176th australia day regatta 2012 Honouring the nation’s annual celebration of watersport: The Australia Day Regatta’s burgee flying proudly below the White Ensign 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 sailing and other recreational activities on Sydney 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 yachting, 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 Port Jackson. 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 White Ensign 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 Botany Bay 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, spinnaker and non-spinnaker divisions, and including boats 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 Centreboard 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 Catamaran Regatta – Kurnell Catamaran Club 1200-1600 Families Afloat Flotilla – St George Motor Boat Club 1200-1600 Centreboard Regatta – Yarra Bay Sailing Club Brisbane Waters, Gosford 1350-1600 Keelboat and Centreboard Regatta, including Sailpast – Gosford Sailing Club Hobart, Tasmania 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, Multihull 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 Hornet 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 mark 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 sail. 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 Australian Defence Force 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, yacht racing 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)