Buchan Challenge Cups
The Buchan Cups comprised three trophies. The trophies were donated by Mr J I Buchan for competition by Maiden Eights at the Melbourne Regatta, a major and historic regatta on the Victorian racing calendar in those days. Any Club to win the trophy three times won the trophy outright.
The first trophy was presented in 1889 and won outright by the Albert Park Rowing Club with wins in 1889, 1890 and 1894. It is presumed that this remains in the possession of the Albert Park South Melbourne Rowing Club.
The second trophy was presented in 1903 which was again won by the Albert Park Rowing Club with wins in 1905, 1908 and 1913. This trophy is now a perpetual trophy used by Rowing Victoria for their Championship regatta and is pictured below.
The third Buchan Cup was presented in 1914 and was won by the Banks Rowing Club in 1914 and 1919. Sadly no records exist to verify that Banks Rowing Club won the trophy a third time. It is possible that after the resumption of racing after WWI, the race lapsed for a time and the Buchan Cup was forgotten or overlooked. Regardless, the third trophy remains in the possession of the Banks Rowing Club.
Perhaps we will never know the answer to this mystery.