Perpetual Trophies

The stories behind the awards

Competitors in the Australia Day Regatta on Sydney Harbour sail for many fine perpetual trophies that have been donated or loaned to the Regatta over the years.

Classic examples are the HC Dangar Memorial Sponsors Trophy, a large embossed silver cup, which will be awarded to the handicap winner of the largest keelboat fleet racing on Sydney Harbour, and the Davidson Family Trophy, a delicately crafted 140-year-old crystal and silver claret jug, which will go to the handicap winner of Division 2.

In 1997 the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron presented the H C Dangar Memorial Cup under a Deed of Loan to the Royal Anniversary Regatta (as it was then known). It is now listed as The Sponsors Trophy in the Australia Day Regatta

Mr R N Dangar originally presented the cup to the Squadron in memory of his father, a foundation member of the Squadron who, among other things was honorary treasurer for many years and was aboard the famous yacht Xarifa when it won Australia’s first ocean race, from Sydney to Newcastle and return, in 1864.

The claret jug that is now the Davidson Family Trophy originally was won by the RSYS yacht Ella in the race for Second Class Yachts at the Anniversary Regatta of 1866. It was located in a Sydney antique shop in 2006 and subsequently purchased and presented to the Australia Day Regatta Inc by Suzanne Davidson, wife of Colin Davidson, Regatta chairman from 1989 to 1995 and is a Life Member.

Another historical trophy is The Centenary of Federation Medallion for the handicap winner of the Classic Yacht Division of the Australia Day Regatta. The gold medallion is a Sydney Amateur Sailing Club trophy and is described in the SASC Sailing Program as the Sainora Medal won at the Federation Regatta in 1901.

Classic Yachts also race for the Australia Day Council Mug, underlining the Council’s recognition of the Regatta as a significant part of Australia Day celebrations afloat. The Australia Day Council Youth Sailors’ Trophy is an award that is won by a successful competitor in a junior dinghy class.

The City of Sydney Lord Mayor’s Cup is competed for each year by the Harbour’s spectacular 18-footer fleet and is awarded to the line honours winner of the championship race on Australia Day.

The City of Sydney Sesquicentenary Trophy, presented to mark the 150th anniversary of the City, is a perpetual trophy for the overall winner under PHS handicapping of the ocean race to Botany Bay and return conducted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia.

The line honours winner receives the Geoff Lee Ocean Race Trophy, presented by the late Geoff Lee, a former Chairman of the Australia Day Regatta Management Committee and past Life Member.

Another past Life Member and Chairman o the Australia Day Regatta Management Committee, the late Brian Northam, donated the Northam Family Trophy that is awarded each year at the Town Hall for the scratch winner of the Sabot Junior (two-up) class. The Hood Sailmakers Trophy is awarded to the Sabot Senior (one-up) class.

In addition to the hi-tech 18-footers, a feature of the Australia Day Regatta is the race for Historical Skiffs, replicas of 10-footers and 18-footers that raced on the Harbour between the two World Wars.

The Victor & Viney Everson Trophy commemorates the contribution to 18-footers by Victor Everson, who was Commodore of the Sydney Flying Squadron for 30 years.

For owners of Catalina cruiser/racers, the Australia Day Regatta on the Harbour is their major get-together as a class, racing as a division for the Catalina Trophy, donated by The Catalina Anchorage.

The Hunters Hill Council, which has been a long-time local government supporter of the Australia Day Regatta, presents the Hunters Hill Council Trophy for the dinghy class events sailed on the waters that bound the municipality.

Australia Day always sees a big sailing regatta on Lake Illawarra, south of Wollongong, and the Doug Prosser Trophy is awarded in recognition of all Lake Illawarra winners. A nominated winner accepts the perpetual trophy each year at the Sydney Town Hall.

Avalon Sailing Club has been a long supporter of the Australia Day Regatta with its own ‘satellite’ event for yachts and dinghies. A new trophy is the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club Trophy for yachts.