' 3
PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA 24 APRIL 1987
EMBARGOED UNTIL 5.30 PM SUNDAY
An outstanding international line-up of tall ships will visit
Australia for the Bicentennial celebrations and take part in the
first tall ships race in the Southern Hemisphere.
Tall ships from Europe, Asia, and North and South America will cross
the oceans to participate in Australian port festivities in this
major Bicentenary event.
I am delighted that so many nations have accepted the Australian
Government's invitation to take part in Tall Ships Australia 198.8.
The magnificent international fleet will grace our shores from early
December. The tall ships race, involving overseas and local vessels, will
start in Hobart on January 14, ending in Sydney.
The event will culminate in a spectacular parade of sail onA
Australia Day, 26 January 1988 out of Sydney Harbour. I am
confident this international event will not only capture the
imagination of all Australians but also remind us of our maritime
heritage. It promises to be one of the most spectacular events of
the Bicentenary.
Visiting government ships will. start arriving early in December and
will continue to arrive throughout December and early January 1988
before assembling in Hobart to race to Sydney.
The ships will be open to the public for inspection and a
hospitality program involving visiting crews and Australians is
being organised.
The ships will visit most capital ports.
A significant number of non-government vessels have also registered
interest in Tall Ships Australia 1988. Three small non-government
vessels are already on their way to Australia from the United
States, Holland and Poland.
ATTACHMENT Tall Ships Australia 1988 is being organised by the Australian
Bicentennial Authority under the Director Tall Ships, Rear Admiral
Rothesay Swan.
Overseas government vessels which have already accepted:
Principality of Andorra Principat d'Andorra Trotamar III,
a 13-metre-ketch ( 42.7ft), already on
its way;
Ecuador Guayas, an 78.4-metre-barque ( 257.2ft);
Federal Republic of Gorch Fock, a
Germany ( 295.3ft);
India Varuna, a 29-metre-brig
Ireland Asgard II, a 31.7-metre brigantine
( 104ft);
Japan Nippon Maru, a 110-metre-barque
( 361.2ft);
The Netherlands Abel Tasman, a
23-metre-Bermudan-schooner ( 75.4ft);.
Oman Shabab Oman, a 44-metre topgallant
schooner ( 144.5ft);
Poland Dar Moldziezy, a 108.6-metre-barque
( 356.3ft);
Spain Juan Sebastian de Elcano,
a 113-metre barquentine ( 371ft);
United Kingdom Young Endeavour,
a 44-metre-brigantine ( 144ft);
United States of America Eagle, a 90-metre-barque ( 295ft).
Tall Ships Australia 1988 Australian Port Visits:
Perth ( Fremantle) 8 December 1987 to 12 December 1987
Adelaide 22 December 1987 to 26 December 1987
Brisbane 30 December 1987 to 2 January 1988
Melbourne 31 December 1987 to 5 January 1988
Hobart 10 January 1988 to 14 January 1988
Sydney 19 January 1988 to 26 January 1988
For inquiries contact:
Sarah Gardner ( 02) 236 1988
Media and Information Coordinator
or Isabel Lukas ( 02) 236 1988
Tall Ships Australia 1988
Journalist/ Publicist