Arthur Smith
Yarra Yarra Rowing Club (VIC)
Joined 1917/18, passed away 11/6/1972
Committee 1917/18, 1918/19, 1921/22, 1961/62,
Vice president 1953/54- - 1960/61, 1963/64 - 1971/72
He was a life member from 1963/64
Wins recorded:-
1919 - Albert Park regatta, junior sculls (the clubs only win for the season)
This is the only regatta win for Arthur clubs records in this period lost in the clubhouse fire.
Arthur was a member of the Christmas day eight (stroke) from 1963-1971.
In 1958/59 Arthur had a tub pair christened in his honour.
From the 1919/20 YYRC annual report:-
Regatta events
The club was represented at the undermentioned regattas during the season. We are able to record only one win to credit of the club, your member Mr A Smith annexing the junior sculling event at the Albert Park Lake regatta. The other crews and scullers competed without success.
From the 1971/72 YYRC annual report:-
Arthur S Smith died on 11th June 1972. Arthur, a life member and Vice President of the club at the time of his death, joined Yarra Yarra over 50 years ago and was extremely active with the club over the last 20 odd years.
He stroked the Xmas Day Vintage Eight last year, as he had done a number of years and was doing work for the club within a month of his death. Arthur joined Carey Grammar as a woodwork instructor in his 66th year and was instrumental in the erection of Carey Rowing pool. Which was fittingly named after him. After a period as rowing master, Arthur finally retired when he was 75 and immersed himself in club activities. Yarra and his club mates will surely miss him, as will rowing in general.
To the families of the above members, Yarra extends our sincere condolences.
From YYRC newsletter 'Yarra Yabbie' no10, 1984-3-20
Personalities one associates with Yarra over a very long period, which has been a strong point of the club.
Arthur Smith, a vice president and a life member will always be remembered by the older members of the club with great respect for the amount of thought and effort he put into Yarra’s interests.
The only photo in YYRC files with Arthur included.
Jim Skidmore
June 2024