George Ferguson
Mercantile Rowing Club (VIC)
The following obituary appeared in the Mercantile Rowing Club 1944-45 annual report.
Mr. George Ferguson was a most valued member and was prominent in the Club's Regatta and championship crews.
He started his racing career by "stroking" the winning Maiden Four at Footscray in 1905, and followed this up by a "double" Maiden Eight at Barwon and Ballarat regattas.
He gained Interstate honours when he rowed "bow" in the successful Victorian crew of 1907. He also rowed in the same seat in the 1908 and 1909 crews, which finished in second position.
His active association with Mercantile ended with his transfer to Sydney, but he always retained his interest in the Club.
His death was the result of an accident, when he was struck by a motor car, and sustained injuries which terminated fatally after a long illness.
George in the bow seat of the 1908 Victorian crew
Known rowing record
1905 - Melbourne Regatta, Junior Pair, stroke - First
1905 - Ballarat Regatta, Maiden Eight, stroke - First
1905 - Geelong and Barwon Regatta, Maiden Eight, stroke - First
1905 - Footscray Regatta, Maiden Four, stroke - First
1907 - Henley Regatta, Senior Eight, bow - First
1907 - Geelong and Barwon Regatta, Senior Eight, bow - First
1907 - Victorian Championships, Men's Eight, bow - Third
1907 - Interstate Championships, Men's Eight, bow - First
1908 - Henley Regatta, Senior Eight, bow - First
1908 - Geelong and Barwon Regatta, Senior Eight, bow - First
1908 - Footscray Regatta, Senior Pair, stroke - First
1908 - Victorian Championships, Men's Eight, bow - First
1908 - Interstate Championships, Men's Eight, bow - Second
1909 - Victorian Championships, Men's Eight, bow - Fourth
1909 - Interstate Championships, Men's Eight, bow - Second
Andrew Guerin
March 2023