Blue Mountains News

At the first regatta there were about 20 model ships. Today the group has about 450 at bases across Australia and internationally, as well as 150 members.

Blue Mountains Councillor Romola Hollywood attended the annual regatta and accepted a plaque commemorating the long association of Council and Task Force 72.

Cr Hollywood said: “It is fantastic that Wentworth Falls Lake is the place where Taskforce 72 has been meeting for the past 20 years for their regatta. I know many local community members appreciate the craftsmanship and many hours of work that goes into building the ships and to see them sailing on the lake is wonderful.”

President of Task Force 72 Tony Page said: “We are fortunate to have 20-plus years of association with and support from the Blue Mountains City Council.” 

“This is an achievement that I’m sure most of the guys at the initial regatta in 1995 wouldn’t have contemplated happening.”

The Task Force was borne over a few drinks by Russ French, a decommissioned Senior Navy Officer and Allan Pew, a master pattern maker.

Task Force 72 have introduced several awards to their event, including the Bravo Zulu (well done) award, the Newbie Award and the Homer Award (given to an individual for an incident that may have occurred throughout the regatta).