176th day regatta 2012

Honouring the nation’s annual celebration of watersport: The Australia Day Regatta’s burgee flying proudly below the White on the Flagship of the 175th Regatta.

Endorsed by Proudly sponsored by

From the president

Let me first express the It is not surprising that this maritime history should have deep appreciation of the stimulated and other recreational activities on Australia Day Regatta to Sir Harbour. Early residents of Sydney travelled by ferry to James Hardy Kt OBE, who bushland picnic grounds. Others joined in the competitive was President of the Regatta sailing events conducted by the host of new clubs established for the previous eight years. during the 19th century. This early history is represented by During that time, Sir James the participation of many yachts of traditional or classic design displayed the leadership in the Regatta, including the spectacular Historic Skiffs. qualities he had so amply A key feature of the Australia Day Regatta is one of demonstrated in business celebration. The Regatta as we know it commenced in 1837 and in , both in as the Anniversary Day Regatta, founded to celebrate the Australia and internationally. establishment of the Colony of New South Wales. It later Australia Day celebrates and became known as the Australia Day Regatta, being held honours – for all Australians on 26 January each year. – the establishment of this I acknowledge the wonderful support provided by our other nation, whose modern host clubs, which enable Australia Day to be celebrated on history commenced with close to 20 different waterways. I also acknowledge the European settlement on the shores of . As in Armed Services, whose participation plays such an important previous years, we salute the Gadigal and Cammeragail role in our celebration. I particularly thank the Royal Australian aboriginal tribes and recognise them as fine custodians Navy, which provides our Flagship for the Regatta. Finally, of Sydney Harbour, which is a priceless natural resource. I thank our sponsors, particularly the Commonwealth Bank, Many of the etchings and engravings from the earliest days of through Commonwealth Private, for their most valued the colony show the ships that brought settlers and supplies sponsorship support. after their hazardous voyage from England. Sailing vessels, I extend to all participants my best wishes for a happy and often quite small, were used by pioneer navigators such as successful Australia Day. Matthew Flinders to explore the coastline of Australia. Larger Charles P. Curran AC sailing ships and later steamers, serviced the expanding President colony, providing important transport links on the New South Wales coast stretching from Eden, Nowra and Port Kembla to Newcastle, Port Stephens, Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour.

Front Cover Photo: Honouring the nation’s annual celebration of watersport: The Australia Day Regatta’s burgee flying proudly below the on the Flagship of the 175th Regatta 1 176th Australia Day Regatta

Schedule of Events

Thursday 26th January 2012, Sydney Harbour 1100-1800 City of Sydney Sesquicentenary Trophy short ocean race, Sydney to and return, conducted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia. Starts north of Shark Island, finishes south of the Flagship moored off Rushcutters Bay. 1315-1600 176th Australia Day Regatta, Sydney Harbour, sponsored by the Commonwealth Private Commonwealth Bank of Australia. Conducted by the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron and the Sydney Amateur Sailing Club on behalf of the Australia Day Regatta Inc. Open to all classes of keelboats, old and new, fast and slow, small and large, and non-spinnaker divisions, and including from the RSYS, SASC, SFS, CYCA, RPEYC, MHYC, GSC and RANSA fleets. 1430-1800 Lord Mayor’s Cup for modern 18-footers – Australian 18-footer Sailing League 1300-1700 Regatta, Rose Bay – Woollahra Sailing Club Botany Bay 1200-1600 Centreboard Regatta – Georges River Sailing Club 1200-1600 Keelboat Regatta – Botany Bay Yacht Club & SSROC Councillor’s Challenge 1200-1600 Regatta – Kurnell Catamaran Club 1200-1600 Families Afloat Flotilla – St George Motor Club 1200-1600 Centreboard Regatta – Yarra Bay Sailing Club Brisbane Waters, Gosford 1350-1600 Keelboat and Centreboard Regatta, including Sailpast – Gosford Sailing Club , 1200 Australia Day Sandy Bay Regatta – Sandy Bay Sailing Club West Harbour – Sydney 1000-1600 NSW Radio Yacht Association Regatta – Drummoyne Sailing Club 1300-1600 Centreboard Regatta – Greenwich Sailing Club 1300-1630 Centreboard and Twilight Keelboat Regatta – Greenwich Flying Squadron 1300-1700 Keelboat Regatta – Parramatta River Sailing Club 1300-1700 Centreboard Regatta – Hunters Hill Sailing Club Lake Illawarra 1230-1630 Centreboard, Sailboard and Trailable Yacht Regatta – Illawarra Yacht Club Lake Macquarie 1300-1600 Keelboat, Trailable Yacht, and Centreboard Regatta – Wangi Wangi RSL Sailing Club Manly 1130-1400 Sailability Regatta – Manly Yacht Club 2012Pittwater 1300-1700 Keelboat and Dinghy Regatta – Avalon Sailing Club 1330-1600 Multihull and Keelboat Relay Regatta – Royal Motor Yacht Club Broken Bay Chipping Norton Lakes 1300-1600 Centreboard Regatta – Chipping Norton Lakes Sailing Club Other Australia Day Harbour Events 0830 Aussie Swim, Farm Cove 1100-1150 Ferrython – starts Fort Denison, around Shark Island & return under the Harbour Bridge 1200 21 gun salute at Fleet Steps, Farm Cove 1400 RAAF F/A 18 flyover, Sydney Harbour 1430 Red Beret parachute display, landing in Farm Cove 1500 Tall Ships Race, Bradleys Head to Harbour Bridge 1600-2130 Jazz on the Water concert, Pyrmont Park, Johnstone Bay 2040 Darling Harbour Australia Day Spectacular

2 Chairman’s welcome

On 26 January 2011 the 175th Australia Day Regatta was awareness of the presence sailed on the waters of New South Wales and, for the first time, and actions of others on the Tasmania. In NSW some 700 boats took part, sailing on offshore water are essential elements to waters, Sydney Harbour, the Parramatta and Lane Cove Rivers, ensure a safe and happy day. on Pittwater, at Gosford, Botany Bay, Lake Macquarie, Lake The sport mixes the generations, Illawarra and Port Hacking in boats of all sizes ranging from young and old, with common ocean-going racing yachts to radio-controlled models. The goal. The pleasure derived from 175th Regatta was a special celebration to a particular doing one’s best as a team and milestone in the long history of the event which has been sailed an individual is a great reward. every year since 1837. Classic yachts, some of which have During the Australia Day Regatta yachts compete for the honour taken part in Australia Day Regattas for many decades, were of winning some notable trophies, but the competition is only given pride of place on Sydney Harbour and they provided a part of the day. Above all it is a day to get out on the water and great spectacle of . The weather also added to the occasion enjoy the celebrations of Australia Day with family and friends. with a sea fog rolling in during the morning and lingering for the Of course, a Regatta of this size would not be possible start of the Regatta. without the help of many people – the yacht clubs which Of course, all Australia Day Regattas are special. Australia is a organise the various events, the volunteers who give their maritime nation – we are literally ‘girt by sea’ and until relatively time throughout the year and on the day, our principal sponsor recently everyone who came to this country to join those who the Commonwealth Private Bank and the advertisers in had lived here for many thousands of years came by sea. Today, the programme. In particular, the we are still totally dependent on the sea as the vast majority provides enormous support on the day by providing the of our trade is carried by ships. What better way, therefore, to Flagship for the Regatta and displays for the people of Sydney. celebrate the foundation of modern Australia than on the water. The Management Committee thanks everyone who helps to The boats competing in the many regattas sailed since 1837 create such an outstanding and memorable event. may have changed but many aspects of the modern sport of Come and sail with us in the 176th Australia Day Regatta on sailing are timeless. When the lines are cast off or the mooring 26 January 2012 and enjoy a day of fun and spectacle. dropped each vessel, large or small, is her own world separate from the shore and dependent for her safety and success on the skill and knowledge of her skipper and crew. That is John Jeremy true whether the voyage is for trade or pleasure, cruising to Chairman a beautiful anchorage or joining others in competition. Australia Day Regatta Management Committee Like all competitive sports, demands skill and, in the larger boats, teamwork. Attention to the weather and

Advisory council

PATRON Mr Adrian Hondros Executive General MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir Manager Commonwealth Private MEMBERS 2011-2012 AC CVO, Governor of New South Wales Commonwealth Bank of Australia President, Charles Curran AC ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS Mr Malcolm Levy Commodore Chairman, Mr John Jeremy 2011-2012 Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron Deputy Chairman, Mr Charles Maclurcan Mr Charles P Curran AC (President) Mr Garry Linacre Commodore Honorary Secretary, Mr Peter Hemery Mr John Jeremy (Chairman) Cruising Yacht Club of Australia Treasurer, Mr Fred Bevis Mr AM President Double Councillor Clover Moore MP Assistant Secretary, Ms Joan Watson Lord Mayor City of Sydney Bay Sailing Club Committee Members Mr Graham Nock AM OBE Mr Howard Elliott President Yachting NSW Mr John Biffin Mr Angelos Frangopoulos Air Vice-Marshal Mark Skidmore AM Mr Colin Chidgey Chairman Australia Day Council Air Commander Australia Mr John Curtin Rear Stephen Gilmore AM CSC Major General Michael Slater DSC AM CSC Judge Colin P Davidson OAM RAN Commander Australian Fleet Commander Forces Command Mr David Davis Sir James Hardy Kt OBE Mr Bryan Smith Chairman Mr Bruce Gould Life Member Australia Day Regatta Sydney Ports Corporation Mr Steve Oom Mr Bill Hogan Commodore Mr Justus Veeneklaas Mr David Salter Sydney Amateur Sailing Club Life Member Australia Day Regatta Mr André van Stom

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For 100 years CBA has played an integral role in the lives of Australians and the growth of our proud nation, which is why Commonwealth Private is once again proud to be the principal sponsor of the Australia Day Regatta. There is no better way to celebrate what it means to be an Australian than sailing through the waters of our majestic and panoramic Sydney Harbour. Having recently been acknowledged as a leader in our industry for the third year running, we appreciate the hard work and dedication that’s required to make the Australia Day Regatta, the world’s oldest, continuous annual sailing event a success. At Commonwealth Private we share this passion to achieve and we look forward to celebrating what it means to be Australian. On behalf of Commonwealth Private, I wish you and your families a most enjoyable Australia Day.

Adrian Hondros Executive General Manager Commonwealth Private

5 The clubs that have helped make it possible

The RSYS hardstand facility Sydney Flying Squadron Historical Skiffs

Over its 176-year history, three Sydney sailing clubs have played a large role in the running and continuing good health of the Australia Day Regatta. Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron Sydney’s most famous yachting club will celebrate its sesqui- centenary in 2012. It commands an impressive foreshore site at Wudyong Point on the eastern side of Kirribilli, with majestic views across the Harbour. Its huge flagstaff (salvaged from the collier Bellambi), crossed-whalebone arch (originally from a whaling station at Twofold Bay), and ceremonial cannon are familiar landmarks to all Sydney sailors. The RSYS was founded when nineteen yachtsmen met in the office of The Hon William Walker MLC on 8 July 1862. A year later the Commodore received a letter from the Colonial Secretary’s Office notifying him of the Prince of Wales’ willingness to become Patron, and issuing an Admiralty Warrant authorising the use of the of Her Majesty’s Fleet. The Squadron achieved international recognition as the challenging club for Australia’s first attempt to win the America’s Cup in 1962. Today, more than 100 yachts race in its regattas and championships in a host of divisions including one-design fleets of , Dragons, and Ynglings. The club site, first occupied in January 1903, now boasts splendid facilities ranging from a restaurant, bars, bistro and wine cellar to the expansive pontoon and hard-stand. Membership of the RSYS includes reciprocal hospitality privileges at some of the world’s most celebrated yacht clubs. Annual activities include the popular “Squadron Cruise” in April and the prestigious Hardy Cup match-racing series for under-25 sailors.

The RSYS clubhouse and flagstaff

6 Sydney Flying Squadron Clubhouse at Milsons Point The SASC was founded in 1872 and its clubhouse is located on the shores of Mosman Bay

Sydney Flying Squadron Sydney Amateur Sailing Club The Sydney Flying Squadron – the oldest open boat “The Amateurs”, as it is fondly known, has officially existed sailing club in Australia – nestles on the shore at the end of since 1872, but the men whose colonial spirit formed it had Careening Cove at Milson’s Point on the north side of Sydney already been sailing together (and against each other) for years. Harbour. The formation of the club was a response to the It began with just four boats and twelve members. 140 years growing popularity of racing in the 6, 12, 14 and 18-foot later the register lists 210 boats and there are around 400 classes. A meeting in a Sydney hotel members. The club’s oldest active sailor, Bill ‘Southerly’ Gale, in 1891 established racing rules Mark Foy has raced with the club for more than 60 years. The first SASC that included handicap starts club-house and boatshed was completed in 1883, built on a and the freedom for each boat plot of land granted to the club at Bennelong Point, facing to carry a coloured identifying Circular Quay. In 1962 the club settled at its current site at emblem on their . The Mosman Bay with the priceless advantages of good deep original “prime mover” of the water right outside the back door, and plentiful mooring space. Squadron was successful True to its name, the underlying spirit of “The Amateurs” is local businessman and determinedly Corinthian and boats are not permitted to carry sporting enthusiast Mark sponsorship or advertising of any kind. The club has endured Foy, himself a keen sailor. so successfully because it harbours no great ambitions to But much to the outrage of expand its assets, services or racing program. By inclination, SFS members, their boats it is a club for wholesome yachts in the 30-40 foot range, were then banned from with a particular emphasis on the traditional principles of the 1892 National Regatta seaworthiness and an eye-pleasing design. This fondness because they carried emblems “that for classic yachts and the history of the sport underpins encouraged gambling and spoiled the look of the white the continued support for the Australia Day Regatta by that adorn Sydney Harbour”. Mark Foy was determined to the SASC and its members. fight the ban and organised a successful opposition regatta financed by advertising, and for which he personally donated the entire prize money. Many of the SFS skiffs were crewed by first grade rugby players who played football during the winter then turned to sailing at the end of the season. The club still embodies its original egalitarian spirit to encourage sailing as a pastime to be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of their financial or social background.

7 Perpetual Trophy & Medallion Winners

Perpetual Trophies and Medallions won in the 175th Australia Day Regatta held on Sydney Harbour on 26 January 2010 and at satellite Australia Day Regattas on other waterways in New South Wales were presented at the Sydney Town Hall, where winners were guests of the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Councillor Clover Moore.

Classic Yacht Trophy Race RSYS conducted regatta: Arcturus II, Peter Davenport Antares, Robert Keesen and Dennis Wood Hood Sailmakers Senior Shield (1996) City of Sydney Sesquicentenary Ocean Race Trophy Line honours in the Senior Sabot (1-up) Div at the Sabot Regatta: Handicap winner on PHS CYCA: Great Xpectations, Rod Wills Slippery Little Sucker, Matthew Lang City of Sydney Lord Mayor’s Cup Northam Family Trophy (1998) Line honours modern fleet: Line honours 2UP Div Junior Sabot at the Sabot Regatta: Thurlow Fisher Lawyers, Michael Coxon Little Demon, Sang Jin Goodridge & Sam Davis TNT Trophy Australia Day Council Youth Sailors Trophy (1999) 1st on handicap Historical Skiff Fleet: Tangalooma, Peter Le Grove Handicap winner in the largest fleet of a junior class: Victor Everson Trophy The Fox, Lachlan Kesting (Yarra Bay Sailing Club) Scratch winner in the historical 18ft skiff: Australia IV, Eric Priestly Australia Day Regatta Centenary of Federation Trophy (2001) Australia Day Council Trophy Handicap winner Gaff Div SASC members: 1st on handicap, Ranger division/traditional: Reverie, Nigel Berlyn & John Barclay Antares, Robert Keesen & Dennis Wood Geoff Lee Ocean Race Trophy Trophy Line Honours CYCA Ocean Race: Brindabella, Jim Cooney 1st on handicap, Catalina Yachts Division: Mio Dio, Michael Cole Davidson Family Trophy RANSA Trophy 1st on handicap Div 2 RSYS: Balmain Tiger, Neil Hamilton & Brian Wood 1st on handicap Division 3, RSYS: Gingerbread Man, Doug Russell Bass and Flinders Trophy Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron Trophy Fastest Yardstick time of all and in Botany Bay: 1st on scratch (subsequently awarded to largest fleet of one design Sea Change, Emily Junk yachts (1997)): Karma, Gary Wogas Doug Prosser Shield On behalf of all winners at Illawarra Yacht Club: Amy Snowden Switzerland Insurance Australia Day Challenge Cup 1st on handicap Division 1 RSYS: Barracuda, Greg Nelson Avalon Sailing Club Scratch Div: Vincent Van Go, Margot Mason Hunters Hill Council Trophy & Max Oughtred 1st on scratch in division with the greatest number of starters at Scratch Div: Sparta, Jim Colley & Tom Colley Hunters Hill: In Meliora Contende, James Burman Scratch Div: Inner Circle, Shane Conly Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club Trophy Scratch Standard Div: 148662, Martin Langden 1st on handicap in division having the greatest number of starters Scratch Div: 193018, Max Vos on Pittwater: Iluka, Neil Mattes Scratch Open Dinghy Div: B Sting, Josie Roper & Daniel Watson The Sydney Australia Day Regatta Sponsors Cup Scratch Wooden Boat Div: Wyargine, Malcolm Bradford (HC Dangar Memorial Cup). The handicap winner of the division Handicap Wooden Boat Div: Cariad, Mick Morris having the greatest number of starters in a keel yacht. Scratch Open Yacht Div: Sequel, Michael Doherty

8 Botany Bay Yacht Club Handicap Sabot Div: Predator, Gilbert Handicap Endeavour Div: Wundurra, Brian Christenson Handicap Ns14 Div: Pleasure and Pain, Scott Hamilton Handicap Open Div 1: Manic, Luke Booth Illawarra Yacht Club Handicap Open Div 2: Wasabi, Stephen Mclennan Scratch Trailer Yacht Div: , Bob Bower Handicap Councillors’ Challenge Cup: Point, Peter Bennett Scratch Sailboard Div: Lechner, Glen Morrell Cruising Yacht Club Of Australia Scratch Access Dinghies: Iyc Tubby, Len Snowdon & Amy Snowdon Handicap Short Ocean Pointscore Phs Div 1: Lithium, Brett Haywood Scratch Open Monohull Div: Bitter ‘n Twisted, Bill Jouncey Handicap Short Ocean Pointscore Phs Div 3: Alpha Carinae, Kurnell Catamaran Club Damian Barker Scratch Div 1: Digital Tour Guide, Glenn Billington Handicap Short Ocean Pointscore Irc Div 1: Lisdillon, Desmond Fagan Handicap Div 2: Taipanic, Peter Backhouse Handicap Ocean Pointscore Irc Div: About Time, Julian Farren-Price Handicap Div 3: Dance Club, Julian Jenkins Dobroyd Aquatic Club Handicap Cruising Div: Duke, Chris Wilkins Handicap Team Red in the Team Relay Sprint: Wings, Thomas Koch; Manly Yacht Club Party Hard, Narelle O’Donnell; Enola Gay, Richard Stewart; Relentless, Scratch Access 303 Fleet: Jade, Judy Cole &Tony Jones Matthew Doyle NSW Radio Yachting Association Handicap Sailboard Division: Sailboard, Steve Mckay Ec12 Division: Ec12, Colin Durran Gosford Sailing Club One Metre Div: Soling One Metre, Greg Young Handicap Sabot Junior Div: Frogstomp, Hayden Hansen & Anika Hansen Ten Rater Div: Ten Rater, Frank Russell Handicap Sabot Senior Div: Hornet, Tom Stivano International One Meter Div: International One Metre, Selwyn Holland Handicap in the Div: Chillin’, Pat Menner & Eliza Hansen A Class Div: A Class, Patrick O’Brien Handicap Laser Div: Out The Blow, Chris Meech Marblehead Div: Marblehead, Phillip Page Handicap Ts 16 Fleet: Woodpecker, Woody Haley Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron Handicap Etchells Fleet: Battery Allsorts, Neil Mcdonald Handicap Non Spinnaker Div 2: Dreamtime, Handicap Yachts D1 Div: Bluechip, Geoff Dilworth Lindsay Brown & Jim Littlefield Handicap Yachts D2 Div: Matilda, Robert Trayner Handicap Yachts Spinnaker Div: Last Roundup, Michael Bunce St George Sailing Club Handicap Div: Passing Wind, Bruce Cooper Greenwich Flying Squadron Handicap Div 1: Ellen, Peter Davies Wangi Amateur Sailing Club Handicap Div 2: Chloe, Will Northam Handicap Div 1: Mad Max, Max Kelly Handicap Etchells Div: Chloe, Will Northam Handicap Div 2: A’rock’n, Chris Pollack Handicap Div 3 Non-Spinnaker: Ocean Fire, Ron Graham Handicap Div 3: The Saints, Bruce Hillard Handicap Div 4 Multihull: Dog Watch, Ken Davies Handicap Div 4: Shemozzel, John Hayward Handicap OK Dinghy Division: Bever Fever, Jake O’Donnell Handicap Div 5: Gaelforce, Patrick Houlihan Handicap Div T2: Soundtrack, James Amos Yarra Bay 16 Foot Skiff Sailing Club Scratch Junior Sabot Div Flying High, Olivia Petersen Hunters Hill Sailing Club Scratch Monohull Div: Shackles, Paul Krekelberg Handicap Laser Div: Billy, Kevin Burman Handicap Flying Eleven and Div: Nothing to Lose, Australian 18 Footer Sailing League Finn Alexander & Charlie Gundy Handicap Modern 18 Footer: Appliances.Com.Au, Jeremy Wilmot

9 Host Clubs on Australia Day 2012

Many yacht and sailing clubs contribute to the success of the Australia Day Regatta, not only in conducting the traditional regatta on Sydney Harbour but in organising and conducting regattas to mark Australia Day on other waterways in New South Wales, from Lake Macquarie in the north to Lake Illawarra in the south and inland to the Chipping Norton Lakes. Local civic and municipal authorities also support these regattas and the Australia Day Regatta Inc is appreciative of their contribution to the success of these events. Host club mailing addresses: Australian 18ft Sailing League Kurnell Catamaran Club PO Box 42 Double Bay NSW 2028 PO Box 255 Caringbah NSW 2229 Avalon Sailing Club Manly Yacht Club PO Box 59 Avalon Beach NSW 2107 PO Box 22 Manly NSW 1655 Botany Bay Yacht Club NSW Radio Yacht Association 44 Endeavour St San Souci NSW 2219 1/582 Old South Head Road Rose Bay NSW 2029 Chipping Norton Lakes Sailing Club Parramatta River Yacht Club PO Box 358 Moorebank NSW 1875 PO Box 227 Gladesville NSW 2111 Cruising Yacht Club of Australia Royal Motor Yacht Club Broken Bay New Beach Road Darling Point NSW 2017 PO Box 78 Newport NSW 2106 Greenwich Flying Squadron Sydney Amateur Sailing Club PO Box 5092 Greenwich NSW 2065 1 Green Street Cremorne NSW 2090 Greenwich Sailing Club St George Sailing Club PO Box 5110 Greenwich NSW 2065 22 Riverside Drive Sans Souci 2219 Gosford Sailing Club Wangi RSL Amateur Sailing Club PO Box 187 Gosford NSW 2250 PO Box 100 Wangi Wangi 2267 Hunters Hill Sailing Club Woollahra Sailing Club PO Box 11 Hunters Hill NSW 2110 Vickery Ave Rose Bay NSW 2029 Illawarra Yacht Club Yarra Bay 16ft Sailing Club PO Box 148 Warrawong NSW 2505 PO Box 198 Matraville NSW 2036 The Flagship – HMAS sydney

Five ships of the (RAN) have been, or will She can counter simultaneous threats from the air, sea surface be, named HMAS Sydney, for Sydney, the capital city of New and under water. South Wales and birthplace of the nation. Sydney has been deployed to the Middle East four times. • HMAS Sydney (1912), a Chatham-class light cruiser On the first occasion she took part in Operation Desert Storm, launched in 1912, decommissioned in 1928, and broken the action against Iraq during the 1991 Gulf War, for which she up for scrap earned a Meritorious Unit Citation. She later supported UN • HMAS Sydney (D48), a Modified Leander-class light sanctions against Iraq in 1991/92 and 1993. Sydney was also cruiser launched in 1934, and sunk following an deployed to East Timor in support of INTERFET in 1999 and in engagement with the German auxiliary cruiser Kormoran 2000, and supported the efforts to bring peace to the Solomon on 19 November 1941. Islands. Her fourth deployment to the Middle East was during the height of the Iraq War in 2003 in support of allied forces. • HMAS Sydney (R17), a Majestic-class light aircraft carrier launched in 1944, decommissioned in 1973, and broken She is the fourth ship to carry the name Sydney and she is the up for scrap proud inheritor of eight “battle honours”, more than any other RAN unit. Notable actions of former ships include the sinking • HMAS Sydney (FFG 03), an -class guided missile of the German light cruiser SMS Emden by Sydney (I) in World frigate launched in 1980, expected to remain in service War I. During World War II, Sydney (II) sank the Italian light until 2013 cruiser Bartolomeo Colleoni, damaged another and shared • HMAS Sydney (DDGH 42), the third of Australia’s Hobart- in the destruction of an Italian destroyer. class guided-missile destroyers is scheduled to enter On 19 November 1941, Sydney (II) was lost with all hands in service in 2017 battle against the German Raider Kormoran, which was also The current HMAS Sydney, flagship of the 2012 Australia sunk. This loss of 645 sailors represented over a third of the Day Regatta, is one of four guided missile frigates currently in RAN’s casualties during WWII. The wreck was rediscovered service with the Royal Australian Navy. She has recently been in 2008. Sydney (III), a light carrier, operated with distinction extensively upgraded. Sydney is a long-range escort with the in the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. ability to provide area air defence, anti-submarine and anti- shipping warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance and interdiction.

HMAS Sydney

11 175th Australia Day regatta 2011

12 13 The view from the starter’s boat

An expanded fleet for the 2011 Regatta presented the race management team with some unique challenges Race Officer: Charles Maclurcan (timer) Flags: Andre Van Stom Recorders: David Davis, André Van Stom, Kevin Dixon Maggie Stewart As part of the initiative to boost entry numbers for the 175th Regatta, the Committee decided to encourage greater participation by classic yachts. Knowing that the skippers of these historic craft prefer to avoid the rough-and-tumble of scratch starts, the fleet was offered the more sedate option of a handicap start. The start boat team would therefore be required to first conduct races for all the usual Divisions and then commence a 30-minute starting sequence for the classic entrants, using “countdown” numeral boards. This whole the surface. One anchor and line lost! Dismayed but unbowed, process would take more than an hour to complete. we reset the pin mark. But there was a problem: where to source the numbers? The The extended start and finish program was completed without Sydney Amateur Sailing Club was the only club known to use error. Courses for the faster craft had been lengthened slightly this form of visual display for timed starts. Thus, a dedicated and this ensured that we were not confronted with having to group met at the SASC at 0900 on Regatta Day and trundled deal with finishers prior to completing the start process. With the club starter’s boat Captain Amora over to the Royal Sydney the results safely recorded we returned to the RSYS where Yacht Squadron pontoon. There they unscrewed the number the numeral boards were placed back on the SASC start boat boards from the cabin top of Captain Amora and placed them and the team motored back to the SASC to join a terrific party in the cockpit of Gitana. When all was in place Gitana set out celebrating the participation of so many fine yachts. for the start area, to be confronted with a sea fog and light My thanks to everyone who helped make a complex and conditions. After selecting just the right spot, they placed the lengthy process run like clockwork. pin mark in the water – and within a minute a motor vessel had roared over the mooring line which was yet to settle below Charles Maclurcan The VJ: eighty years young

One unique little Australian sailing dinghy has been a galvanised iron-lined cockpits to make them as waterproof as participant for almost half of the Regatta’s 175-year possible and carried a small hand-plunger pump. Vaucluse history Juniors were originally built from solid timber – usually Red Small boat racing was already booming on Sydney Harbour a Pacific Maple and Oregon – but from 1935 the stronger and century ago but the various skiff classes of the day were open lighter marine plywood was used. It was suggested that the shells with no restriction on sail area. They were difficult to sail, centreboard be made from 22 gauge galvanised iron or 3/16 had no inbuilt buoyancy and were unsuitable for children. The inch mild steel plate. Later, a more durable alloy, duralium, best any keen youngster could hope for was to pick up the became the popular material for “fins”. In the early days elements of sailing while toiling as the “bailer boy” in the bilges fencing wire was often used for the stays. of a skiff. The secret to the popularity of the class is that it packs That would all be changed by a talented young naval architect everything required to teach a youngster the essential elements named Charles E. Sparrow. Sparrow was born in England in of sailing into a cheap, exciting package. Just 11 feet 6 inches 1906. When his father retired from the Royal Navy, he joined long (plus bowsprit), the VJ carries a hefty mainsail, small the RAN and ended up in Sydney on the training ship Tingira. and spinnaker. Like all true centreboard craft it is inherently His young son Charles finished overpowered and unstable. To keep them upright the early school in Sydney, undertook boats carried one “hiking plank” for the for’d hand, but from an apprenticeship as a the 1960s most skippers also sailed on a plank. shipwright at the Cockatoo The long boom makes gybing a VJ in anything above modest Island Dockyard and went on breezes something of a challenge and beginners endure to become a draughtsman repeated capsizes until they master the difficult manoeuvre. and later a naval architect. In that way the VJ continues to fulfil its original purpose of One of Sparrow’s sailing teaching young sailors effective boat-handling skills. America’s friends was Sydney gun Cup hero John Bertrand learned to sail on one of these dealer Sil Rohu, who unforgiving little boats and says “if you can sail a VJ, you can lived on the waterfront at sail anything”. Kay Cottee and Bob Miller () both Vaucluse and had founded graduated from the VJ ranks and many of today’s best-known a local sailing club for under sailors began their sailing careers on Vaucluse Juniors with 18-year-olds. He asked dashing names like Rebel, Stampede and Dynamite. Sparrow to design a boat In 2000, Charles Sparrow was awarded an Order of Australia which could be built by for his services to sailing. For 70 years he’d been a member Charles Sparrow, designer of the VJ, a boy and his father and of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects and a long-time with the Powerhouse Museum’s VJ was easy to sail. In just member of the Sydney Heritage Fleet. He was a life member during a visit on 16 June 1982. seven days Sparrow of the VJ Association and donated a perpetual trophy, prepared drawings for a simple V-bottom boat, with a cockpit which bears his name, for the overall handicap winner at the large enough for two boys’ feet. Australian Championships. He died in 2004 at Wyoming on The first prototype constructed from those plans was The the Central Coast of NSW, at the age of almost 98. Splinter, built by members of the Vaucluse Amateur Sailing With grateful acknowledgment for research materials gathered Club. After minor adjustments, final plans were prepared and by the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney. ready for sale at 10 shillings and 6 pence. The first production boat, Chum, was launched in August 1931 and the new class was named the Vaucluse Junior, or VJ. Sparrow donated all proceeds of his plans, the list of required materials and building instructions to the Vaucluse Junior Sailing Club. It didn’t take long for the new class to catch on. The first VJ fleet race was held on Sydney Harbour in 1933 and the design rapidly became a great success. By the mid-1950s the VJ was the most popular class of small sailing boat in Australia. Maritime historian, Graeme Andrews, says the VJ “changed the sailing scene in Australia. It was the first ‘unsinkable’ and inexpensive sailing skiff and taught generations of sailors their trade.” It was ideally suited for teenagers and novices because it was simple to right after capsizing, handled well, and was fast-sailing. Charles Sparrow’s simple design went on to be used around the world and an estimated 10,000 VJs have been built. The early VJs were constructed for an all-up cost of around VJ sailing from TASC an £10 – , rig, fastenings and sails. They had oiled canvas or amateur club on Lake Macquarie,

15 16 Sir James Hardy Kt OBE

Classic yacht Nerida

The occasion of Sir James Hardy’s retirement after eight years as President of the Australia Day Regatta Management Committee is an opportunity to review his remarkable life and career. Most people, especially those within the watersports fraternity, believe Sir James Hardy was awarded his knighthood in 1981 for services to sailing. They’d only be partly right. At least half of that honour came in recognition of his 25 years of tireless charity work as a committee member and Vice President of the Royal Blind Society. Like a great classic yacht, much of what gives Sir James his unique strength and stability lies below the waterline, and is largely unseen. Few know, for example, that James Gilbert Hardy grew up without a father. Just before his sixth birthday he was confronted by a tragedy that would scar most of us for life. His father Tom, patriarch of the family-owned Hardy Wine Company, was killed in a plane crash with two other leaders observer, coach and a director of the South Australian wine business while flying to Canberra of Alan Bond’s Australia II campaign, he had the deep to meet government officials. satisfaction of being a senior member of the team that brought Another little-known aspect of Jim’s early life is that during his America’s 132-year winning streak to an end. It was the fitting teenage years he was better known for his achievements in culmination to 22 years of single-minded America’s Cup effort. sports other than sailing. At the prestigious St Peter’s College Somehow, amongst all this international activity, Hardy in Adelaide he made the Firsts in Australian Rules Football also campaigned two well-performed offshore racing (“most improved player” of 1950), and rowed with the elite yachts, Nyamba and Police Car. Often, while enduring the Eight of the senior rowing team. The school magazine noted uncomfortable bunks of a modern ocean-racer, he’d quip that that Hardy was “too tense between strokes” but used his legs the conditions below in rough weather were most probably well. A busted knee at an interstate carnival later ended his worse than those his great-great-grandfather experienced as football career. he first sailed to from Devonshire in 1850. But it was sailing that soon dominated young Jim’s spare time. Yet another aspect of Jim’s influence on sailing in Australia In the garage of the Hardy family home perched above the has been his lifelong love of classic yachts. In 1970 he rescued ocean at Seacliff he built Dinghies and then Heavyweight Nerida, the 45-foot family yacht built for his father in 1933. Sharpies which he raced with increasing success. During this The restored elegant Mylne design – a jackyard tops’l gaff period he gained his Leaving Certificate and survived national cutter – soon established herself as one of the grand old service. But a stint as a share farmer on the ladies of Sydney Harbour and still turns heads whenever she didn’t go so well and by 1953 he’d joined the family firm and sets sail. To encourage talented young helmsmen Jim also was studying for his accountancy qualifications. established the Hardy Cup match-racing series, hosted by A posting to the Hardy’s Wines office in Sydney in 1962 the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron. broadened Jim’s sailing horizons and he was soon peripherally Control of the Hardy Wine Company has now passed from involved in the Gretel campaign – Australia’s first challenge for the family’s hands, but Sir James continues an association with the America’s Cup. The unique challenges of international 12 the brand, especially through the champagne that carries his metre yacht racing would come to dominate Hardy’s sporting name. A tireless supporter of the Australian wine industry, he life. Meanwhile, he returned to his home waters off the Brighton leads by example when it comes to enjoying the product. To and Seacliff Sailing Club to win the world 505 dinghy champion- those amazed by his capacity to consume wine without the ships – defeating legendary four-time Olympic gold medalist usual painful consequences he explains, “In our industry you Paul Elvstrom in the process. never get too much to drink – you only get ‘industrial fatigue’ ”. Hardy was now a director of the family company and had to fit What strikes anyone who has had the pleasure of spending his sailing activities within his business commitments. Never- some time with Sir James is the extraordinary knack he has theless, during the next few years, Jim was twice a member of putting people at their ease. He’s “Jim” to his family and of the Australian Olympic yachting team and three times friends, “Gilbert” to his sailing mates and “Sir James” usually Australia’s helmsman in our challenges for the America’s Cup. no more than once to anyone he meets. It’s a skill often At the same time he had established himself as one of the attributed to the true “gentleman” – that ability to talk with world’s leading ocean racing skippers and was a member of commoners and kings and treat them all with equal interest three Admiral’s Cup campaigns. In 1979 Jim was helmsman and respect. And often, in response to that observation, he of Impetuous during the tragic Fastnet Race – a near-death offers this tongue-in-cheek reply: “Well, they reckon every experience he credits with erasing the decade of remorse and family should be able to afford at least one gentleman”. melancholy he’d felt after Gretel II lost the 1970 America’s Cup At the Annual General Meeting of the Australia Day Regatta series to Intrepid. in June, Sir James was appointed a Life Member. Accepting But it would be another 13 years before Hardy finally squared the honour, he said that he would also be pleased to continue the ledger at Newport. As back-up helmsman, tactical adviser, serving as the South Australian representative.

17 18 A message from Tasmania

Last year’s regatta was a significant historical milestone, River Derwent at Hobart, but our friends in Van Diemen’s Land aren’t far behind. across the river at Bellerive The Australia Day 175th Anniversary Regatta celebrations in and also at small towns 2011 extended to Hobart, the nation’s second oldest port city, down the D’Entrecasteaux where medallions were presented to the winning yachts in Channel and on the Huon the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania’s Green Island Race and to River where water traffic winners of the dinghy and sailboard classes at the Australia was the major means Day Sandy Bay Regatta on the River Derwent. of transport and boat building flourished. The 2012 Royal Hobart Regatta will include sailing, rowing, open water swimming, speed boat and jet ski racing on the The Hobart Town Regatta, Derwent. Ashore, there will be an inter-services tug of war, as it was originally called, wood chopping, a Miss Regatta competition, as well as the was first held when the traditional sideshow alley with its amusements, challenges then Governor of the and show rides. colony of Van Diemen’s, May Queen Sir John Franklin, declared While Sydney’s Australia Day Regatta is the oldest continuously Monday, 1 December 1838 conducted regatta in Australia – and, indeed, the world – the a public holiday for the regatta and provided free food and Royal Hobart Regatta will also celebrate its 175th anniversary beer for all of the spectators (and, we assume, for the in early February 2012. The Regatta is also the oldest organised competitors). sporting event in Tasmania, first held when the colony was still called Van Diemen’s Land. Regatta Day in Hobart is marked Sir John and Lady Franklin, accompanied by local dignitaries, with a public holiday, said to be the oldest government and the band of the 21st Fusiliers, were also on the water gazetted holiday in Australia. aboard the Government barge to view the competition between yachts, whaleboats, light rowing boats and skiffs. The Royal Hobart and Sandy Bay Regattas differ markedly from Sydney’s Australia Day Regatta in that traditionally they Entry was free to the Regatta Ground at the Queen’s Domain, have been a combination of aquatic events and events for a ten minute walk from the centre of Hobart Town. (An attempt the public at large along the foreshores, including a sideshow in 1884 to enclose the onshore activities and charge an alley, wood chopping contests and beauty parades. A former admission fee saw an enraged public tear down the fence. Miss Australia won her first beauty contest at the Sandy Bay Free entry was restored – and it’s a tradition that continues Regatta. There is even a large grandstand for the pubic to today.) watch the rowing, swimming, motor boat and sailing races. One of the features of the Royal Hobart Regatta and other Southern Tasmania, in particular, has a remarkable record of regattas on the Derwent, the D’Entrecasteaux Channel and regattas stretching back to the early and mid-1800s on the the Huon River from the 1880s through to the early post-WWII years were the races for the trading craft which brought fruit, farm produce, livestock and timber from many southern townships to Hobart. Best known of these magnificent trading ketches were the May Queen, Huon Chief, Lenna, Surprise and Speedwell. They made a grand sight as they raced under full canvas, including main and mizzen topsails. These boats, locally known as barges, were strongly-built centreboard ketches, flat-bottomed to allow loading alongside or even aground as they took on cargo from riverside timber yards and farms down the Channel and up the Huon River. They had a small engine for travelling up the rivers and for berthing, but relied on sail for their long passages The May Queen was the most successful trading ketch in the history of the Royal Hobart Regatta. Between her first win in 1868 and her last race in 1951 she won the Regatta event 13 times, placed second nine times and third three times. Now aged 145, and thanks to a dedicated band of volunteers and supporters, she is still afloat in Hobart’s Constitution Dock Gretel II in hot pursuit of smaller yachts as an example of Tasmania’s maritime history. after a conservative start to the green Island Race – Peter Campbell Peter Campbell ©

19 “The Day We Celebrate”

The Australia Day Regatta has been held every year, come rain entertainment. While paying visitors promenaded on deck, or shine, during war and peace, since 26 January 1837. It is honoured guests attended celebratory luncheons hosted by the oldest continuously-conducted annual sailing regatta in the Regatta Committees. NSW Premier Sir Henry Parkes was the world, and one of the most enduring traditions of modern a regular guest, as were Prime Ministers Billy Hughes and Australian history. It began when a band of local gentlemen Joseph Lyons. During the 1868 royal tour HRH. Prince Alfred resolved to celebrate the anniversary of Captain Phillip’s first was the guest of honour and in 1900 Australia’s first Prime landing at Sydney Cove. From all accounts most of Sydney Minister, Edmund Barton and all the State Premiers attended turned out to watch the inaugural Regatta, which featured the luncheon. The principal toast at these functions for more two sailing races and three rowing matches – and a flagship than one hundred years has been to “The Day We Celebrate”. where the colony’s elite could wine and dine. By the 1840s the Regatta had attracted the patronage of the NSW Governor and The Sydney Morning Herald was promoting it as the premier event on Anniversary Day (as Australia Day was then called). Since then the Regattas have developed into widespread public celebrations featuring boat races on Sydney Harbour, watched by festive crowds on spectator craft or picnicking on vantage points around the harbour. During the Regatta’s 175-year history nearly every type of craft that has sailed or rowed on NSW waterways has also competed in the event. These include pleasure yachts, coastal trading vessels, fully-rigged whaleboats, two and four-oared gigs, watermen’s skiffs, outrigger canoes, motor launches, speed boats and all classes of open sailing boats. After the RAN was formed in 1911 races for service cutters and whalers became regular fixtures and during the interwar period the Regatta program included races for model yachts. Up until the 1950s the Regatta committee sold highly prized entry tickets to the flagships, which offered the best views of the races and often featured a dance band as part of the

Supporters of the 176th Australia Day Regatta The 176th Australia Day Regatta Management Committee A major contributor to the management of the Regatta is wishes to express its sincere thanks to all who will have again the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, assisted this year contributed to the success of the 2012 Australia Day Regatta – by the Sydney Amateur Sailing Club. the sponsors and supporters, the yacht and sailing clubs A special thanks, as always, goes to the City of Sydney, the so actively involved, the volunteer race officers, but most of Lord Mayor Councillor Clove Moore and the Deputy Lord all those who will participate on Sydney Harbour and many Mayor Councillor Phillip Black who host the annual prizegiving other New South Wales waterways. for the Australia Day Regatta in our wonderful Sydney Town For the tenth year, the principal sponsor of the world’s oldest Hall. continuous sailing regatta is the nation’s great financial institution, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, through its Commonwealth Private. We thank the Bank, not only for The 176th Regatta Program its ongoing support, but also for its considerable help in the Honorary Editor: David Salter, ADR Management Committee publication of the official program for the 176th Australia Day Design: Jan Harper Art Studio Regatta. Printing: Blue Print We also acknowledge the supporters of this historic event, Australia Day Regatta Inc. especially the Royal Australian Navy, and, in particular, the PO Box 401, Belrose NSW 2085 captain and crew of HMAS Sydney, our Flagship for the 176th Phone: (02) 9452 4915 Australia Day Regatta. We also thank the Royal Australian Air Force, the Royal Australian Army and its Red Berets unit for Web site: www.australiadayregatta.com.au their spectacular air displays over Sydney Harbour. Email: [email protected]

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