Australia: The Queensland Maritime Museum, a not-for-profit corporation located on the banks of the Brisbane River, is holding a raffle to help raise funds necessary for the upkeep of the museum.
The fundraiser is scheduled to be drawn on World Maritime Day, celebrated in Queensland on September 25, and will cost $5 per ticket. The first prize, an antique lamp donated by Maritime Safety Queensland for the purposes of running the raffle, is also part of the organisation's support for Queensland's 150th anniversary of independence from New South Wales on December 10. The second prize consists of books, donated by Queensland Maritime Museum's CEO, Ian Jempson, titled Lighthouses of Australia, and will be distributed to five runners up.
"To fund our existence we have to raise money, and we do so by charging visitors entry into the museum, leasing out the site for functions and events, selling memorabilia in our gift shop, and, of course, taking donations from people and companies," said Mr Jempson.
The purpose of this raffle is to assist in the refurbishment of lightship 'Carpentaria', which has been at the museum for about 20 years. The vessel, previously positioned in Carpentaria Shale in the Torres Strait, was built in 1917 and was eventually withdrawn from service in 1980.
"Our target is to reach $20,000," said Mr Jempson.
The Queensland Maritime Museum holds large collections of historical maritime artefacts, documents, photographs and books, which include the World War Two, ex- Royal Australian Navy frigate 'Diamantina', as well as 50 other vessels. Additionally, the museum is also the caretaker of the South Brisbane Drydock. Its members usually include a high number of retirees, many who have been and still have in the marine and shipping profession.
The museum, established in 1971, operates primarily with help from sponsorship and its 200 volunteers. Its main sponsors are the Brisbane City Council and the Port of Brisbane Corporation, as well as many in-kind support systems, which include various companies either donating or providing their services at reduced rates.