-directed Hello, Queenscliff last year alongside her husband Michael Cathcart at the Town Hall.

The event will run from 6.45pm to 9pm.

Tickets to the In Conversation event can be found at maritimequeenscliffe.org.au/new-horizons