Origin & Mission

The project originated in late 1998 when Max Bryant, a fourth-generation local with deep family ties to the region’s seafaring past, sought to create a venture that would generate funds for youth community programs. He was particularly concerned about the lack of support for young people looking for employment—many of whom grew disillusioned and turned to the welfare system. Bryant envisioned a project that would raise capital for youth initiatives while offering on-the-job training and coaching.

He brought the proposal to the local Federal Member for Flinders, Peter Reith, who quickly endorsed it. Following Reith’s advice, Bryant rallied local supporters, leading to the establishment of the Western Port Oberon Association Inc. (WPOA) in 1999. Under the association’s rules, all assets are owned directly by its members.

Developing the Concept

Given the region’s strong maritime heritage and its proximity to HMAS Cerberus (formerly the Flinders Naval Depot) at Crib Point, Bryant decided that a maritime museum was the ideal project for Hastings.

Market research revealed a strong public fascination with submarines. Recognizing them as the ultimate stealth vessels, Bryant decided a submarine should be the centerpiece of the museum. To honor the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), the initiative was initially named The Hastings Cerberus Naval Memorial Centre project.

Museum Expansion & Royal Patronage

WPOA established its initial operational base and a small maritime museum inside a former Mitre 10 building on Marine Parade in Hastings. On October 17, 2003, HRH The Princess Royal (Princess Anne) visited Hastings as a guest of the association. Having originally commissioned the submarine into the RAN in 1978 as its formal sponsor, Princess Anne agreed to become the official patron of the project.

Following the sale of the Marine Parade building in 2007, WPOA relocated its headquarters to 220 The Esplanade, Crib Point—a heritage-listed, multi-story building that previously served as the administrative headquarters for the now-demolished BP Refinery. The new museum facility was officially opened by the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Bruce Billson. Around this time, WPOA launched a dedicated merchandise department selling branded apparel.

To reflect its growing scope, the project was renamed the Western Port Maritime Memorial Centre. By 2011, as operations expanded statewide, it adopted its current name: The Victorian Maritime Centre project.

Membership & Fleet Growth

WPOA grew to over 500 members across full, concession, and affiliate tiers, with voting rights held by full members. The association keeps its community engaged through a quarterly newsletter, social events, weekend museum operations, and weekday tours by appointment (including guest speaker bookings).

The museum’s collection expanded significantly when Perth businesswoman Gillian Swaby donated the Wyuna—a former Port Phillip pilot ship and Australian Maritime College training vessel often likened to a smaller version of the Royal Yacht Britannia. This acquisition boosted the value of the association’s member-owned assets to several million dollars.

The Acquisition of HMAS Otama

The Bidding Process

When the RAN began phasing out its Oberon-class submarines, Bryant contacted the Navy Disposal Department to express interest in HMAS Otama. Built on the River Clyde in Scotland, Otama was the last Oberon-class submarine built and the last of its kind worldwide to be decommissioned, ending an illustrious career in December 2000 as the new Collins-class vessels came online.

Bryant submitted a detailed proposal to the RAN. The selection process ultimately came down to a choice between the City of Geelong and WPOA. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Dr. Brendan Nelson, noted that in all his years in politics, he had never seen such a thorough, high-quality submission. Consequently, WPOA was awarded the vessel.

Funding & Towage

Bryant successfully secured a $500,000 grant under the Centenary of Federation program. This funding covered:

• Purchase price: $55,000

• Towage fee: $306,000 (to tow the vessel from HMAS Stirling in Western Australia to Western Port)

• Environmental cleaning: $40,000 (EPA-mandated tank cleaning prior to departure)

• Insurance: $96,000 (covering the voyage across southern Australia)

By the time the submarine arrived in Western Port, the initial grant was almost fully exhausted.

Arrival in Western Port

On April 30, 2002, HMAS Otama entered Western Port Bay following a 13-day journey from Western Australia, towed by the ocean tug Southern Salvor. The transit through the Great Australian Bight was treacherous, with the submarine frequently launching off wave crests during rough seas.

Display Strategy

WPOA planned to display Otama as a land-based exhibit alongside the Victorian Maritime Centre interpretation building. To overcome the restricted internal access typical of submarines, the plan involved cutting access entry points into the hull fore and aft, linking the submarine directly to the main facility via pedestrian tunnels.

Planning Challenges & Delays

The initial master plan proposed positioning the project on the open space of the Hastings foreshore to maximize financial benefits for the local community. Early discussions with the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) indicated support for the Hastings location. In response, the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council (MPSC) began preparing a Southern Precinct Foreshore Development Plan.

Three years after the submarine’s arrival, DSE organized a three-person panel to review public and stakeholder submissions. During these hearings, DSE unexpectedly announced that the submarine project did not meet the criteria for a Safe Boating Precinct under the Coastal Management Act, concluding that it should not proceed at the Hastings site. Despite having spent significant funds on planning applications based on prior advice from DSE and MPSC, the association was forced to search for alternative sites.

Over the next 22 years, numerous alternative locations were considered but ultimately failed—primarily due to a lack of government support. Unable to secure a permanent land location, WPOA was unable to adequately maintain Otama while it remained in the water, leading to the vessel’s gradual deterioration.