The News, Culture and Practice of Sailing woodenboats
in Australia, New Zealand & The South Pacific.

ENVIRONMENT Mark Chew ENVIRONMENT Mark Chew

The Green Nimby’s dilemma

On the 19th December Energy Minister Chris Bowen to declare Gippsland as Australia's first offshore wind zone. Mr Bowen also confirmed new parameters to a zone previously proposed in the consultation period.

Read More
FESTIVALS Mark Chew FESTIVALS Mark Chew

Music on the Margaret Pearl

Any musical genre will be considered. Jim’s especially looking to find a jazz/blues piano player to take on melodica duties but he’s also hoping to see bagpipes, bush ballads, bosa nova, bebop and blues - perhaps not all at the same time!

Read More
Mark Chew Mark Chew

An update from the AWBF General Manager

What I find endlessly remarkable about this Festival is that it is held together by the power of a very simple idea – the beauty and promise of wooden boats. To some this is a promise of adventure; to others a promise of comradery, history, craftsmanship, or simple relaxation.

Read More
RESTORATION Mark Chew RESTORATION Mark Chew

ELIZABETH- Part III

She now sits happily on her mooring in Mill Bay, Mangonui in the Far North of New Zealand awaiting her new life. At this stage future plans for ELIZABETH are to race her with the Mangonui Cruising Club on Doubtless Bay and take her south to race against other classics in the Tall Ships Race in the Bay of Islands in January

Read More
FILM Mark Chew FILM Mark Chew

The Last of the ‘Boat Folk’ Films from the AWBF : TREVASSA

Enjoying a very eventful delivery trip to Sydney in July 1971, when a rogue wave capsized the craft just south of Eden NSW, the crew narrowly avoiding disaster. In true testament to Jock's seaworthy designs, the boat righted again, mast and sails intact and crew in one piece save for a nicked nose from a flying kitchen knife.

Read More
Mark Chew Mark Chew

Thank You!

In this, 100th Edition of our weekly magazine, we celebrate our top ten articles and thank the people who have contributed content and essential financial support. Here’s to the next 100 weeks and the 100 after that!!

Read More
TALL SHIPS Mark Chew TALL SHIPS Mark Chew

How Sarah built a tall ship

My connection with the Australian Wooden Boat Festival, has allowed me to meet many dedicated wooden boat aficionados, perhaps none more so than fellow board member Captain Sarah Parry, so I was delighted to hear that she was going to be on the ABC’s “Conversations with Richard Fidler.”

Read More
FESTIVALS Mark Chew FESTIVALS Mark Chew

Self Examination-AWBF features Australia

Given the difficulties in travel and transport over the last few years, the festival organisers made a cleaver decision for 2023, to highlight Australian designers and builders and with the release of the full program on line, we can now see how they are intending to do this.

Read More