Robert S Jeffreys
Fremantle Rowing Club (WA)
Robert Stanley Jeffreys, also known as Old Jeff or Pops Jeffreys.
A president of Rowing Australia, then known as the Australian Amateur Rowing Council, President and holder of other positions of Rowing Western Australia, then known as the Amateur Rowing Association of Western Australia, office bearer of his club, umpire and well known rowing administrator and enthusiast. Father of Ralph Jeffreys who was a prominent rower and administrator in Western Australia including being also a President of that State Association.
The 1963 Australian Amateur Rowing Council Annual Report noted his death as follows:
It is deeply regretted to record the passing during the year of Mr. R. S. Jeffreys (Western Australia). Mr. R.S. Jefferys, ot "Old Jeff", as he was affectionately known, was appointed president of your Council for the period of the Empire Games, but unfortunately passed away before the Games commenced and Mr. J.F. Howson of Western Australia was appointed to the position until 1st December, 1962. No gentleman was better known in rowing circles as an active oarsman and administrator than "Old Jeff". He was an opriginal memner of your Council and always contrinuted thoughtfully at meetings. For a number of years he was Australian Vic-President to the World Body of Rowing. His personality will be greatly missed at all rowing regattas and King's Cups for many, many years to come.
Andrew Guerin
August 2024
Sources:
- AARC 1963 annual report
- Home & Dry, A History of rowing in Western Australia by William S Cooper, published by Rowing WA in 2008