Gina C34

Early Years
Gina was built in 1934 by Peter Locke in Queenscliff, Victoria. As with other Couta Boats built in that time, Gina was purpose-built for catching barracouta. She still bears marks of worn compressed timber from when cray fishing pots were hauled aboard. After her construction, Gina was taken to Port Fairy, a fishing port in south-west Victoria.

Custodian: Jack Williams; 1960 – 1970
Over the years, from 1934, Gina passed through the hands of successive owners but remained at Port Fairy throughout. However, by the 1960s, due to the changing consumer demand for barracouta, the Couta Boat fishermen in Port Fairy turned to cray fishing as an additional source of income. In this period Gina was owned by Jack ‘Red’ Williams who used her for ‘couta and cray fishing’.

Custodian: Smith and Hiscox; 1970 – 1976
Circa 1970, Gina was sold to commercial fishermen Smith and Hiscox from Port Fairy.

Custodian: Peter Terjesen;1976 – 1977
In 1976, Peter Terjesen became the new custodian of Gina and used her for ‘couta and cray fishing.

Custodian: Ian Towers; 1977 – 1978
Two years later, Gina was sold to Ian Towers of Portland who purchased her so as to procure her cray licence, and within a short period he sold Gina in 1978 to John Edgar in Portland.

Custodian: John Edgar; 1978 – 1983
John used Gina for commercial fishing mainly in the Bay of Portland, for as long as the ‘couta were running. But when the ‘couta ceased coming into the bay, the fishermen were forced to seek fishing grounds further afield. They would fish as far as the Lawrence Rocks, which were about three nautical miles off-shore, but worked generally south-east around to the west of Portland so as to keep clear and avoid any dispute over of the territorial waters of the Port Fairy fishermen.

Five years on, John sold Gina to purchase a larger fishing boat. But he retained her original nameplate ‘P.Locke Jnr., Queenscliff’ for his private collection.

Custodian: Martin Bryan;1983 -1996
In the early 1980s, Tim Phillips was searching along the Victorian coastline for Couta Boats that were no longer in use as fishing vessels and that could be renovated and rigged to sail in the growing Couta Boat fleet at Portsea and Sorrento.  Tim and prospective buyer Martin Bryan made their way to Portland, where, on behalf of Martin, Tim purchased Gina in her unfinished state and transported her back to Portsea. Martin employed Metung boatbuilder Graham Aldersea to undertake a complete restoration and install a new engine.

Once restored and fitted for sailing, a new era began for Gina. She was relaunched in 1984 and renamed Regina. Immediately, she became part of the Couta Boat fleet sailing in the regular races off Portsea. She was considered to be a very fast boat and succeeded in winning the Portsea Cup on Handicap in 1986 and 1994.

Martin attributes Regina’s racing success to her very skilled crew who sailed her for seven years: Johnny Gash (Gashie) who was an Olympic sailor and a regular Sydney Hobart Yacht Race crew, and John Foster, Bill McNamara and Steve Walsh, all of whom were skilled sailors.

Custodian: Roger Bastone; 1996 – 1998
Roger Bastone from Tasmania was Regina’s custodian from 1996 to 1998. At the time, Roger’s experiences were that it was too cold to sail down in Tassie so he bought her back to Port Phillip and sold her to Janette Ellis in 1998.

Custodian: Janette Ellis; 1998 – 2021
Janette Ellis, who sailed on Regina from 1990 – 1996 with Marty Bryan, John Foster and John Gash, is the present custodian of Regina.

Janette helmed Regina for racing in the Division 1 fleet out of the Sorrento Sailing Club (SSC) before joining the recently formed Division 2 fleet. She was ably assisted by her crew John Foster and John Gash, with family and friends at other times. Janette regards Regina to be an excellent boat in heavy weather, having being caught out on more than one occasion when a front came through. Once, off Portsea when a 70 knot front came in smashing several boats, Regina simply bobbed up and down and plodded on her way.

Regina was also used for fishing, most commonly catching King George whiting, squid, salmon in the vicinity of Port Phillip Heads, and always flathead. When not racing or being used for fishing, Regina was utilized in a variety of roles including: as a tender to bring brides and wedding parties into the piers at The Baths, Sorrento Pier and Portsea Pier; by dive groups exploring Port Phillip, bringing up bounties of scallops and abalone (according to the rules of such restricted catch), and as a rescue vessel towing boats back to the ramp at Sorrento.

Janette recalls Regina’s participation in the festival marking the occasion of the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in 2006 as a pinnacle experience, especially for her 80 year old father who was on board for the festivities. There was much preparation and much to anticipate. Regina was jury-rigged, with the mast replaced with a smaller version to hold the fairy lights; there were battery packs, eskies and people onboard; from the shore could be heard music and two-way radios barking directions, with boats and floats all creating a festival atmosphere.

The journey back to Sorrento, however, was a vastly different experience for Janette who sailed solo. She gives an account of her journey.

On the way home from the Games (Commonwealth Games, Melbourne, 2006) I set off solo from Docklands, Port Melbourne on a beautiful morning with an average weather forecast, but sailable, coffee in one hand, tiller in the other, singing along, happy as a lark.

By the time I was near Brighton the wind had whipped up to an increasing high 20 + knots chopping up the seas, I was drenched from head to foot and the diesel canister had spilt into the floor, slippery as, and smelt horrible – especially after the rum the night before. 

This was in a time before we had radio on board and my phone was not highly charged. I was in my element though, not a worry, tiller between my legs standing proud albeit wet as a shag, pushing on south down Port Phillip – heading home.

But my idyllic sail was not to last. I looked up to see a Navy frigate signal me and, given that I don’t know Morse code, I was feeling vulnerable. I’d lost my hat earlier and had water running down my face trying to think? Why are they coming so close? And my, my… that is a big boat.

I wasn’t about to pull up and talk to them. So Regina and I put our heads forward and ploughed on – Regina looked so small compared to the frigate. I learnt later that they were trying to ascertain what I was doing out on the bay and if I needed any assistance. I didn’t think I was a national threat! They eventually moved off about 5 nautical miles and followed me for about an hour.

Regina danced and coursed her way, enjoying riding the waves so well. If I tried to sit down I was buffered about too much, so bracing my feet on the inside of the cockpit, and trying to stay warm and on target, was all I could do. I had confidence in Regina.

I remember arriving back at Sorrento late in the afternoon, cold, drenched, hungry, thirsty, with every muscle aching in my body. I’ll never forget this game-face and long wet race to Sorrento, Regina and I did that day.

Custodian: Mark Postlethwaite; Dec 2021 – Present
In late 2021, Mark purchased Regina ‘on a whim’ one Saturday afternoon. Having fallen in love with these boats in the early eighties whilst diving out of Sorrento, he had always considered owning one ‘an impossible dream.’ As a novice sailor with considerable experience as a craftsperson, Mark considered the refurbishment and learning to sail her to be a steep learning curve on both counts.

After a full refurbishment during 2023, Regina returned to her home town of Queenscliff in 2024 some 90 years after, and 100 metres from, her birthplace. It seemed only fitting that she should be renamed to her original ‘Gina’. And so, in January 2025 a small group of Couta Boat enthusiasts and members from the Queenscliff and Lonsdale Yacht Club (QLYC) witnessed ‘a rather theatrical’ renaming ceremony at Queenscliff Marina (See Appendix below). Her old name ‘Regina’ was purged and forever cast to the depths, while the champagne sparkled and flowed for attendees to toast the now named ‘Gina’.

Gina is now a regular competitor in the Queenscliff Couta Boat fleet and Mark is intent on fostering new sailors into Couta Boats through a training program.  Mark also continues to experience the romance of sailing Gina for pleasure, fishing, and diving. She is berthed in Queenscliff Marina.

Appendix: Traditional Boat Renaming Ceremony
Adapted from https://www.boatnames.com.au › boat-naming-ceremony

Purging Ceremony
Oh, mighty and great ruler of the seas and oceans, to whom all ships and we who venture upon your vast domain are required to pay homage, implore you in your graciousness to expunge for all time from your records and recollection the name REGINA which has ceased to be an entity in your kingdom. As proof thereof, we submit this ingot bearing her name to be corrupted through your powers and forever be purged from the sea.

(At this point, the prepared metal tag is dropped from the bow of the boat into the sea.)

In grateful acknowledgment of your munificence and dispensation, we offer these libations to your majesty and your court.

(Pour at least half of the bottle of Champagne into the sea from East to West. The remainder may be passed among guests.)

Oh, mighty and great ruler of the seas and oceans, to whom all ships and we who venture upon your vast domain are required to pay homage, we implore you in your graciousness to take unto your records and recollection this worthy vessel hereafter and for all time known as “Gina”, guarding her with your mighty arm and trident and ensuring her of safe and rapid passage throughout her journeys within your realm.

In appreciation of your munificence, dispensation and in honour of your greatness, we offer these libations to your majesty and your court.

(At this point, one bottle of Champagne, less one glass for the master and one glass for the mate are poured into the sea from West to East.)

Invocation for the Winds’ Blessing
Oh, mighty rulers of the winds, through whose power our frail vessels traverse the wild and faceless deep, we implore you to grant this worthy vessel “Gina” the benefits and pleasures of your bounty, ensuring us of your gentle ministration according to our needs.

(Facing north, pour a generous libation of Champagne into a Champagne flute and fling to the North as you intone)

Great Boreas, exalted ruler of the North Wind. Permit us to use your mighty powers to pursue our lawful endeavours. Ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your scalding breath.

(Facing west, pour the same amount of Champagne and fling to the West while intoning)

Great Zephyrus, exalted ruler of the West Wind, grant us permission to use your mighty powers to pursue our lawful endeavours, sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your wild breath.

(Facing east, repeat and fling to the East)

Great Eurus, exalted ruler of the East Wind. Permit us to use your mighty powers to pursue our lawful endeavours. Ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your mighty breath.

(Facing south, repeat, flinging to the South)

Great Notus, exalted ruler of the South Wind. Permit us to use your mighty powers to pursue our lawful endeavours. Ever sparing us the overwhelming scourge of your frigid breath.

The name is revealed after the ceremony is finished.