In 2017 the Foundation launched a fundraising campaign to support the acquisition and conservation of this important ship model.
Launched in 1929, the Orient Line passenger ship SS Orontes was one of the longest serving on the England to Australia route, carrying tens of thousands of British and European migrants to new lives in Australia.
The model was built in the same shipyard for presentation to the owner and for many years sat in the Orient Line’s office window in Spring Street, Sydney, promoting the style and comfort of these inter-war passenger liners. As SS Orontes was sold for scrap in 1963, this model is now the only detailed record of the ship’s remarkable contribution to Australia’s history.
It is now in the National Maritime Collection and conservation will commence in late 2018.