The Kestrel – a piece of floating history

The Albany Maritime Foundation is proud to be associated with a vessel with such strong historical ties to Albany and the South Coast as the Kestrel . It was even prouder to become the owner of the famed yacht, when benefactor Tony Smith purchased her and gifted her to the Foundation. Built by local boating identity Stan Austin – and launched during War-time 1940 – Kestrel was immediately commissioned as a Naval Patrol Vessel. She was fitted out with a Thomson machine-gun, a Very pistol and a depth charge, and sent out to patrol the waters of King George Sound outside Albany 's Princess Royal Harbour. Thankfully, there were no intercepts for Stan and his beloved Kestrel – especially given the instructions he received about the use of the depth charge. “I was told that if I dropped it we would have to clear the area at more than 7 knots, or we'd be blown up too,” he said. “At full tilt in perfect conditions, Kestrel struggled to make 7 knots.”



For many years after the War the pair teamed up to supply lighthouses and sail in racing and yachting regattas. Many of Albany 's ‘yachties' learned to sail on the Grand Old Lady. Now proud owners of Kestrel , the Foundation has initiated a project to painstakingly and lovingly restore her – ready for future corporate and educational use.


The Kestrel

Kinjarling Cultural Pathways Strategy

The strategy will provide a foundation
to interpret, plan and build innovative
pathways that will incorporate public art,
outdoor performance and art exhibition
areas, traditional cultural heritage
signage, and contemplative places.
Blue tooth mobile phone technology
will also be examined to see if it
can be used by patrons to down load
audio, video and photographic information
about sites and areas along each pathway.
The Foundation is the lead community
agency and is working with the Albany
Aboriginal Heritage Reference Group,
Department of Indigenous Affairs,
City of Albany, Western Australian Museum,
Landcorp, Department of Sport and Recreation
and the Port of Albany to raise funding
and implement work.
A management steering committee consisting
of members from the Foundation, the
Albany Aboriginal Reference Committee,
Noongar people and local Government
agencies will soon be formed to recruit
and appoint consultants and direct
work; project funds will be managed
by the Association.
The project will provide a strategic
planning resource for the City of
Albany and the local community to
enhance and develop cultural
interpretative pathways along the City’s
coastline and the south coast.
The strategy will also contribute to
creating a range of economic, social
and cultural benefits for the region
including creating tourism employment
opportunities.
To find out more please contact the Albany
Maritime Foundation here

Recent Projects

Construction of a traditional Couta boat, the Swift.
Construction of two wooden whale boats for the Albany Whale Boat Association.
The restoration of the former pearler Velsheda – for use as a land-based display at Denham , W Australia
Restoration of the yacht Sapphire , under arrangement with its owner
The restoration of the 75-year-old pearler Galla Gurci – returned to the Denham township as a floating tourism display.
Restoration of the famed Albany yacht Kestrel , launched in 1940 and now owned by the Foundation.


The Swift

The Galla Gurci

Shark Bay Pearling Lugger
Tommy Rane (Senior) built Galli-Curci in 1929 for Mac Hoult of Denham for dredge-pearling and fishing. Names after the brilliant Italian soprano, Amelia Galli-Curci who toured Australia in the early 1920’s, the vessel became known locally as The Galla.The expansive counter-stern was a distinctive feature of the dredge pearling luggers, making their design unique to Shark Bay. The large counter increased the work area on board. JIM Poland, a former crew member, recalls The Galla towing 8 to 10 dredges simultaneously.

In 1969 Tom Fowler purchased the boat and took it to Safety Bay after it had been restored and new rigging built. In 1982 Paul Coote became its owner and again the hull was extensively restored.
In November 1992, Denham residents George and Edna Botica donated $20,000 to the Western Australian Maritime Museum for the purchase of The Galla and its return to Denham. Triad Contractors, under the auspices of Ross Smith, transported The Galla from Fremantle to Denham and then provided an excavator to dig the lagoon where The Galla is now moored.
Other types of boats were also used in the industry, like the Valsheda, moored nearby. This boat has a transom or straight stern. It was originally owned by Dick Hoult and more recently by a former pearler, John Winder.
Originally The Galla had a large centreplate midships which could be raised and lowered as required. There was a small cabin fore and after of the centrecase.