Maritime Archaeological Association of Western Australia - MAAWA

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Maritime Archaeological Association of Western Australia - MAAWA

MAAWA
Established in 1974

Our members represent the volunteer division of the Maritime Archaeology Department of the Western Australian Museum.

MAAWA
Dig | Dive | Discover

Maritime Archaeology Est 1974

•Passionate Preservation
•Dive Shipwrecks
•Research & Education
•Manage Underwater Heritage Sites

Guests Welcome

Shipwrecks Galleries, Fremantle, WA
www.maawa.net MAAWA members consist of a mix of divers, archaeologists, historians, and members of the general public who are all passionate about Western Australia's terrestrial and underwater maritime archaeology and heritage. We are primarily an archaeology association, not a diving club. While many of our members do dive, there are plenty of opportunities for research and fieldwork for people who do not dive. We carry out research into newly discovered and existing shipwrecks and we are authorized to carry out wreck inspections for the Museum. MAAWA was involved in placing the plaques at some of the wrecks at Rottnest Island. More recently MAAWA members have created an app called 'ShipwrecksWA' which has GPS locations, histories, and images of wrecks around the Western Australian coastline, Rottnest, and the Swan River. You can download the app from http://www.shipwreckswa.com

15/09/2026

This is our VP Mac McCaskey

He attended the 2026 State History Conferance.
Whilst he didn't win this HISTORY SLAM -
"Where Are The Cannons From the Ship Rockingham"

(A slam is only a few minutes long and is mean't to be fun, engage and educate)

He went over time and didn't finish the answer, but perhaps ask him TONIGHT at our MAAWA meeting!

YOU’RE INVITED! EVERYONE IS WELCOME….
Dr Trevor Winton

Illuminating shipwrecks and indigenous landscapes currently buried under the seabed.

6.15pm for a 6.30pm Arrive and mingle.
Tuesday 15th September 2026
At the Rottnest Island Authority 1 Mews Rd, Fremantle.

https://www.facebook.com/events/2097317241209266/ has more details
SEE YOU TONIGHT!

14/09/2026

Its tomorrow night.... Tuesday 15th September

YOU’RE INVITED! EVERYONE IS WELCOME….
Dr Trevor Winton
Illuminating shipwrecks and indigenous landscapes currently buried under the seabed.

6.15pm for a 6.30pm Arrive and mingle.
6.30pm MAAWA Update
6.35pm Our Speaker then Q & A
7.15pm Stay and mingle with members

Tuesday 15th September 2026
At the Rottnest Island Authority Walyalup Office,
1 Mews Rd, Fremantle.
Free parking is available at the front and along Mews Rd.

Dr Trevor Winton
Founding Director, PhD, MSc, Grad Dip CM, BE (Hons)
Trevor is the Deputy Chair of the WA Museum’s Maritime Archaeological Advisory Committee and was appointed Research Associate. Dr Trevor Winton has more than 35 years’ experience in environmental, coastal and ocean consulting roles for industry and government.
He is a current president of the Maritime Archaeological Association of Western Australia and a former director of the not-for-profit Australian Water Association.
A former Councilor for the Australasian Institute for Maritime Archaeology, Dr Winton completed his PhD in maritime archaeology at Flinders University.
More details about Winwell Foundation click here:-
https://winwellfoundation.org

Come and listen to hear MORE….
We’re so EXCITED by this event - Nothing to book just turn up!
https://www.facebook.com/events/2097317241209266

11/09/2026

Flat top Crane Barge
MIWOK BARGE 1983
Location - Offshore Bickley Point, Rottnest

Read More here...
https://shipwreckswa.com/miwok-barge-1983/

10/09/2026

YOU’RE INVITED! EVERYONE IS WELCOME….
Dr Trevor Winton
Illuminating shipwrecks and indigenous landscapes currently buried under the seabed.

6.15pm for a 6.30pm Arrive and mingle.
6.30pm MAAWA Update
6.35pm Our Speaker then Q & A
7.15pm Stay and mingle with members

Tuesday 15th September 2026
At the Rottnest Island Authority Walyalup Office,
1 Mews Rd, Fremantle.
Free parking is available at the front and along Mews Rd.

Dr Trevor Winton
Founding Director, PhD, MSc, Grad Dip CM, BE (Hons)
Trevor is the Deputy Chair of the WA Museum’s Maritime Archaeological Advisory Committee and was appointed Research Associate. Dr Trevor Winton has more than 35 years’ experience in environmental, coastal and ocean consulting roles for industry and government.
He is a current president of the Maritime Archaeological Association of Western Australia and a former director of the not-for-profit Australian Water Association.
A former Councilor for the Australasian Institute for Maritime Archaeology, Dr Winton completed his PhD in maritime archaeology at Flinders University.
More details about Winwell Foundation click here:-
https://winwellfoundation.org

Come and listen to hear MORE….
We’re so EXCITED by this event, it’s going to be so INTERESTING!
Please RSVP by hit GOING or INTERESTED on this event page, THANK YOU!
https://www.facebook.com/events/2097317241209266

09/09/2026

The Royal Western Australia Historical Society Annual State History Conference is on this weekend, and we wanted to wish all the speakers, attendees and delegates the best time.

We have a few members attending
These STATE HISTORY CONFERENCES are always a treat!

2026 Theme, A Century of Change: Where to Next?

More details are here, it is all sold out, however this is about saying HAVE FUN, we know its going to be EPIC

MAAWA is an affiliated member and proud to be so!

Click here for more details
https://histwest.org.au/next-state-history-conference

08/09/2026

The Author, the Photographer and the Elusive Sea Captain

The TOTALLY LIT FESTIVAL is showcasing one of our members.

11 October 2026 @ 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
FREE - but you need to book.
John Bowskill & Marcia van Zeller
Shipwrecks Museum

In this 150th anniversary year of the S.S. Georgette shipwreck disaster off the south-west coast of WA, author Marcia van Zeller and photographer John Bowskill reveal the contradictory accounts of this historical event.

Read more here and also grab your tickets, we will see you there.
https://totallylit.au/program/the-author-the-photographer-and-the-elusive-sea-captain/

06/09/2026

For $45 per annum or $3.75 a month why not help us by JOINING

Your membership gives you access to a range of opportunities, including:
• Monthly meetings and presentations with like-minded members
• Social Meetings that are all about fellowship and connection
• Membership prices for merchandise, courses and some events
• Invitation to participation in maritime heritage projects and research activities
• Opportunities to dive on shipwreck sites and contribute to fieldwork
• Invitation to attend training and learning experiences in maritime archaeology
• Access to events, networking, and volunteer opportunities
• Being part of a community helping preserve Western Australia’s underwater cultural heritage
• A dedicated WhatsApp group, if the weathers good & a decision to “let’s go today and dive/dig” happens, you’ll be invited. This is members only.

Sign up here... WE'D LOVE IT
https://www.maawa.net/memberships-page

MAAWA meetings are generally held on the third Tuesday of the month at the Rottnest Island Authority Walyalup Office in Fremantle, providing members with a chance to connect, share knowledge, and stay involved in current projects.

05/09/2026

YOU’RE INVITED! EVERYONE IS WELCOME….
Dr Trevor Winton
Illuminating shipwrecks and indigenous landscapes currently buried under the seabed.
The Winwell Foundation plans to provide data, guidance and training from Australian and international investigations of sub-seabed heritage materials without them being disturbed.
This is made possible using state-of-the-art ‘acoustic wave’ technology and expert analysis.
This ‘non-invasive’ survey method could potentially help map and identify unknown wrecks or accurately locate and profile Indigenous and other sites of historic or cultural significance now submerged and buried under sand or mud.
Trevor’s passion for maritime archaeology has led him to launch a unique not-for-profit foundation aimed at helping identify, manage and ultimately preserve sub-seabed heritage material, such as historic shipwrecks and Indigenous sites.

6.15pm for a 6.30pm Arrive and mingle.
6.30pm MAAWA Update
6.35pm Our Speaker then Q & A
7.15pm Stay and mingle with members
Tuesday 15th September 2026
At the Rottnest Island Authority Walyalup Office,
1 Mews Rd, Fremantle.
Free parking is available at the front and along Mews Rd.
Google has this as a toilet block; we are just behind it.

Dr Trevor Winton
Founding Director, PhD, MSc, Grad Dip CM, BE (Hons)
Trevor is the Deputy Chair of the WA Museum’s Maritime Archaeological Advisory Committee and was appointed Research Associate. Dr Trevor Winton has more than 35 years’ experience in environmental, coastal and ocean consulting roles for industry and government.
He is a current president of the Maritime Archaeological Association of Western Australia and a former director of the not-for-profit Australian Water Association.
A former Councilor for the Australasian Institute for Maritime Archaeology, Dr Winton completed his PhD in maritime archaeology at Flinders University.

More details about Winwell Foundation click here:-
https://winwellfoundation.org
Come and listen to hear MORE….

We’re so EXCITED by this event, it’s going to be so INTERESTING!
Please RSVP by hit GOING or INTERESTED on this event page, THANK YOU!
https://www.facebook.com/events/2097317241209266

03/09/2026

On the way back from Kalbarri today me n Jac (Dave Jackson) did a little recce of Port Geogory to visit the Xantho site this spring/summer.

Wanted to check out the beach launch and try get a confirmed lat & long for the wreck and see if it actually was buried or not.

It was only a little way off the the listed position and an easy locate with the drone.

Looks pretty exposed and can clearly see the boiler.

Could be a good little mission in the next months if anyone is up for a drive. Beach is generally hard enough for an easy launch and nice and protected site from the swell.

Beautiful spot at Port Gregory!

THANKS DAVE this was in our MAAWA What's APP MEMBERS group chat, Casual and Catch ups.
If you're a member reach out to Dave to be added to the group.

01/09/2026

Deadwater wreck mystery in Busselton lagoon baffles centuries on.
By Jon Daly - ABC Southwest

A small archaeological team scours the algal-green shoreline of a stagnant lagoon in Western Australia's South West.

They're searching for evidence of a mysterious ship that has been the subject of fevered speculation and unfounded theories for centuries.

The murky pool, known to Busselton locals as the Wonnerup Deadwater, sits off the side of the Wonnerup Inlet like an appendix.

In a moment of excitement, the underwater metal detector sings out, and one of the men dives his hands into the silt.

Read more here and well done IAN McCANN!

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-29/deadwater-wreck-mystery-baffles-centuries-on/107050790

Address

1 Mews Road
Fremantle, WA
6160

Website

http://www.maawa.net/

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