Hall of Fame welcomes a legend of yachting Hugh Treharne thanks the industry for being recognised into the Hall of Fame.
by Bob Wonders
M
illions of Australians can remember where they were, what they were doing on that ‘magic day’ back in 1983 when Australia II came from behind to break the world’s longest sporting reign and win the America’s Cup. Then Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, watching the drama unfold at the Royal Perth Yacht Club, summed it all up when he said “any boss who sacks a worker today for not turning up is a bum!” Right in the thick of the action that day off Rhode Island, was the latest inductee to the BIA Hall of Fame and the Robert Greaves Award, Sydney’s Hugh Treharne. ‘Hughie’, as he’s widely known, was not only on the front line, he played an absolutely vital role as tactician and rules expert aboard Australia II. Not only that, but Hughie designed and produced the ‘kite’, the spinnaker, which enabled Australia II to come from behind on the final leg of the final race and claim the world’s most elusive prize. No one was more deserving than Hugh Treharne, OAM, when BIA of NSW General Manager Roy Privett invited the legendary yachtsman to come forward and accept his elevation into the industry’s most exclusive enclave. The presentation was made at the well-attended industry breakfast staged during the 2013 Sydney International Boat Show. I was able to have a chat with Hughie after the presentation and to put it bluntly he was ‘somewhat stunned’ at receiving the honour. “I felt very humbled and honoured,” he declared.
The BIA of NSW Hall of Fame, incorporating the Robert Greaves Award, previous winners: 1990: Derek and Jeannie Barnard (Penta Comstat Safety Communication) 1991: Peter Hunt, BIA Life Member (Hunts Marine) 1992: Norman Hudson, Build a Boat 1993: Ted Dunne, GME Standard Communications 1994: Bruce Steber, Stebercraft. 1995: Don McIntyre, McIntyre Marine. 1996: Bob Ross, journalist and magazine editor. 2001: Keith Lambert, TAFE Shipwright and boat building. 2002: Trevor Gowland, Halvorsen and a lifetime involvement with the industry. 2005: Bill Breakspear, TAFE Marine Mechanic apprenticeship training. 2008: Bob Basham, BIA Life Member, for commitment to the sailing industry. 2010: Bill Barry-Cotter (Maritimo) and Steve Vincent (Austral Propellers) for their major contributions to the industry. 2013: Hugh Treharne, OAM, for services to yachting and the industry at large.
“When I looked back at the previous winners of this award, many of them close mates of mine, I felt very proud,” he added. While the America’s Cup, Hughie, skipper John Bertrand and the entire crew of Australia II have all become part of Australia’s sporting folklore, the unassuming tactician has left an indelible mark on many other aspects of competitive yachting. He is widely recognised as the nation’s first successful match racing skipper, claiming victories in such prestigious events as the UK’s Lymington Cup and the USA’s Liberty Cup. National championships in Quarter Ton, Half Ton and Three Quarter Ton and One Ton events led to victories in both the World One Ton Cup and World Half Ton Cup in Chicago. Hugh has seen ocean racing when it was less than friendly, too, having crewed aboard Ragamuffin and Impetuous during the gale-swept and tragic Fastnet races 1971 and 1979. Like many youngsters, Hughie ‘learnt the ropes’ in 12ft, 16ft and 18ft skiffs, winning numerous state and national titles and a world 18-footer championship just to add to his ‘collection.’ Believe it or not, Hughie also found time to contest 28 Sydney-Hobart classics. Under the terms of the Hall of Fame/Robert Greaves Award, the recipients receive a cheque for $5,000 of which they may keep half and donate half to their favourite boatingrelated charity. It came as no surprise that Hugh Treharne, OAM, donated the entire $5,000 … $2,500 to Judy Cole-Sailability Manly and $2,500 to Paralympics gold and silver medallist Dan Fitzgibbon. According to Roy Privett, the donation of the entire $5,000 was “a reflection of Hugh’s honourable character and his continued support and passion for all things sailing.”
Roy Privett (L) BIA GM & Alan Blake (R) BIA President with Hugh Treharne.
14 - September 2013 BIA of NSW & SA LOGBOOK