The Wanderer Replica Project has entered a new phase with official approval of its registration by the Department of Fair Trading as a non-profit incorporated association, and the election of a new executive committee.
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During its first year, the project was under the guidance of a community support organisation, Resilience, which is now disbanded.
Now, with the approval of the new legal entity – Wanderer Replica Project Eden Inc – the long-held dream of building a full scale replica of Ben Boyd’s luxury topsail schooner moves a step closer to reality.
Built at Cowes in 1837, Ben Boyd’s original Wanderer was a 140-tonne topsail schooner, approximately 90 feet overall, 14ft draft, flush decks, 13 guns, with a luxury fitout and a very fast sailer.
New president of the newly incorporated Wanderer Project committee is Morrie Lynch, the well-known Eden shipwright.
Mr Lynch will also take charge of the construction phase of the Wanderer replica on a special site at Boydtown, Twofold Bay.
During its first year of meetings so far, the Wanderer replica project group has achieved a great deal.
The proprietor of Boydtown, Bruce Lyon, has provided excellent support in the form of a construction site lease near the Princes Highway entrance to Boydtown.
Bega Valley Shire Council has also approved a development application with plans for the Boydtown construction site.
The lease and the DA are being amended to reflect the new incorporated status of the project group.
As well, the project group commissioned a naval architect in England to visit Ben Boyd’s descendant, Lord Boyd, at Ince Castle early in 2014 to take professional measurements from the original shipwright’s model of the Wanderer.
These are now being worked on in Sydney by Peter Lowe Design Pty Ltd, naval architects who worked with the legendary America’s Cup designer, the late Ben Lexcen.
In co-operation with Mr Lynch, this process will produce concept plans for the Wanderer replica, followed by detailed drawings for submission to the maritime regulator.
Mr Lynch emphasised that the Wanderer Replica Project aims to provide employment, education/training and tourism opportunities throughout the build process as well as when she is a sailing concern,
The construction phase will include the participation of local shipbuilding apprentices and provide facilities for visual inspection by school and tourist groups as the hull takes shape at Boydtown.
Fundraising for the replica project began in 2013 with the “Purchase a Plank” program offering interested supporters a specified plank of the replica for $50 each.
The Wanderer group will now look to initiate the larger fundraising program needed to fund the start-up of the construction site at Boydtown.
The newly elected executive committee also includes vice-president Allan Drummond (Wallagoot); treasurer Jim Morris (Eden); secretary Clare Whiter (Eden) and
Committee members are Jon Gaul (Tura); John Seckhold (Tathra); Ian Whiter (Eden) and Dave Brown (Merimbula).
Anyone interested in becoming involved with the Wanderer Replica Project is welcome aboard.
Please contact Clare Whiter at the Eden Community Access Centre on 6496 3970 or ataccesscentre@eden.nsw.au
