The Hooper familys Jolly Roger business was located here 1882 - 2007
The Hooper Family moved to the boatshed on Albert Park Lake in 1882 and established a boat hire and confectionary shop (W. Hooper Boat Hire). Busters grandfather William James Hooper taught people to row and sail on the safe waters of the Lake.
During the early 1900's there were up to 7 boat houses on the lake for the hire of rowing and sailing boats.
Buster's father, William Arthur Henry Hooper was born at the residence of the Boat Shed on 26th February 1917 and grew up with boats and continued a great boating tradition at Albert Park Lake.
In 1945 on returning from war service, William and his wife Ann built a new boat house hire boat and sailing school named the Jolly Roger School of Sailing. Also founded by Willaim at the same time was the Albert Sailing Club. William built his own fleet of special sail training boats.
Problems caused through low water levels and weed infestation reduced the number of boat hire facilities available, however the Hoopers got through all this and maintained their presence at the lake.
"Buster" William Alexander Hooper (born 1947 and brother John and sister Sue) also grew up in the lakeside environment and assisted in the running of the Jolly Roger.
Both Buster and John went on to win World Championships in sailing along with many National and State Championships. Buster was also an Olympic Sailing Coach for the Barcelona 92 and Atlanta 96 Olympics. John Hooper became one of Australia's well know sailmakers.
With wife Robyn, Buster ran the business after his father passed away in 1990. The subsequent upgrading of Albert Park and dredging of the Lake allowed the continuence of the Hooper's Boat Shed "Jolly Roger Boat Hire", with the Sailing School and Kiosk on the existing site until 2007.
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