Graeme G Smith
Mercantile Rowing Club (VIC)
Mercantilian Graeme George Smith, passed away recently aged 85.
Graeme was universally known at Mercs as “Granny Smith”.
After joining Mercantile in 1959-60 season, his rowing career commenced in 1960 as a novice along with other mates, MAC, read, Mal Corben, and Rob Walker.
The four successfully won their first race, not even as novices but as “beginners”. It was held in September 1960 on Preston’s Lake Edwards, as a bash in tub fours.
The trio comprising Smithy, Mac and Mal progressed to being members of a successful Mercs maiden eight which won at regattas in November 1960. The three then went on to have careers at Mercs, with Smithy rowing competitively over some years as a lightweight.
Championship success included Victorian Champions Lightweight eight oared race in 1963/64 held on the Lower Yarra, which was initially a dead heat. So, rowing down-river from Mercs to the start in the Swinging Basin , rowing up river 2000 metres race resulting in dead heat with Richmond, rowing back to the start, then won the re-row, then rowing back to the Mercs sheds. A good day’s work!
Successes followed in another Victorian Lightweight eight Championship in 1964/65, and other lightweight races in the following two seasons.
The second Australian Lightweight eight oared Championship held on Lake Burley Griffin Canberra. Mercs won the inaugural race at Lake Wendouree in Ballarat in 1962, under the stroke leadership of Ken Hume. Graeme’s stroke in the 1964 Australian Championship was David Palfreyman. They were successful and
1964 National Championship win in Canberra - fourth from right
Smithy was universally liked by the lightweight rowers at Mercs, and was also acknowledged by Corio Bay opponent friends, and opponents at Hawthorn.
Left to right - Leo Lanyan of Corio Bay, Graeme Smith of Mercs, Ron Griffiths of Corio Bay and later of Mercs and Treasurer of Mercs at one stage, Mal Corben of Mercs
Race wins included:
1959-60 season - Joined Mercantile
1960 - Preston Regatta, Beginner Four, two seat - First
1960 - VRA (Melbourne) Regatta, Maiden Eight, two seat - First
1960 - Upper Yarra Regatta, Maiden Eight, two seat - First
1961 -Henley Regatta, Lightweight Four, two seat - First
1962 - Picken Williams eights (intra club race) - First
1963 - Lake Colac Regatta, Lightweight Eight, four seat - First
1963 - Scotch Mercantile Regatta, Lightweight Four, stroke - First
1964 (Feb) - Victorian Championships, Lightweight Eight, six seat - First
1964 - National Championships, Lightweight Eight, four seat - First
1964 - Footscray Regatta, Lightweight Eight, two seat - First
1964 VRA (Melbourne) Regatta, Lightweight Eight two seat - First
1964 - Upper Yarra Regatta, Lightweight Eight, two seat - First
1964 (Dec) - Victorian Championship Lightweight Eight, two seat - First
1965 - Albert Park Regatta, Lightweight Four, two seat - First
1965 - Wentworth Regatta, Lightweight Four, stroke - First
1966 - Henley Regatta, Lightweight Eight, two seat - First
1966 - Colac Regatta, Lightweight Eight, two seat - First
1966 - Scotch Mercantile Regatta, Lightweight Four, two seat - First
Vale Graeme.
Mal Corben
July 2024