History

History:

The committee recognises the efforts of previous generations and organisations in hosting similar events at Kingston Beach over the years.

Our research to date indicates that the first recorded Regatta took place on January 23, 1924 and we believe that they ran (with the exception of a few years during wars etc) to at least the 1980's.

If you know any detail of these previous events, have any memorabilia or were directly involved in them the committee would love to hear from you.

The following extract has been taken from "Browns River - A history of Kingston Beach", written by Julie Graham and published by the Rotary Club of Kingston in 1988.

The Regattas were inaugurated in 1924 in response to a suggestion from Cecil McVilly which was taken up by Harry Rule, Bob Bruce, Clem Hazell, Jack Pringle, Ben Pearsall and others who could see the benefits to be reaped.

The first patron was Judge Ewing, who had a holiday home at the beach and the first regatta president was Harry Rule.

Horses, carts & cars came from everywhere. For $2 a taxi would also make the trip from Hobart. Ex-residents made a point of attending the regatta and catching up with childhood friends. The locals came from miles around, dressed in their best and packed in on the backs of lorries. Yachtsmen sailed down from Hobart and up from the Huon and Channel. Steamer loads of day visitors arrived at the jetty. It was a day for children and adults alike. Everyone was there to make a day of it. Spruikers set up on the grass, as did a few side show attractions. Food stalls are tended by local ladies and girls in fancy dress costume. Nancy Tringrove can recall being a Red Indian with Mrs Rule a Japanese lady. There were also fancy dress parades. Many picnicked on the beach wile others ate at the packed "Autralasian" and at "Mt Royal".

There were foot races on the sand as well as sailing races which were the "raison d'etre". In that first regatta held on January 23, 1924, there where 9 A class yachts, 6 B class and 6 cruisers. Rowing was an early feature but eliminated in 1926. Kingston however had a proud rowing tradition dating from the whaling days and always entered a team in the Hobart regatta. Bill Haig remembers the 1929 team being swamped during the race.

The day did not end with the water events. The yachties and locals alike stayed on for the night-time festivities. Local hotels were completely booked out. The "Australasian" and the shops along the foreshore were bedecked with coloured "fairy lights" which added to the carnival atomsphere. The yachtsmen traditionally rowed in to tie up at the jetty and repair to the "Australasian's" bar where the day's races were recounted. The local lads delighted in "liberating" the odd dinghy, leaving the owner temporalily stranded. Boys of the time now recall, with a grin, letting off the odd smoke ball to enliven the evening. The day ended officially around 10pm with a bonfire on the beach and a fireworks display. The "Australasian" dormitory would again come into its own for many local residents.

The Regattta has continued to be a favourite with the old and young alike. Miss Zeila Sherburd has now attended every one of the 64 regattas held at Kingston. The Regatta Association has increased and varied its attractions over the years, but the sailing competitions alone make it an important event on the calendar.

With thanks to Norman Ayres of Blackmans Bay for providing us with the following historic photos.