Cowan Creek TV ad filming early 1970s, three hydroplanes at speed

Photographer Graeme Andrews OAM MA

Date1970-1975

Object numberANMS1194[175]

NameNegative

MediumBlack and white negative strip

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Graeme Andrews

Collections

Graeme Andrews

Terms

DescriptionA black and white image by Graeme Andrews showing three hydroplanes on the water at speed 'racing' and being used in a cigarette commercial that was filmed on Cowan Creek near Bobbin Head, New South Wales. On the day of filming approximately ten hydroplanes were used to simulate an international boat race after which the 'winning' driver was to relax by smoking a cigarette. The event took most of the working day to create to the satisfaction of the organizers.HistoryGraeme Andrews OAM, grew up on the foreshores of Sydney Harbour, a regular on Sydney ferries as a school child. He started taking photos of the ferries as a teenager and grew to be interested in all other types of vessels on the harbour and up and down the coast. Andrews was a petty officer in the Royal Australian Navy and later joined the Naval Reserves. He was a Harbour Master for many years on the Manly and Sydney ferries as well as on tugs. In addition to being an accomplished maritime photographer, Graeme Andrews also found a gift for writing and became a respected journalist and editor for a number of boating magazines and the author of various books on Sydney Harbour. He continued to take and collect photographs throughout his extensive career and has donated many thousands of images to various institutions such as the Australian National Maritime Museum. SignificanceThis image is part of the Graeme Andrews Collection. Andrews is an Honorary Life member of Sydney Heritage Fleet who photographed Australian shipping at his workplace and elsewhere for more than 50 years. He collected photographs and “sea-pix” from other sources, such as private snapshots going back more than 100 years.
Graeme Andrews also wrote extensively about the powerboat scene in Sydney - including documenting many of the races that took place each weekend along its waterways.