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Balmain Regatta Prince of Wale's Birthday 1895
Balmain Regatta Prince of Wale's Birthday 1895

Balmain Regatta Prince of Wale's Birthday 1895

Date1895
Object number00045175
NameProgram
MediumPaper
DimensionsOverall: 135 x 110 mm, 16.06 g
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Michael Cross
DescriptionThis program was produced for the Balmain Regatta's Prince of Wales Birthday event held on 9 November 1895. On the committee was the boat builder William H Golding who played an active role in boatbuilding and competitive sailing in Sydney. Regattas offered a social and sporting event for 19th century society.HistoryRegattas were central to competitive boating in the 19th century and functioned as a social and sporting event, often marking official anniversaries in a public aquatic spectacle. Civic leaders, politicians and merchants offered patronage and sponsorship and their attendance at the races generated great public interest. The regatta was a way to celebrate and pay homage to the British Empire and often it was used to commemorate the birthday of a monarch. The Prince of Wales birthday being a key event that often featured in the event. Regattas became not just a recreational pastime for Australians but a routine part of public ceremonies. Community regattas often featured several races, including rowing, sculling and sailing events usually for professional watermen and amateurs. While many spectators had only a superficial interest in competitive racing the regattas offered them a social day out. The first Balmain Regatta was held in 1849 and continued running until it was stopped in 1934. It was started again in 1994 by the Wooden Boat Association and the Balmain Sailing Club who began participating again in 1995. William H Golding was a Balmain, Sydney based boat builder and designer active from the 1880s to the 1920s. He constructed yachts and skiffs including ITONIA, FLORRIE, MISCHIEF, BETTY, EILEEN, GOLDIE, BROTHERS and SENGA.SignificanceThis program provides an insight into sailing regattas on Sydney Harbour and the impact of the Balmain Regatta on competitive sailing in the late 19th century.