Walter H Joseph
Mercantile Rowing Club (VIC)
Wally Joseph joined the Club in 1903 and was Hon. Secretary from 18th September 1909 until 23rd August 1919. He again occupied the position from July 1941 to 15th December 1941. He was a Vice-President from August 1923 through to his death in 1941-42 season.
He was elected to Life Membership in August 1924.
For 31 years prior to his death, he was a member of the general committee of the Melbourne Amateur Regatta Committee, and represented Mercantile on the Committee of the Victorian Rowing Association from 1910 to 1912, in which year he was elected a member of the Executive Committe, a position he retained until 1936. He was Hon. Secretary of the Upper Yarra Regatta Association from 1909-1920, and President from 1925 to 1936. For a number of years he was the rowing contributor to the "Augus" and "Australasian".
His was a life devoted to the sport.
The following acknowledgement of the work of Walter Joseph to Mercantile Rowing Club was written by the then President Cr Stephen Morell for 1918-19 Mercantile annual report.
"RETIREMENT OF Mr. WALTER JOSEPH, Hon. Secretary Mercantile Rowing Club.
"Members will learn with great regret that our hon, secretary, Mr. Walter Joseph, finds it impossible, owing to increasing business responsibilities, to continue in the office which he has so capably filled during the past ten (10) years. The fact that he has given his whole-hearted services during this long period, which constitutes a record in the Club annals, is sufficient indication of the enthusiasm which has marked his association with rowing ever since he became a member of the Club. He has proved an ideal hon. secretary, and both present and past members owe to him a debt of gratitude for the very valuable services he has rendered.
"Outside of his Club Mr. Joseph is held in the highest regard in rowing circles and has used his influence towards encouraging the spirit of good fellowship which is so desirable between members of the various clubs. In doing so he has done much to maintain the high prestige which our Club has so long enjoyed in the Rowing Association.
'Since 1909 he has sat on the committee of the Association, first as a Club representative and later as an elected member. He probably holds the record for consistently regular attendances at the Committee meetings of the V.R.A., for he missed only two (2) out of 106 meetings, which is sufficient comment on the manner in which he looked after his Club's interest on the governing body.
"He has also been our representative on the general committee of the Melbourne Annual Regatta (Henley) for a number of years.
"Another office which he has capably filled over a long term is that of hon. secretary of the Upper Yarra Amateur Regatta, in which he has had marked success.
"The above outline of Mr. Joseph's activities in the advancement of his Club, and of rowing generally, is sufficient to show that he will al ways occupy a prominent place in the history of Victorian rowing. He has well earned a spell from office, and on retiring carries with him the best thanks of this Club for his invaluable services.
"On behalf of the Committee, S J Morell, President."
His obituary appeared in 1941-42 Club annual report as follows:
Mr. W. Joseph, who joined the Club in 1903, was Hon. Secretary from 18th September, 1909, till the 23rd August, 1919. He again occupied the position from July, 1941, to 15th December, 1941. He had been a Vice-President since August, 1923, and a Life Member since August, 1924.. For 31 years prior to his death, he was a member of the General Committee of the Melbourne Amateur Regatta Association, and represented Mercantile on the Committee of the V.R.A. from 1910 to 1912, in which year he was elected a member of the Committee, a position he retained until 1936. He was Hon. Secretary of the Upper Yarra Regatta Association from 1909-1920, and President from 1925 to 1936. For a number of years he was the Rowing contributor to the "Argus" and "Australasian."
Andrew Guerin
August 2021