Melbourne show's milestone

THE 50th Annual BIA Melbourne Boat Show will celebrate its half century with a display of marine memorabilia including classic boats from the Show’s earliest years.

The Boating Industry Association of Victoria will display photographs, programs and boats from the 50 Shows, which parallel the BIA’s own 50-year history.

Back in 1961, boat prices ranged from £30 to £6,000 ($60 to $12,000) and the venue dated back to 1880 – but the boats were then, as now, the latest available from Australia and around the world.

Organisers promoted the Show as “the ideal family outing” with ample parking.

“Professionals, amateurs, mums, dads, kids and all, will find hours of absorbing interest at this educational display,” the original advertisements proclaimed.

“International boating trends from world manufacturers” were on show, with sailing craft, speedboats, dinghies, runabouts and cabin cruisers – plus a competition for the best photograph of the “Girl in the Bikini”.

The Show’s early days marked major changes in boating, with deep vee hulls and fibreglass dominating by the mid-1960s and beginning a trend which has continued ever since.

By the mid-1970s the fashionable trim colours were pale purple and burnt green, and a 14-foot runabout could be bought complete with trailer and 60 hp outboard for a little less than $3,000.

Landmark changes arrived in 1978, when BIA Victoria bought the show from Trevor Riddell of Riddell Exhibitions Promotions Pty Ltd, and in 1996, when it moved into the brand new Melbourne Exhibition Centre.

The 50th Show runs from Thursday 1 July to Monday 5 July at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.