22nd Lord Howe Island BBQ
R Cooper (engraver) after John Singleton Copley. Engraving on paper (sheet: 22.4 cm x 12.8 cm)
Collection: National Portrait Gallery Australia
Richard Howe (1st Earl Howe, 1726–1799), naval commander, served in the Royal Navy for over fifty years, seeing action in the Seven Years War, the American Wars of Independence and the French Revolutionary Wars. He served as First Lord of the Admiralty from 1783 to 1788, during which period the decision to send the First Fleet to Botany Bay was made. He is thus commemorated in a number of Australian place names, notably Lord Howe Island, discovered and named by First Fleet officer Henry Lidgbird Ball in 1788.
It’s not recorded whether Dick was the sort of bloke who would have enjoyed a 420nm bluewater cruise to have an informal BBQ on the beach, but there are obviously plenty of sailors out there who do, as the Lord Howe Island BBQ plans for its 22nd iteration
While it no way a “wooden boat” event, the philosophy and values it espouses align very closely with what we here at SWS see as important.
The event – which has no official organisation or home club – came about in 2002 when more yachts wished to participate in the Gosford-Lord Howe Island Yacht Race than could be accommodated on the limited number of moorings in the Lagoon.
Ironically, it was the race that discontinued soon after through lack of support while the informal event grew in popularity.
The cruise-in-company is open to all. There is no start time or date – skippers just choose the most convenient moment to head off into the Tasman.
Image- Zach Sanders
The only fixed “appointment” is the evening BBQ held at Ned’s Beach Lord Howe Island. The 22nd Lord Howe Island BBQ will be going ahead this year on the third Tuesday in November.
The BBQ is a fund-raiser for the local school and has now generated more than $60,000 for the Central School. The P&C provide a feast of local food, including the legendary fresh kingfish. Visiting yachties, friends and families each contribute a donation for the night.
There are already a number of vessels with moorings and accommodation booked.
If you are interested in hearing more about this event, there will be a Q.L.D. at the Sydney Amateur Sailing Club in Cremorne on Tuesday the 21st of May at 6pm.
For More information contact Alex Seja
