Presentation tassel cap awarded to Charles 'Chook' Fraser

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Presentation tassel cap awarded to Charles 'Chook' Fraser

Datec 1928

Object number00014680

NameCap

MediumVelvet, silver thread, silk

Dimensions150 x 200 mm, 0.1 kg

ClassificationsCommemorative artefacts

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionThis royal blue tassel cap with silver trim was presented to Charles 'Chook' Fraser by the Balmain District Sailing Club to mark the win of a race by the 10-foot skiff CORNSTALK in 1927-1928. Balmain's 'Chook' Fraser played football in winter and sailed in summer, as did many of the working men of Balmain who competed in the open boat races.HistoryCharles 'Chook' Fraser was 18 years old when he was chosen to tour as fullback with the second Kangaroos team to England in 1911. He also played as five-eight and centre at representative level. He played for Balmain from 1911 to 1926, and toured a second time with the Kangaroos, earning a reputation as one of Australia's great footballers. At the age of 35 he retired from football to concentrate on sailing. Fraser's first boat was the 6- footer OUR OWN which he sailed as a teenager in 1910. He also sailed EDNA. His father was a seaman and the family lived by the waterfront in Balmain. He was nicknamed 'Chook' by his father who, having returned from sea, found his son had learnt to walk. He reached out to the toddler and called 'chook chook'. The name stuck, and it was as 'Chook' Fraser that he was best known in sailing and football circles. His 10-foot skiff CORNSTALK was 17 feet 6 inches on the gaff and 19 feet 6 inches on the boom. It was said that a 10-footer could not carry that much sail, but with Chook Fraser CORNSTALK regularly sailed with that area of canvas. CORNSTALK was skippered by Chook Fraser and V Taylor. Chook went on to sail an 18-footer also called CORNSTALK, often with members of his family and friends as crew. In this skiff, built by George Press, he contested the first 18-foot skiff World Championship in 1958.SignificancePresentation tassel caps are generally associated with cricket or football, and were part of award presentations before World War II. This presentation cap was an unusual open boat prize however it was well suited to the former Kangaroos team football player.