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Albert Lindblade

Mercantile Rowing Club (VIC)

Above: 1911 winning junior eight – Alby in the two seat

The 1972-73 annual report included the following obituary on Alby Lindblade.

With the passing of Alby Lindblade our last remaining link with those who rowed and raced in the last century was severed.

Before moving to their own boathouse in Hawthorn, Scotch College rowed from Mercantile, and public school rowing was confined to fours. It is on record that during the 1899 Rowing Season, Alby was a member of the Scotch College crew which won the Public School Fours.

He won his Maiden Eight at Ballarat during the 1899 rowing year, and continued winning races with Mercs. until 1912, when he retired from active rowing. This versatile oarsman also won a number of sculling races.

Many crews were coached by him until pressure of business made it necessary to withdraw from this side of the sport.

A great Clubman, he was keenly interested in, and supported, all Club activities. Failing health during recent years prevented him from visiting the Clubhouse and he was not known to many of our younger members.

We regret the passing of this valuable member.

Albert Lindblade was coached in his 1899 Scotch College win by Mercantile great Alex Sloan. Alby was again coached by Alex Sloan at Mercantile and then took over as coach of the Scotch College crew from Alex Sloan in 1910 for the next four years.

1900 Mercs winning maiden eight
Back row left is Alex Sloan as coach and seated on the right hand side is Alby Lindblade

Alby Lidblade continued rowing as a veteran rower.

Alby Lindblade had a superb photographic collection of the river and surrounds which his family donated to the Club. It contains some superb images of early Mercantile. Given the loss of our records in a number of fires over the years, these photos now form the basis of the Club’s early records.

Masters rowers of 1949 – all over 60 and still rowing – considered then to be quite remarkable
Left to right: Alex Dobbie, G C Bourke (Melbourne), J B Sutherland (Banks), Ted Kenny, A F Wishart (YYRC), E T J Kerby (Melbourne), Bob Rush, Alby Lindblade

Andrew Guerin
May 2019

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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