The survival of the intangible cultural heritage (ICH) of wooden boatbuilding depends upon continued sustainable access to the resource and species upon which the skills are based. This project will investigate how countries with rich maritime heritage have successfully preserved the ICH of wooden boatbuilding when faced with declining resource availability, including a study of resource management and training strategies adopted. Additionally, this project will research how technology can be used to achieve such outcomes. Insights will also be sought on how using such timbers in preserving ICH is socially accepted by exploring the relationship between conservation and sustainable use in different cultures.
Report Summary
Andrew Denman's Fellowship examined how the skills of traditional wooden boatbuilding (an essential strand of Australia’s maritime Intangible Cultural Heritage - ICH) can be better safeguarded and transmitted to future generations. Andrew travelled overseas visiting museums, trade schools, policymakers and boatyards, and themes included poor timber supply chain security, lack of coordinated government policy and an industry with an ageing workforce.
In his report, Andrew recommends Australia ratify the UNESCO 2003 ICH Convention, pilot a Tasmanian ICH inventory and skills audit, establish a centre of Excellence in wooden boatbuilding, create an International Wooden Boat Congress in Hobart, and review long-term sustainable timber access for ICH-related activities.
Fellow
