W M Orr

Melbourne Rowing Club (VIC)

He was regarded as an ugly but tough and effective competitor. John Lang states in his book The Victorian Oarsman that he could be relied upon to work his hardest from the word “off” until the pistol fired. As a sculler he was the man of the day. It is related of him that in a Sculling race on the Lower Yarra, being the centre boat and being closed on by his opponents, he stopped and said, “Go on, gentlemen,” and then took the outside water, overhauled, and beat his opponents.

This 1873 crew recorded Victoria’s first win in an intercolonial race. It includes some of the pioneers of our sport. The crew is also of interest as it was the first representative crew from several clubs. It was known as the Melbourne crew.

John Lang, in his book the Victorian Oarsman in 1919, recorded the importance of the race as follows: Victoria secured the first win with a non-club four (Melbourne, Melbourne University and Warehousemen). The other crews in the race were club crews, comprising two from Ballarat, a Sydney Rowing Club crew, and crews from Hobart Town and Geelong. The race was rowed over about four miles on the Lower Yarra - time, 25 min. 30 sec. This race is generally recognised as the first "official" Intercolonial match.

Known rowing record
1864 - Melbourne Regatta, Maiden Scull - First
1866 - Geelong and Barwon Regatta, Senior Gig, two seat - First
1866 – Championship Scull - First
1867 - Hobson Bay Regatta, Senior Gig, two seat - First
1866 - Melbourne Regatta, Senior Four for the Grand Challenge Cup, three seat - First
1867 - Melbourne Regatta, Senior Four for the Grand Challenge Cup, three seat - First
1867 – Championship Scull - First
1868 - Hobson Bay Regatta, Senior Gig, two seat - First
1870 - Ballarat Regatta, Senior Scull - First
1872 - Melbourne Regatta, Senior Gig for the Gardiner Cup, three seat - First
1873 - Melbourne Regatta, Senior Gig for the Gardiner Cup, three seat - first
1873 – Intercolonial Men’s Four Championship three seat – First
1873 – Intercolonial Sculling Championship - Third

1873 Trophy

Andrew Guerin
2013 (Updated January 2023)

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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