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Crew and officials on a spectator vessel during the Pittwater Regatta
Crew and officials on a spectator vessel during the Pittwater Regatta

Crew and officials on a spectator vessel during the Pittwater Regatta

Photographer (Australian, 1877 - 1951)
DateDecember 1923
Object number00012208
NameGlass plate negative
MediumEmulsion on glass
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection Transfer from the Mitchell Library
DescriptionMr John Roche (front row right, seated on deck) was the honourable secretary of the Pittwater Regatta from 1906 to 1930. Mr F.J.S. Young is also identifiable, second row centre, white suit. Sydney yachting identity David Carment is standing in front of the lifeboat, (second from left) looking away to the left.HistoryNoted by Captain Arthur Philip for its beauty, and named by him after the English Prime Minister William Pitt, Pittwater has long been known for its scenic and hospitable bays. Throughout the late 1890s, Pittwater grew to be a popular attraction for boating and yachting enthusiasts in the summer months. In 1906, a challenge between two locally-built skiffs led to the establishment of an official regatta program at Pittwater. One of the men who had competed in the original race in 1906 was local sailing identity John Roche. Roche was an avid sailor who went on to join the founding committee of the Pittwater Regatta as Honourable Secretary, a role he upheld tirelessly for the next 24 years. Roche is often referred to as the ‘father of the regatta’ and after his death in 1936 a new memorial trophy for large class sailing yachts was instituted in his name. Over the years the Pittwater Regatta grew to include rowing and motorboat races as well as a series of social events and balls. A steamship or ferry would be organised to act as regatta flagship and also provide transport and accomodation for those travelling from Sydney. Additionally, the flagship often acted as the site of many of the regatta's social events. The Pittwater Regatta was well attended by many of Sydney's yachting identities, and legendary yachts such as RAWHITI also came to contest the regatta's variety of races. Aside from the wartime years, the Pittwater Regatta continued in one form or another until 1979. In 2007 the Centenary Pittwater Regatta was held to commemorate this historic local event. 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.