The Richardson Years - World Cup
The Richardson Years - World Cups
Victorian Rowing Association President Hon. Hubert Frederico was concerned with the falling status of the Australian Henley Regatta. He was also a good friend of Rosemary Richardson and knew her drive, professional organisational skills, ability to influence and engage people and her devotion to the sport. 'Freddy' approached Rosemary in 1984 about taking over the regatta and bringing back some it's former glory. Rosemary had a very high regard for 'Freddy', and fortuitously for the sport and the regatta, she agreed.1 Rosemary did insist that Freddy be an ex-officio member of the Committee of the regatta.
By way of background, Rosemary gained many useful skills for her role with Australian Henley during her working life as a director of the Australian American Association. She dealt and engaged with dignitaries on both sides of the Pacific and retained their confidence. Her role included partnering visiting dignitaries to functions. The role suited her superb dress sense and she dressed impeccably in this role. She would also organise perfect diplomatic functions at a drop of a hat, and equally well, a booze up for visiting American sailors.
Thus began a restoration of the regatta as a premier rowing and social event. It would lead to international crews racing at the regatta and the hosting of a televised World Cup sculling event.
1985
An interim committee to run the 1985 regatta was formed by Rosemary Richardson in August 1984. They maintained that title until fresh elections took place at the annual general meeting in 1985.
The vision of revitalising the regatta was clearly stated in the annual report, namely to2: restore it to its previous position as one of the leading events on the Australian rowing and social calendar.
The annual report lamented that it was not possible to provide facilities for a Subscribers' Reserve for the 1985 Henley; it is planned to remedy this situation for the 1986 Regatta. Not all was disappointing as the interim committee arranged a most successful pre-regatta Cocktail Party at the Victorian Arts Centre on 18th February 1985. Rosemary Richardson knew that the social side of the regatta was important and the Victorian rowing community embraced it. It was designed on a lavish style compared to usual rowing events with the invitation stylishly printed on card. Despite a minor loss on the event and the substantial cost of trophies, the Association recorded a modest surplus for the year.
In lifting standards in all matters the annual general meeting was conducted in a meeting room in the Victorian Arts Centre.
The regatta was conducted on Saturday 2nd March 1985 in excellent conditions. A full copy of the 1985 regatta program can be found through this link. The Committee restored the regatta cover to the pre WWII design.
There were 251 entries for 1526 competitors despite the regatta being conducted on the same day as a National Selection Regatta. As a result three of the Challenge Cups were not presented due to a lack of entries in these senior events.
1986
As part of the revitalisation of the regatta, the Lieutenant Governor and father of Olympic rower Tim, Hon. Sir John Young KCMG agreed to be the President of the Association. The regatta was beginning to regain its former patronage of eminent Victorians.
It should be noted that the Committee sought to lift the status of subscribers and provide them with badges and other recognition.
As promised, a fenced regatta enclosure for subscribers was provided. The regatta was conducted on 1st March 1986 and a full copy of the 1986 regatta program can be found through this link.
Sir John Young presenting the Grand Challenge Cup to Mercantile Rowing Club's stroke Alan Borger
Hon Hubert Frederico and supported by Treasurer Roland Richardson presenting the Founders Cup to Mercantile Rowing Club
1987
As promised, the social side of the regatta again lifted with an outstanding 75th annual regatta commemorative dinner organised by Rosemary Richardson at the Victorian Arts Centre. Every aspect of the dinner was undertaken with great skill and quality - the toasts and response, the memorable and engaging speech by the guest speaker Professor Geoffrey Blainey and menu. Even the menu cards were exquisitely designed and printed.
The subscribers Reserve was a welcomed area given that the weather was very wet for the regatta. Subscribers enjoyed afternoon tea and other refreshments well protected from the elements.
The engagement with the Melbourne City Council was renewed and the Lord Mayor Cr Trevor Huggard presented the Lord Mayor's Challenge Cup.
The annual report sadly noted the deaths of prominent subscribers Doug C L Brooke, Jack Coglan, R G Harding, A J Haslam, T B McKay, Ron March and Deane Morgan. Many of these people had played key roles in the Association. Given the growing scale of the event, a new constitution was adopted and the Association incorporated. This task led by Hon. Solicitor Andrew Guerin. The finances showed a minor loss due to the increased cost of providing individual trophies and the loss on program sales due to the inclement weather reducing spectator attendances.
The regatta was conducted on 28th February 1987 with well despite over 30mm of rain falling during the event. 278 crews entered with 1733 competitors.
Future Olympic sculler and 1988 Henley Royal Regatta Diamond Sculls winner Hamish McGlashan won the Silver Sculls and Yarra Challenge Cup in a field on 19 entries.
Hamish McGlashan pictured in 1988
1988
The regatta grew yet again with a huge lift in sponsorships, and in particular, the Association's inaugural major sponsor British Airways. They donated two Club World return tickets to attend Henley Royal Regatta in July 1988 as a Bicentennial gesture to link Australian Henley and Henley Royal Regatta. This became the major prize in a raffle to raise funds for the regatta. Other similarly attractive prizes were added and a successful raffle resulted. It was the start of an important association with British Airways.
As a result, the finances grew significantly and members funds grew 50% to $30,000 at year end. The regatta now had sufficient funds to expand further.
On the social side, the pre-regatta function was the Cocktail Party which grew yet again in popularity becoming Victorian rowing's annual social event. The subscribers reserve also improved in popularity and style.
The regatta was conducted Saturday 5th March 1988 and a full copy of the 1988 regatta program can be found through this link. 181 entries for 1801 rowers competed at the regatta which was conducted in almost perfect conditions.
Regatta poster which became a regular feature of the regatta
1989
1994
This year was sad for the regatta as after 10 years at the helm, Rosemary Richardson retired from the management of the regatta at the 1994 annual general meeting. It was a superb contribution by her and supported so well by her husband Roland to rowing and specifically to the regatta. She demonstrated to the rowing world what could be done and it was remarkable. It was a great example of how a combination of her high skills, great influencing ability, determination, persistence, imagination, financial expertise and superb organisation, can achieve the impossible. After 10 testing years, she and Roland needed a rest.
The following letter from Victorian Rowing Association President Hubert Frederico summed up the views of all rowers.
Footnotes
- Conversations with the author with both Rosemary Richardson and Hon Hubert Frederico.
- 1985 MARA annual report