Ken Warby with his parents
Photographer
David Watson
(deceased)
Date1978
Object numberANMS0532[047]
NameNegative
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Tumut and Adelong Times
DescriptionKen Warby with his parents Neville and Evelyn Warby at Blowering Dam. SPIRIT OF AUSTRALIA can be seen on a trailer in the background.
Ken Warby had decided to become the fastest man on water from a very early age. Realising their son would not be dissuaded, Neville and Evelyn Warby supported him on his journey and were present on both days at Blowering Dam when the world record was set.HistorySPIRIT OF AUSTRALIA is an Australian designed and built jet-powered, wooden, 3-point hydroplane that has held the world water-speed record since 1977. Breaking both the 300 mph and 500 km/h barriers, SPIRIT OF AUSTRALIA raised the world record to 511kph in 1978 at Blowering Dam near Tumut NSW.
Ken Warby, SPIRIT OF AUSTRALIA's designer, builder and driver, achieved his world water-speed records on a shoestring budget. Warby built his hydroplane over two years in the backyard of his suburban Sydney home, using stringers, brackets, stock bits of timber, plywood, screws, epoxy and a military-surplus jet engine that cost $65. He eventually launched the boat in 1974.SignificanceThe setting of the world water speed record, twice, was a long and hard fought fight for Ken Warby. Starting from his teen years his family were part of his unwavering quest, watching from the sidelines as Warby went faster and faster.
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