Derek E Norwood
Corio Bay Rowing Club (VIC) then Mercantile Rowing Club (VIC)
Derek was an accomplished and successful rower from Geelong who won two Heads of the River, two King's Cups, and a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games. His Geelong based four was selected to compete for Australia at the First World Championships in 1962 at Lucerne but were unable to travel and did not accept the selection.
It was a great rowing career.
1961 Victorian King's Cup crew with in seven seat
Derek commenced his rowing career at Geelong College along with some other greats of the sport including David Ramage and David Caithness. He raced in the five seat of the school's winning crews in 1955 and 1956.
The coach was Albert Bell who continued to coach this talented group after these school days. When asked who was his most influential coach, Albert Bell was naturally the emphatic reply. However, he quickly added that he appreciated being coached by other people in Victorian crews and at Mercantile to add another perspective to his rowing.
After developing their rowing through the junior ranks, the Albert Bell four of David John, David Ramage, David Caithness and Derek entered senior rowing at 1958 at the Victorian Championships with Keith Van Den Belt coxing. Mercantile took the honours on this occasion by a canvas but their presence was noticed. They raced every Victorian Championship four through to 1963, and also the eight in 1961 and 1962. The crew also raced at NSW Championships and won, thought to be in 1962.
Victorian King's Cup crew selection was one of the rewards for effort. Derek was selected into both the 1961 and 1963 King's Cup crews which both won. Why not in 1962? In that year, the Corio Bay four decided to focus on their four for the Commonwealth Games and so did not nominated for the State crew. He was also selected into the 1964 squad but had to withdraw after the death of his father in Tasmania where the family lived. In the end two wins from two starts, a great result.
Clearly his Corio four was a key part of his career and Albert Bell the most influential of his coaches. However Derek was quick to add that rowing under Norm Cairnes required his to think far more about his rowing.
He fondly remembers clearly the 1961 Victorian crew which clicked together as some crews do. "It was magic". The second King's Cup crew in 1963 was also "pretty special" with the second win under the coaching of Alan Jacobsen. Certainly Derek had the privilege of having the benefit of the best coaches Victoria had on offer at that time.
He recalls an interesting aside to the 1963 crew. They had a new boat built for them in Sydney and on the journey from Sydney to Brisbane, the bow was broken off. They located a tandem rigged and very heavy eight in Brisbane which they borrowed. Despite their initial disappointment with the boat, it was found to suit the tidal conditions of the Brisbane River and the crew warmed to it. The result was that they won.
On his narrow defeat in the Commonwealth Games, disappointment. The margin was very small.
It was a short but stellar rowing career for a talented oarsman.
1963 Victorious Victorian Crew return with the King's Cup - Derek far right
Known major races
1955 - APS Head of the River, First VIII (GC), five seat - First
1956 - APS Head of the River, First VIII (GC), five seat - First
1958 - Victorian Championships, Men's Four, three seat - Second
1959 - Victorian Championships, Men's Four, three seat - Second
1960 - Victorian Championships, Men's Four, three seat - First
1961 - Victorian Championships, Men's Four, three seat - First
1961 - Victorian Championships, Men's Eight, seven seat - Second
1961 - Interstate Championships, King's Cup, seven seat - First
1962 - Victorian Championships, Men's Four, three seat - Second
1962 - Victorian Championships, Men's Eight, seven seat -Third
1962 - NSW Championships, Men's Four, three seat - First
1962 - Commonwealth Games, Men's Coxed Four, three seat - Silver
1963 - Victorian Championships, Men's Four, three seat (Corio Bay) - First
1963 - Victorian Championships, Men's Eight, five seat (Mercantile) - First
1963 - Interstate Championships, King's Cup, two seat - First
Corio Bay Rowing Club four with Derek in three
Andrew Guerin
August 2024
Sources
- Author's own records including regatta programs and this website
- Telephone discussion with Derek Norwood.