100 Years of Halvorsen: A Timeless Legacy Celebrated at Bobbin Head

The club had contacted Empire Marina Bobbin Head some months earlier and asked if they could use their workboat to tender in guests to the marina from their anchorages and moorings nearby – but, as usual with the Empire Team – who are known for their excellence in service – responded with “ooh I think we can do a little better than that”. The result – they cleared out the entire front section of the marina of boats and some of their top clients kindly gave up their berths for the night as the Halvorsen Club brought in 18 boats for the night to celebrate 100 years of Halvorsen.

It is 100 years since Norwegian boatbuilder Lars Halvorsen, his wife Bergithe and their family immigrated to Australia in the summer of 1924–25. 

Lars and Bergithe, Harold (Harald), Carl, Elnor, Bjarne, Magnus, Trygve and Margit either worked as shipwrights or supported the business. With seafaring in their blood, the family also assisted visiting Norwegian seafarers at the Scandinavian Seamen’s Mission.

The family’s legacy is legendary. Between 1925 and 1980 Lars Halvorsen Sons built 1300 vessels, with many more built independently by Bjarne, Magnus and Trygve. After World War II the family built and operated the famous fleet of hire boats from Bobbin Head, introducing boating to many people who lacked easy access to waters. Halvorsen’s boatyard became famous for their sports and bridge deck cruisers, racing yachts, defence vessels and mission craft.

Jordy Rowell, Marina Manager, and the entire dockmaster team of Empire Marina Bobbin Head, created a move in and move out manoeuvre that showed expertise and much planning. The result was an amazing line up of beautiful Halvorsens for all to see and for all owners and extended Halvorsen family members to enjoy. There were hugs, smiles, a private dinner in Waterside Bistro, and, after a peaceful nights sleep and a splendid coffee, a flotilla around to Cottage Point. Channel 9 News was there to capture the moment and the Empire Team were there to catch the lines and listen to all the wonderful stories of days gone by.

The mass of timber, varnish and colourful flags was a sight to see at Bobbin Head and it drew a crowd from all over Sydney.  Although this year was a very important one to celebrate, when the CEO of Empire Marinas Group – David Randall – mentioned in the dinner speech that it might have to become an annual event there was a palpable excitement in the air and this – it is apparent – became the subject matter of conversation until late into the night. 

Owning a timber or classical boat is no easy or lightly financed hobby and we should be incredibly grateful to the owners of these beautiful boats for their passion in preserving a very important part of Australia’s history. Thank you to you all for joining us at Bobbin Head – it was a true moment in time that shall never be forgotten – until next year.

Written by
Nicky Vaux aka The Boat Princess 
Partner, Empire Marina Bobbin Head