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John Walker Intercolonial Sailing Carnival trophy
John Walker Intercolonial Sailing Carnival trophy

John Walker Intercolonial Sailing Carnival trophy

Maker (Scottish, founded 1828)
Date1895-1896
Object number00048268
NameTrophy
MediumSterling silver, brass, merino ram head, horn castors
DimensionsOverall: 330 x 610 x 550 mm
ClassificationsCommemorative artefacts
Credit LineANMM Collection Donated by the Wright Family of Roma, Queensland through Donna and Ross Fraser & Lesley and Stanley Harrison
Collections
DescriptionIntercolonial Sailing Carnival trophy in the form of a cigar and cigarette stand with silver ashtray and lid set into a merino ramshead. This trophy was displayed at the office of Mr John Walker, 10 Bond Street and was presented to J McMurtrie owner of the 22-ft skiff EFFIE and N Johnson the skipper. HistoryThe Intercolonial Sailing Carnival was first held on Moreton Bay in the 1893-4 season with a race for 22-foot skiffs. Sydney's Johnstone's Bay Sailing Club, one of the instigators of the contest was represented by IREX, LATONA and PORTIA. In 1895 the Sydney 22-footer ESMERALDA won the championship and in 1896 the Queensland boat ETTIE won the title again raced on Moreton Bay. The fourth Intercolonial Sailing Carnival was held on Sydney Harbour in January 1897 and won by the New South Wales boat IREX. While EFFIE competed it was not placed. The Johnstone's Bay Club had eight steamers following the race all crowded with spectators. Again the Walker Whisky trophy valued at £50 was awarded to the winner. The prizes were presented by the Mayor of Balmain at a smoke concert held on 26 January 1897 at the Balmain School of Arts. EFFIE won the Intercolonial Championship becoming Australian champion 22 footer for the 1898-99 season and 1899-1900 season. The owner J McMurtrie was presented with the Walker Whisky trophy. In 1899 EFFIE sailed in a series of three private matches against the 22-footer BRONZEWING on Sydney Harbour winning the first race of the series easily. EFFIE won the Sydney Sailing Club's 22-foot Championship in 1904. Also competing were KERIKI and GUINEVERE. A very similar trophy, known as the Taymouth Ram is on display at the Kenmore Hotel adjacent to Taymouth Castle (now a golf club) in Perthshire Scotland. It was used as a table setting/snuff box and from 1926 it was the MacTaggart family perpetual trophy presented to the winner of the Men's open Golf tournament day at Taymouth Castle Golf Course. SignificanceThis trophy is a rare example of a sporting trophy in the form of a ram' s head cigar stand and was awarded to the Australian champion 22-foot skiff from 1896. The trophy was on public display in Sydney in the 1890s and its unusual compostion of a ram's head cigar stand reflects the culture of gentlemen’s sports clubs and smoking rooms as well as representing a sporting prize for Australian open boat racing.