Presentation of 'Queen of the Harbour' honours

Photographer William James Hall (Australian, 1877 - 1951)

Date1930

Object number00012143

NameGlass plate negative

MediumEmulsion on glass

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineANMM Collection Transfer from the Mitchell Library

Terms

DescriptionA black and white image of spectators gathered around to watch the presentation of the 'Queen of the Harbour' title on lawns of Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron. The title grew from the 'Ladies Day' event initiated earlier where each 18 foot racing skiff would have a female crew member for the day. Negative ID number, 3173 A. HistoryIt is thought that in around 1912 it was decided by the Sydney Flying Yacht Squadron that women would be allowed to sail one day a year on the racing 18 foot skiffs, this soon became known as 'Ladies Day' and its popularity grew to become an anticipated feature of the racing season. Accordig to the Sydney Flying Squadron Newsletter of Friday 6 February 2015 "[Back then] GT Giltinan, the then Commodore and a shrewd business man, decided that [Ladies Day] was a good way to raise money. Hence the event was renamed 'The Queen of Port Jackson' in 1926. The First Queen of Port Jackson Race: By October 1926 'The Queen of Port Jackson' is creating a great amount of interest. By then there was already had 10 guineas in prizes. On November 26th the drawing for the boats for the "girls" (as referred in the article). All candidates are requested to be present at 8pm at the Cocoa Tree Cafe. The result of Drawing for Boats: Boats Competitors Firms Alert Miss E Kelly Theo Kings Avalon Miss E Stewart More Commercial Co Arline Miss C Williamson Syd Taylor Australia Miss G Aikman Harry West Advance Miss E Tonks Wesley West Britannia Miss A Webber Yellow Cab Co Eclipse Miss A Bezette Palmolive Soap Co Florrie 11 Miss M Gourlie J B Sharp Furious Miss J Booth W Gilkison Gloria Miss G Gorham The Cocoa Tree Cafe Hall Mark Miss M Aikman John Sands Ltd Keriki Miss C Gallimore R Caston Kismet Miss Barry T W Brennan Liberty Miss C McGlede McDowells Ltd Life Saver Miss R George Wear Proof Hosiery Mississipi Miss D Hemill Ald. A. E Laws Mavis Miss D Murray Seaman Bros Mascotte Miss G Jessops Murdochs Ltd N.S.W Miss G Merricks Davis Gelatine Co Onda Miss A Bell Broomsfields Ltd Pastime Miss M Mahony The Castlereagh Embroidery Co Rosetta Miss L Taite Taites Millinery Scot Miss I Hamill J.W Lown Yendys Miss E Clayton Walter & Co As reported in the 'Sailing' magazine: "On Tuesday night there was a gay assemblage at the Cocoa Tree Cafe to witness the drawing of the boats for in which the various young ladies are to brave the elements on the 4th of December next, in the effort to find the Queen of Port Jackson. There was a great excitement amongst the members of both sexes -the girls anxious to know if they are nice boys in my boat and the boys to know-as one joker put it in a stage whisper-"What sort of a tabby did we draw? Each was anxious to meet the other, and an enjoyable night was spent." The prizes for the "girls" on the race on the 4th of December, 1926 was: First Prize : Silk Shawl, Wristler Watch, One Doz. Cabinets, One Doz Cakes Palm Olive, Three Pairs of Silk Stockings, Half a doz. Guest towels. Total prize money 30 pounds Second Prize: Tortoiseshell Set , One Doz Plam Olive Soap, Three pairs of silk stockings One string of Amber Beads Total Prize Money 5 pounds Third Prize: Tortoiseshell set,Three pairs of stockings, One doz soaps Total Prize money 4 pounds There was a choice for the Patrons to follow the Race or land at Clark Island. It was reported that Vic Utik, the organiser, said "When the girls attended the meeting at the Squadron rooms they asked questions "What do the boys do if my boat gets water in it?", "Will I get wet?" " Is my Skipper a nice man?" The "Sailing " reported on December the 11th that Miss Gourlie won on Florida. There were a number of invitations to join the crew permanently after the race. Miss Gourlie was crowned on December 20th at the Paddington Town Hall . It was such a success that the event was here to stay. The Years Following: By Sept 1929 the "Queen of The Habour Competition" became a happy way to raise money for the Royal Hospital for Women, Paddington . By then there were 100 candidates and were grouped and chosen by the highest number of votes. By that time there were 29 skiffs entering the race. On Saturday 20th of March the Queen Habour Crowning Ball, took place in Sydney Town Hall. In 1929 Mark Foy presented the 23 young ladies gold brooches and the "Queen" won a car, an Austin "7" as a prize. On Clark Island as reported on the 22nd of February 1930: the huge flagpoles being fully draped with a fine show of bunting and adding to this is the young ladies gay colourings. The Queen of the Harbour continued to be a fundraiser throughout the 40's and 50's. The"Miss Betty Payne" award (Water Board) was given for the best dressed sailing lady. The Queen of the Harbour lost its shine over the years and the last Crowing the Queen of the Harbour took place in Petersham Town Hall in 1962 as far I can establish. Sydney Flying squadron has continued to put the Queen of the Harbour race on its Sailing Calendar. Sydney Flying Squadron Newsletter Friday 6 February 2015 SignificanceThe Hall photographic collection provides an important pictorial record of recreational boating in Sydney Harbour from the 1890s to the 1930s. The collection documents the lively sailing scene in Sydney during this period and features images of vessels ranging from large racing and cruising yachts to the great array of skiffs and the emerging technologies of motorboats. Images of the many spectators and crowds who supported and followed the sailing races are also included in this visual record.