Little Dove returns to Perth.
The replica of "Duyfken" (in English: Little Dove) will return home to Perth, with the date scheduled for arriving set in August 2012. See below the media release from the Premier's office.
The Western Australian-built replica of the first ship recorded as visiting Australian shores will return to WA as a result of a State Government funding package, Acting Premier Kim Hames announced today.
The replica 17th century sailing ship, the Duyfken, was built in Fremantle in the late 1990s with State Government assistance. Since then she has sailed to Asia, Europe and all Australian States a number of times.
Dr Hames said the funding would provide the Duyfken with a permanent home while also creating a new tourism attraction and educational experience for West Australians and visitors.
“Since the ship’s launch in 1999, the Duyfken has educated millions of people around the world on the shared history of Australia, Indonesia and the Netherlands,” he said.
“Duyfken, which means Little Dove, is also a ‘living’ testament to the State’s expertise in historic and modern boat building.”
The State Government will provide the Duyfken 1606 Replica Foundation with a $263,000 grant for the Duyfken to sail from Sydney to Perth. In addition, the foundation will be provided with $125,000 per annum (indexed) for 10 years for the Duyfken to be home ported in Perth. Two State Government staff members will also be provided to assist with managing the project.
The Acting Premier said the foundation would also contribute to the ongoing maintenance and sailing of the Duyfken and was negotiating the location of the ship’s mooring in Perth.
The Duyfken will form a key part of the celebrations being planned in 2016 for the 400-year anniversary of Dirk Hartog’s landing at Cape Inscription. This is the first recorded landing of Europeans in WA. (source)