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Founders

Melbourne, as the most populous city (just), was still the most important city in the land at the start of the twentieth century. The new federal Parliament sat in Melbourne and the new Governor-General also lived locally.

The primary regatta for clubs in Victoria remained the Melbourne Regatta, although much of it's former importance had been lost through the commencement of the Victorian Championships in 1888. Following the commencement of the Victorian Rowing Association in 1876, the Melbourne Regatta was organised by the VRA and became known as the VRA regatta. The allure of the regatta was waning as it became just another regatta on the VRA calendar.

Rowing remained an important and well patronised sport in Victoria and was supported by many influential people in Melbourne. Most clubs boasted eminent patrons, presidents and vice-presidents who were pleased to be associated with the sport. 

The Upper Yarra River, after the river improvements of 1890s, was also a popular place for a regatta and it reminded many people of the Thames River at Henley⁶.

Given this background, the opportunity for Melbourne to create a significant rowing event was present.

The motivation for the creation of the regatta and the original regatta committee remains opaque. However the dates and people involved are clear and we are able to deduce many key matters. We have the benefit of several good newspaper articles to assist us understand the situation. 

On 25 November 1933 an article in the Saturday Evening News attributed the idea of a Henley on Yarra mirroring Henley on Thames to Arthur Blackwood. In 1954, Colin Prosser wrote an article on the history of the regatta in The Argus¹ which mirrored the 1933 story as follows:

HENLEY-ON-YARRA started from a chance remark by Bert Hoff, a keen oarsman of 1902 vintage.

Hoff, an employee of the wool-broking firm of Dalgety's, suggested to his employers that they should challenge other wool companies for a "head of the river" race.

Dalgety's were sympathetic - a little interested and although no rival could find, at such short notice, four experienced and talented oarsmen, the Union Bank took up the challenge.

At the presentation of trophies of this two-team function Mr. A. R. Blackwood, a Dalgety's director, said: "Why should there not be a Henley-on-Yarra as well as Henley-on-Thames."

Mr. Blackwood was at the original meeting to form the regatta on May 6, 1903.

This understanding of the original idea belonging to Arthur Blackwood gains further also credence as George Fairbairn was quoted in the minutes of the annual general meeting conducted on 26 June 1912 in response to a motion to create the Founders Challenge Cup as follows: Mr Fairbairn in acknowledging the compliment of the motion, stated that the idea originated in conversation with the Late Mr Blackwood, and he said how fortunate they were to get the co-operation of such a splendid organiser as Captain E C Rivett. and that it was due to Capt Rivett's energy and organisation as Hon. Secretary that the regatta was first established.

The above stories give the impression that Arthur Blackwood was the initiator of this regatta. It is likely to be far more complex than that. Fellow founder of the regatta, Capt. William Rivett, was a senior manager at Dalgety's in Melbourne at the time and so would have been well known to Blackwood, a Dalgety director. As Rivett was the person with the strong vision and vigor to make the regatta happen, it is probable that the two had discussed the idea. Rivett's clarity of vision, determination to see it through to the formation of the regatta and his significant work and thinking undertaken prior to the first meeting, indicates it had been on his mind. Articles contemporary to the commencement date, such as in The Argus on 21 March 1904 page 6 after the first regatta in March 1904, credits Rivett with coming up with the idea for the regatta.

Arthur Blackwood was a distinguished businessman in Australia, pastoralist² and keen supporter of rowing over a long period, despite no record of having been a rower³. He had been a Vice-President of the Victorian Rowing Association, and at the time of the commencement of the regatta, was elected President of Mercantile Rowing Club despite also being a member of Melbourne Rowing Club. His business and company director interests spanned many industries.

We can safely say that when he wanted something to occur, and despite his advancing years, he had the respect and connections to make it happen.

Whether George Fairbairn needed any encouragement to join this venture, or was part of the original decision making, is unclear. Given the above story, it is possible he was brought in as a founder of the regatta by Blackwood to engage his circle of influence in Melbourne. Regardless, George Fairbairn became the inaugural President and fully backed the venture. He remained the enthusiastic President through to his death in 1943. If Blackwood had the drive, respect and connection to make it happen, perhaps Fairbairn was even more so. Michael D. De B. Collins Persse is his Australian Dictionary of Biography entry⁴ on George Fairbairn described the six Fairbairn brothers as follows: natural leaders and legendary athletes, clannish yet individual, shrewd yet generous, spacious yet straightforward in their mode of living. They had an eye for quality and a great capacity for enjoyment. Always somewhat larger than life, they bestrode the worlds they conquered, epitomizing the vigour, independence, and carefree spirit of many of the first generation of Australian native-born.

George Fairbairn fitted that description and also was a successful pastoralist, company director, politician and successful rower, stroking the Victorian eight to victory in the first Intercolonial Eights Championships in 1878. He added much to the success of the new regatta.

The common quality of Fairbairn and Blackwood was that they were entrepreneurs - they spotted an opportunity and exploited it using their superb business skills and contacts.

Clearly Fairbairn and Blackwood were not the people to run the regatta, and the capable Captain William C Rivett became a fellow founder of the regatta and its first Secretary. This comment is not intended to diminish Rivett's role in the foundation. Reports at the time show that he was the active promotor of the regatta. He had a bold vision to create a regatta equal to, or better than Henley Royal Regatta, boasting similar Challenge Cups and spectators in excess of 100,000. He had the administrative ability to make it happen.⁶ It is the author's view that Rivett may have triggered the notion to Blackwood and Blackwood engaged Fairbairn to make this dream a reality.

As mentioned, Rivett would have been known to both of Fairbairn and Blackwood as he was the wool manager at Dalgety's Melbourne office at the time Blackwood was a director of Dalgety's. Fairbairn a significant pastoralist selling wool into the market and would had known Rivett professionally. Rivett had no rowing record in Australia but was a senior oarsman back in his home town of London, being a member of the winning London Rowing Club eight which won the Grand Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta in 1890.⁵

Formation

The first meeting the Melbourne Amateur Regatta Association was held on 6th May 1903 at Dunraven, the home of George Fairbairn in Clendon Road, Toorak. The minutes of the first meeting¹¹ clearly outlined the vision of a regatta having same lines and status of the Henley Royal Regatta, in the UK. It was considered that in view of the excellent course now available on the River Yarra, the establishment of such a regatta would prove beneficial to the interests of amateur rowing throughout Australia. Given the costs involved with producing facsimile challenge cups to match those at Henley Royal Regatta, subscriptions would be sought. Rivett anticipated this issue and prior to the first meeting had procured commitments from twenty-one people to be subscribers. It was agreed that others need to be approached and a draft letter was settled.

Before the letter was sent, a meeting chaired by George Fairbairn was conducted on 28th May 1903 with representatives of the Victorian Rowing Association and key metropolitan rowing clubs. This was followed by Capt. Rivett making representations to a general meeting of the Victorian Rowing Association conducted on 1st June 1903. The general meeting of the VRA unanimously agreed that the venture should proceed with a committee established equally between the VRA and metropolitan clubs on the one hand and the subscribers to the cups on the other hand.

Given that such a venture needed both the support of the rowing community and funds to establish the regatta, Capt. Rivett wrote a letter to the editor of The Argus on 20th June 1903⁶. There were Challenge Cups to purchase and the scale of the event would require material amounts of capital to achieve the aim of another Henley Royal Regatta. His vision for the regatta was articulated in the letter and included:

• facsimile Challenge Cups to match those of Henley Royal Regatta such as the Grand Challenge Cup, Stewards' Challenge Cup, Diamond Sculls, and Ladies' Plate;
• 100,000 spectators;
• attracting rowers from throughout Australia;
• an interclub regatta in the same manner at the English Henley;
• international crew participation; and
• a committee independent of others so that it could manage its own affairs.

He also ran a strong argument of the benefits of rowing and the detriments of betting, cigarettes and horse racing. He concluded that this endeavour would conserve if not add to the physique of the race - a high and noble aspiration.

The response to Rivett's letter was immediate and the level of support superb. One can only imagine that after the initial meeting at the home of George Fairbairn, the Founders made representations to all important people in Melbourne at that time as the response was so successful and quick. It has the hallmarks of a well orchestrated response. 

The next meeting was held on 22nd June 1903 where the proposed association was to be called the "Victorian Amateur Regatta" and the challenge cups named as follows: eights - the Grand Challenge Cup, fopurs - the Stewards Challenge Cup, and sculls - the Yarra Challenge Cup. Whilst confidence in the new venture was high, the amalgamating with the Upper Yarra Regatta Association was proposed showing that perhaps that regatta was needed to quickly establish the new event.

The Argus reported on 23 June 1903 on page 7 as follows:

HENLEY ON YARRA.

THE PROPOSED REGATTA.

In connection with the proposed rowing carnival on the Yarra advocated in a letter in 'The Argus' on Saturday last by Captain W C Rivett, the following gentlemen have consented to become subscribers and patrons - His Excellency the Governor-General, His Excellency the Governor of Victoria, His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor Sir Malcolm McEacharn, Senator Fraser, Senator Clemons, Major General Sir E. T. Hutton Colonel Templeton, Lieut.-Colonel Ballenger, Lieut.-Colonel F. G. Hughes, Captain W. C. Rivett, Messrs. Stephen Fairbairn, George Fairbairn, Charles Fairbairn, A. R. Blackwood, J. Sanderson, R. S. Whiting, M. Riggall, V . J .Saddler, P. Landale, G. Buckley, E. Bruce, H. Brush, J. Brentnall, Colin Templeton, L.C. Mackinnon, R. Murchison, E. N. Grimwade, J. McLaughlin, W . T. Appleton, J. Mann, J. Webb, W. P. Greene, W. Ullathorne, Charles Campbell, A .Lewis, H. F. C. Keats, David Elder, N. Bayles, George Officer, D. Jones, H. G. Rowe, W. T. Coldham, E. H. Flack, G.Stoving, A. Buchanan, E. Poolman, H. G. Brookes, F. P. Brett, John Cooke, H. Strachan.

The committee of the proposed regatta met at Young and Jackson's Hotel yesterday evening. There were present Messrs. Arthur Blackwood (in the chair), Steve Fairbairn, H. E. Brookes, E. Bruce, John Sanderson, H. Strachan, H. Brush, and F. Clarke, and Colonel Hughes, representatives of the Civil Service, Essendon, Mercantile, Yarra Yarra, Hawthorn, Albert Park, Banks, and Footscray Rowing Clubs , and the Victorian Rowing Association, and Captain Rivett, honorary secretary.

It was resolved that the proposed regatta be called the Victorian Amateur Regatta and that the Victorian Rowing Association be asked to select a suitable day for the event consistent with its fixtures for the season. It was also agreed that the trophy for the eight-oar race be called the Grand Challenge Cup, that for the four-oar race the Stewards' Cup and that for the sculling race the Yarra Challenge Cup.

Captain Rivett was authorised to approach the committee of the Upper Yarra amateur regatta with a view to the two regattas being merged, and the honorary secretary was requested to report the result of his negotiations at the earliest possible moment.

The energetic Rivett continued to meet with representatives of the Victorian Rowing Association and member clubs and received a letter of support from Sydney rowers.⁸ The report in The Argus on 24th July 1903 shows some interesting developments.

• A meeting was conducted on 23rd July 1903 at the Menzies Hotel chaired by Blackwood which reported that commitments of £300 had been received and most already paid.
• A quote for £200 was received from the UK for three handsome Challenge Cups.
• Royal patronage for the regatta had been sought and King's and Queen's Challenge Cups proposed. A regatta name of the Royal Melbourne Regatta was mentioned.
• The regatta date proposed was early summer.
• Structure - half of the Committee nominated by the donors and the other half by the rowing clubs and association. A smaller Executive Committee was to be formed, again equally shared between donors and the Clubs/Association.

The amateur question was also raised as it dominated intercolonial rowing for a long period. The Victorian definition was adopted. In broad terms, the Victorian definition dwelt on not having rowed for financial gain. It excluded watermen but not other tradesmen. This was important given the strong regional and suburban based rowing clubs. In NSW, the distinction was about whether you worked with your hands and consequently at an advantage to city gentlemen. The strength of professional rowing in NSW also meant that they were less concerned with money than  in Victoria where professional rowing was not strong. Whilst the meeting accepted that the Victorian definition would prevail, special races would be provided so that entries could be received from any recognised rowing club in Australia or abroad.

In a meeting held on 23rd July, a constitution was adopted unanimously containing the elements foreshadowed in the initial meeting. Patrons, committee members and trustees were appointed. £10 was the fee set for elected patrons.

Rivett then travelled to Sydney and then to Brisbane and met with rowing club representatives. 

The first official meeting of the new Association took place on 9th September 1903. Office bearers including the President George Fairbairn and the committee were elected. The name of the Melbourne Amateur Regatta, the March date for the first regatta and the VRA amateur definition were adopted.

By September 1903, The Argus reported that the proposal is proving a success beyond all anticipations of the promotors.⁹ An offer of £100 for a public schools challenge cup was received from sportsmen from the Western District of Victoria. Also individual trophies would be awarded for winners of the challenge cups. The Argus reported that the Challenge Cups now were as follows: The grand challenge cup (for eights), 150 guineas, the Yarra challenge cup (for fours), 100 guineas, challenge cup (for sculls), 50 guineas; public schools challenge cup (for eights), 100 guineas. This trophy -following Henley usage - may be called the ladies' cup.

The report also added as follows:

• The preferred date for the regatta was in spring as this will best suit visiting oarsmen from the old land, while our own men will not be stale from a long summers rowing. However the first regatta would be held in March 1904. 
• Some interstate public schools-notably St Peters College, Adelaide and the Brisbane Grammar School express a keen desire to measure blades with the Victorian boys in the first race for the challenge cup.
• The most agreeable feature in connection with the regatta is the cordial way in which it has been approved in the other states. Both New South Wales and Queensland oarsmen admit that it is due both to the prominence Victoria has obtained on the river and to the fine spirit in which the movement has been supported here that the Australian Henley should have its home on the Yarra. It will enable the well wishers of amateur rowing in the other states to do their share towards its success in assisting clubs to send crews.
• Capt. Rivett reported that UK rowing was taking a great deal of interest in the regatta and there was hope of a visiting crew at some stage.
• The social side of the regatta was also taking shape. A reservation on the north bank would be sought to enable Clubs to entertain their visitors, Canadian canoes are being sourced, and possibly a house boat might be available for the first regatta.
• Amateur definition - the definition used for the interstate competition would be used by crews entering.

Finally, articles appeared in newspapers around the country with the following posted in the Brisbane Courier in February 1904.¹⁰ 

MELBOURNE AMATEUR REGATTA.

The Australian Henley (established in 1903) or Melbourne Amateur Regatta is announced to be held on the Upper Yarra on Saturday, 19th March, under the patronage of the Governor-General (Lord Northcote) and Lady Northcote, the Governor or Victoria (Sir George Sydenham Clarke), the Lieutenant-Governor (Sir John Madden), Major-General Sir E. Hutton, &c. The programme includes the following races, open to crews of amateur rowing clubs of Australasia -Challenge Cup, value 100 guineas : For eight-oars ; best boats; individual prizes, challenge gold medals. Stewards' Challenge Cup, value 50 guineas : For four-oars ; best boats ; individual prizes, stewards' challenge gold medals. Yarra Challenge Cup, value 40 guineas:- For scullers; prize, Yarra sculls gold medal. Junior Fours, clinker boats. Maiden Eights, clinker boats. Maiden Fours, clinker boats. Entries close in Melbourne on 7th March, with the hon. secretary, Captain W. C. Rivett, Naval and Military Club, Melbourne.

The extraordinary start of the Australian Henley Regatta was a great credit to the founders, George Fairbairn, William Rivett and Arthur Blackwood.

Footnotes

1. TWO FOURS LEFT US A MIGHTY WASH (1954, November 25). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 24. Retrieved January 4, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article23461305
2. Margaret Carnegie, 'Blackwood, Arthur Ranken (1850–1905)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/blackwood-arthur-ranken-5633/text8873, published first in hardcopy 1979, accessed online 4 January 2025.
3. The Victorian Oarsman and Rowing Register by John Lang published by Massina & Co 1919.
4. Michael D. De B. Collins Persse, 'Fairbairn, Sir George (1855–1943)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/fairbairn-sir-george-362/text10517, published first in hardcopy 1981, accessed online 4 January 2025.
5. DEATH OF MR. W. C. RIVETT. (1912, July 15). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 8. Retrieved January 5, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15338226
6. PROPOSED ROWING CARNIVAL ON THE YARRA. (1903, June 20). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 15. Retrieved January 5, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article9814935
7. "HENLEY ON YARRA." The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 23 June 1903: 7. Web. 5 Jan 2025 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article9803645>.
8. HENLEY ON THE YARRA. (1903, July 24). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 7. Retrieved January 5, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article9831360
9. HENLEY ON THE YARRA. (1903, September 16). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 8. Retrieved January 5, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article10572241
10. MELBOURNE AMATEUR REGATTA. (1904, February 18). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), p. 7. Retrieved January 5, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19266292
11. Minutes of the initial meeting of the Melbourne Amateur Regatta Association.

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