FOREWORD:
Yachting has become a National pastime in Australia - particularly in the last decade,
and as more and more Australians take to the water, many new Classes of yachts have
appeared.
Of these the GP14 must be considered one of the most successful. In little more than
six years they now number forty two.
With the present vogue of keeping costs down, this yacht becomes the number one
contender for the family man, as it is a one Class, one design boat with an excellent all
round performance be it racing, cruising or power boating. GPs never date - last year's
model can be this year's champion.
I would like to congratulate the author of this book on a job well done and an example
that should be followed by all Classes.
On behalf of the Mounts Bay Sailing Club in Western Australia, I would like to say that
one of the best day's work the Committee ever did was sponsoring the GP14 Class
because those who sail in them have contributed enormously to the present standing of
our Club both sailing and socially.
B.E. WRIGHT
Patron M.B.S.C.
and Commodore 1964-1970.
"The First Five Years"
Once upon a time there were no GP14s! - just a growing number of people who longed to get
afloat and to own their own boats.
Just after the 2 nd World War this ambition was not easily achieved as the choice lay between
specialised racing craft which were very expensive and ordinary heavy boats which could only be
built by craftsmen.
The public demand first became apparent to Group Captain E.F. Haylock, the Editor of "Yachting
World", who commissioned Jack Holt to design a dinghy which would meet the following
requirements - "A family boat, cheap and easy to build from a kit of parts, to have a good
performance and yet be seaworthy - with enough stability so that her crew could sit in her rather
than on her. Strong enough to take the ground weight, low enough for handling on and off a
trailer, capable of easy rowing or of being driven by an outboard motor, with room enough to stow
it under the after deck, and be capable of sailing wel l enough to give sporty racing against her own
kind."
The first and second prototypes were built by the Bell Woodworking Co. Ltd. in 1949 and sailed on
the Hamble by the late Dusty Pollock, a director of the firm, together with Group Captain Haylock.
The Bell insignia, one of the legendary bells of Aberdovey, was taken from the burgee of the Dovey
Sailing Club who were the first to adopt the GP14 as a racing craft.
An owner’s Association was formed in England in 1951 and membership grew steadily, with
number 4000 being registered as "Royal Favour" in the name of H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh. By
1969 it became apparent that there would be over 9,000 registered owners throughout the world
before the end of 1970 was reached.
The Class first became popular in Australia about 1960 and as most of the boats were in Victoria,
the 1st General Meeting of the Australian Association, as it was then known, was held in that state
on 23 rd May, 1962. By the 2 nd Annual General Meeting, held on 28 th August, 1963 at the
Sandringham Yacht Club, Victoria, at which a Technical Sub-Committee was formed, the
distribution of registered boats throughout Australia was as follows : Victoria 52, N.S.W. 1,
Queensland 1, W. Australia 1, Tasmania 1, S. Australia 7.
The South Australian boats were centred at Mt. Gambier and sailed at the Port MacDonnell Sailing
Club. Several boats had been brought from England by migrating owne rs including the one in
N.S.W. Makore #*575, whose owner Cliff Boocock in 1970 still had the lowest sail number in
Australia, with Sirius #3737 built in Hobart by Jim Yaxley in 1960 - the earliest registered
Australian built boat and number.
Perhaps the earliest GP14 built in Australia was the one built in 1950 by Mr. McManus of
Mandurah, W. A. who had his plans brought out from England by a friend. It was not registered
with the Association and as this "history" is mainly concerned with registered racing boats it is
mentioned only as a matter of interest.
Until 1965 the Victorian officers of the GP14 Class Australian Ass. handled all administration under
the control of the parent Association in regarding Rules, Class restrictions etc. They introduced
certain modifications to the boat to suit their local sailing conditions , however, and as these did
not satisfy the U.K. as being necessary and did not comply with strict Class specifications, the U.K.
would not recognise the modified boats as being eligible for "A" Class Certificates which would
entitle them to sail in International Competition.
Permission was given however for an "A" Class Australian Certificate to be issued for competition
within Australia only. Boats not measuring up to specifications in either case to receive a “B" Class
Certificate which would not permit them to race in any events - Club or Championship - either in
Australia or abroad. The majority of boats built in Australia have been built to include
Australian modifications (some of which were later adopted by the U.K., but a number have
also been built to International specifications and will, when k nown, be shown herein by an
asterisk * before the sail number.
In 1965 a notice appeared in the October iss ue of the Carillon, official newsletter of the
Australian Association, announcing the formation of the South and West Australian Subbranches. Events leading up to the formation of the W.A. Sub -branch and of the first five years
of its history are as follows :-
1964/65 SEASON
Towards the end of 1962 a boat was launched in Perth by owner/builder Michael Igglesden of
Nedlands. This boat, the first registered GP14 in Western Australia was, as an article in the
Sunday Times - Mr. Perth's Diary column put it on August 8 th , 1965, "To sail in lonesome
dignity on the crowded Swan River for almost 2 years".
During this time Mike sailed Tintookie #5927 from Claremont Yacht Club and his red mainsail
was truly distinctive on waters which were yet to see the Mirror Dinghy.
On August 19 th , 1964 a letter appeared in the West Australian which read as follows :- "Boat
for middle-aged". Patrick Holmes, Wembley Downs. "I would like to meet anyone wishing to
start a Class of boat for racing on the Swan River which would provide for the middle-aged
without enough money to own a cruiser. I suggest that a boat for comfort, and a crew of two,
with day-cruising capabilities and of one design is worth seeking. Sheet speed is a secondary
consideration. I believe that the English GP14 (General Purpose 14 footer) designed by Bell of
Leicester may be the answer. I believe that it is raced elsewhere in Australia. I would be
interested to hear from individuals, clubs and builders." Unquote.
Mike contacted Pat, as did Ian Peck of Floreat Park who had recently settled in Perth with his
wife Ah Lin and children Janet and Colin. Ian had sailed a G P14 at Jesselton Club in Borneo for
five years with considerable success.
Meanwhile back in 1963 and on the other side of the continent, Brian Kemp had been looking
around Sydney for the "right" boat. One day, while watching the Herons racing at Clontarf,
Middle Harbour, he noticed Cliff Boocock sailing Makore and was able to go for a trial sail with
him. Shortly afterwards he began building Fairwind #*5675 and launched at Pittwater shortly
before leaving N.S.W. to take up residence in Perth in December 1964, sending Fairwind across
by road freight.
On arrival Brian contacted Rolly Tasker who had Fairwind's sails on order, and was given
Mike's name as a GP14 owner to contact. This was duly done and Brian and Lorna with
daughters Barbara, Janis and Lyndal met Mike and Mary and sons David, Graham and Pa ul for
the first time.
Mike had also put Tintookie on display at the 1964 Boat Show in Perth where it had attracted
favourable attention, including that of John Hughes of Perth who had already purchased plans
and begun building, and of Michael Altria of Myaree who had already cut Patara's frames. As
Mike, wife Margo and young daughter Trace y had only recently moved house, Mike was unable
to proceed until he had constructed a garage /workshop and consequently Patara #*6234 was
not finished until December 1967.
The quoted price for a complete boat at the time of the 1964 Boat Show was £250 to £275,
and rose up to £300 to £325 within a year.
With six enthusiasts now at hand it was necessary to try and obtain some professionally built
boats for those who did not wish to build their own. A meeting was held in January 1965 at
Brian Kemp's home in Alfred Cove to discuss this and also the possibility of forming a State
Branch of the Association. Mike and Mary Igglesden, Pat Holmes and Brian and Lorna Kemp
attended. Laurie Chivers was then approached and agreed to build three boats at his Myaree
factory. Two for Pat and Ian and the third in hopes of a buyer being found.
On 25 th June 1965 a Pilot Meeting was held at Laurie Chivers boat building works to convene a
General Meeting to form the W.A. Sub-branch. Present were Pat Holmes, Mike Igglesden and
John Hughes. The General Meeting was then held at John Hughes ’ flat in Adelaide Terrace,
Perth on July 8 th , 1965, and the W.A. Sub-branch duly formed.
Those present were:- John Hughes and wife Kristin, Kristin's sister and brother -in-law Francine
and Bob Jenson, Ian Peck, Brian Kemp, Pat Holmes, Mike and Mary Igglesden, Bill Ure, Mike
Altria and Ian Edge. Apologies were received from G. Miller, Dr P. Howe, R. James, C. Ashman
and M. Tarrant who were unable to attend.
The following office bearers were elected : Chairman - Pat Holmes, Secretary - John Hughes,
Treasurer - Mike Altria, Publicity Officer - Brian Kemp, Measurer - Mike Igglesden. The
Committee of Management consisted of the five office bearers.
It was decided to hold Committee Meetings approximately monthly at alternate Committee
member's homes and to draft a Constitution to submit to the Australian Association for
approval. This was drawn up at the first Committee mee ting at Pat Holmes, Mosman Park
home, on August 12th.
News of the formation of the Sub-branch was featured in the daily pr ess and local aquatic
magazine Aquatic Monthly - August 1965 issue, and appeared in the October issue of the
Carillon.
Letters and personal approaches were made to Yacht Clubs around the Swan River regarding
the adoption of the GP14 Class to their registers. Several Clubs expressed interest and two
seemed to be particularly promising. Firstly, Nedlands Yacht Club extended an invitation t o the
Committee and their families to spend an afternoon at the Club. Consequently, on Sunday
August 15 th Commodore Ron Stephens and Rear Commodore Robin Vaisey entertained the
group to afternoon tea and showed them the facilities of the Club. Unfortunatel y storage was
not immediately available, and as John Hughes' boat and the three professionally built ones
were nearing completion, it was decided to approach Mounts Bay Sail ing Club who had advised
that storage room was available for 12 boats.
Commodore Basil Wright and his Flag Officers made the Committee welcome on the same
afternoon and expressed willingness to sponsor racing for the Class providing that five boats
would be available to start.
As there were only five boats likely to be available for som e time, those in favour of joining
Nedlands Yacht Club decided it was preferable for the future of the Class and Branch to remain
together and to commence racing at M.B.S.C.
Most were not proficient enough at this stage to really welcome the prospect of ra cing!
The third boat constructed by Laurie Chivers was purchased on completion by Roy and Patricia
(Pat) Norris who had arrived from England a year earlier with children Robert, Simon and Julie.
Roy had been looking around for some time for a small sail boat and chanced to see the GPs
on the beach at M.B.S.C. whilst looking at some smaller craft at the Royal Perth Yacht Club. He
purchased the completed boat from Laurie Chivers, #6581, naming it Sirron .
During the first week in September news was received through Jack Cassidy that a GP had
been built in Katanning for which he was supplying the sails, and that it was to be launched
soon. The Secretary, John Hughes wrote to Mr Bert Strijk giving him details of the W.A. Branch
and invited him to sail at the M.B.S.C. with the other GPs whenever he might be able. It was
later learned that Mr Strijk had commenced building #6747 Stella Maris in 1965. He did not
join the Association.
The first race to be held under the auspices of the W.A. Branch at M.B.S.C. was on 12 th
September, 1965 and it was probably won by #6450 Melody II , Ian Peck, though no record of
the results exists.
John Hughes launched #6442 Kristin on September 13 th - the same day as the start of the
Royal Perth Yacht Club's Centenary Regatta whic h was held over three days, 13 th to 16 th Sept.
1965. An invitation to sail in this regatta was received by the GPs and they accepted to sail in
one race only, starting at the same time as the Cadet Dinghies. The GP s on this occasion
finished 20 to 30 minutes ahead of the Cadets with Ian Peck in Melody II and Mike Igglesden
in Tintookie winning the two trophies which were presented to the Class. Placings were : 1 st
Melody II, 2 nd Tintookie , 3 rd St. Piran #6448 - Pat Holmes.
Later, an invitation was received from Mr John Knox of R.F.B.Y.C. to sail against the Cadets
on their home ground, Mosman Bay, on 11 th December 1965. An excellent news photo of
Mike Igglesden and son David preparing Tintookie for their first M.B.S.C. season was
featured in the West Australian on September 30 th and the season opened shortly afterwards
on October 16 t h .
1965/66 SEASON
The first season of racing at the M.B.S.C. certainly confirmed the worst fears of the not -soseasoned skippers. Buoys were hit or missed entirely, capsizes common, an d the position of
the marks of the course a constant mystery. "If only the buoys and spits had their NAMES
written on them" was a common cry. The incidents during this inaugural year were many and
humorous at times and M.B.S.C. must surely have denied owne rship of the Class during this
period!
Ian Peck was the most experienced GP skipper and the blue sails of Melody II came in first
with monotonous regularity. Ian, whose wife and children did not wish to sail, had Giles
Pickford crewing for him. Ian and Giles usually had Melody unrigged long before the other
boats crossed the finish line IF they were lucky enough to even complete the course. The
other boats sailed with family crews. Mike Igglesden sailing with wife Mary was probably the
next most experienced skipper, 'though Pat Holmes with wife Elizabeth (Liz) and children
Sally, Jenny and Marcus had sailed in other classes in England. Brian Kemp had little
experience at skippering and his wife Lorna, had in common with Mary Igglesden and Pat
Norris, no previous experience of sailing or crewing at all. John Hughes had no previous
sailing experience but his wife Kristin (Kris) had sailed previous ly with her father Mr L.A.
Shapcott. Roy Norris was also inexperienced and the children for the most part were quite
new to sailing - Barbara Kemp at 17 being the eldest and Julie Norris and Paul Igglesden
both aged 3 and Marcus Holmes and Simon Norris both aged 5 - the youngest.
It was great fun while it lasted! There was the memorable occasion whe n Pat Holmes and
Nick Myers in St. Piran completely overturned in front of the Club and the combined efforts
of Pat, Nick, and the Sea Scouts failed to right it. Mike Igglesden put his small outboard
motor on a tiny cockleshell of a dinghy which happened to be handy and went t o the rescue.
Tintookie was in the throes of having a bailer fitted and had a preparatory hole in the bottom
of the hull at the time. All ended well when it was ascertained that the m ast was stuck firmly
in the mud and suitable measures were taken to free it. As Pat and Mike both agreed - a few
more grey hairs were added on this occasion!
Other boats and skippers had similar traumatic experiences. Shor tly after the October issue
of Power Boat and Yachting which featured an article on the GP14, the first Commodore’s
Trophy Race on November 7 th , 1965 was held in a gale gusting to 35 knots which almost
completed the demoralisation of the flee t . Mike and Mary Igglesden in Tintookie under
reefed main and no jib were the only ones to make the starting line off H eathcote. The other
boats were scattered around the river in varying stages of distress. Ian Peck and Giles
Pickford were frantically bailing Melody II with buckets as the boat had insufficient buoyancy
at this stage to cope with the amount of water being shipped over the decks. Pat and Liz
Holmes with Dr Bill Sandover as extra crewman in St. Piran were extremely thankful to reach
the wind whipped sandy shelter of the beach under Heathcote without capsizing.
The Kemp family also sought refuge on the beach n ear Applecross jetty. Brian had wife Lorna
and daughters Janis and Lyndal crewing in Fairwind . Lorna was troubled with a hip swelling
and haematoma which developed following a fall at the public launching ramp near R.P.Y.C.
prior to the race. Pat Holmes, famous for his droll wit, promptly christened this ramp "Kemp's
Landing". The GP'ers used this ramp regularly during these early days as the ramp at M.B.S.C.
consisted of a bumpy row of old railway sleepers which didn't quite reach the water - much
different to the excellent ramp constructed later, and which was probably hurried into existence
by the needs of the GP14 Class.
All eventually made their way to Applecross Jetty, including Mike and Mary, who on arrival at the
starting boat found that the race had been postponed. It was an utterly wet, cold and miserable
group who huddled under the meagre shelter afforded by the jetty, as only a few had spray
jackets and life jackets at this time, no-one had the wet suits which have become almost a
necessity for serious racing.
John Hughes drove from the Club in search of the fleet and drove wives and children back to the
club while the skippers elected to sail back together in two of the boats, leaving the other two to
be picked up later by trailers. Mary sailed back with Mike and the boats arrived at the Club
before John's car! Such was the day in its utter confusion th at John on arrival at the Club,
introduced Lorna to her husband!
The haematoma resulted in two days in hospital for Lorna, but luckily the sailing w as not always
so unrewarding nor the weather so unkind. As the race for the Commodore’s Trophy was not
resailed, it was decided at the end of the season to award the trophy to Roy Norris, who in his
distinctive white main with red stripe Sirron was considered the most improved GP14 skipper of
the season. Roy, starting as a novice with wife Pat and Kevin Davey and Michael Jessop crewing
at different times for him, justified this award by being runner-up in the First State
Championship - a series of three heats held in February, March and April, 1966.
As races were held on alternate Sundays only, there was plenty of time for other activities. A
favourite non-racing day was usually spent in get-together family picnics and informal races at
Point Walter, Mosman Bay and other places around the river. During one Mosman picnic Pat and
Liz Holmes spent an anxious hour or two when Marcus couldn't be found. Young Marcus had
recognised the area and realising it was not far from home, had wandered off when everyone
was busy and walked home - being found there after a frantic search had been made!
From these early picnics came Pat's idea for the donation of an Annual Trophy for a Picnic Race
from M.B.S.C. to Mosman Bay, first known as the GP14 Chairman's Trophy and later as the P.E.
Holmes Trophy.
Sometime was spent in getting to know the river, buoys, spits and other marks. The easiest way
was to put the outboard on Tintookie and putt-putt around them all.
Mike had registered Tintookie as a POWER BOAT for this purpose - which was surely a hint of
things to come for the future National Champion of Australia ! Tintookie was also seen on other
occasions under power and with little freeboard - loaded with fish no doubt.
The invitation to sail against the Cadets at R.F.B.Y.C. on 11th Dec. was accepted by 4 boats, but
only 3 actually started in the race. The 10 mile course was sailed in 10 to 15 knot breezes, the
Cadet Dinghies using spinnakers and the GPs main and jib only. Three Cadets crossed the finish
line first with Tintookie skippered by John Knox and crewed by Mike Igglesden a close 4th. John
Knox later proved to be the perfect after-race host and showed his appreciation of the Class by
donating the Monica Anne Trophy for the 1st Class participation in conjunction with the Cadet
Dinghies at the Cockburn Sound Regatta in January 1966. This trophy was won by Ian Peck who
skippered Fairwind turn-about with Brian Kemp. Lack of trailers was the problem most skippers
faced in 1965/66, but Chairman Pat Holmes was brave enough to sail St. Piran with bearded
Dougal Myers as crew, down the coast. Apart from a rather rough trip home again after the
racing, Pat was justifiably proud and pleased of this very first "outside" sail. Especially
noteworthy was the fact that after having sailed the approx. 20 nautical miles from Mosman Bay
to Rockingham, arriving just in time for the first heat - Pat sailed the 8½ mile heat and won it!
Pat left St. Piran pulled up on the beach at Rockingham each night during the series and was
fortunate to find it each morning - exactly as he left it - gear and all.
Only three GP's sailed in this Cockburn Regatta - St. Piran , Fairwind and Sirron .
At the end of January 1966 the 2nd Australia Day Open Championships were conducted at Lake
Colac in Victoria but were not contested by W.A. Geoff Manefield sailing #5656 Winsome of Mt.
Gambier S.A. won the title for the second time. Twenty boats entered - exactly half the number
of entries which were received for the 1 st Series which had been held at Chelsea, Victoria in
1965. W.A. Chairman, Pat Holmes, on holiday in Victoria during the 1966 Series did not race, but
was invited to present the trophies.
Handicapping was introduced in W. A. for the Class in February, and Mike Igglesden on return
from a trip to the Eastern States reported that a new tapered aluminium mast was coming into
vogue and that the subject of the proposed Genoa jib was being keenly debated.
The first W. A. State Championship - three heats – 13 th Feb., 13 th March and 3 rd April - resulted
in a win for Ian Peck. Melody II thus became the first W.A. State GP14 Champion. Final placings
were: 1 st Melody II , 2 nd Sirron , 3 rd St. Piran , 4 th Tintookie , 5 th Kristin . A rule was made that no
spinnakers were to be used in the series as not all boats had them at this stage and indeed did
not WANT them! A handicap run in conjunction with the series placed Sirron 1 st , St. Piran 2 nd ,
and Kristin 3 rd .
The fleet entered in the Hector Wallace Memorial Race at Nedlands Y.C. on Feb. 20 th but only 5
boats started as John Hughes had broken the rudder on Kristin - a misfortune which dogged him
during these early days of racing. A 20 to 25 knot "breeze" was blowing and the GPs found the
going rather heavy. Tintookie was carrying a spinnaker for the first time in a race and the ot her
boats sailed under main and jib. Capsizes were the order of the day and many boats, after
multiple capsizes, came in outside of the time limit. The Chairman summed up this event rather
aptly in his Annual Report. Ian Peck in Melody II luckily made it just in time and was awarded
the trophy for the Class.
The spinnaker was a challenge which the fleet bravely took up and with the experience gained
from racing began to turn in better performances - at times the blue sails of Melody II were
closely followed or even beaten across the finish line and Ian happily welcomed some worthwhile
competition. Some of the wives and children had found the racing too strenuous and gradually
gave up in favour of heavier male crews.
Mary Igglesden outlasted all others by crewing for Mike consistently until 1968, and for John
Hughes while Mike was building Merry Jest in the latter half of 1966. With prowess the finer
points of sailing and rules began to engross the skippers. Books were studied and remarks such
as "Did you see us planing?" and "The boat really pointed high today" were overheard at this
time.
The Committee began to be involved with technical problems and there was considerable
thought given to such questions as (a) should the genoa jib be adopted? (b) the possibi lity of
producing glass fibre boats in Australia - which were in the process of being introduced in the
U.K., and (c) to arranging programmes, trophies, publicity and other activities in addition to
continuing Branch relations with the National Assoc. and the Tech. Sub-branch in Victoria. In
March a Genoa jib was sent over from Victoria for the Branch to try out and to give an opinion
on. Mike Igglesden tried it on Tintookie and others also sailed with it - but no-one was really
keen for three main reasons (a) It was considered heavy for the family crews to handle, (b) The
boat was likely to be less stable, especially in the heavy conditions normally encountered on the
Swan River, (c) It would tend to make the boat more of a racing machine.
In spite of this early opposition the Genoa was adopted by the U. K. and in South Africa, and
finally by Australia in July, 1967. Within a year it had become so popular that the small original
jib is now rarely used.
During April, David MacDonald Brown, owner of #5659 Heligog from Mt. Gambier S.A. arrived in
Perth to attend a Radiological Conference at the University and visited M.B.S.C. to sail with the
W.A. GPs. David had had some success in the 1966 Vict. Open Championship Series when he
won the Family Trophy. He was very impressed with Perth and W.A. and soon after returning to
Mt. Gambier applied for a position in Bunbury which he subsequently took up, bringing Heligog
with him.
Mike Igglesden decided to sell Tintookie at the end of the season in order to build a new lighter
boat. Murray McLean became the new owner, preferring to use the boat as a general purpose
and fishing boat rather than a racer. He took part in some picnic races however and did very
well. He later sold the boat to John Whitehill who renamed it The Maggie .
In June a set of plans was sold to Ken Westover at Bridgetown High School, grandson of well
known yachtsman Horace Rumble owner skipper of "Mercedes" at R.P.Y.C.
Trophy winners for the 1965/66 season were as follows :
State Championship - Ian Peck Melody II .
Commodore’s Trophy (Most Improved Skipper) - Roy Norris Sirron
Patrons Trophy - Ian Peck.
Club Trophy (Club Champion) - Ian Peck.
The 1st Annual General Meeting of the W.A. Branch was held on 16th July at the home of the
Chairman at Mosman Park. The Committee was re-elected as before with the addition of two
auditors - Ian Peck and Roy Norris, and Class Captain M. Igglesden - Vice Captain Ian Peck.
It was reported that twelve boats were either sailing or under construction at this time and t he
Chairman in his address adequately summed up the year in his own inimitable way as follows: Quote (After welcoming all members and guests Pat said,) "It all started with a letter I wrote to
"The West" which was published on 19th August, 1964 under the sobering heading "Boat for
Middle-aged". That's how it started. It well nigh finished as far as I was concerned a year later
when GP14 #6448 St. Piran reared her keel towards the skies and plunged her mast into the
firm mud of the Swan - all this of course within view (albeit a distant one) of our headquarters,
the Mounts Bay Sailing Club. Sea Scouts and Mike Igglesden the Helpful saved us on that
occasion but I suppose there are those who would say it - wasn't a very auspicious START - back
to which let us get.
The letter brought forth two men, the like of which will never be seen again. Boatbuilder of
Tintookie the first GP14 in W.A., boat rescuer, measurer, liaison man with the M.B.S.C. and
Captain of the Class Michael Igglesden - the real begetter of our fortunes, and Ian Peck expert
helmsman, explainer of racing subtleties to the novices like me, and champion of 1965/66. Time
moves slowly in the West but 2 more notable personalities were emerging - Brian Kemp - who
unknown to us had built Fairwind across the continent and has proved to be the staunch
supporter of the family side of sailing and who wouldn't be with such a galaxy of beautiful wives
and daughters? He it is too who has kept us in the public eye with his letters to the press. Alas
there was something lacking - we needed cohesion and purpose, but the fates were kind and a
singularly efficient little man appeared stretching over the horizon - one little John Hughes who
said in effect we must get organised and organised we got AND he also built a boat. Of course
to me anyone who can build a rabbit hutch let alone a boat stands on a very high pedestal not
that Kristin's husband and builder needs one. We are indebted deeply to him for having outPalmered Palmer (The Aust. Sec.) in matters secretarial. The 5 th member of your Committee is a
man of great purpose and persistence and several of us believe that when Patara slides into the
cruel sea a new epoch will have started. In geological terms an epoch is a mere 5 or so million
years, as nothing compared with the days and nights we've waited for Mike Altria to finish his
perishing garage. So much for your Committee. Apart from me they have all worked very hard
and so have our wives. Thank you. Most of our last Summer there were 6 boats fairly regularl y
racing on alternate Sundays under the auspices of Mounts Bay Sailing Club and those of us who
had sailed a little before noted first with complacency, then with some concern, and fi nally with
desperate alarm that Roy Norris was no longer backward in his red-banded Sirron and his victory
over the champion in the last of the series for the W.A. Cup was an achievement worth more
than a passing note for it showed that future racing honours might not be monopolised by
anyone - a good thing.
Brian Kemp has kindly given me a fairly complete list of racing results and apart from Ian Peck's
ascendancy the filling of 2 nd and 3 rd places were shared by all the other five boats on different
occasions. In addition to Mounts Bay events our fleet took part in the Royal Pe rth Centenary
Regatta, also on the Freshwater Bay area of storms and a mammoth affair with Nedlands when
Tintookie kept submerging and the 3 of us who finished were so far astern of the racing
machines that all notice of us was lost in the welter of speec hes and the closing down of the
day. Please note however we are much faster than the Cadet Dinghies against whom we were
kindly invited to race in Cockburn Sound in January. Cockburn Sound is of course down the coast
and coasting down to Cockburn Sound is what general purpose dinghies are for - if not always
for coasting back again! Next January we must be there in force for the sea is safer than the
river! I am not belittling the GP14, which after all was designed for the gentle zephyrs around
the English coast, when I liken a certain occasion to the Dispersal of the Spanish Armada and
Admiral Horatio Igglesden alone held the seas under reefed main and no jib. But it was early
days when those of the fleet who ever left Crawley Bay fled for the lee shore acr oss the river. All
that is in the past - we are more skilful now and it will be great fun to watch those keen young
middle aged men drawn on (or down) by the fantastic complications of the spinnaker and to
allow perhaps the more cautious old middle-aged men to sneak by.
But I fear that these are pipedreams. Just as the diesel has outmoded the steamer (shades of
sadness for MacDonald Brown) I suppose the day of the kite must dawn and the simple life will
be no more. There is even the prospect of 9 boats star ting (if not finishing) together this year
and in Murray McLean who has shown no small skill in the pleasant picnic win ter races we have
a worthy newcomer.
Your Committee has kept in touch with Victoria and is ever watchful of the need to keep the
boat a one class design, we have also found in M.B.S.C. a very friendly home. However there are
in every group of enthusiasts different interests and such affairs as race days, the best day of
the week for our activities, what to do on picnic days, which professio nal builders (if any) are to
be encouraged to build for the handless, which are the best courses for our boat during the
Summer gales, safety measures and so forth are matters we have discussed and ones which we
welcome you to state your views on. Three ow ners have trailers - how Club bound do we need
to be? When shall we venture to Rottnest? Is it not best to remain as informal as possible?
Should not there be races for wives as helmswomen? Should there be occasions when
spinnakers will not be flown? How soon can we stop the Chairman from rambling on?
Questions such as these are some you may like to discuss when you get the chance. Ladies and
Gentlemen - the case rests - we have started something a little different from the normal, let us
in no way become too one-sided - cruising is fun, racing is fun, picnics can be fun, let us enjoy
ourselves". Unquote.
On July 30 th an advertisement appeared in the For Sale column of the "West Australian" - in part
it said GP14 for sale - Katanning - sails on Lake Dumbleyung".
This boat proved to be the one built by Mr Bert Strijk, as a letter was received from the Lake
Queererrup Boat Club giving details. Mr Strijk had been a boat builder in Holland before settling
in W.A. and had been sailing with his son, who had now enr olled at boarding school - leaving the
boat too much for his father to handle alone.
John Hughes and Malcolm Sparrow went to Katanning to look at the boat as Geoff Miller and
Malcolm were interested in buying it. Malcolm and John were horrified when they tried to lift the
boat and promptly took it to the nearest weighbridge at Katanning where they ascertained that it
was indeed "solidly" built to the tune of 150 lbs over the approved minimum Class weight of 293
lbs for boats with built in buoyancy.
A hurried 'phone call to Geoff in Perth decided that they would purchase in the hope of being
able to lighten it in some way. Millspar as they renamed it was brought to Perth, and shortly
afterwards the Branch received an invitation to sail in the Lake Queererrup Boats Club's Opening
Day Regatta on Nov. 13 th and 14 th , promising good sailing and warm hospitality. Unfortunately
no-one was able to attend.
In September came news from Bridgetown - Ken Westover was at the "plying" stage. From the
U.K. voting slips re the fibre glass project and David MacDonald Brown moved to Bunbury to
take up his new appointment at the Bunbury Hospital.
1966/67 SEASON
Geoff Miller and Malcolm Sparrow had been busy taking weighty floorboards etc. out of Millspar
and in giving the boat a general face-lift. Although they didn't face the starting line on Opening
Day they were there for the first race of the season on Oct 16 th . Opening Day on Oct 8 th saw
only 2 boats finish the course correctly, owing to some confusion 3 GPs rounded the wrong
marks and Kristin 1 st and Melody 2 nd were the only ones timed in. These positions were reversed
on the 16th with the newcomer Millspar in 3 rd place. The disadvantage of some extra weight
which still remained did not stop Millspar from being a worthy opponent right from the
beginning.
These three boats were being sailed by all male crews, Geoff Ellis crewing for John Hughes, and
Giles Pickford for Ian Peck. The family crews were still turnin g in good performances - on Oct
30 th Brian Kemp with wife Lorna and daughter Barbara crewing on Fairwind took 2 nd place. Two
weeks later Roy Norris in Sirron with wife Pat and Barbara Kemp crewing, had bad luck when a
toe strap broke, causing Barbara and Roy to overbalance and fall overboard - leaving a
nonplussed Pat to "skipper" the boat. All ended well!
The following week the first Canning River picnic was held with the boats sailing from M.B.S.C.
and lowering masts to pass under the Canning Bridge, then sailing on to Rossmoyne for a
barbecue luncheon at John and Kristin's new home. Thirty one including children attended and
this became an annual event with the Hughes as excellent hosts.
By November all boats with the exception of St. Piran were using spinnakers with varying
degrees of success. Janet and Colin Peck had sailed with Ian on numerous picnic occasions and
on 4 th December the P.E. Holmes Trophy Race to Mosman Bay saw the family crews well to th e
fore with the Peck family in Melody II taking first place.
Out of six starters in a race on Dec. 11 th only Melody finished the course. In very rough
conditions many capsized or retired. Millspar was towed in after capsizing at Quarry, Pat and Roy
Norris with extra crewman Roger Harrison, capsized off Concrete Spit, tearing the top of the
mainsail on the Spit post. John Hughes with Mary Igglesden crewing, broke his rudder AGAIN
near Concrete and drifted helplessly and unseen onto the shore at the Narrows Bridge from
where they were finally rescued some 4 hours later. While Mary went to 'phone the Club for
help, John had attempted to pull Kristin up on shore as the waves were battering the boat. In so
doing he strained his back, aggravating an old injury and subsequently spent three weeks in
bed.
About this time, Ken Westover sent word that #6903 Wanda was almost ready for launching and
that he hoped to enter for the Cockburn Regatta in January. Mike Igglesden had been busy
building his new lighter boat and was hurrying to finish it before his mother Mrs S. Igglesden
arrived from England in December on a visit.
The boat was finished in time for her to launch it in Matilda Bay - if not in a traditional way - at
least in an appropriate way - with a bucket of seawater.
Thus launching her second champion - as Mike and Merry Jest #6740 were to take both State
and National Titles in the years ahead. As for the boat being lighter - Mike was in for a
disappointment - the boat weighed exactly the same as Tintookie .
If Mike found this hard to believe, no-one found it hard to believe that the nam ing of the boat
was anything less than appropriate. Named after the first boat Mike had as a child, it also was
appropriate of Mike himself - the king of the ever-ready quip under all kinds of circumstances.
Impossible to have a long face with Mike about!
The Altria family also began a dual "launching" on Dec. 27 th when son Stephen was born,
followed shortly afterwards by the long awaited launching of Patara #*6234 near Canning Bridge
- the second boat in W.A. to U.K. specifications and providing a new splash of colour to the
yachting scene with yellow main and yellow and white striped genoa jib.
The Norris family were also greatly excited in December as Pat's parents, Mr and Mrs W.F.
Hodges were coming out from England for a visit. They were able to attend the Cockburn
Regatta during their stay and to see Roy take 2 nd placing in the final results.
Merry Jest , already in form took 1 st place, Sirron and St. Piran equal 2 nd , Melody II 3 rd , Fairwind
4 th , Kristin 5 th and Patara 6 th . The Commodores Trophy went to Merry Jest , A. Berryman Trophy
to Melody II and the Regatta Commodores Trophy to St. Piran .
Another visitor from England at this time was Mr J. Fewster and his wife Isobel who owned
#4774 Isobel at the Greenlea Sailing Club. Mr Fewster was N.E. England Sailing Area
representative to the U. K. Association and was visiting relatives in Australia. Noticing the GP's
lined up on the beach at Cockburn and participating in the Regatta, in which he also sailed in a
keelboat, he introduced himself and later was a guest at the next Branch Committee meetin g on
January 14th at Rossmoyne where he was able to give all the latest news of the Class in
England, before leaving for the Eastern States and the conclusion of his world tour.
January also brought news from the U. K. of the adoption of fibreglass constr uction and ballot
papers for the genoa. In Victoria the 1967 1 st Australian National Titles were being held at
Chelsea Yacht Club, the Titles being won by Geoff Manefield of S.A. who had previously held the
Aust. Day Open Champ. Title. No W.A. entry was made, only Victoria and S.A. contested the
series.
The Koombana Bay Sailing Club were approached regarding an invitation to race in their Regatta
on Jan. 21 st and 22 nd , thus enabling their new Club member, David MacDonald Brown to race
against other GPs instead of Cruisers as he had been doing.
The Club were agreeable and this became a regular event with Merry Jest taking line honours
and the trophy on this occasion.
The 1967 Hector Waller Memorial Race at Nedlands in Febr uary was quite a "turn". The GPs with
something like a 50 minute handicap started in 2 divisions before all other Classes. A very light
Easterly was blowing - in fact little more than a zephyr - which died away on the starting gun.
Fairwind and Sirron drifted across the line.
For about 20 minutes the loudspeaker relayed the news that Fairwind was leading the fleet, long
after most other Classes had officially started. Actually they were all sitting helplessly on or near
the line with Fairwind and Sirron drifting a short distance away. Suddenly the sea breeze came
in with a flourish and the entire fleet took off helter skelter for Outer Dolphin. Spinnakers were
up and filled to capacity and as a few yachts still drifted towards them with the remnants of the
Easterly influence, the seabreeze bowled the others down on them with incredible speed. The
resulting shambles at Outer Dolphin had to be seen to be believed! It must certainly have made
history of a kind on the Swan, with something like 200 craft - all shapes and sizes converging on
one mark and rounding it in a tangle of boats and gear which would have disqualified all and
sundry if the "touching" rule had been enforced. Merry Jest won the trophy in fine style on this
occasion and later in February went on to the crowning success of winning the State and Club
Titles from Ian Peck.
The first Junior Skippers Race was run early in the year by Roy Norris, whose idea it had been.
Robert Norris won the event but no trophy was given on this occasion - 'though in following
years the Norris family donated a perpetual trophy and gave an individual one to the winner.
Brian Kemp had also offered a trophy for an Offshore event and it had been scheduled for April
16 th , but after looking at the proposed course around Garden Island it all seemed a trifle
ambitious for GPs and failure to find a suitable alt ernate course prevented this race being sailed.
Trophy winners for the 1966/67 season:State and Club Championship - Merry Jest Mike and Mary Igglesden.
Kristin Trophy (Consistency) - Melody II - Ian Peck.
Commodores Trophy - Melody II - Ian Peck.
Branch Chairman's Trophy (later known as P.E.Holmes) - Melody II - Ian Peck.
Patrons Trophy - Kristin - John Hughes.
Easter Trophy - Sirron - Roy Norris.
By June Cornelius (Cor) Zwaan was at the varnishing stage of #6910 Barwon and was in the
water by August - well in time for Opening Day in October. Allan Wilson #*7890 Selukwe , Bill
Ure #7410 Khisan and Ivan Taylor #7416 Moonraker were at the plying stage in June but could
not finish in time for Opening Day. Geoff Miller was luckier.
Geoff and Malcolm had sold Millspar to Jim Beckett at the end of the season as Malcolm had
been granted a Heart Foundation Scholarship to study overseas and would be absent at least 12
months. Geoff then placed an order with Brian Pearce of Claremont for a hull - delivery in
August. Geoff finished #6905 Pipedream off beautifully himself, and one week before Opening
Day, 14 th October, joined the fleet.
The second A.G.M. of the W.A. Branch was held in the bar room of the Club on 11th July. About
26 attended including Mr & Mrs J. W. Smith of Nedlands who had brought their boat #6193
Apsara from the Kinta Sailing Club in Malaya and had it in storage at Nedlands Yacht Club.
Unfortunately Mr Smith was often away on business and unable to sail regularly so did not join
the W. A. Branch of the Association.
Officers elected at the A.G.M. were as follows:Chairman - Mike Igglesden (Pat Holmes had tendered his resignation),
Secretary - John Hughes,
Treasurer - Mike Altria,
Publicity Officer - Brian Kemp.
Class Captain - Ian Peck.
Class Vice-Captain - Roy Norris.
Auditors - Ian Peck and Geoff Millet.
Eleven to fourteen boats were now racing fairly regularly with several more under construction.
Tintookie had been purchased from Murray McLean by John Whitehill, who renamed it The
Maggie . John with wife Margaret and children Ross, Allan and Joyce soon became a regular
family team on the river.
One boat nearing completion at this time was #7412 Niord and was keeping owner-builder Ralph
Soderlund busily engaged.
The inaugural meeting of the Victorian State Branch was held on 23 rd August thus providing
Victoria with a State sub-branch as well as the National Association Branch.
An Australia wide effort to raise money in order to send a repr esentative to the World
Championship Series at Stormont Yacht Club, Long Sault, Ontario, Canada - 23 rd to 26 th Aug
1967 resulted in a grand total of $905.35 being collec ted. Geoff Manefield as reigning Aust.
champion went with his crew Vic Cashmore. Ansett A.N.A. donated their air fares to and from
Sydney. Geoff, in a borrowed boat came 7 th in the final placings out of a total entry of 42. The
Title was won by Jack Hoad of the West Indies.
1967/68 SEASON
On Opening Day 14 th October, eleven boats faced the starting line. The Patrons Trophy was won
by Merry Jest , 2 nd Sirron and 3 rd Kristin .
The GPs by virtue of their growing numbers and their multi -coloured sails were by now creating
quite a bit of interest on the river, and eleven lined up for the start of a race was well worth
seeing. A photo of the fleet at Mosman Bay was featured in an English Newspaper which a friend
forwarded to John Hughes, and on two occasions groups of artists had sketched the boats on
picnic days at Mosman Park and Blackwall Reach.
The Mosman Picnic Race (P.E. Holmes Trophy) was held shortly after Opening Day and out of 9
starters, Sirron and Fairwind dead-heated for the trophy. The children were by now becoming
keen sailors with some of the teenagers crewing regularly in Club races. In the Commodores
Trophy Race on 29 th Oct Janet Peck crewing for Pat Holmes came 5 th , and Janis Kemp crewing
for her father came 4 th . John Hughes in Kristin won the trophy.
In November the GP14 was featured in "Sou-Wester" magazine as "Class of the Month" and
featured several photos of Mike and Mary Igglesden sailing with their sons.
The weather was behaving as usual for this time of year - a 25 knotter on 26 th Nov for the 5 th
Consistency and drifting conditions for the 6 th Consistency on Dec 3 rd .
Two spinnaker poles were lost during the Nov 26 th race and were later recovered by Mike Altria
near the Canning Bridge - side by side!
After drifting to Hallmark on Dec 3 rd skippers blood pressure was relieved by the sou'wester
coming - only to shoot up again after the race when some skippers were told they had rounded
the wrong mark.
It was all part of the game no doubt - but the most disappointing race to date was probably the
4 th Consistency sailed on Nov 13 th when the fleet were thoroughly confused as to which of three
similar buoys was Crawley. Roy Norris in Sirron rounded no less than 4 buoys to make sure and
was by virtue of his thoroughness - the only skipper to finish the course correctly, and
consequently - the winner!
The newly introduced genoas were beginning to prove their worth and racing competition was
becoming keen. Mike and Margo Altria had begun to take some good placings with a 1 st on 15 th
Nov and a 2 nd on the 5 th Nov.
Three new boats were launched during Nov. Firstly, Ralph Soderlund's Niord and then Bill Ure's
Khisan and Ivan Taylor's Moonraker . Khisan and Niord provided a new colour note with their
dark blue sails with white bands, and some skippers were heard to mutter darkly that the next
suit of sails THEY bought would be all white as the col oured sails didn't enable one to sneak up
on one's opponent whilst racing.
As Ralph had launched two weeks before Bill he had been extolling the virtues of having a mirror
smooth finish throughout - consequently Bill had Khisan up to high standard on launching day.
Ralph, and Bill's son Alistair went along on the trial run with Bill at the helm. The crew were
looking ahead giving Bill plenty of good advice, "bear away", “up to windward" and so on. It was
only when they realised that their instructions were being ignored that they looked around to
find the boat skipper-less.
It was still making headway however with Bill "ski-ing" along behind grimly holding onto the
main sheet which he had managed to retain when he slid off the lovely smooth deck. All ended
well, with a soaked Bill - glasses, hat still intact - being hauled aboard.
About this time - Roy Norris bought a Flying Ant for his two sons - Robert and Simon - who were
old enough to begin to learn to sail their own boat.
The first Tideways Race was held on Dec 10 th with the family crews out in force. The course was
from Blackwall Reach through the Tideways to the Fremantle Traffic Bridge and back, after a
handicap start. The trophy for the event was donated by the Altria family and was won this first
time by Barwon - Cor Zwaan with Conny and Pieter crewing. Merry Jest 2 nd , 3 rd Melody H . Mary
crewing for Mike and Janet crewing for Ian. Everyone took their picnic lunches along for a beach
picnic after the race.
Ralph Soderlund went out for a trial run with Mike Igglesden before his first race on 17 th and the
rudder cheeks on Niord cracked, thus preventing him from entering. A disappointing start to
racing for Ralph.
Only 4 boats entered for the Cockburn Sound Regatta in January 1968. Melody II , St. Piran ,
Pipedream and Patara . The Igglesden and Norris families were in the Eastern States as Mike and
Mary had decided to contest the 2 nd Australian National Titles, which were being held at Henley
Yacht Club, South Australia.
Mike and Mary with children David, Graham and Paul left Perth just before Xmas accompanied by
Pat and Roy Norris with children Robert, Simon and Julie. The latter had decided to "look in" on
the series on their way to a holiday tour of the Eastern States. Both families travelled across by
car and spent Xmas Day at Henley, S.A.
Mike had arranged to borrow a local boat and #5265 Femy Two was lent by Henry Post of S.A.
Roy sailed in one of the heats with John Trewin of Vict. in #6143 Spectrum , as the day was a bit
heavy for John's wife Claire.
Mike and Mary finished 7 th in the final placings which gave Geoff Manefield his 2nd Aust.
National Title. 7315 Suzanne - Bob French, Vict. was 2nd and John Trewin of Vict. in 6143
Spectrum 3rd.
The distribution of boats throughout Australia in Jan. 1968 totalled 162 known registered boats.
Vict. 128, S.A. 14, W.A. 11, N.S.W. 3, 1 not affiliated, Tas. 3, Q. 2, A.C.T. 1. As can be seen
there were several W.A. boats not registered with the Association at t his time.
Sally Holmes was by now crewing for her father fairly regularly and sailed at Cockburn and in
other races. John Sheldrick crewed for Pat on other occasions. Geoff Miller had Dr Barry Hopkins
as his regular crewman and Ian Peck had Don Bowes - as Giles Pickford had taken up a
university appointment in N.S.W. The Offshore Race scheduled for Jan 3 rd during Cockburn Week
did not eventuate again as it was still considered too risky to circumnavigate Garden Island, so it
was decided to hold a Marathon Race instead on April 7 th for the Fairwind trophy.
Following Cockburn, the first Crews Race was held resulting in a win for John Sheldrick sailing
St. Piran with owner Pat Holmes as crew. On this day John Hughes was generally "recognised"
as having beaten the 4 minute mile - in an epic dash to save Melody II from being blown onto
the groyne after taking off from the beach unmanned. Julie Norris was also in the limelight on
this day - in a different way.
She sustained a nasty cut over one eye from a playground swing at R.P.Y.C. which necessitated
7 stitches at the Princess Margaret Hospital.
The rest of January was fairly quiet with a pleasant picnic day spent sailing up to John Hughes
home at Rossmoyne for a barbecue and short races and swimming in the Canni ng River to
follow. An Insurance scheme, similar to the U.K. Assoc iation scheme was arranged by Brian
Kemp, providing a wide range of benefits to members.
It had been decided that GPs were a bit too slow in comparison with the racing craft which
normally entered for the Hector Waller Race, so this event was dropped from the programme.
Talk of the possibility of staging the 3 rd National Titles in Perth in Dec '68/ Jan '69 was the
subject of the month. At first the Aust. Association demurred - on the grounds that there were
insufficient boats in W.A., but, after several months of negotiation re the lending of boats to
interstate competitors etc. the Branch had been given the go -ahead. In February the Committee
made tentative plans re proposed dates for the 5 heats and were assured by M.B.S.C. that they
would be only too willing to assist in every way and to act as host club.
Sub-committees were formed to handle the various arrangements which were necessary.
Sailing: Ian Peck, Mike Altria, Roy Norris
Finance: Mike Altria, John Hughes, Mary Igglesden
Publicity : Brian Kemp, Lorna Kemp, Geoff Miller
Social : John Hughes, Margo Altria, Barry Hopkins
John Hughes decided in February to order a new fibre glass hull from the U.K. to complete for
himself in time for the opening of the next season.
The standing invitation to attend the Koombana Bay Y.C. Regatta during the Aust. Day weekend
was changed on the suggestion of David MacDonald Brown for the GPs to participate instead in
the Bunbury to Busselton Race on the Labour Day weekend in March. This race of approx. 26
nautical miles, is, as far as can be ascertained, the longest dinghy race to be held in open
waters in Australia. Merry Jest and Patara accepted the invitation and sailed with Heligog in the
Cruiser division, Merry Jest winning the trophy.
David had also offered in generous spirit the use or his home and grounds for entrants to enable
them to stay overnight in order to compete in the races. David's wife Nancy and children Marion,
Ian, Fiona and Wendy were all seasoned sailors - with Marion his regular forward hand.
The State Titles in March gave Ian Peck another victory - regaining the State Title from Mike
Igglesden. Don Bowes crewed for Ian during the series. Mike lost to Ian by only 2 points, Patara
& Pipedream were equal 3 rd .
Roy Norris now had Ray Stringer crewing regularly for him and a news photo of them preparing
Sirron for the 1st Heat was featured in a daily newspaper. However in spite of careful tuning
Sirron did not show true form during the series and was 7 th in the final placings.
Roy organised and ran the Junior Skippers Race for the second time in March. This year saw a
perpetual and an individual trophy on display - both donated by Roy and Pat Norris. David
Igglesden sailing Merry Jest was the proud winner of the "mug" on this occasion - presented by
Pat directly after the race. A rather funny incident happened when boats were on the beach
rigging up, prior to the start. Pat Holmes was rigging St. Piran when he suddenly noticed that
the boat seemed to be alive with ants. At a loss to discover where they had materialised from a
rapid search was made and the aluminium mast found to be the source of the trouble.
Apparently the ants had taken a fancy to it as a residence whilst it had been lying on the ground
at Pat's home. Roy was quick to appreciate the humour of it and promptly added a further notice
to his race instructions - "For GPs only - no ‘Ants’ allowed".
Conny Zwaan was 2 nd and Pieter Zwaan 3 rd in the final results. Both crewed regularly for Cor in
Club racing and were becoming very efficient. Barwon's red, white and blue (Dutch) genoa was
usually to be seen to the fore. Cor's wife Mary and small daughter Ria (Maria) preferred to sail
on picnic days only.
Khisan and Niord were often seen pottering about on the river between race days with all the
families aboard. Bill Ure with wife Joan and children Alistair, Pauline, and Ian, and Ralph
Soderlund with wife Phyllis and children Leigh, Beth, Kay and Jan.
On one occasion early in the year Khisan capsized near the Swan Brewery when approaching
Quarry Spit. It was a rather gusty day and the boat completely overturned leaving only the dog
"Patch" aboard! It was quite a unique sight to see the small, wet, black and white dog perched
on the upturned keel - in sole command.
On April 7 th the first Marathon Race was held, and it was truly a MARATHON! Taking the winner,
Ian Peck, 5¾ hours to complete the course of approx. 12 nautical miles in light to non existent
breezes. 12 boats started but several pulled out of the race as the skippers and crews were
suffering from heat fatigue.
The beginning of an annual Visiting Skippers Race, in which State and Club GP14 Champions
race in their own boats against top skippers from other classes - in GPs lent and crewed by their
owners for the occasion, was the result of a race on April 21 st by Mike Igglesden against other
prominent M.B.S.C. skippers - all in GPs.
A Film Evening in April was also the beginning of fund raising acti vities towards the cost of
staging the 3 rd National Titles in Perth and the result was most encouraging.
Pat and Liz Holmes had decided to leave on Dec 17 th for an extensive tour of the United States
and the U.K., so St. Piran was sold to Geoff and Libby (Elizabeth) Powell. Geoff's Uni studies
kept him very busy and he was unable to race regularly, but wife Libby was a very keen sailor
and was often available to crew on other boats when needed. A very unfortunate capsize during
one race cost Libby her engagement and wedding rings - as they slipped unnoticed from her
fingers whilst in the water.
Trophy winners for the 1967/68 season were as follows:
State Championship - Melody II - Ian Peck
Club Championship - Melody II - Ian Peck
Kristin Trophy (for Consistency) - Melody II - Ian Peck
M. Igglesden Trophy - Melody II - Ian Peck
Fairwind Trophy - Melody II - Ian Peck
Wrights Hardware Trophy - Melody II - Ian Peck & Merry Jest - Mike Igglesden
Patrons Trophy - Merry Jest - Mike Igglesden
G. Miller Trophy - Merry Jest - Mike Igglesden
P.E. Holmes Trophy - Sirron - Roy Norris & Fairwind - Brian Kemp
C. Zwaan Trophy - Fairwind - Brian Kemp
Tideways Trophy - Barwon - Cor Zwaan
Melody II Trophy - Pipedream - Geoff Miller
Commodores Trophy - Kristin - John Hughes
John Hughes sold his boat at the end of the season to Maurice Veale who renamed it Flomo ,
John hoped to receive his fibre glass hull from England early in June so that he would have
plenty of time to finish and rig it before Opening Day. As Secreta ry of the W.A. Branch he had
also applied in February to have the W.A. Branch registered as a builder of GP14s in order that
fibre glass hulls, sent F.O.B. from the U. K. could be made available to Australian builders.
Permission for this was granted.
Much had been heard of and discussed concerning the new glass fibre construction and Vict. and
W.A. had been investigating the possibility of producing a mould in Australia. An imported mould
was out of the question as it would have cost the Association about $52,000.
John's boat was therefore the first glass fibre GP14 in Australia - but the hold-ups involved in
delivery had him despairing whether it would ever arrive. First of all Moore and Sons, Wroxham
factory burnt down causing a delay in production of three months . Then when the hull was on
board ship for Australia, a wharf strike in Capetown, South Africa delayed delivery for one more
week.
The possibility of producing a mould in Australia did indeed prove to be a long term project as
the English firm had sole rights for 2 years. The Victorian Branch had decided to go ahead on
their own and began a search for a builder of both the wooden plug and the fibre glass mould in
1968, but it was over 12 months before the first hull was produced. There was then some doubt
as to whether it would be accepted by the U.K. as complying to rigid International standards.
The W.A. Branch had kept abreast of all developments, preferring to bide time and to produce a
local boat which would be in accordance with U.K. specifications . Lack of professional builders
willing to build GPs had always been a big factor towards losing prospective buyers to other
Classes, as the only alternative was to buy plans and owner build. Mike Igglesden put together
some kits in his spare time and these sold readily. One of the kits was purchased by Bill
Dusseldorp who had previously owned a L.W. "Sharpie", but decided to change to a GP for the
greater stability for family sailing. Another Sharpie team who decided to change were the Kelsall
brothers - Frank and John - who had also built their own GP14. Kits and plans continued to sell
at a steady rate but, of their owners, only a few completed their boats or were heard of again.
Some took several years to build and possibly in time all will be sailing.
Fund raising for the National Championships was foremost in the minds of the Committee. Mary
Igglesden arranged concession tickets at the "Old Time Music Hall" on June 12 th , which
happened to be Mike's birthday also! The GP'ers and their friends who went along had an
enjoyable evening and the funds received a good boost.
It was an exciting month for John and Kristin Hughes. The long awaited hull arrived and on June
19 th twin boys Darren and Gavin were born.
John had quite a lot of work ahead before Kristin II was completed and ready to sail. He also had
the rudder on order from the U.K. and luckily this arrived just in time for the launching.
The 3 rd A.G.M. was held at M.B.S.C. on 5 th July and the following office bearers elected:Chairman - Mike Igglesden,
Secretary - John Hughes,
Treasurer - Mike Altria,
Publicity Officer - Brian Kemp,
Class Captain and Delegate to M.B.S.C. - Ian Peck,
Auditors - Geoff Miller and Roy Norris.
David McDonald Brown travelled 115 miles from Bunbury to attend.
Donations of two trophies for the National Championships were received in July, one from
Whittakers Timber Merchants and the other from Laurie Chivers boat builder.
The Committee were beginning to see some results from their efforts and with the granting of
permission by the Yachting Assoc.. of W.A. in August to use the course on the Swan River on the
dates required, it appeared that arrangements were well in hand.
The various sub committees were also finding that quite a lot was involved in arranging and
running a national event, and Eastern Staters sometimes forgot the 2hr. time difference when
phoning early in the morning!
News of the introduction of transom flaps and the adoption of a longer top batten which was to
extend to the luff of the mainsail came in August, a nd on the 29 th Paul James Miller "arrived" - a
new brother for Stephen, Bruce and Wayne and 4 th son for Geoff and Mary.
The month ended well with more donations of trophies f or the National Titles from Rolly Tasker Sailmaker, Dr Ray Woods and the Hurlingham Pharmacy.
On September 13 th John Hughes launched #*7619 KristinII with wife Kris performing the
christening with traditional champagne. A strange co -incidence was that John's first GP14 #6442 Kristin was launched on the same date in 1965.
The following week #7886 Siesta was launched by Frank and John Kelsall, bringing Frank and
wife Margaret with son Glen, and John with wife Helen and children Terry, Christine, Maris e and
Alison into the growing GP ranks.
One week later #7419 Charmian (little Joy) - Bill Dusseldorp, wife Cecilia (Celia) children
Nonnie, Remco, Thelma and Charmian also joined the fleet. Bill had built the boat in three
months and as the boat slipped into the water at M.B.S.C. Celia gaily commented "There goes
my new kitchen cupboards".
Both Siesta and Charmian were to provide good competition in the months ahead.
"Tom's Weekly" featured an article on the GP and the forthcoming Championships in the issue of
23 rd Sept and to round off the season nicely two nominations for the Nat. Champio nships were
received from Len Lindgren and John Trewin of Victoria.
1968/69 SEASON
"Snow at Gosnells" was the headline which greeted Perth on Opening Day, 5 th October. The day
dawned bitterly cold and the miserable conditions continued throughout the day. Despite this,
ten GPs led by State Champion Ian Peck took their place in the Club Sail Past. Commodore Basil
Wright and Patron Mr F. Chaney MLA paid tribute to all seven Classes on their fine display under
such appalling conditions.
A gusty 25 knot nor-wester was blowing and a MAXIMUM temperature of 52° was reached when
the race for the Patrons Trophy started. Several GPs after being caught in a rain and hail squall
decided that the Clubhouse was much more comfortable and retired from the race , leaving Ian
Peck to lead the others across the finish line.
The 1 st Consistency Race on the following day was sailed in ideal conditions with a 15 knot sou wester. Fastest time was taken by the Kelsalls in Siesta which had only been launched 2 weeks
prior to Opening Day.
A week later in the P.E. Holmes Race to Mosman, Kristin II and Fairwind shared equal fastest
time with the Trophy going to The Maggie - John Whitehill, on handicap.
Dr Lloyd Morgan ordered a complete glass fibre boat from the U.K. in October and deliv ery was
promised in time for the National Championships - in which his eldest son Peter was to skipper.
Four days before the end of the month (27 th ) John and Patricia (Pat) Morris with young son
Richard arrived from England to settle in W.A.
John had owned Pot Hunter #*115 at Hamble River S.C. some years previously and had
corresponded with John Hughes who was able to meet them on arrival. Their boat arrived at
Fremantle at 10 a.m. and John was out sailing with John in Kristin II exactly 4 hours later! Not
only was he a keen sailor but a very capable one too. This was proved when he began crewing
regularly in Kristin II and the talk of the day was of John's cat-like agility when tacking or
leaning-out with only a toehold on the gunwhale.
After crewing for John in the National Titles, John Morris later skippered Kristin II with owner
John as crew.
The Commodores Trophy Race in November was a triumph for Geoff Miller in Pipedream . The
day was a replica of the first one in 1966 - scattering the fleet in a 25 to 28 knot nor-west gale.
Conditions continued the following day and proved very trying. John Hughes with Pat Holmes
crewing for him crossed the finish line 13 mins ahead of Barwon and the rest of the fleet. Cor
had Conny and Pieter with him and if anyone deserved a medal for perseverance it was surely
this "family" crew. They capsized when taking down the whisker pole off Outer Dolphin and had
torn the genoa, but held on to finish the course.
Melody II capsized and retired. Wanda - Ken Westover with Wendy crewing - capsized but were
able to finish. Patara sailed by Allan Bradford with Margo crewing ran with mainsail lowered for
part of the race. Allan had recently arrived with wife Pam from Bangor, Wales , where he had
been a GP owner.
Between 11 and 14 boats were now racing regularly and two more boats were nearing
completion, bringing the fleet to a grand total of 26. Selukwe - Allan Wilson's boat was nearly
finished and Mike Altria's Patara II was well on the way. Sets of plans had been sold to Messrs.
H. Rickman and A.E. Tomkinson as well as to several others.
On November 9 th three families loaded their boats onto trailers and headed for a weekend at
Lake Ninnon near Ballidu - 136 miles N. E. of Perth. An invitation had been received to attend
the local regatta and to sail with the power boats which normally raced there. The Igglesden,
Dusseldorp and Lwaan families went along and thoroughly enjoyed the unusual pleasure of
sailing on a lake which tends to completely disappear during the hot summer months.
During November, Arthur and Mary Barnes arrived from the U.K. bringing their GP with them.
They were old friends of the Morris family who had arrived in October, and began to visit the
Club regularly 'though they did not sail.
Another fund raising night on Nov 30 th at the "Old Time Music Hall" was well attended.
Ken Westover announced that he and "crew" Wendy Smithard would be married on 31 st
December so would be away during the Championship Series. Ian Peck was unfortunate in losing
his crewman just before the Championships - as Don and Lili Bowes left with their three children
for a holiday trip home to see their parents in England and in Germany.
Consequently, Colin and Janet Peck crewed for Ian during the series.
The covers for the programmes arrived from N.S.W. where they had been printed and the paper
donated by Mr O. Carty - Margo Altria's father. Arvid Sodum, a Perth graphic artist, had kindly
prepared the cover design for printing which had been designed by Lorna Kemp. The programme
and sailing instructions were printed in Perth, and stapled into the covers at a very moderate
rate.
Another family to leave for overseas, as mentioned earlier, were Pat and Liz Holmes and children
who left on 17 th Dec. Coming to Perth from Scotland was Mrs M. Ross, Margaret Wh itehill's
mother who arrived in time for Xmas to spend 6 weeks with her daughter and family. Other good
news at this time came from Bill Ure and Ralph Soderlund who generously offered to lend their
boats to two interstate competitors who were not bringing their boats with them, thus
eliminating the necessity to hold elimination races among the W.A. boats.
Five entries had been received from Victoria and 1 from S.A. Two entrants packed up their own
boats and despatched them by ship from Melbourne and one Vi ct. and one S.A. entry brought
theirs by road.
Dr Morgan's glass fibre boat arrived on Xmas Day - by boat from the U.K. and a very nice
"present" it was to be sure and a truly glamorous addition to the fleet. Lloyd certainly had his
ups and downs at first when learning to sail Bluebell as he originally named #*7743. Wife Evie
seemed to be more than unlucky as each time she ventured o ut on the river conditions were far
from pleasant. Sons Peter and Tony crewed whenever they had a f ree day from sailing in their
VJs at Nedlands Y.C. Peter skippered the boat during the National Titles taking 3rd placing in the
5 th heat.
The Xmas Day luncheon at the Club for the Interstate visitors was a most enjoyable occasion.
Actually it was as cool a place to be as anywhere in Perth with the temp. soaring to 110 deg the hottest Xmas Day on record in W.A. As it proved later, this was just the beginning of an
extremely hot week. Forty-four sat down to luncheon including children. Margaret's mother, Mrs
M. Ross attended and also most of the interstate visitors and competitors.
In all eighteen entries were received for the Championships and beginning with the Invitation
Race on Dec 31 st . W.A. boats showed that they were well up to the racing standard of the
visitors. The placings for the Invitation Race were as follows:- 1. KristinII , 2. Merry Jest , 3.
Suzanne (Bob French - Vict), 4. Winsome (Geoff Manefield - S.A.). The first three boats crossed
the finish line within 9 seconds of each other and the temp reached 108 deg during th e day with
only a 5 knot sea breeze to bring a little relief. The start was delayed for 30 mins to allow the
breeze to reach the racing area.
1 st HEAT. January 1 st . The temp. dropped slightly and a maximum of 87º was registered. The
breeze had strengthened to 10 to 15 knots and Merry Jest and KristinII battled the lead
throughout. Merry Jest almost lost the advantage by capsizing 10 yds. from the finish line.
Before Kristin II could catch up, Mike and Ray O'Neil righted Merry Jest and sailed across the
finish line half full of water. Kristin II finished 2nd exactly one second behind Mike and 3
seconds ahead of Suzanne - Bob French and son Peter. Winsome was disqualified on protest by
Patara - Mike Altria.
2 nd HEAT. January 2 nd . This morning race had to be resailed on January 5 th a protest against the
race committee for outside assistance was upheld. The temp on this day was 88º.
3 rd HEAT. January 2 nd . An afternoon race in light airs. Merry Jest made a poor start but managed
to work through the fleet to chalk up another first place. Results:- 1. Merry Jest , 2. Pipedream Geoff Miller, 3. Kristin II . Merry Jest crossed the finish line 1 min. 4 secs. ahead of Pipedream
with Kristin II crossing in third place 20 secs later.
The Lay Day on January 3 rd brought back the century temperatures. Perth sweltered again with a
maximum of 103.2º.
4 th HEAT. January 4 th . Morning race in light airs with a temp of 110.2º Under these trying
conditions Bob French and son Peter in Suzanne showed their mastery of light weather sailing
and were so far ahead that other skippers believed they must have retired, and gone off for a
sail on their own. Results :- 1. Suzanne , 2. Vivace (John and Claire Trewin - Vict.), 3. Natani
(Max Edbrooke and daughter Lee - Vict.) It was certainly the Victorian's day!
5 th HEAT. January 5 th . It was still 110º in the afternoon when the 5 th heat commenced. Merry
Jest made a good start and remained out in front for the whole race. Placings : - 1. Merry Jest , 2.
Vivace, 3. Bluebell (Peter & Lloyd Morgan).
FINAL PLACINGS AND POINT SCORES FOR THE SERIES
Placing
No.
Boat
State
Skipper
Crew
Points
1.
6740
Merry Jest
W.A.
M. Igglesden
R. O'Neil
3
2.
*7619
Kristin II
W.A.
J. Hughes
J. Morris
22.7
3.
7315
Suzanne
Vic.
R. French
P. French
27
4.
6456
Vivace
Vic.
J. Trewin
C. Trewin
30.7
5.
6905
Pipedream
W.A.
G. Miller
V. Rann
31
6.
7886
Siesta
W.A.
F. Kelsall
J. Kelsall
39
7.
6908
Triumph
Vic.
H. Miller
M. Miller
49.7
8.
4845
Natani
Vic.
M. Edbrooke
L. Edbrooke
49.7
9.
*6234
Patara
W.A.
M. Altria
M. Altria
52
Melody II
W.A.
I. Peck
J&C Peck
56
Bluebell
W.A.
P. Morgan
L. Morgan
59.7
10.
6450
11.
*7743
12.
5656
Winsome
S.A.
G. Manefield
B.Hagerstrom
69.
13.
5659
Heligog
W.A.
D. Brown
M. Brown
72
14.
6910
Barwon
W.A.
C. Zwaan
C&P Zwaan
73
15.
5269
Trasken
Vic.
L. Lindgren
L. Lindgren
75
16.
*5675
Fairwind
W.A.
B. Kemp
L&J. Kemp
76
17.
6581
Sirron
W.A.
R. Norris
18.
7419
Charmian
W.A.
W. Dusseldorp
R. Stringer & G. Rowe 77
T. Dussledorp
92
Trophies for the Series were won by the following :Winner of Championship (Australian G.P.14 Assoc. Trophy)
Merry Jest
M. Igglesden
Second in Championship (Hurlingham Pharmacy Trophy)
KristinII
J. Hughes
Third in Championship (Whittakers Ltd. Trophy)
Suzanne
R. French
First Unplaced Family Boat (Ray Woods Trophy)
Vivace
J. Trewin
Winner Invitation Race (W.A. Branch Trophy)
KristinII
J. Hughes
Winner First Heat (L. Chivers Trophy)
Merry Jest
M. Igglesden
Winner Sealed Handicap on Final Heat (R. Tasker Trophy)
Vivace
J. Trewin
First Family Boat in 2nd Heat (M. Igglesden Trophy)
Suzanne
R. French
1 st Sealed Handicap-4th Heat (Eagle Star Insurance Trophy) Natani
2
nd
Unplaced Family Boat (G. Manefield Trophy)
Natani
M. Edbrooke
M. Edbrooke
Trophies were presented on 6 th January at an Invitation Dance and supper at M.B.S.C. After
another hot day - 100.2º, everybody enjoyed themselves, with plenty of supper left over for
some of the Victorians to salvage to help sustain them on the long haul back home next d ay.
Sheaves of flowers were presented to Committee ladies, Mary Igglesden, Margo Altria and Lorna
Kemp for their help in organising and the running of the series. Lorna introduced the only
discordant note by falling during a dance and breaking her left wri st. Husband Brian delivered
her to R.P.H. and she was still able to leave 2 days later on a holiday trip to Sydney N.S.W. with
daughter Barbara.
Race Officials for the Championships were:- Starter and Judge N. Hawkins, Timekeeper-Rear
Commodore F. Lindsey, Assistant Timekeeper-Rear Commodore K.Johnson, Protest & Dispute
Chairman - E. Moore, Rescue Boat Officer-R. Conway, Race Control Officer- Mrs M. Igglesden.
After the series ended Natani was purchased by Murray Rann, who with wife Kay, children
Denise, Jaqueline and Louise became another G.P. "convert" family - as Murray had been
prominent in racing in other classes on the Swan River for years.
He had been three times runner up in the State Moth Titles and was runner up t o his father Bob
in the 1954 V.S. Australian Championships. Bob Rann crewed for Geoff Miller in Pipedream fairly
regularly during the next season, showing evidence of the skill which had won him the State 14
Foot Dinghy Title some years previously.
Vivace was bought by keen sailor John Grant. His eldest daughter Christine shared her father's
enthusiasm and son Steven also raced with him at times. Wife Bette and two other children
Jenny and Michael were happy to potter about in the boat on non -racing occasions.
The Club Championship in January drew only 5 entries. Geoff Miller and Bob Rann in Pipedream
won the title. After taking 2nd place in the 1st heat of the State Championships shortly
afterwards, they dropped back to a final placing of 3rd in t he State Series. Murray Rann in
Natani won the State Titles with Kristin II skippered by John Morris 2 nd .
Final event for January was the Koombana Bay Regatta race from Bunbury to Busselton - five
boats entered with the following results: 1 st Heligog , 2 nd Merry Jest , 3 rd Patara, 4 th Siesta , 5 th
Khisan . Everyone enjoyed the racing and the weekend in Bunbury.
The main news in February delighted everybody. Mary Igglesden had been a little disappointed
when she was not able to sail in the National Championships wit h Mike, but on February 22 nd
when Carol Anne was born the whole family, including the G.P. fraternity were sure it had all
been worthwhile. Brothers David, Graham and Paul were very pleased.
Des Hicks bought a set of plans in February and with the help of wife Norma and sons Graham,
John and Ross soon had the construction of Vision well under way.
The 3 rd Annual Junior Skippers Race was conducted by Roy Norris in Match. Results were 1 st
Barwon Pieter Zwaan, 2 nd Merry Jest David Igglesden, 3 rd Melody II Graham Igglesden.
Ian Peck left shortly afterwards on a holiday trip to Singapore where he accepted an invi tation to
sail a GP14 in the Far East Racing Federation Regatta at Sungeipaden - coming 7th in the final
placings. Ian's son Colin had become a keen sailor and had been crewing for Greg Rice at
Maylands in his Flying Ant. As Janet was also crewing for Greg's sister Sue in her Ant, Ian
decided to purchase a boat for Colin and Janet.
Cor Zwaan also purchased a Flying Ant for Pieter as both Corny and Pieter were very proficient
sailors by now and this was proved when Barwon won the Marathon Race in April with both of
them crewing for Cor.
Lyndal Kemp was also keen to skipper and had tried her hand at sailing Fairwind as well as the
Norris boy's Flying Ant on several occasions. Sailing Peter Morgan's V.J. in the Nedlands Y.C.
Lady Skipper’s Race in April she chalked up a first placing.
The State distribution of boats in April was :- M.B.S.C. 19, Bunbury 1, Nedlands Y.C. 1, (not
Association Member) and two others not registered.
April was an exciting and busy month for the Dusseldorp family. Eldest daughter Nonnie married
John Cowper on the 13 th and went to live in New Zealand shortly afterwards.
The Visiting Skippers Race on the same day as the wedding was won by Gordon Lucas (Flying
Dutchman Class). Gordon sailed Bluebell to win by 1 min. from Terry Gaunt (Skiffs) sailing
Fairwind . Third place - Geoff Miller, 4 th - Mike Igglesden, 5 th - Brian Wright (Cherubs) sailing
Barwon , 6 th - Bill Lucas (Diamonds & Panamuna) sailing Sirron , 7 th - Murray Rann. It was the
first time that Bill and Gordon Lucas had ever competed against each other in a race
Selukwe *#7890 was launched by Allan Wilson in May. With wife Carol, daughters Jillian and
Judith and son Stephen he was able to get in some practice before winter set in. Mike Altria
decided in May not to sell the new boat he was building, and after selling Patara to Ralph
Hepponstall, finished Patara II #7888 for himself. Ralph's wife Rosemarie and young children
Tania and Richard did not sail much at first, but daughter Veronica soon became a very ardent
fan of the sport.
Trophies won during the 1968/69 Season were as follows : State Championship Trophy (Association) & State Championship Title - Natani M. Rann.
Club Championship & Commodores Trophy - Pipedream - G. Miller.
Patrons Trophy - Melody II - I. Peck.
P. E. Holmes Trophy - The Maggie J. Whitehill.
Marathon (Fairwind) Trophy, Tideways Trophy, Kristin Trophy (Con sistency) - Barwon - C. Zwaan.
J. Cassidy Trophy - Merry Jest M. Igglesden.
The 4 th A.G.M. was held at M.B.S.C. on July 25th. Mike Igglesden resigned as Branch Chairman
and also asked that in future the State Measure r be not regarded as a Committee member. Upon
agreement, the following were then elected:- Chairman - Brian Kemp, Secretary - Geoff Miller,
Treasurer - Mike Altria, Publicity Officer - Murray Rann, Class Captain - John Hughes, Auditors Bill Ure and John Morris, Delegates to the Australian Association - B. Kemp and M. Igglesden.
John Hughes’ old boat, now Flomo , was advertised for sale in August by owner Mautie Veale who
although a keen sailor had been finding trouble in obtaining a steady crew. Flomo was sold to G.
Pirizin and has not been heard of since.
The decision in August for the Publicity Officer to produce a W.A. Branch Newsletter was put into
effect by Murray Rann who produced the first issue of the "Bullsheet" in September. Mary
Igglesden who had experience in assisting both Ian Peck and John Hughes as Class Captains,
was appointed official Race Recorder for the GPs at M.B.S.C. in the same month. September also
saw two sub-committees formed to carry out the necessary preliminary investigations necessary
to produce glass fibre boats in W.A.
Committee A.B. Kemp, G. Miller and J. Hughes. Find a suitable builder, - handle legal work.
Committee B.M. Igglesden, M. Rann, M. Altria. Supervise technical work. (All three had good
experience in sailing and boat construction. Murray Rann in particular had special qualifications
having built many dinghies over the years and had act ually designed a 14' dinghy which
incorporated many new and revolutionary features including construction without nails, a self
bailing transom opening, a straight through chine and a draught of only 1 inch.)
The Victorian Branch at this time were in the process o f inspecting the prototype of their glass
fibre boat which appeared doubtful to gain international recogn ition owing to some small
differences. This had been taken from a mould for which a wooden plug had been built - using
ordinary GP14 plans.
The Victorians also advised that the name Bluebell was registered to a Victorian boat so it
became necessary for Lloyd Morgan to rename *7743 Falcon ! The naval numeral 7 (red flag with
white vertical bar) was allotted at this time to the GP14 Class for use at all r egattas and races.
Following an application by the Committee the R.F.B.Y.C. notified the Branch that in future the
Class would be included on the Cockburn Regatta Programme as a separate fleet. The season
ended with the donation of two new trophies. The Bob Rann Trophy for 1 st Consistency Race on
5 th October and the Vic Rann Crews Trophy for a race early in 1970.
1969/70 SEASON
Beautiful weather was welcomed on Opening Day October 4 th The conditions were ideal for
sailing and the Patrons Trophy was won by The Maggie - John Whitehill.
John also won the P.E. Holmes Mosman Race one week later, narrowly beating Fairwind . Lyndal
Kemp was crewing for her father Brian, and when he jumped out of the boat to race John to the
beach finish, she also began to wade in with the boat and was unlucky to tread on a cobbler
which stung her. After out-patient at hospital she was well enough to sail back to M.B.S.C. after
the picnic lunch.
Ian Peck had not started to sail in the new sea son and had decided to sell Melody II to Phillip
Ritchie and Ron Dymock who renamed the boat Cygnet . After re-painting they began regular
racing with the fleet.
Good news for Geoff Miller was the return from overseas of Malcolm Sparrow. Geoff was in need
of a crew as Bob Rann was beginning to find the hard weather racing too tiring. Peter Winter
had also begun to crew for Geoff on occasions, his height and weight being just right. When
Malcolm failed to return to racing, Peter's enthusiasm was sufficiently keen to provide Geoff with
a good and reliable forward hand.
Some of the other older GP'ers were also beginning to feel the strain of the heavy weather days
and the newcomers were complaining that they could not practice under these conditions. The
Committee gave thought to arranging the programme in future to give learners and seasoned
sailors more practice and racing in lighter conditions, by the introduction of more morning
events. This lack of racing experience in light conditions was one of the major f actors resulting
in W.A. losing the National Title to Victoria later in the year at Chelsea.
A Quiz Night was held at M.B.S.C. by the Branch in November to raise funds in order to assist
the entrants to attend the National Championships. Parents and childr en competed and the
evening was compered by Robin Vaisey. Everybody enjoyed themselves and supper was served
by the Ladies Committee afterwards.
To decide the State Champion skipper and to assist him to enter for the National Titles if
possible, the State Championships were held earlier than usual - in November instead of early in
the New Year. Murray Rann with crewman Ross McEwan retained the State Title he alrea dy held
thus giving him two GP14 State Titles within 12 months.
Murray had the misfortune to hole his boat just before one heat and temporary repairs were
made to a fist sized hole near the keel just before leaving the beach. Mike Igglesden was runner
up to Murray in the Series.
Shortly after the Series, Murray sold Natani to Colin Codner who retained the name.
The W.A. Branch had been concerned that their two delegates to the Aust. Association had no
voting rights unless they attended meetings in Victoria in person. After a great deal of
correspondence on the matter, the appointing of proxies in Vic toria was proposed - also several
alterations to the Australian Constitution.
Eric Thomas and Brian Pearce, W.A. boat builders, had been asked to quote for manufacturing
fibre glass GPs and in December Eric Thomas submitted a quote which compared favourabl y with
the prices quoted in Victoria i.e. hull and deck - $447. Complete boat $945. The boats were to
be built to the U.K. specifications and a detailed plan had been obtained from Thames Marine Mark II design.
Wayne, brother for Glen and 2 nd son for Frank and Margaret Kelsall, was born on Dec 1 st . Early
in December Norm Ings launched Clare proudly watched by wife Ronnie and children Julie,
Peter, John, Kathy and Clare. Norm had built #8148 himself, so the family were justifiably proud
of his efforts.
The Committee received a letter from Peter Anson who was also building his own GP to say that
he was making reasonable progress and that the pile of wood in the backyard was beginning to
slightly resemble a boat!
Mary Zwaan's brother Mr H. Kop arrived from Holland in December for a visit. As Mary had not
seen her brother for a long time the visit was quite exciting for the whole family. Also "arriving",
on Dec. 17th - just one year since they had left Perth - the Holmes family were back from their
world tour.
A few days before Xmas Mike Igglesden and crewman Ray O'Neil trailing Merry Jest and Mike,
Margo and Tracy Altria trailing Patara II left Perth by car to drive across to Chelsea Victoria for
the 4 th National Championship Series.
On New Years Eve - Murray Rann and Ian Peck left by plane to compete in the series also. Ian
crewed for Murray in a Victorian borrowed boat #5732 Mirrabooka .
The three W.A. skippers found the extremely light conditions throughout the series very
frustrating. The Victorians on their home ground and with much lighter gear dominated the
heats. Murray and Ian did very well in spite of the disadvantages of sailing a borrowed boat and
also of having sailed together only once before. They gained 4 th place in the final results. Mike
Igglesden had the misfortune to strain his back before the series when helping lift a boat as a
good samaritan act. Consequently he was not as fit for racing as he would have wished - but
managed to turn in a creditable performance and finish 11 th . Mike and Margo Altria also did well
- finishing 10 th . Thirty boats entered for the series which was won by April Dancer #7891 - John
Trewin (Vic), 2 nd Tinkie #7418 - F. Williamson (Vic), 3rd Vamp #6453 - J. Denman (Vic). There
were five interstate entries - 3 W.A., 1 N.S.W., 1 Tasmania.
Early in January Des Hicks launched #8483 Vision and with sons Graham and John and friend
Michael Sturgeon crewing at different times he soon had Vision in good racing form. Youngest
son Ross was temporarily out of action as he had broke n his wrist just before Xmas by a fall off
a skateboard. A strange co-incidence was that Ross Whitehill had also broken his wrist in a
similar manner about the same time.
Ross Whitehill had attended the annual Canning River picnic and barbecue at John Hugh es’
home with his wrist newly in plaster.
The quote for fibre glass construction of hull and deck was received from Brian Pearce late in
January - $460.
John Hughes' back had been growing steadily worse since he had strained it lifting his boat at
the Narrows Bridge in Dec. ‘66 and as he was in a great deal of pain an operation was advised.
Ian Peck agreed to act as Class Captain during John's absence in hospital and during
convalescence.
On February 17 th two more friends of John and Pat Morris arrived from England. Joe and Kath
Wills had owned a GP in England but did not bring their boat with them. They soon became
regular spectators at M.B.S.C.
Geoff Miller in his usual efficient manner had sent out letters to numerous Clubs throughout the
State telling them of the Association and the boat, as preliminary publicity for "Meet the GP14
Day" on 2 nd March and also in preparation for the new fibre glass production which the
Committee had decided to entrust to E.N. Thomas & Co. following a Special Meeting of all
members at M.B.S.C. when opinions were sought re (a) going ahead with the project, (b) meet
the GP14 Day (c) programme changes for the 1970/71 season.
Just before this meeting started Geoff felt ill - but carried on until it was nearly over, when he
was forced to retire. The next day he was in hospital minus his appendix. In a little over a week
he was well and truly "back on the job" at "Meet the GP14 Day".
Meanwhile the Marathon Race in March had proved to be rather gruelling and all skippers were
too tired to really enjoy another "marathon day" on the 2 nd . Murray Rann won the Marathon
Trophy with Peter Winter as crew. Mike Altria was runner up.
On the 2 nd , Geoff Miller stood for hours distributing pamphlets, answering queries and generally
organising the whole effort as people clustered about Pipedream on display for the occasion. He
was so engrossed that he forgot his hat and ended the day with a good sunburn! Geoff did a
magnificent job, not only did he prepare his boat for display, he also made up excel lent roadside
banners and information display posters etc. Murray Rann had placed an advertisement in the
Amusements column of "The West Australian" of Sat. 28 th Feb. inviting the public to attend and
to sail in a GP. The day proved popular beyond the wildest hopes of the Committee. An
estimated 400 people turned up - actually waiting turns to be taken out for a sail in the 12 boats
made available by members. Light conditions made the day ideal and family groups also went
out on Merry Jest - under outboard motor for the occasion.
A lot of visitors expressed keen interest in the new glass fibre boats and two orders were
received within a week - one for a complete boat coming from Mr M. Guy. Two sets of boat plans
and 1 kit were also sold. Allan Wilson's Selukwe was sold on the spot to the Hack family - Keith,
Barbara and children Philipa and Matthew - with 2 other buyers narrowly missing out.
As a further result of the day Kristin II was sold to Peter Cardin as John Hughes had been
advised to give sailing away for a time. Also, later in March Walt Coleman purchased David
MacDonald Brown's Heligog . Walt had become a very keen sailor whilst crewing for Roy Norris
and he became the first crew member to actually purchase a GP of his own. His enthusiasm was
also sharpened by a win in the Crew’s Race on 8 th March. Lyndal Kemp skippering Fairwind was
rather unlucky on this occasion.
She crossed the finish line in the First heat by a very good margin from the other boats.
Unfortunately she crossed leaving the buoy to Po rt instead of Starboard and the lack of breeze
at the finish line forced her to drift helplessly in an attempt to recross in the correct way, when
a little wind would have enabled her to do so in ample time. Meanwhile Walt skippering Sirron
caught up and crossed to win.
The 2 nd Heat was won by Thelma Dusseldorp skippering Charmian and the Trophy was shared
equally between them.
A very pleased and excited spectator was Mrs V. Rijn Beekman, "Oma" Thelma's grandmother
who had arrived from Holland in February to visit Celia, her daughter, after being apart for 15
years. As she was to stay with the family for 6 months she soon became a regular visitor to the
Club, enjoying many outings in Charmian and joining in picnic days to Mosman, Safety Bay and
Dawesville. She also put many younger women to shame with her vivacity and spirit - sailing,
learning to float and swim, joining in Club socials and dancing with great enthusiasm altogether a wonderful lady.
Walt bought Heligog shortly after the Crews Race and renamed it Calumet . He lost no time in
getting plenty of practice before the cold weather set in and said he hoped to have his wife Ann
and children Clint, Lisa, Bill and Joe all sailing with him in the coming season.
The official resignation of John Hughes as Class Captain was received with regret in March.
John's back, although very much improved by the operation, would not enable him to sail for a
long time. Appreciation of his work on behalf of the Association was recorded and he was
officially invited to become an associate member. This, John was happy to do, expressing the
hope that he would be able to assist the Association whenever the opportunity existed.
The 5 th Heat of the Club Championship on March 14 th decided the Title in favour of Mike
Igglesden - which was a great return to form for Merry Jest and Mike. Murray Rann was
unfortunate in two of the heats sailing Fairwind with Ian Peck crewing in 4 heats and owner
Brian Kemp in the 5th, he had trouble with the forestay. In the 1st heat it stretched and a llowed
the genoa to wrinkle badly, 'though Murray gained 2 nd placing. The stay gave way in the 2 nd heat
and forced Murray to retire. He gained 3 rd place in the 3 rd heat, 3 rd in the 4 th heat and equal 1 st
in the 5 th .
Final placings were:- 1 st M. Igglesden, 2 nd M. Rann, 3 rd F. Kelsall.
On 22nd March the Junior Skippers Race was sailed under ideal conditions. The breeze was light
but constant. Once again the trophy was won by David Igglesden in Merry Jest with Charmian
Dusseldorp in Charmain 2 nd and Julie Norris sailing Sirron 3 rd .
Pat Norris presented the trophies to the winner and on this occasion, place pennants to the
three "top" skippers. Roy suggested that in future the Junior Skippers Race might be run as a
consistency series during the season instead of a one day event.
He later drafted a programme for 10 Sunday morning races to be held in 3 to 8 knot breezes
only. Each Junior to nominate two of the races beforehand which would then count as the 2
heats for the trophy.
Following a meeting with E.N. Thomas in March the glass fibre project was officially confirmed
and the legal aspects were then investigated by the Committee. Picnic days followed the official
close of the season at M.B.S.C. and it was good to see Ivan Taylor getting in quite a lot of
practice with sun Rolly and daughter Cathy.
Following the GP publicity which Geoff had sent out to country clubs, invitations were received
to attend the Easter Regatta at Safety Bay Y.C. and the Mandurah Club's Dawesville Picnic
Races. Both invitations were accepted and on Easter Monday eleven boats went to Safety Bay.
Conditions were very light and disappointing, but in spite of this it was a most enjoyable day
with over 200 boats of different Classes taking part. Geoff Miller won the trophy for the Class
and many people were most impressed by the GP's performance in the light breeze.
Subsequently the Safety Bay Club extended an invitation to the Association to include their
Easter Regatta in all future programmes.
On Sunday April 5 th , in what appeared to be a mass migration of GPs - 12 boats were trailed by
their owners to the Dawesville picnic on Peel Inlet, south of Mandurah.
The Altria family were the first arrivals - having journeyed down the previous night and pitched
camp! The GPs made a pretty picture sailing on the inlet - especially since only 5 or 6 Mirror
Dinghies and several Corsairs from the Mandurah Club turned up to race. The Trophy donated by
Geoff Miller was won by Brian Kemp skippering Fairwind with Murray Rann crewing. The weather
was ideal and everyone enjoyed the day - including the children who had a great time in some
black mud they found near the ramp!
Mandurah Club were very pleased at such a large attendance and it was mentioned that a Master
Rees sailed a GP at their Club - but no record existed with the Association. As a result of the
outing a set of plans was sold to Mr Plant of Mandurah.
The Committee recommended to the Aust. Branch that the National Class Flag be a black bell on
a white background and also presented a draft, drawn up by Geoff Powell, to amend the
Australian Constitution re voting rights for the two W.A. delegates.
Geoff was co-opted to help the Committee on this matter and three other members had been co opted previously to represent the Class at M.B.S.C. :- Cor Zwaan - Sailing Committee Rep. and
John Kelsall and Bill Dusseldorp - House Committee Reps.
The Aust. Association had asked if the W.A. Branch was interested in staging the 5 th National
Titles in Perth as it was doubtful if a S.A. Club would agree to sponsor them. This appeared
doubtful as the S.A. Branch had been inactive for some time and members were not actively
involved with the Clubs approached. Luckily, as time was at a minimum for planning the Series,
Brighton Seacliff Club agreed to act as host Club for the Championship, and to run the series
starting on 27th Dec to 31st Dec.
The licence for E.N. Thomas & Co. to produce glass fibre boats, arrived from the U.K. in April
and as the wooden plug was already under construction the project was well on the way. A copy
of this Licence was forwarded to Victoria to assist them with their own legal work regarding
glass fibre boats as no Licence had been granted to Victoria by the U.K.
The Victorian builder had been granted sole rights by the Australian Association to produce boats
from the Victorian mould for Queensland, N.S.W. and Victoria. The Licence granted to E.N.
Thomas & Co. however gave him sole right to manufacture and to sell the Mark II Thames
Marine design throughout the whole of Australia.
The last organised event of the season at M.B.S.C. was the Visiting Skippers Race on 11 th April.
A small trophy was presented to the winner on this occasion. Peter Greave sailed Charmian to
victory with Thelma Dusseldorp crewing. John Gaunt was second in Sirron - Roy Norris crewing.
Mike Igglesden was 3 rd in Merry Jest - Ray O'Neil crewing. 4 th Pataxa - Brian Wright, 5 th
Fairwind - Don Shack, 6 th Pipedream - Murray Rann, 7 th Cygnet - Brian Plumb, 8th Barwon - John
Cassidy. The Maggie although not competing sailed along with the fleet and John Whitehill
actually "beat" Barwon across the finish line. A lot different to the early days when John was
learning to sail and complained that he always seemed to end up in Crawley Bay no matter
which way he attempted to go!
No doubt most of the GP'ers have had their own version of "Crawley Bay"
over the years - but without exception all seem to have learnt in remarkably quick time.
On the same day that John Grant advertised Vivace for sale early in May, a set of plans was
purchased by a school teacher in Quairading, Ray Gibberd, to build a boat for his own use. Four
boats had been commissioned by the Education Department shortly before this time - to be built
at Hollywood High School as a Manual Arts exercise and later to be used to instruct pupils in the
art of sailing. Mike Igglesden was in charge of this project.
Another hopeful avenue was opened when the Salters Point Sea Scouts expressed interest in the
GP14 and in June announced that they intended to buy one boat as soon as possible.
Condolences were sent to Des Hicks following the death of his mother early in June. Further
news came from the Sea Scouts to the effect that they were hopeful of eve ntually having at
least one GP14 to each Troop of Sea Scouts around Perth - envisaging inter group racing.
Geoff and Libby Powell announced that St. Piran was for sale early in June and at Prize Night
held at M.B.S.C. on June 5 th the following trophies were presented for the season :State Championship Pennant, Australian Association Trophy (Fastest Times), Wrights Hardware
Trophy, W.A. Branch State Trophy, Commodore's Trophy, J. Cassidy Trophy, Marathon Trophy :
Natani - M. Rann.
Club Championship Pennant, M. Igglesden Trophy, Power Boat Trophy : Merry Jest - M.
Igglesden.
Kristin Trophy (Consistency), C. Zwaan Trophy, Bob Rann Trophy : Sirron - R. Norris.
G. Miller Trophy, Tideways Trophy : Khisan - W. Ure.
Melody Trophy (Runner up in Consist.), M. Igglesden Trophy (1st Family Boat) : Charmian - W.
Dusseldorp.
Vic Rann Crews Trophy : Equal 1st T. Dusseldorp & W. Coleman.
P.E. Holmes trophy, Patrons Trophy : The Maggie - J. Whitehill.
News was received in July that a GP was being built at Fremantle Technical School and that Jo hn
Grant's Vivace had been purchased by the 1 st Salters Point Sea Scouts for sailing training. They
also expressed interest in the purchase of two fibre glass boats as soon as they became
available, the ultimate aim being to have one boat at each troop around the river, group
membership of the Association and inter group racing in the future.
Ballot papers from the Aust. Assoc. for the plebiscite on Jib furling gear were received in July.
This modification had been rejected by the International Assoc. At this time the Victorian glassfibre GP14 was refused an International Certificate following an application for recognition by
the Australian Association. Several days before the W.A. A.G.M. E.N. Thomas & Co. announced
that the plug for the mould was ready for measuring. The technical sub-committee passed the
plug as A1 on the 23 rd July.
At the 5 th A.G.M. on 25th July at M.B.S.C. the Commodore of the Club and his wife Mr & Mrs B.E.
Wright were present. It was a wet cold night and only 28 were present. Severa l could not attend
because of 'flu and Cor Zwaan was too worried about wife Mary. Mary had been unfortunate to
swallow a chicken bone which had caused her a great deal of discomfort - scratching her throat
badly and necessitating several days in hospital, X rays etc. Luckily, she soon recovered and was
back "on deck" again.
The Secretary reported that there were 25 boats registered with the Branch and 7 or 8 more
under construction. Geoff also spoke of the great possibilities which had been created by the
interest shown by the Education Dept., Technical Schools and Scouts.
He also informed the meeting that St. Piran had been sold. The new owner Mr Gavin O'Connor.
The Chairman, Brian Kemp, summarised the progress made over the past 5 years and of the
prestige which the Branch had gained both locally and overseas. He also expressed the hope
that with more Internationally recognised boats being built in W.A. the possibility of a World
Title Series being held in Perth might not be impossible in the not too dista nt future. He had
received news from Victoria of the formation of a State Branch in N. S. W. and also buyers in
Victoria were interested in purchasing W.A. built fibre glass boats.
The following officers were elected:- Chairman - B. M. Kemp, Secretary - G. Miller, Treasurer- W.
Ure, Publicity Officer- M. Rann, 1 other Committee Member - W. Dusseldorp, ***Class Captain R. Norris, Auditors - J. Morris & J. Whitehill. Delegate to Australia Committee - G. Miller.
***Class Captain : (R. Norris was elected unopposed owing to a misunderstanding re the other
nominee's intention to stand (M. Altria). Later it was also found that of the 2 nominees only one
nomination had been submitted to M.B.S.C. prior to the A.G.M. of the Branch and within the time
limit required by the M.B.S.C. constitution. The other nomination had not been submitted at all
by any sponsor. Under these circumstances an amicable agreement between the principals was
reached and a decision made in favour of M. Altria.)
The meeting ended with a showing of films by the Publicity Officer and the cutting of an iced
birthday cake made and presented by the Chairman's wife.
The M.B.S.C. Secretary, Hal Evans, had resigned some months previously and a replacement was
being sought. Hal was carrying on with the job in a voluntary ca pacity in spite of other
commitments and knowing the amount of work involved - Brian Kemp offered his services to the
Club as Newsletter editor. The offer was gratefully accepted and after despatching the overdue
August Newsletter - Brian decided to take the plunge and offered to act as Honorary Secretary
as well, bearing in mind the fact that Hal was due to go interstate and that the Opening of the
70/71 Season was only 8 weeks away and there was a lot to be done. Brian felt that in 5 years
of membership and sailing at M.B.S.C. he had benefited greatly and that some measure of
repayment was due - particularly as he had already decided to retire from competitive racing.
The Commodore and Management Committee gratefully accepted his offer and he was appointed
as Hon. Sec. about 8 days before the 73 rd Annual General Meeting of the Club, 10 th August,
1970. At this meeting Basil Wright resigned as Commodore after 6 yrs. in office and Bruce
Glaskin was elected to succeed him.
The Summer issue of Mainsail - the U.K. Association news sheet, arrived the first week in August
and contained the news that a foresail lever was now permitted. News from Australia was
included - Fibreglass progress in W.A. and the hat trick of winning the National, State (Vic) and
Country (Vic) Championships Titles by John Trewin of Victoria who had also decided to enter for
the World Series in U.K. at Thorpe Bay Yacht Club, Essex, England in July 1 971.
The current World Champion, Jack Hoad of the West Indies (who won his title in Canada in
1968) also expected to compete.
Back on the W.A. scene, Peter Anson attended the Commodores Ball at which the GP fraternity
was very well represented, and mentioned that he had high hopes of finishing his boat in time to
take part in the opening Day Regatta on 10 th October at M.B.S.C.
The first Committee meeting of the newly elected Committee was held on the 14 th August and
the need to appoint a Trophy Officer and also a Social Secretary were discussed.
Margaret Whitehill offered her services as Trophy Officer and W. Dusseldorp agreed to organise
the Social and money raising efforts.
Invitations received by the Secretary for the new season included the Opening Day R egatta of
Safety Bay Yacht Club on Nov 8 th , Mandurah Y.C. for the final day of racing on 18 th April 1971
and an invitation for the GPs to race as a separate Class in the Cockburn Sound Regatta - 26 th
Dec 70 to Jan 2 nd 1971.
Bill Dusseldorp offered a trophy for 1 st Family Boat at the Lake Norring Regatta or some similar
event. Bill Ure also donated a trophy for possibly the 1 st Family Boat in the Club Championships.
The Committee agreed to apply for the 1971/72 National Championships to be held in Perth, as a
new Branch had been formed in Sydney N.S.W. by David Dolman on the 12 th July and with a
reported 15 boats on hand, there was the possibility of an application being received from them
also.
It was decided to hold another "Meet the GP14 Day" on 12 th October, - Queen's Birthday holiday,
two days after Opening of the Season at M.B.S.C. Geoff suggested that it could be a very great
opportunity to launch the first W.A. built fibreglass boat if E.N. Thomas & Co. could make it
available by then, and that it would be most appropriate if the Minister for Industrial
Development, the Hon. Charles Court could be persuaded to accept an invitation to perform the
launching.
The Committee agreed that the Publicity Officer approach Mr Court re launching the boat at 11
a.m. on this day once delivery was assured.
At first Celia Dusseldorp thought that her mother Mrs J. Rijn Beekman would be leaving by ship
on this date to return to Holland - but the date was later confirmed as October 11 th . Husband,
Bill proposed that the next Quiz Night to raise funds for assistance to representatives going
interstate for Championships should be held on the 6 th November and the Xmas Party and raffle
draw be scheduled for December 14 th .
Notification of the formation of a new Yacht Club - the Hampton Harbour Boat and Sailing Club
of Dampier W.A. was received at this time and some hope of introducing GPs to Northern waters
was expressed by Murray's brother Vic Rann who was now stationed at Dampier.
Country interest was assured however when Ron St igant of Albany Technical School bought
plans on August 30 th . He later wrote to say that he had been in touch with measurer Mr R. B.
Tarbotton of the Princess Royal Sailing Club in regard to having his GP measured on completion.
To do so Mr Tarbotton would have to become a GP14 Class Measurer and he requested that this
be arranged.
Bill Ure mentioned at this time that having launched and sailed Khisan twice at Albany during
holidays he felt justified in claiming to be "the first" GP at Albany , - at least the first GP14 to sail
there.
It could be appropriate to add at this stage that even Bill's claim is likely to be challenged at
some time. Numerous reports have been made of GP14s being seen on the decks of visiting
ships, including Naval ships and in some instances some of these boats have been launched by
their owners whilst in port and sailed at various places along the west coast.
On August 39 th Lyndal Kemp announced her engagement to Graham Dixon - the wedding to take
place in September of the following year.
September 1970 brought more orders for fibre glass boats to E.N. Thomas & Co. R. Collett of
Narrogin and Dr A.R. Burkitt of Perth both placed orders.
Eric Thomas assured the Committee that the prototype would be finished by October 12 th in time
for the proposed launching by Mr Court, who was then approached and subsequently agreed to
perform this duty.
News was received from Victoria that the Victorian glassfibre boat had been refused registration
with the U.K. Association as it was not to International standards.
Cygnet was sold by Philip Ritchie & Ron Dymock early in O ctober to Roger and Penny Hill.
Cygnet was Ian Peck's old boat Melody II and it was rather fitting that one of the earliest boats
went to the newest owners and received a new name Tiki at this particular time. Final news for
the season being that John Holt, the designer Jack Holt's son, would be coming to Australia and
would possibly visit Perth, and that sail numbers now being used were up to 8999.
This news ended the first five years of W.A. Branch history, as of October 10 th a new season
opened at Mounts Bay Sailing Club and that is "another story".
It is pleasant to sit and dream a little and to wo nder at times what may lie in the future. lf you
take a small beginning of two boats and multiply them by five years into say - 30, a little mental
arithmetic at the same growth rate will produce in another five years from these 30 - no less
than four hundred and fifty! Exciting really, just try and imagine them. 450 multi-coloured sails
and hulls owners from all walks of life, boats at other Yacht Clubs, country Clubs, groups of
boats at schools and Scouts, and lots and lots more of 'the very nicest people' sailing them.
The legendary bell of Aberdovey has rung loud and clear for centuries - I feel that we can now
with certainty say "The echo is sounding in the West".
LORNA KEMP.