About Us
The Association
Our History
Since 1838 the Royal Hobart Regatta Association has executed governance and coordination of the iconic 3 day aquatic carnival on the waters of the capital city in Southern Tasmania.
regatta
noun
a sporting event consisting of a serios of boat or yacht races.
‘Royal’
A title given with Royal decree and consent by the Commonwealth’s head of state.
186
Years
520,000
Spectators
10000
Events
250
Yearly Volunteers
Regatta Patron
Her Excellency the Honourable Barber Baker AC.
Tasmania’s 29th Governor, Her Excellency graduated from the University of Tasmania with a combined Arts/Law degree in 1980. She was admitted to the Supreme Court of Tasmania in 1983. She worked as a solicitor at Simmons Wolfhagen and then as a Legal Officer at the Office of the Solicitor-General of Tasmania. She joined the law firm of Murdoch Clarke, becoming the first female partner in 1993.
Her Excellency retired as a judge of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia on 31 January 2021 after becoming the first Tasmanian woman to be appointed as a Federal Magistrate, in 2008.
Regatta Vice Patron
Lord Mayor Councillor Anna Reynolds
Councillor Anna Reynolds was elected Lord Mayor of Hobart in November 2018, the third woman to be elected into the role. First elected as an Alderman to the City of Hobart in 2014, she was Chairperson of the Parks and Recreation Committee during her first term.
Anna began her career establishing a community legal centre in North Queensland, after completing her degree at the Australian National University. She has held senior roles in advocacy, policy development and management.
Our Beginnings
186 Years in the Making
Steeped in History
1838 or more specifically, Saturday December 1st. Hobart Town in a celebration to commemorate its European discovery by Dutch explorer Abel Tasman on November 24, 1642 hosts the first ever ‘Anniversary Regatta’.
In honour of the event Sir John Franklin, the then Governor of Tasmania provided free food, beer and admission for all in attendance whilst insisting the day be celebrated by the wearing of a sprig of silver wattle blossom tied with British, Navy blue ribbon.
In building upon the celebration the preceding Monday was declared a public holiday which now boasts the title for oldest, continuing of its kind within greater Australia. In 1879 the December long weekend was switched for January & February following cancellations in 1853 and 1854.
By 1934 King George V had conferred that the event should be known as the ‘Royal Hobart Regatta’ moving forward.
Originally staged at ‘Pavilion Point’ the Regatta has enjoyed grounds upon the tip of the Macquarie point adjacent the Queens Domain along the Western banks of the Derwent River and later, the Hobart Cenotaph following its unveiling in 1925.
The Regatta has, for a long time enjoyed the support of the Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy in turn.
In 2023 the Regatta celebrated its 185th year.
Our Executive
Impassioned Volunteers
From 1976 to 2013 Ross was employed by the Department of Health and Human Services. During the first 18-years he worked with the Tasmanian Ambulance Service as an on-road paramedic and as a clinical instructor training students. In 1994 Ross transferred to the Human Resource Services of DHHS, where he worked in many roles before retiring as a human resource consultant.
Ross’ first involvement in Tasmania’s community-care sector dates back to 1994 when he joined the Board of Langford Support Services, which he has chaired since 2000.
Ross wears various hats working in leadership for several other organisations. He is a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a member of the Australian College of Ambulance Professionals.
In 2019 Ross was awarded the Order of Australia medal for his services to the community.
We’re still compiling everything there is to know about David. Check back soon!
