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Ninety-Eighth Anniversary Hobart Regatta program
Ninety-Eighth Anniversary Hobart Regatta program

Ninety-Eighth Anniversary Hobart Regatta program

Date11 February 1936
Object number00048360
NameSilk program
MediumSilk, ink
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Royal Hobart Regatta Association
DescriptionThis silk program with a purple fringed border was produced for the 98th Anniversary Regatta held on 11th February 1936. The regatta was organised by the Royal Hobart Regatta Association and commemorates the sighting of the west coast of Van Diemen's Land by Dutch explorer Abel Tasman in 1642. It was held under the patronage of the Governor, Sir Ernest Clark KCB, CBE. The program details various events including Junior Eights, Senior Eights, Warship Race - Seamen's Whalers; Speed Motor-Yachts (Outboard Engines); Naval Reserves' Race; Maiden Fours; Warship Race - Stokers' Whalers; Maiden Sculls; Naval Reserves' Race; Ladies' Race; Ladies' Trans-Derwent Swimming Race; Men's Trans-Derwent Swimming Race; Trans-Derwent Swimming Race - For Men of The Fleet; Warship Race - Young Seamen's Whalers; Junior-Senior Eights; Alexandra Sculls; Speed Motor-Yachts (Inboard Engines); Warship Race; Junior-Senior Fours; Boys' Swimming Race B Grade; Girls' Swimming Race B Grade; Maiden Eights; Greasy Pole Contest for Championship of Regatta; Junior Fours; Naval Swimming Race (For Championship of Fleet); Secheron Purse; Yachts (16ft. Skiff Class); Yachts (D Class); Cruisers; Yachts (B Class); The John Colvin Race - First Class Yachts A; Warships' Handicap Sailing Race; The J.G. Turner Race for Trading Vessels; Ladies' Swimming Race (A Grade); Power Cruisers, Motor Yachts; District Dinghy Class; Cadet Dinghies (12ft.); Exhibition of Life-Saving by Royal Life-Saving Society; Comicalities on Raft (For Local Teams); Sailors' Comic Stunts; Mixed Medley Swimming Race; Diving Display by Members of the Fleet and Local Lads; Mixed Diving Contest (For Men and Women); Pillow Fight in Fancy Costume; Greasy Pole in Fancy Dress; Swimming Race 80yds. (Men's A Grade) Final; Ladies' Swimming Race 80yds. Final and Inter-Club Teams Race. It is type set in three columns.HistoryThe Hobart Regatta was inaugurated in 1838 a year after the Sydney event. It became a symbol of the colony's independent regional identity. Far more than just a yacht race, the regatta would celebrate the local anniversary of Abel Tasman's 'discovery' of the island in 1642, demonstrate the unity and patronage of civil and military elites, promote whaling and other free-settler enterprises, and even remove the colony's convict stain. The day was a public holiday and free food and beer was given to settlers who came to watch the aquatic competition. By the early 1900s boat races competed with novelty entertainments, such as the greasy-pole pillow fights, comic stunts, fancy costumes, bearded ladies and snake charmers. Tasmanians still passionately claim the supremacy of their regatta tradition and regional identity. The Hobart Regatta continues to be held annually on the Derwent River and today is held over three days. SignificanceRegattas were central to competitive boating in the 19th century and functioned as a social and sporting event, as well as a marker of official anniversaries in a public aquatic spectacle. Civic leaders, politicians and merchants offered patronage and sponsorship.