The Story behind the Classic Boat Regatta
In 1997 Alan Graham, a traditional boat designer and builder, organised the first Bribie Classic Boat Regatta. Alan was a founding member of the Traditional and Vintage Boat Club from which the WBAQ (Wooden Boat Association of Queensland) grew. Due to insurance issues, the regatta was suspended for a time, but from 2003 on instigation of Paul Bird, the Bribie Classic Boat Regatta was continued by the Bribie Island Boating Club Inc.
Mr. Daryl Philips oversaw organisation and running of the annual event for a further ten years.
From 2014, Dr. Doug Wilson and his wife Cecilia (as CEOs of the Bribie Island Boating Club) helped organise the event ensuring its presence was maintained not only in Queensland’s calendar of aquatic events, but in Australia’s.
In February 2021, BACE (Bribe Aquatic Community Events Inc.) was formed as a volunteer driven non-profit incorporated association with the objective to organise the Bribie Classic Boat Regatta and other aquatic events that develop particularly on Bribie Island.
Bribie Island in the Moreton Bay region is blessed with wonderful waterways and the picturesque Glasshouse Mountains forming a natural backdrop to an island that is still relaxed, full of charm and rich in cultural history. Thus, the emphasis on projects that have an AQUATIC element is a core consideration for BACE.
With a small team, BACE first hosted the Bribie Classic Boat Regatta in May 2021. It was acknowledged as ‘the best regatta ever’, with a local newspaper headlining that “it had truly captured the public imagination”.
BACE works collaboratively with other community organisations and members of the public assisting other events as it goes forward.
The Bribie Classic Boat Regatta in 2022 was unfortunately spoilt by Torrential rain.
However, with fine weather in 2023, BACE managed the biggest and most wonderful regatta ever with over 90 boats registered.
Con Tripcony’s boat PNJ was used to transport oysters from Pumicestone Passage to Brisbane in the late 1800s. It did not have an engine. The trophy for the Bribe Classic Boat Regatta award category of ‘Best Sailing Boat‘ is modelled on the PNJ.
What is a Classic Boat?
Historic: A boat built up to and including 1918.
Antique: A boat built between 1919 and 1942.
Classic: A boat built between 1943 and 1975.
Late Classic: A boat built 1976 to the year 25 prior to the current year.
Contemporary: A wooden boat built within the last 25 years
Poetry Corner
We’d like to share some poetry that gives us a glimpse of the story of the beauty of Bribie Island and Toorbul. These poems are from Roy W. Bliss. Builder of ‘Blisscraft’, Roy was involved in the early days of the Bribie Classic Boat Regatta and a friend of the original founder, Alan Graham. We hope you enjoy his beautiful words. More poetry from Roy Bliss can be found here.
Toorbul Days
Bribie Island and the 'Koopa'
