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Friends of Alma Doepel Broadcast
September 2025
Hello Friends of Alma Doepel,
In this edition we want to share with you some upcoming events and activities along with the latest news on the Restoration Progress.
In the last edition we talked about the Notice to Vacate given to the Restoration Team.
Following Behind the Scenes negotiations and some media publicity - thanks to Docklands News, Social Media Platforms and lobbying of Councillors and local MPs – the Project has been given a revised date as the end of 2025 to complete the Restoration and find alternative accommodation. More on that later in this edition.
First up! Two events that are coming soon. Then read the latest Restoration Report to see just how far we have come to complete Alma Doepel by end of 2026.
Book your Seats at the Annual Alma Doepel Birthday Dinner.
Alma turns 122 on Friday 10 October 2025.
Alma Doepel Silent Auction
This year, trading as Waypoint Foundation and supported by the Friends of Alma Doepel, the Alma Doepel Annual Fundraiser will be an Online Silent Auction. The auction will run from Sunday October 5th until 4pm on Sunday October 26th 2025.
You will be notified once the Auction is live. Follow Alma Doepel Facebook pages.
Once the Auction is LIVE you can go Online and check out the great deals on offer. These include Experiences, Accommodation and other Items of Interest.
Browse the Alma Doepel Online Auction at Galabid.com
The Online journey begins with setting up a Bidders Account on the host GalaBid Platform.
Once you decide to bid you will be asked to create your Bidders Account. This means providing GalaBid with personal details to identify you as a bidder and a mechanism to accept payment from winning bidders.
Card details are held securely by the Online Auction platform operator
In the unlikely event there is nothing in the Alma Doepel Online Auction that teases your fancy; perhaps you might like to make a tax deductible donation to the Restoration www.almadoepel.com.au/donate
To obtain a Tax Receipt, please email adsc@almadoepel.com.au
Provide your name, email, the amount and a reference to identify you for your tax receipt.
Alma Doepel Restoration Update
What a year it has been! It started with Alma being given her marching orders by Development Victoria. In February of this year we were given a vacate notice till end of June. Previously we understood we would have until mid-next year at the earliest. Negotiations are ongoing. Currently we have to end of year.
Notwithstanding, the resilient team at the Restoration, rather than lie down, are determined to minimise the consequences of this disastrous decision. A decision was made to press on with the Restoration at an accelerated pace to complete as much of the ship as possible before the deadline. At the same time fitting out the ship with many parts that have been stored in the shed. Meanwhile the search for a new home continues.
So where are we today?
A Progress Report from the FoAD September Zoom Meeting reported:
1. Preparations for the Melbourne Boat Show is underway.
2. Engine attachment to ship will be finished next week.
3. Batteries will be connected to engine – so they can be started up ‘informally’ –
aiming for self-propulsion to Boat Show.
4. Galley – completion close, Volunteer Ken busy painting and varnishing. Cooking
appliances in place ready to showcase during Boat Show.
5. Neil working on plumbing, complex but making good progress with Emmett’s assistance.
6. Riggers Signi & Greg working on rigging, ratlines – on track for completion by end October. Volunteers inspired to come in and help on Saturdays, Greg to train volunteers in Rigging for ongoing/long term work
7. Shipwrights continuing work, Dan back and putting together the bulwark planking. Quality of work is really worth seeing.
8. Crew quarters and accommodation coming along nicely – produced in the same style, consistent with previous.
After the Boat Show – 2nd week of Nov, Alma is on the slipway for two weeks.
1. List of tasks including bow thruster tunnels.
2. Topsides need to be re-sanded & painted.
3. Initial stability & floating experiments done with surveyor - performed well.
4. Anti-fouling to be completed.
5. Waterline to be marked.
6. Scaffolding in pieces weighs several tonnes – skilled labour over many days, big team needed.
7. Looking at anodes – protection against corrosion.
8. Ventilation.
All tasks mentioned in the last Newsletter have been completed.
The Accessible Cabin has been returned to the main deck on the Alma Doepel.
The Main Boom has been installed
Jibboom is in place
Rigging is continuing with Greg (our Rigger) training new riggers
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John and Geraldine Williamson came by Alma to see the progress.
John is a 10 year volunteer veteran who retired some 5 years ago.
John was responsible for making the yards and masts that will once again adorn the Alma Doepel. Thank you for your years of work, John
Alma Doepel to feature at the 2025 Melbourne Boat Show
Come and see Alma Doepel at the Melbourne Boat Show. We invite you to Walk the Deck and see for yourself how the restoration of this famous and fabulous 122 Year Old Tall Ship is progressing. Look for the brown masts at the Port Phillip Ferries wharf near the Cow in the Tree, Harbour Esplanade Docklands. ...
Entry is Free but we appreciate a modest Cash or EFTPOS donation to help us continue our work. By joining as a Casual Member (just $10) on the day you will get access to the ship – read how to become a member next in this newsletter.
Become a Friend of Alma Doepel
The Friends of Alma Doepel are dedicated to ensuring the historic 122 year old Australian built Wooden Tall Ship located in Melbourne is fully restored to Operational service, to teach young Australians about the rigors of sailing a Tall Ship while they learn teamwork, responsibility, and leadership all the while learning about themselves.
The aim of Tall Ship sail training is to help young people through the concepts of challenge by choice, teamwork, reflection, to explore their identity, and, how they cope with stress and work with team-members.
Being a Friend of Alma Doepel shows Community commitment to our project. Large numbers of members will help us persuade Government and Business enterprises to work proactively with us to achieve our goals. We need your support!
. https://waypoint.memberjungle.com/membership
Benefits of being a Friend of Alma Doepel include:
o Newsletters publishing Restoration Progress and Events
o Discounts on Alma Doepel Merchandise
o Inclusion in Member Draws for Experiences and Prizes
o Satisfaction that you are part of a meaningful cause and preserving an historic tall
ship.
To build our Friends Community we have introduced a new casual category!
Members can now join as Friends for only $10.00 per Year. This class of membership is a Show of Support only. You may upgrade to Full Membership at any time.
Full Membership:
Single 1 Year $50.00
Single 5 Years $200.00
Family 1 Year $65.00
Family 5 Years $260
Some thoughts to consider when deciding to become a Friend of Alma Doepel…
We have no paid employees. All proceeds go toward the restoration of the ship and the Sail Training Program.
Members are asked to consider making a regular donation towards the Restoration as every donation we receive contributes to completing the Ship.
Suicide is the number one killer of young people in Australia and is linked to depression and life satisfaction. A primary aim of the Alma Doepel Sail Training program is to engage young people with one another, facilitate access to support networks, life changing experiences and something to be proud about – Factors that have proven to reduce the likelihood of suicide.
Alma Doepel Merchandise
Shop Online at the Friends of Alma Doepel Merchandise Catalogue.
https://www.waypointfoundation.com.au/shop
There are caps, tee shirts, polos, fleecy tops and some memorabilia and other goodies as they come to hand. Go take a look.
Prospect Wines – Sales Benefit Alma Doepel
If wine is your thing….
Friends of Alma Doepel have joined with Prospect Wines to offer a selection of 6 great value wines to help raise funds for running youth development programs and for maintenance of our 122 year old tall ship. Thank you for your support!
https://prospectwines.com.au/product/alma-doepel/
Container Deposit Scheme.
The Friends of Alma Doepel have lodged as a Donor Partner with the three Container Deposit Scheme Zones. If you wish to help the Alma Doepel all you need do is take your containers to your nearest Container Deposit Over the Counter Center and show them this barcode OR Scan the barcode at a Reverse Vending Machine and then put your containers though.
If it is easier for you, bring your containers to the Shed and one of our volunteers will take them to a Container Deposit Centre. Thank you.
We hope you have enjoyed reading this edition of the Friends of Alma Doepel Newsletter.
We wish to thank all of our valued supporters who have given generously over the years and helped bring this project to where it is today.
Thank you for reading the September Broadcast and being part of the Friends of Alma Doepel family (FoAD). Your support is helping get Alma back to the business of Youth Sail Training programs that is looking likely in 2026.
Bill Reid
Friends of Alma Doepel
0416 153 116