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The McWilliams Wines Cup, Point Macquarie Regatta Club 1934, won by BRITANNIA
The McWilliams Wines Cup, Point Macquarie Regatta Club 1934, won by BRITANNIA

The McWilliams Wines Cup, Point Macquarie Regatta Club 1934, won by BRITANNIA

Date1934
Object number00001729
NameTrophy
MediumEPNS electro-plated nickle silver, wooden base painted black.
DimensionsOverall: 255 x 160 x 130 mm, 0.45 kg
ClassificationsCommemorative artefacts
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Faye Magner
DescriptionThis McWilliams Wines Cup was one by 'Wee' George Robinson in the 18 foot skiff BRITANNIA at the Port Macquarie Regatta Club 1934. BRITANNIA was designed, built and skippered by 'Wee" George Robinson and raced from 1919 until 1945, winning 16 championships and had 27 second places. McWilliams Wines was the sponsor of many sporting events by this time including golf, bowling and Australian Rules football.HistoryThe 18-footer skiffs are designed to reach extreme speeds and provide an exciting and attractive sport for spectators to watch. This was the aim of the vessels when they were first designed in the late 19th century. The origins of the sport are attributed to Mark Foy and a group of businessmen who were the founding members of the Sydney Flying Yacht Squadron, reported to have been established on 19 October 1891 in the 'Sydney Morning Herald'. The club advocated for sailing to be open to all types of vessels and sailors. Their first competitive race is believed to have been held on Sydney Harbour on 26 January 1892. The 18-ft skiff BRITANNIA was designed and built in Balmain in 1919 by skipper George Robinson, known as 'Wee Georgie'. The boat and its skipper were very prominent in the 18 foot skiff class between the two world wars and won many races.SignificanceThis cup is representative of awards given out at yachting regattas in Australia and the competitive sport of 18-foot In 1914, Robinson built his first boat, BRITANNIA. Five years later, he built the 18-foot skiff of the same name. To this day, the 18-foot BRITANNIA remains one of the Australian National Maritime Museum’s most treasured objects. This trophy is one of the many that were awarded to Robinson and his crew and represents the achievements of one of the most famous 18-foot racing skiffs in Australian skiff sailing history.