Melbourne's Maritime Heritage

Jackie Watts is the inaugural Chair of the Melbourne Maritime Heritage Network Board. She holds a Doctorate in Education (RMIT), postgraduate qualifications in Teaching & Librarianship (University of Melbourne) and a Bachelor of Arts (La Trobe University). Her areas of professional expertise include secondary & tertiary education, librarianship, research, vocational education and training (VET), professional development, commerce and community activism.

  Jackie served on  Melbourne City Council  between 2011 – 2020, and in 2012 became the first Chair of the Knowledge City Portfolio and Deputy Chair of the People City Portfolio holding these positions  until leaving Council in 2020. These portfolios represented the most significant economic and socially progressive areas of work on Council. Jackie also represented Council with the Bay Municipalities Association of Victoria and is currently a Board member of Offshore and Specialist Ships Australia(OSSA).    She has a keen and abiding interest in heritage recognition, preservation and celebration, and in particular, maritime heritage.