The Australia Day Regatta

336 Pages·2014·22.651 MB·English

by  Cheater, Christine;Debenham, Jennifer

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christine cheater and jennifer debenham are profes-
sional historians and have worked together on commis-
sioned histories, heritage reports, historic site and museum
interpretations, and oral history interviews. Christine
Cheater comes from a family of sailors with long associa-
tions with Drummoyne and Gosford Sailing Clubs. She has
a PhD in history from the University of New South Wales,
has lectured in Australian and colonial history, written
numerous commissioned histories, including A Grand Sport:
Gosford Sailing Club (1932–2002), and is currently an associate
researcher at the University of Tasmania. Jennifer Debenham
is a doctoral candidate at the University of Newcastle where
she teaches Australian History.
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christine cheater & jennifer debenham
2 The Australia Day Regatta
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theAustrAliA
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regAttA
christine cheater & jennifer debenham
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A UNSW Press book
Published by
NewSouth Publishing
University of New South Wales Press Ltd
University of New South Wales
Sydney NSW 2052
AUSTRALIA
newsouthpublishing.com
© Australia Day Regatta Inc. 2014
First published 2014
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
This book is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private
study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act, no
part of this book may be reproduced by any process without written permission.
Inquiries should be addressed to the publisher.
National Library of Australia
Cataloguing-in-Publication entry
Author: Cheater, Christine, author.
Title: The Australia Day Regatta / Christine Cheater and Jennifer Debenham.
ISBN: 9781742234021 (paperback)
9781742246727 (ePDF)
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Subjects: Australia Day Regatta – History.
Regattas – New South Wales – Sydney Harbour – History.
Boats and boating – New South Wales – Sydney Harbour.
Yacht racing – New South Wales – Sydney Harbour.
Other Authors/Contributors: Debenham, Jennifer, author.
Dewey Number: 797.14099441
Design Di Quick
Cover images The 175th Australia Day Regatta on Sydney Harbour, 2011.
Photograph by John Jeremy.
Printer Everbest, China
All reasonable efforts were taken to obtain permission to use copyright
material reproduced in this book, but in some cases copyright could not be
traced. The authors welcome information in this regard.
This book is printed on paper using fibre supplied from plantation or sustainably
managed forests.
This work has been assisted by funds allocated
to the Royal Australian Historical Society by
Communities of Arts NSW.
This project has been assisted by the Commonwealth Government through the
Distributed National Collection Program, the Department of the Environment,
Water, Heritage and the Arts and by the Australian National Maritime Museum.
Supported by the History Publication
Sponsorship Program, City of Sydney.
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Contents
Foreword by Marie R Bashir AC CVO, Governor of NSW 7
Introduction 9
1 A Maritime Nation (1788–1830s) 15
2 Patriotic Dinners and Anniversary Day Regattas (1830s) 31
3 A Band of Gentlemen (1838–1860s) 48
4 Sydney’s Maritime Playground (1841–1875) 66
5 The Grand Theatre of Attraction (1850s–1888) 85
6 A Sporting Nation (1890–1901) 108
7 A ‘Time-Honoured’ Tradition (1890s–1930s) 128
8 100 Regattas and Counting (1935–1948) 153
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9 The Royal Sydney Anniversary Regatta (1951–1971) 178
10 Tall Ships and Other Hazards (1970s–1990s) 200
11 The Australia Day Regatta (1990–2013) 220
Notes 253
Appendices 261
ABBReVIATIONS USeD IN APPeNDICeS 261
1 THe FlAGSHIPS 262
2 ReGATTA CHAIRMeN 282
3 lIFe MeMBeRS OF THe AUSTRAlIA DAy ReGATTA 283
4 SPONSORS 283
Picture Credits 287
Bibliography 289
Index 294
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Foreword
F
rom its beginnings in 1837, less than 50 years after the arrival of the First
Fleet, the Australia Day Regatta has been held on Sydney Harbour every
year without fail. It is therefore the oldest continually conducted annual sailing
regatta in the world. The original intention of the event – to celebrate the date of
the colony’s foundation by Governor Arthur Phillip in 1788 with a festive day of
nautical skills – has also been preserved throughout the intervening 177 years.
However, the Australia Day Regatta (previously known as the ‘Anniversary
Day Regatta’) is much more than an annual aquatic competition. Throughout
its long history the regatta has reflected the evolving character of Australia itself,
while also celebrating its early maritime history.
At first, during the colonial era, the focus was on our allegiance to Britain
and the Crown. This served to cement a connection with vice-regal patronage
and Australia’s defence forces which continues to this day.
Then, as the first stirrings of nationalism emerged, the regatta and the prom-
inent men responsible for this historic event came to reflect upon the competing
passions of that era. Despite its already long association with British authority
and institutions, the advent of Federation in 1901 finally saw the event transform
itself into a celebration of nationhood. Two World Wars then helped reinforce
7
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that aspect of the regatta’s unique character and prompted notable displays of
patriotic fervour.
At a more personal level, the event’s history has paralleled significant shifts
in our attitudes to social issues over the past 177 years. The class divisions of
the colonial past were confirmed by the determination of the rich, privileged
and socially ambitious for a place on the regatta flagship, and the opportunity
to associate with the perceived New South Wales elite. Meanwhile, the general
public watched the sailing and rowing races from ferries and vantage points
around Sydney Harbour while drinking, eating and dancing in a casual, festive
spirit that endures to this day.
There were similar social contrasts between the ‘gentlemen amateur’ contes-
tants, who resented any taint of professionalism in sport, and the professional
sailors and boatmen who relished the opportunity to display their prowess – and
to win the handsome cash prizes. Thankfully, those differences were resolved and
sporting fellowship returned to the waters of Sydney Harbour.
But smooth sailing did not always prevail. At various times the regatta almost
expired through public apathy or neglect by the media and those responsible for
championing the event. It was only through the quiet, diligent and tireless work
of the ‘band of gentlemen’ who comprised the organising committee that the
event survived.
In many ways, the story of the Australia Day Regatta is, in microcosm, the
story of Australia itself. From its rough-and-ready origins the regatta has grown
into a vibrant, sophisticated celebration of ‘our natal day’ and the glories of our
maritime past.
long may it continue to do so.
Professor Marie R Bashir AC CVO
Governor of New South Wales
8 The Australia Day Regatta
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Introduction
e
very year on Australia Day, hundreds of sailing craft of all sizes take to the
waters of Sydney Harbour to celebrate a tradition that has been taking place
for over 175 years. Today known as the Australia Day Regatta, this spectacle was
first held on 26 January 1837 when a small band of gentlemen decided to cele-
brate Captain Phillip’s landing in Sydney Cove by ‘getting up’ an Anniversary Day
Regatta. Since then it has been held in some form or other every year. Over the
ensuing 177 years the regatta has survived challenges from competing factions
within Sydney’s boating community, two compulsory public mourning periods
following the deaths of Queen Victoria and King George V, two World Wars,
extreme weather conditions and widespread public indifference towards it and
Australia Day celebrations during the 1970s and ’80s. Despite all that, it remains
one of the longest continuing traditions in modern Australian history.
Behind this feat have been many bands of volunteers determined to keep
alive the practice of commemorating ‘Australia’s natal day’ by organising a
regatta. every year they have met to plan a public spectacle that has consisted
of an ever-changing variety of boat races, a flagship that offers the best views
9
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The start of Division 1 in the
177th Australia Day Regatta on
26 January 2013.
10 The Australia Day Regatta
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