‘Galloping Ghosts launched at Sydney Flying Squadron

Robin Elliott with Grace Monkhouse and Coral Taylor at the launch of ‘Galloping Ghosts’ © Di Pearson

Over 100 people attended the book launch of ‘Galloping Ghosts’, a stirring rendition of the 18 foot skiffs and those who sailed them in a bygone era, with many of the old stalwarts in attendance in late March, along with current sailors.

Ken Beashel, Billy Barnett, Dave Porter, Hugh and Bomber (Ian) Treharne, Bob Holmes, John ‘Woody’ Winning (who is still sailing both modern and historic 18’s), Ian ‘Clean-Up Australia’ Kiernan, John ‘Munno’ Munson, John Sturrock, Bruce Dickson, Perry Como (his birth name long forgotten – even by him), Andrew Buckland, Ian ‘Super’ Souter, Bob Chapman, Peter Sorensen, Doug Cameron, Rob Brown, Matt Coleman and more.

The Australian Open Skiff Trust, in association with the 18 Footers League and the Sydney Flying Squadron, invited all 18ft skiff sailors along to a reunion and the launch of New Zealand yachting historian Robin Elliott’s epic masterpiece, an historic account of Australia’s 18 footers from 1890-1965.

The night also featured the unveiling of the re-birthed Mark Foy Trophy, the one that was won by HC Press and was melted in a house fire. It brought back memories for some in the room, including the ‘Press gang’, Murray and son Nick.

John ‘Steamer’ Stanley, who had a big hand in putting the night together, arranged for the Mark Foy trophy to be brought back to its former glory and was on hand to show off the beautiful silver trophy.

John Winning said: “Galloping Ghosts is a great book, backed up by Steamer, who also knows the history. The Mark Foy Trophy turned up and Steamer had it fixed up. Originally, he was told the trophy was worth around $5,000, because the valuer thought it was silver plated. But later, they had another look and realised it was the real deal and worth $50,000.”

Winning continued: “Cliff Monkhouse thought it (the trophy) was a pain, because in those days, if you won it, you had to take it home and shove it under your bed – or somewhere – and it’s big and a bit cumbersome.”

The trophy was put up by Mark Foy in 1934 and ended up in a garage.

“We didn’t have a trophy for the 18 Footers Australian Championship, but we do now,” Winning said, before thanking Robin Elliott “for a great effort with the book.

Elliott dedicated the book to 18 foot skiff legend, Cliff Monkhouse and Grant Taylor, who was heavily involved with Sydney Flying Squadron and skiff racing for many years. Both are sadly no longer with us; Cliff passed away in 2005 and Grant in 2006, but their wives Grace and Coral respectively, were there to meet the author and receive their copies of the book.

The author said, “I didn’t know Cliff, but I got to meet him when I was writing this book. We spent a good time together talking about 18 footers and sailing them. I was to meet him again at a later date, but sadly he died before I got the chance.”

Cliff was well represented at the launch, apart from his wife Grace, their children Wendy and Brian, along with three grandchildren were there.

The book sold out on the night. More are on the way.

For further information on the Sydney Flying Squadron (founded in 1891), the book and the opportunity of sailing an historic 18 foot skiff, phone Bob Killick on 02 0407 804 045 or go to www.sydneyflyingsquadron.com.au