A PIECE of Queenscliff Maritime history now honours the man who voluntarily built it more than two decades ago.<\/p>\n
The \u201cGil Allbutt Boat Shed\u201d was officially named last week, after the late Mr Allbutt passed away almost two years ago at the age of 88.<\/p>\n
Queenscliff Maritime Museum committee of management member and long-time friend, Rodney Nicholson, said the shingle above the door now honoured a legendary boat builder and wonderful person.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was a long time friend of Gil and his family, he was very close to my heart,\u201d Mr Nicholson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d known Gil since I was a youngster\u2026 I was into surfboard making and he was a boat maker back in the early 70s, and we just clicked.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you went away from spending time with Gil you felt good because he listened and he was inspiring.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was a very special person.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Nicholson said Mr Allbutt spearheaded the creation and building of the shed with a team of volunteers back in 1995.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe sign went up on Friday and I got quite excited and wanted the family to know before anyone beat me to it so I shared photos on social media,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe family loved it and was stoked.\u201d<\/p>\n
Grandson Liam Petrie-Allbutt said his family was very humbled by the name change.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s lovely to see this piece of Queenscliff Maritime history take the name of my dear grandad,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany memories at this place; Grandad\u2019s church, his boat building shed at the Queenscliff Maritime Museum.\u201d<\/p>\n
Queenscliff Maritime Museum is open daily, 11am to 4pm. Call 5258 3440.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A PIECE of Queenscliff Maritime history now honours the man who voluntarily built it more than two decades ago. The \u201cGil Allbutt Boat Shed\u201d was officially named last week, after the late Mr Allbutt passed away almost two years ago at the age of 88. Queenscliff Maritime Museum committee of management member and long-time friend, […]<\/p>\n