PO Box 1389
Darlinghurst NSW 1300
Telephone 02 9319 5090
Mobile 0425 312 334
info@redroomcompany.org
ABN 35 103 464 446
MEDIA RELEASE
31 December 2009
HOBART, THE DUFFLE BAG HAS LANDED!
The British yacht “Adventure of Hornet” missed out on line
honours in this year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, but claimed the prize
for safely delivering a special cargo of Australian literature.
The Royal Navy vessel - one of three UK military services competing in the race as part of a trans-global
training expedition – finished in 65th position after arriving in Hobart at 2am this morning.
The skipper, Commander Richard Tarr, the Rear Commodore Offshore of the Royal Naval Sailing
Association, came ashore on Constitution Dock clutching a duffle bag bulging with poetry collected from
all over Australia.
The poems are a representative sample of more than 300 works submitted by members of the public
and professional poets for a national literary project called Sea Things.
Over a six week period, starting in Hobart and Devonport on 1 October and finishing on Thursday Island
on 16 November, a series of vessels traversed the nation’s east and west coasts picking up verse, stories
and recorded messages reflecting people’s thoughts on Australia’s love affair with the ocean.
The works were drawn from people of all ages and from all walks of life.
The sea-faring duffle bag will be officially handed over to Commander Tony Vine, of the Royal Australian
Navy Barracks Hobart. Its contents are scheduled to go on public exhibition at the Maritime Museum of
Tasmania early in 2010 as part of a national tour.
“We are thrilled that this unique mix of works has now returned to where the project started, and we
can’t thank enough the crew of Adventure for its dramatic travel itinerary and safe delivery,” said
Johanna Featherstone, the Artistic Director The Red Room Company, the event organiser.
Media inquiries: Johanna Featherstone, Red Room Company, on 0425 312 334, or Graham Cassidy,
Cato Counsel, on 0419 202 317
The Red Room Company creates, promotes and publishes a spectrum of poetry by Australian writers, in unusual
ways. The company is not-for-profit and is supported by The Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation, The Australia
Council for the Arts, Arts NSW, The Ian Potter Foundation and The Keir Foundation.
NEWS 
