Fort Queenscliff Heritage Association
Who we Are
The Fort Queenscliff Heritage Association Inc. (FQHA) is a not-for-profit charity in Victoria with deductible gift recipient status. Managed by an annually elected Board, FQHA offers guided tours and heritage services for Defence and other organisations. Seven employees handle administration and tours of the Fort and Museum, serving public visitors, groups, schools, and veterans. Experienced guides lead tours, supported by volunteers who assist with artefact restoration and collection documentation.
Our History
The Fort Queenscliff Heritage Association was originally established as the Fort Queenscliff Museum in 1982 and has been dedicated to preserving the Fort’s history for over forty years. Initially, officers serving at the Command and Staff College created the museum to protect the site’s heritage.
From 1982 to the mid-1990s, the Association collected artefacts and set up displays on the Fort and Australian military history. Since then, the Australian Army History Unit (AAHU) assumed these duties, with ongoing support from the Association in display development, historical research, artefact acquisition, and operational costs.
For more information on our Board of Management go to – Our People
What we Do
Our volunteers play a significant role in researching and documenting the history of the Fort. This work encompasses studies on the establishment, evolution, operations, ordnance, equipment, and preservation of key components such as the 1888 Signal Tower and the Fire Control Station. Additionally, research into the personnel who served at the Fort from 1860 to the present remains a priority.
The Association includes a number of historians with expertise ranging from doctoral qualifications to specialisations in family history and genealogy. Over the years, numerous theses and publications have been produced, covering aspects of the Fort’s history, the broader fortress at the Heads, personnel records, daily operations, and heritage matters.
Beyond our core team of employees and volunteers engaged in daily activities at the Fort, the Association comprises over 1,200 members. Known as the Friends of the Fort, these individuals are committed supporters of the Fort’s historical and cultural preservation. Many are former service members with strong personal connections to the site.
Our members possess extensive experience in:
- Conducting guided tours of the Fort
- Researching Australian and Victorian military, naval, and general history
- Authoring books, monographs, periodicals, and feature articles
- Collecting, identifying, and restoring/preserving historic military artifacts, including ordnance
- Surveying historic precincts
- Recording oral histories
- Digitizing and preserving historical documents
- Developing and organizing museum exhibits
- Managing museum projects
- Undertaking heritage studies
- Advising on compliance with heritage guidelines
- Promoting the Fort and its legacy through publicity efforts
If you have a Question - Contact FQHA
We are only too happy to discuss any historical and heritage issues relating to the Fort.
Contact the Association’s Secretary, Dr Bob Marmion
Email: secretary@fortqueenscliff.com.au
Phone: 0408 326 311