Script for 'Small Boat Safety Films'
Maker
Bob Mcauley
Date1975 - 1978
Object number00032239
NameBooklet
MediumInk on paper, plastic
DimensionsOverall: 300 x 213 mm, 5 mm
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Basil Catterns
DescriptionA bound set of script treatments of "Small Boats Safety Films" including six film scripts titled 'Seamanship', 'Search and Rescue', "Means of being rescued', 'Alcohol', 'Inshore waters', 'Water skiing'. These short films were presented by Ken Warby and produced by Rob McCauley.HistoryKen Warby first met film maker Rob McCauley in the early 1970s. It was at the Port Hacking Motor Boat Club and Warby suggested to McCauley that he, as a film maker, record the process of building SPIRIT OF AUSTRALIA which Warby already called the fastest boat in the world. This was the very early stages with building yet to begin. Although McCauley did not take up offer to record the laying of the keel, he did visit Warby a year later at the Warby's home in Croydon near Sydney.
It was at this then that McCauley became interested. He apreciated Warby's zeal and impressed at the size of SPIRIT OF AUSTRALIA and the jet engine that had been attached, all in a suburban backyard. Although the ABC television network was not interested in supporting McCauley to cover the Warby story, McCauley took it upon himself, as a personal project, to follow the progress and document Warby's amazing journey.
McCauley became a close associate of Warby. He helped secure eraly sponsorship and was there for SPIRIT OF AUSTRALIA'S testing, trials and was on the water in 1977 when Warby first broke the world speed record.
McCauley made a documentary about Warby, 'Hit 300 and Smile', about the ten year journey that culminated in that day on Blowering Dam.SignificanceKen Warby's first attempt on the world water speed record went largely unheralded by Australian media. Rob McCauley, a film maker, was an early supporter and his footage formed much of the documentary on SPIRIT OF AUSTRALIA later released.