Post War Boom - 1919-1929

Post War Boom - 1919-1929

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Racing results including names of the winning crews can be found in the challenge trophy chapter beneath the description of the various challenge cups.

Association annual reports and annual regatta programs can be found in Appendices B and C.

The first regatta after the war was a great outlet for Melbourne to start removing the sorrows and shackles of war. The regatta boomed to become the premier and most important social and sporting event in Melbourne (and Australia).

However, ever so gradually, the regatta alure was chipped away. The regatta did not recover as well from bad weather years which impacted crowds. The disruption of the twenty-five year construction of the Swan Street Bridge and the growth of other social and sporting outlets for Melbournians all contributed to a slow decline commencing. However, the importance of the rowing side grew as the social side declined. It is an interesting study in how social changes, and physical barriers such as the Swan Bridge construction, can impact a once dominant carnival.

1919 - the biggest crowds ever

The first post war regatta was highly popular with Melbourne residents and sports lovers, and it was a great success.

The mood change from mourning and sorrow to joy and excitement took place that day. The Argus reported -  One characteristic of Saturday's carnival was the manner in which it "got away" from the war. Never since the dark days of 1914 has there been less khaki in evidence at a huge function in Melbourne. Returned men there were by the thousand. But most of them by far had thankfully thrown the habiliments of war aside, and got into cool flannels or holiday attire for the day. Every racing crew seemed to have some returned man rowing, from Brigadier-General Lloyd in the Mercantile Club's junior eight, to the last a private in the "Diggers' Eight" put on the river by Hawthorn. The crowd gave the latter crew a hearty cheer as it was recognised on its way to the start. A reserve near the winning post was set aside for wounded soldiers from the military hospitals. They were a cheerful little crowd, well looked after by nurses and V.A.D.s in their smart uniforms, and, they seemed to thoroughly enjoy the afternoon's amusement. They, like everyone else, were determined to thrust aside the memory of the five years' nightmare, and irresponsible gaiety was the keynote of the carnival. The officials must have been happy men at the end of the afternoon. They had a good reason. For them Henley, 1919, was a "Victory Henley" in every sense of the term.²

War wounded cot patients from the ANZAC Hostel and wounded soldiers from other hospitals were entertained on the house boats and in deck chairs on the banks. The Victorian Volunteer Motor Corps arranged for transport of the soldiers to the regatta. The VAD and house boat hosts provided refreshments to these attendees.

As printed in the Weekly Times 1 November 1919

It is important to reflect on the impact of the war on rowing. To illustrate, three members of the winning junior eight from Mercantile at the 1914 Henley regatta all died in combat. All clubs had similar stories and the impact on all who attended in 1919 was not lost. The Chairman of the general committee, Sir Edward Carlile KC lost his son in combat in France. The regatta was a celebration of peace as much as the "Victory Henley" suggested by The Argus.

The weather for the regatta was perfect for the huge crowds.² The Argus reported - Melbourne Cup crowds sink into insignificance in comparison with the Henley gathering on Saturday. In fact, no assemblage on Henley Day has even approached the size of this one. The largest crowd in previous years was estimated at approximately 100,000. According to the estimate of the secretary (Mr. W. S. Philip the attendance on Saturday numbered quite 150,000 in the afternoon, and about 200,000 in the evening.

Regatta scene showing the packed crowds

The south bank enclosure

House boats were again occupied by the Governor, the President, the Lord Mayor, the Australian Club, Association Subscribers, Caledonian Club, Bohemian Club, Miss M Reid, Victorian Postal Institute and the Wallaby Club. 

Clearly such a crowd was more than anticipated with transport and regatta arrangements inadequate. However it had little impact on the crowds who thoroughly enjoyed the day.

The balance sheet continued to show that the regatta finances were underpinned by the cash takings and sale of tickets for the south bank enclosure. This funded the whole carnival. The Association again generously assisted interstate and country clubs to race at the regatta and made generous donations to Victorian rowing Clubs of £338. The Committee of the Association agreed to donate £105 for the construction of the Victorian Oarsmen's Memorial to commemorate those who died at war and in addition to its usual other donations.¹ The annual report highlighted to members that to meet the convenience and comfort of the Public, it will be necessary to incur a heavy expenditure in providing additional turnstiles, new fencing and other Reserve improvements. 

At the July 1919 meeting of the Subscribers sub-committee meeting, Lieut. W S Philip MC was appointed as Hon. Secretary. At the July Committee meeting, the Executive Committee was reinstated comprising Messrs. H M Strachan, J Crosthwaite, A O Henty, J M Macfarlane, E Kenny and S R Chubb.

Racing - Of note was the Stewards Challenge Four from Murray Bridge, SA. None of the Victorian crews were yet of senior standard to match this crew. Arthur Scott, two seat of this crew, arrived direct from England where he had raced in the four seat of the winning No 1 AIF crew at the Henley Peace Regatta in July. The AIF crew had won the King's Cup. Commentary in the newspapers noted that none of the senior crews would have matched those who competed in pre war regattas. It was also interesting that no schools entered. Debate at the General Committee of 16th October 1919 revolved around the Ladies Challenge being limited to Associated Public Schools to avoid having too many entries and so too many races for the boys on the day.

Results

Final of the maiden eight won by Albert Park

1920

For the first time, the regatta had to be postponed a week due to continuous rain and flooding of the river. Whilst a big step for the carnival, the decision turned out well with the the following weekend being fine and the river subsided. The postponed regatta was a success despite Sydney University being unable to attend the postponed event. 

The postponed carnival was down on attendees compared to the record 1919 crowd due to the postponement and now competing with Derby Day and spectators having other arrangements for the new date. However the evening spectators numbers were still excellent.

House boats were occupied by the Governor, the President the Lod Mayor, Association Subscribers, Australian Club, Bohemian Club and Caledonian Club. As usual both the Governor-General and the Victorian Governor and their entourages attended. 

Whilst the finances of the Association remained sound, member funds fell after £300 was spent of more river bank improvements, £500 on expenses of visiting crews and donations to Victorian rowing clubs, £600 on new turnstiles and fencing and also other donations of £171.

The annual report noted: Wireless telegraphy was used for the first time in reporting results and was a great improvement on the old signalling system. Wireless communication was established at the start and at each umpire station, the finish line and the boatsheds. The progress of each race and the end results could now be advised to spectators. At the annual general meeting, the desire to subsidise the expenses of sending a crew to either America of the UK was confirmed.

Results

1921

Attendances were again slightly off from the 1920 levels both during the day and at night.

As usual a house boat was provided for the Victorian Governor and the President. Other house boats were occupied by the Lord Mayor, Association Subscribers, Australian Club, Old Scotch Collegians' Club, and the Wallaby Club. The fire works display increased this year and it lasted 1 1/2 hours providing an extraordinary display.

The finances remained sound but members funds reduced slightly. The annual report foreshadowed that extensive work would need to be completed on the Association's pontoons on which house boats were constructed to maintain their sea worthiness. House-boats were present for the Old Scotch Collegians Club, Subscribers, The President, The Lord Mayor, the Wallaby Club and The Australian Club. Wounded Soldiers were again entertained in the Enclosure with transport provided/

Donations this year included £187 for expenses of interstate and country clubs to compete at the regatta, £30 funding for the extension of the pathway, £100 to assist Arthur Baynes of Queensland to race at Henley Royal Regatta, £221 general donations and £213 to Victorian rowing clubs. As a gesture of gratitude for the work of the past Executive Committee Chairman Hugh M Strachan, the General Committee asked that he sit for a portrait to be hung in the offices of the Association. The long serving Secretary and noted Victorian rowing historian John Lang also died this season.

Racing - another year with excellent interstate representation. Murray Bridge won the Stewards for the third year in Succession and L C Nimmo of the Tasmanian Derwent club won the Yarra Challenge and Silver Sculls.

Results

Silver cups and gold medals were again presented to the winners.

1922

The regatta recovered from the past two down years both in spectator numbers and finances. Members funds started to increase even after usual donations and liberal grants to clubs competing at the regatta, and also £375 spent on pontoon repairs. The Hospital Sunday Fund was once again blessed with a £100 donation. The £2,500 Commonwealth War Loan was rolled over until 1948, some 25 years into the future.

The regatta again hosted wounded soldiers in comfort both on the banks and on house boats. The Victorian Volunteers Motor Corps again assisted with transport. 

The popularity of the regatta was beginning to wane with the Australian Club, the Wallaby Club and the Old Scotch Collegians Club all advising that they would not be hosting boats at the 1922 regatta. The remaining boats were those of the President, the Subscribers and the Lord Mayor. However there was no reduction in the music, fireworks or illuminations.

An interesting minute appeared in the Committee meeting of 22nd July 1922 meeting which explains the naming convention for challenge cups. Mr Joseph moved that the name of the maiden eight race on the regatta programme be changed to that of “John Lang Maiden Eights” in order to commemorate the name of our Late Secretary, Seconded by Mr E Kenny. Messrs H M Strachan, J M Macfarlane , A O Henty and the Chairman spoke to the motion and pointed out that it had always been the policy of the Association to eliminate the personal element. It was pointed out that the matter had been discussed some time ago when it was decided not to introduce the personal side into the names of races. In view of what was said, Mr Joseph with the consent of Mr Kenny withdrew the motion.

It was also an instructive minute from the perspective of showing the wisdom of the senior members of the committee and how they upheld the conventions established by the founders.

Racing - Murray Bridge from South Australia won the Stewards for the fourth time in succession. Also of great interest was the Yarra Challenge and Silver Sculls which attracted a highly competitive field of champion scullers from around Australia. It created a great deal of interest in rowing circles. Arthur Baynes from Queensland was successful.

Results

1923

1923 brought more changes to the Committee with the resignation of the Hon. Secretary Mr W S Philips due to work pressures. The Subscribers appointed Mr Edward Kenny as a salaried Secretary in his stead. 

Racing - The hgrand Challenge Cup boasted a record seven crew including the champion eights of NSW, Tasmania and Victoria. It demonstrated the deep interest in the this event by oarsmen. The Stewards Challenge Cup, which  had been held by South Australian clubs since 1913, returned to Victorian hands with a fine win by Wendouree.

1923 Results

1924

Results

1925

First radio broadcast of Henley by local radio station 3LO.

Results

1926

Sadly on the Wednesday prior to the regatta, a fire destroyed the Edwards boatshed and contents. The boats for four scullers and 23 of the crews were destroyed.

Results

1928

Monograms for the Henley blazers were introduced.

Results

1929

Results

1930

Results

1931

Results

1932

Results

1922

1933

It was decided to to award a prize of £5 5/- for the most appropriately dressed Henley girl. Miss Doris Harper was declared the winner from among the "Large number of attractively dressed girls competing".

Results

1934

Results

1935

The Henley girl competition reintroduced with Miss E Wheeler being declared winner.

Results

1936

Miss E Darvall was the most appropriately dressed Henley girl.

Results

1937

Miss Henley was Miss Joyce Kenney. Attendance was impacted by the infantile paralysis epidemic. 

Results

1938

A copy of the 1938 regatta program can be found through this link.

Miss Henley, Miss Marie Voight, came down the river on a floral float with 1,400 lights.

Results

1939

War Henley conducted as a rowing regatta only. It was to be the regatta until after WWII in 1946.

Results

Footnotes

Annual reports and regatta programs have been used extensively without reference. These documents can be found in Appendices B and C.

1. HENLEY-ON-YARRA. (1919, June 17). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 6. Retrieved January 15, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1479471
2. "HENLEY DAY" The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 27 October 1919: 6. Web. 17 Jan 2025 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4665468>.
3. 
   

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