ICMM - Friday 18 September

Friday program

Morning

0830 - 0930	Registration desk open
	Ben Lexcen Terrace
0900 - 0945	Inclusion & Belonging Keynote + Q&A
	Theatre

A Personal Journey

Hieu Van Le, Chairman, Australian National Maritime Museum, Australia

Hon Hieu Van Le is Chair of the Council of the Australian National Maritime Museum and a former Governor of South Australia. He arrived in Australia from Vietnam as a refugee in 1977 and has since made an extraordinary contribution to Australian public life. In addition to his role at the Museum, Mr Le currently serves on the boards of a number of public institutions, community organisations and not-for-profits.

In this deeply personal reflection, Mr Le will explore themes of migration, inclusion and belonging through the remarkable story of his life—from his treacherous journey by boat from Vietnam to Australia in 1977, to his appointment as Governor of South Australia, and the many chapters of public service and community leadership that followed.

0945 - 1030	Panel discussion
	Theatre
	Alec Coles, Western Australian Museum, Australia (chair)
	Hieu Van Le, Australian National Maritime Museum, Australia
	Roland Leikauf, Australian National Maritime Museum, Australia
	Christina Connett Brophy, Maritime Museum of San Diego, United States of America
1030 - 1100	Break
	Ben Lexcen Terrace
1100 - 1145	LRF Global Maritime History presentations
	Theatre
	Felicity Ferguson, ICMM, Australia (chair)
	Andrés Rodrigo, National Maritime Museum of Chile, Chile
	Leichelle Tanoa, New Zealand Maritime Museum, New Zealand
	Richard Wesley, Australian National Maritime Museum, Australia
	Paul Stephanus, Australian Wooden Boat Festival, Australia

Photo of a large group standing on steps looking at the camera.

Photo of 4 women standing in front of the ocean.

Photo showing a large group of people posing for a photo.

Photo of a woman standing at the front of a room, presenting next to a screen, with multiple people seated at tables watching.

Photo showing a group of people seated in a circle on a balcony.

Photo showing a group of people posing for a photo, many are waving at the camera.

1 - 6

Afternoon

1145 - 1300	Lunch
	Ben Lexcen Terrace
1300 - 1445	ICMM General meeting, including short reports from MAC, HSC & OSC
	Theatre
1445 - 1500	Round-up & reflections
	Theatre
1500 - 1600	Executive Committee Meeting
	Wharf 7 Endeavour
1500 - 1800	Free afternoon
1800 - 2100	Gala dinner
	Lighthouse Gallery

Gala dinner

6:00 - 9:00

Guests will enjoy a specially curated seafood menu alongside an evening of entertainment, conversation and inspiring guest speakers. The evening will begin with drinks on arrival from 6:00pm, followed by a special performance by Olivia Coe Fox and Neenan Simpson, welcome remarks from ICMM and the Australian National Maritime Museum, and a three-course dinner.

Throughout the evening, guests will hear from leading voices across the maritime sector, including a conversation with Matty Smith, Ocean Photographer of the Year 2026, and an address from Rear Admiral Chris Smith, Royal Australian Navy.

Dress code: There is no formal dress code for this event. Guests are welcome to dress smartly if they wish, but black tie or formal evening wear is not required.