Royal Hobart Regatta | |
---|---|
Also called | The Regatta |
Observed by | Southern Tasmania |
Type | Southern public holiday |
Significance | Australia's largest aquatic event |
Celebrations | Sea farers |
Date | Three days, ending on the second Monday in February |
2024 date | 10–12 February |
Frequency | Annual |
First time | 1 December 1838 |
Started by | Governor of Tasmania - Sir John Franklin |
The Royal Hobart Regatta is a series of aquatic competitions and displays held annually in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia and is Tasmania's oldest sporting event. The regatta began in 1838. [1] [2]
The event runs for three days and incorporates a public holiday observed in Southern Tasmania on the second Monday in February. [3]
It is regularly well attended by the public in addition to local and interstate competitors.
In its beginning the Regatta was well supported by the Royal Navy. In recent years the Royal Australian Navy, sends a warship to serve as flagship for the three day spectacle. The Royal Australian Air Force, also regularly performs aerobatic displays using military aircraft such as the RAAF Roulettes. The Australian Army's elite Red Beret parachute regiment has previously provided sky diving displays.
Governance of the Royal Hobart Regatta is executed by an association of the same name, The Royal Hobart Regatta Association.
The Association is controlled by a board, executive and committee. The current president is Ross Doddridge.
On 1 December 1838, the first Hobart Town Anniversary Regatta was held in Hobart to celebrate the anniversary of the 17th-century European discovery of Tasmania by Dutch explorer Abel Tasman, who made the first reported European sighting of the island on 24 November 1642. [4]
It was decided that an annual anniversary regatta should be held and include the wearing of a sprig of silver wattle blossom tied with British navy blue ribbon, [5] a tradition instituted by Governor of Tasmania, Sir John Franklin.
Franklin provided free food and beer for all of the spectators, and the tradition of free entry continues to this day. The Monday was declared a public holiday by the Governor and is now the oldest public holiday still continuing in Australia.
Since 1879 the regatta has been held in January or February, rather than December. The regatta of 6 February 1934 was the first to be called the Royal Hobart Regatta, the title being conferred by King George V.
The Regatta continued throughout World War I and World War II.
The Royal Hobart Regatta has played host to ten royal visits, the most notable being a visit from Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip in 1963 when they arrived aboard HMY Britannia. In preparation for the occasion the main grandstand was extended and accommodated the royals, who stayed for lunch before departing for Sydney in the late afternoon.
Originally staged at Pavilion Point, the Regatta moved in 1856, to grounds near Macquarie Point known as the "Regatta Grounds" at the Queens Domain along the western side of the River Derwent. Records indicate the move was necessitated following a quarrel with Government House concerning broken beer bottles along Macquarie.
Access to the site is along McVilly Drive.
The grounds are shared with the Hobart Cenotaph, a war memorial to Tasmanian's fallen from global conflict. The primary Regatta structure on the site is the John Colville Memorial grandstand, which pays tribute to members of the aquatic fraternity that fell in World War I. A stone tablet was laid in 1942 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Regatta.
A plethora of events take place each year, and include:
There is also an Ambassador quest, and the regatta always has an official attendance ceremony by the Governor.
Commencing adjacent Montagu Bay the Trans Derwent Swim sees competitors cross the Derwent River Estuary, a distance of 1.5km. In recent years a return trip has been added as an extra race.
This paddling event sees kayakers travel from the Tasman Bridge to the Bowen Bridge before returning to the finish line at the Royal Hobart Regatta grounds. A total distance of 15km is covered.
Woodchopping sees axemen from across the state compete in various events and age divisions chopping and sawing blocks and wood.
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships and/ or the finest, largest, or most important one of a group of things.
Year | Regatta | Ship | Class | Type | Registration |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | 186 | HMAS Diamantina (II) | Huon Class | Mine Hunter | M 86 |
2023 | 185 | HMAS Arunta (II) | ANZAC Frigate | Destroyer | FFH-151 |
2022 | 184 | HMAS Hobart | Hobart Class | Destroyer, Guided Missile | DDG-39 |
2021 | 183 | HMAS Hobart | Hobart Class | Destroyer, Guided Missile | DDG-39 |
2020 | 182 | HMAS Sirius | Fleet Replenishment Vessel | O 266 | |
2019 | 181 | HMAS Choules | Bay-Class | LCVP Landing Craft | L100 |
2018 | 180 | HMAS Hobart | Hobart Class | Destroyer, Guided Missile | DDG-39 |
2017 | 179 | HMAS Choules | Bay-Class | LCVP Landing Craft | L100 |
2016 | 178 | HMAS Stuart | ANZAC Frigate | Destroyer | FFH-153 |
2015 | 177 | HMAS Sydney | Adelaide Class | Destroyer, Guided Missile | FFG-03 |
2014 | 176 | HMAS Tobruk | Round Table Class | Landing Ship, Heavy | L50 |
2013 | 175 | HMAS Sydney | Adelaide Class | Destroyer, Guided Missile | FFG-03 |
2012 | 174 | HMAS Melville | Leeuwin Class | Survey Vessel | A 246 |
2011 | 173 | HMAS Parramatta | ANZAC Frigate | Destroyer, Guided Missile | FFH 154 |
2010 | 172 | HMS Lady Nelson | Survey Vessel | ||
2009 | 171 | HMAS Stuart | ANZAC Frigate | Destroyer | FFH-153 |
2008 | 170 | HMAS Parramatta | ANZAC Frigate | Destroyer | 154 |
2006 | 168 | HMAS Stuart | ANZAC Frigate | Destroyer | FFH-153 |
2005 | 167 | HMAS Melbourne | Adelaide Class | Guided Missile Frigate | FFG-05 |
2004 | 166 | HMAS Kanimbla | Kanimbla Class | Amphibous Landing Platform | L 51 |
2003 | 165 | HMAS Manoora | Kanimbla Class | Amphibous Landing Platform | L 52 |
2002 | 164 | HMAS Melbourne | Adelaide Class | Guided Missile Frigate | FFG-05 |
2001 | 163 | HMAS Brisbane | Perth Class | Guided Missile Destroyer | D41 |
2000 | 162 | HMAS Hobart | Perth Class | Guided Missile Destroyer | D39 |
1999 | 161 | HMAS Perth | Perth Class | Guided Missile Destroyer | D38 |
1998 | 160 | HMAS Torrens | River Class | Destroyer | DE-53 |
1997 | 159 | HMAS Torrens | River Class | Destroyer | DE-53 |
1996 | 158 | HMAS Torrens | River ClassRiver Class | Destroyers | DE-53 DE-50 |
1995 | 157 | HMAS Torrens | River Class Perth Class | Destroyer Destroyer, Guided Missile | DE-53 D39 |
1994 | 156 | HMAS Newcastle | ANZAC Frigate | Destroyer | FFG-06 |
1993 | 155 | HMAS Ardent | Attack Class | Patrol Boat | P87 |
1992 | 154 | HMAS Jervis Bay | Cargo Ferry | GT-203 | |
1991 | 153 | HMAS Jervis Bay | Cargo Ferry | GT-203 | |
1990 | 152 | HMAS Perth | Perth Class | Guided Missile Destroyer | D38 |
1989 | 151 | HMAS Jervis Bay | Cargo Ferry | GT-203 | |
1988 | 150 | HMAS Stalwart | Maintenance Ship | D-215 | |
1987 | 149 | HMAS Hobart | Perth Class | Guided Missile Destroyer | D39 |
1986 | HMAS Hobart | Perth Class Adelaide ClassAdelaide Class | Destroyer, Guided Missile Destroyer, Guided Missile Destroyer, Guided Missile | D39 FFG-04 FFG-02 | |
1985 | 147 | HMAS Jervis Bay | Cargo Ferry | GT-203 | |
1984 | 146 | HMAS Hobart | Perth Class | Guided Missile Destroyer | D39 |
1983 | 145 | HMAS Jervis Bay | Cargo Ferry | GT-203 | |
1982 | 144 | HMAS Torrens | River Class | Destroyer | DE53 |
1981 | 143 | HMAS Swan | River Class | Destroyers | DE50 |
1980 | 142 | HMAS Stalwart | Maintenance Ship | D215 | |
1979 | 141 | HMAS Swan | River Class | Destroyer | DE-50 |
1978 | 140 | HMAS Stalwart | Maintenance Ship | D215 | |
1977 | 139 | HMAS Duchess | Daring Class | Destroyer | D154 |
1976 | 138 | HMAS Duchess | Daring Class | Destroyer | D154 |
1975 | 137 | HMAS Duchess | Daring Class | Destroyer | D154 |
1974 | 136 | HMAS Swan | River Class | Destroyer | DE-50 |
1973 | 135 | HMAS ANZAC | Battle Class | Destroyer | D59 |
1972 | 134 | HMAS ANZAC | Battle Class | Destroyer | D59 |
1971 | 133 | HMAS Sydney (III) | Majestic Class | Aircraft Carrier | R17 |
1970 | 132 | HMAS Stalwart | Maintenance Ship | D215 | |
1969 | 131 | HMAS Paramatta | River Class | Destroyer | DE46 |
1968 | 130 | HMAS Vendetta | Daring Class | Destroyer | D08 |
1967 | 129 - Cancelled | HMAS Derwent | River Class | Destroyer | DE49 |
1966 | 128 | HMAS Paramatta | River Class | Destroyer | DE46 |
1965 | 127 | HMAS Sydney (III) | Majestic Class | Aircraft Carrier | R17 |
1964 | 126 | HMAS Gascoyne | River Class | Destroyer | K354 |
1963 | 125 | HMAS Quickmatch | River Class | Destroyer | G92 |
1962 | 124 | HMAS Voyager | Daring Class | Destroyer | D04 |
1961 | 123 | HMAS Swan | River Class | Destroyer | DE-50 |
1960 | 122 | HMS St Brides Bay | Bay Class | Anti Aircraft Frigate | K600 |
1959 | 121 | HMS Cossack | C Class | Destroyer | R57 |
1958 | 120 | USS Blue | Allen M. Sumner Class | Destroyer | DD-774 |
1957 | 119 | HMAS Sydney (III) | Majestic Class | Aircraft Carrier | R17 |
1956 | 118 | HMAS Arunta | Tribal Class | Destroyer | I30 |
1955 | 117 | HMAS Arunta | Tribal Class | Destroyer | I30 |
1954 | 116 | HMAS Quadrant | Q Class | Destroyer | G67/D17 |
1953 | 115 | HMAS Sydney | Majestic Class | Aircraft Carrier | R17 |
1952 | 114 | HMAS Condamine | River Class | Destroyer | K698 |
1951 | 113 | HMAS Latrobe | Bathurst Class | Corvette | J234/M234 |
1950 | 112 | HMAS Bataan | Tribal Class | Destroyer | I91 |
1949 | 111 | HMAS Australia | County Class | Heavy Cruiser | D84 |
1948 | 110 | HMAS Australia | County Class | Heavy Cruiser | D84 |
1947 | 109 | HMAS Quickmatch | River Class | Destroyer | G92 |
1946 | 108 | HMS Bermuda | Fiji Class | Cruiser | 52 |
1945 | 107 | S.S Marosa | |||
1944 | 106 | HMAS - HDML 1321 | Harbour Defence | Motor Launch | 1327 |
1943 | 105 | Sch. Abel Tasman | |||
1942 | 104 | Sch. Kermandie | |||
1941 | 103 | Sch. Alma Doepel | |||
1940 | 102 | S.S Talune | |||
1939 | 101 | HMAS Hobart | Leander Class | Light Cruiser | D63 |
1938 | 100 | HMAS Canberra (I) | Country Class | Heavy Cruiser | D33 |
1937 | 99 | HMAS Canberra (I) | Country Class | Heavy Cruiser | D33 |
1936 | |||||
1935 | |||||
1934 | |||||
1933 | |||||
1932 | |||||
1929 | HMAS Australia | D84 | |||
1906 | HMS Encounter | E-Class | Destroyer | H10 |
Hobart is the capital and most populous city of the island state of Tasmania, Australia. Home to almost half of all Tasmanians, it is the southernmost and least-populated Australian state capital city, and second-smallest if territories are taken into account, before Darwin, Northern Territory. Hobart is located in Tasmania's south-east on the estuary of the River Derwent, making it the most southern of Australia's capital cities. Its skyline is dominated by the 1,271-metre (4,170 ft) kunanyi/Mount Wellington, and its harbour forms the second-deepest natural port in the world, with much of the city's waterfront consisting of reclaimed land. The metropolitan area is often referred to as Greater Hobart, to differentiate it from the City of Hobart, one of the seven local government areas that cover the city. It has a mild maritime climate.
The River Derwent is a river located in Tasmania, Australia. It is also known by the palawa kani name timtumili minanya. The river rises in the state's Central Highlands at Lake St Clair, and descends more than 700 metres (2,300 ft) over a distance of more than 200 kilometres (120 mi), flowing through Hobart, the state's capital city, before emptying into Storm Bay and flowing into the Tasman Sea. The banks of the Derwent were once covered by forests and occupied by Aboriginal Tasmanians. European settlers farmed the area and during the 20th century many dams were built on its tributaries for the generation of hydro-electricity.
The Tasman Bridge is a prestressed concrete girder bridge connecting the Tasman Highway over the River Derwent in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. When it opened on 29 March 1965, the Tasman was the longest prestressed concrete bridge in Australia, with a total length measuring 1,396 metres (4,580 ft), including approaches. The bridge provides a vital link between Hobart's city centre on the western shore and the City of Clarence on the eastern shore. Averaging 73,029 vehicle crossings per day, the bridge is the highest volume road section in Tasmania. It features five lanes of traffic including a central lane equipped for tidal flow operations and separated shared-use walkways on both sides, with ramp upgrades for improved access and cyclists completed in 2010.
The history of Tasmania begins at the end of the Last Glacial Period when it is believed that the island was joined to the Australian mainland. Little is known of the human history of the island until the British colonisation of Tasmania in the 19th century.
Clarence City Council is a local government body in Tasmania, and one of the five municipalities that constitutes the Greater Hobart Area. The Clarence local government area has a population of 61,531, covering the eastern shore of the Derwent River from Otago to the South Arm Peninsula and the smaller localities of Cambridge, Richmond, and Seven Mile Beach.
Glenorchy City Council is a local government body in Tasmania, and one of the five municipalities that constitutes the Greater Hobart Area. The Glenorchy local government area has a population of 50,411, covering the suburbs north of central Hobart on the western shore of the Derwent River, including its namesake suburb, Glenorchy.
Sullivans Cove is on the River Derwent adjacent to the Hobart City Centre in Tasmania. It was the site of initial European settlement in the area, and the location of the earlier components of the Port of Hobart.
The Storm Bay is a large bay in the south-east region of Tasmania, Australia.
Montagu Bay is a suburb of Hobart, Tasmania, located in the City of Clarence on the eastern shore of the Derwent River, about four kilometres from the city centre of greater Hobart. It is a small primarily residential suburb located between Rosny, Rose Bay and Lindisfarne and is centred on a small bay of the same name, formerly known as Smelting Works Bay. The bay has a boat ramp and jetty, and is frequently filled with yachts and other vessels at anchor.
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Granton is a rural residential locality in the local government areas (LGA) of Derwent Valley (80%) and Glenorchy (20%) in the South-east and Hobart LGA regions of Tasmania. The locality is about 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) north of the town of Glenorchy. The 2016 census recorded a population of 1736 for the state suburb of Granton. It is a suburb of Hobart. Rust Road is the approximate boundary between the two municipalities at Granton.
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