History of Southern Rowing Club

Very little is known about this club other than it commenced in 1882 in Prahran and disbanded before 1914. It boated on Albert Park Lake and took advantage of the enhanced waterway on the lake which were in operation by 1882. The lake was originally a series of swamps and was excavated during the 1870s to form the lake.

In 1886, the club changed it's name to the City of Prahran Southern Rowing Club and adopted navy blue and gold uniforms. There was another club named Prahran City Rowing Club which disbanded pre 1914. Whether this was another club and the reason why Southern was retained in it's name, or the same club, is unclear.

The Prahran Telegraph in September 1886 recorded the office bearers for 1886-87 season as:

Captain: Mr J Laird
Vice-Captain: Mr W Laker
Treasurer: Mr Frayne
Secretary: Mr G Strain

Andrew Guerin
May 2024

Sources:

The Victorian Oarsman and Rowing Register by John Lang, published by Messina & Co 1919
The Prahran Telegraph September 1886

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, errors may exist. Please send advice of any errors or inaccuracies by email to:

Also your comments, suggestions and photos are sought to enhance this site.

The idea for this history originated from the Olympic Rowing and World Senior Rowing Championship histories written by Andrew Guerin and Margot Foster in 1991, 1992 & 1993 for the Australian team handbooks. Andrew Guerin developed and extended these histories to the current format in 2004 for publication in 2004 and then expanded the site.

Steve Roll has been an invaluable contributor to the website in locating errors and finding Christian names of rowers. His superb work is acknowledged.

© Andrew Guerin – 2004
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Disclaimer: Whilst extensive efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information supplied, the editors take no responsibility for any loss or damage whatsoever arising from inaccuracies contained in this work.