BUNBURY (WA)
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1920's - SPEEDBOATS ON THE COLLIE RIVER
Speedboat racing was held on the Collie River at bent in the river where the old Scouts Hall is situated, the area is still known as "Speedboats" within some of the senior long time residents of Eaton.
Bunbury motorcycle daredevil Stanley Waldo Catlet is one of the best known competitors to be apart of this early speedboat racing, Stan was know to terrorise the fishers and crabbers with his antics on the weekends, would later go on to race solo motorcycles at Claremont and travel to England with Johnny Hoskins to introduce solo speedway in its promoted form to the world, On returning from England Stan would die in a plane crash not for from Bunbury Airport, full story is available on the Bunbury Stan Catlett page, check the link.
www.speedwayandroadracehistory.com/bunbury-stan-catlett.html
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1960's - COLLIE RIVER SPEED BOATS
Speed Boat racing events were held on the Collie River during the 1960's, The racers would gather and pit at the elbow on the river and race toward the Eaton to Australind bridge, round the island and return to elbow, Large spectator crowds would gather along the many vantage points along the river.
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2013 - COLLIE RIVER SPEED BOATS LOCATION
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1950's - SPEED BOATS JETTY BATHS
Speed Boat racing in Bunbury was very popular during the 1950's, The racing was held in the semi enclosed bay within the Bunbury Harbour, The harbour was man made with a massive amount of granite rock being carted in from a quarry on the Roelands hill, to form what was called, The Land Back Wharf. The race circuit was at the Jetty Baths a popular camping spot.
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1953 1954 - WALLY HIGGS TANGERINE III |
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1947 > 1963 - WELLINGTON HOTEL
Memories of Bunbury pictorial feature
The Mills family managed the Wellington Hotel in Bunbury from 1947 through to 1963. Photo: Chris Mills.
After hours at the Wellington Hotel and Dorothy Mills (leaning back on the bar enjoying a staff drink. Photo: Chris Mills.
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1954 - WELLAWAY
Memories of Bunbury facebook photo feature
1954 - Dorothy Mills rounds a corner in her race boat Wellaway, Dorothy would go on to race the monster named Satan. Photo: Chris Mills collection.
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1955 - SATAN
1955 - Dorothy Mills also raced the boat. Satan was a plywood Hydo racing boat, a single seater fitted with a Ford sidevalve V8 running twin carburettors and the exhausts exiting out through the deck of the boat making the engine noise deafening. The front mounted engine was covered by a clear engine cover. Photo: unknown.
Memories of Bunbury facebook feature
Barry Blake recalls: I used to spend every weekend at the Jetty Baths during the summer, left home in Carey Park early in the morning, walked there then walked home after a day of swimming and playing, Oh and always took the polony sandwich for lunch. And sit on the rocks and watch the speedboats. And recall Satan very clearly.
Memories of Bunbury facebook feature
Cheryl Mills-Strickland recalls: Mum (Dorothy Mills) was racing Satan when another boat swamped here. Satan sank in deep water and mum floated up in here life jacket - she couldn't swim. Very brave and very lucky no injuries.
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1958 - THE VISOR MAGAZINE REPORTED
Published 31st March 1958
1958 - Keith Hancock's Highway Hotel were the function for the regatta was held. Photo: Memories of Bunbury.
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Western Australian Speed Boat Club facebook feature
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1965 - BUNBURY SPEED BOATS JETTY BATHS
Memories of Bunbury facebook feature
The calm before the storm. Photo: Des Keeler collection.
Photo: Sobejko collection.
