Edward (Ted) Woolcock
Edward (Ted) Woolcock - 6 July 1928 - 3 September 2013
Yarra Yarra Rowing Club (Vic)
Ted was a humble and gentle man who was a significant contributor to the sport of rowing in Victoria. He devoted a large part of his life to both the Yarra Yarra Rowing Club and Victorian rowing.
Schooled in Melbourne at Auburn Central School and Swinburne Technical College, he started his working life during WWII in 1942 at the age of 14 as a stores clerk at Metro Ice and Fresh Food Co at two pounds a week. He was a younger brother of three with his two older brothers being far older than him. After his brothers married, Ted took on the primary responsibility for his mother's welfare and lived with her.
He spent the last 12 years of his working life to 1990 as the Financial Controller of the Australian Dairy Corporation - a task involving significant responsibility and money. He was a competent and thorough person and these skills were applied to the benefit of Yarra Yarra and Victorian rowing throughout his life.
He joined Yarra Yarra Rowing Club in 1948 being introduced by Jim Wilson, a fellow member of the Legacy gymnasium group.
He was not a champion rower. In fact he did not compete in his first few years at Yarra Yarra. The first record of Ted winning a race was in an intra-club competition, the Yarra Yarra Memorial Fours on 1st August 1953 in a crew with Jack Prime, Frank Potts and Bill Burton. His next victory was two years later in the Henley quarter mile sprints on 14th March 1955. He was in the five seat of the Yarra Yarra maiden eight. From the 1960s, he was an active oarsman and raced as a masters rower in many regattas including several Heads of the Yarra. There was a club tradition of rowing on Christmas Day and he was a regular in the four seat of that crew. In 1968 he purchased his own scull and did a good amount of sculling.
However most of his fellow club members recall his most dramatic row at Wentworth, Easter 1992. It is a well known story and we are most grateful for the assistance that was given to him.
He was out rowing in the two seat of a four when he suffered a heart attack so severe, that he 'died' before he hit the water - no water reached his lungs. Fellow club member and the stroke, Mark Brown jumped into the water and retrieved him. The other crew members Jim Skidmore, Ron Mitchell and Laurie Muir commenced resuscitation whilst changing seats to fill the empty stroke side to avoid the boat rolling over. They radioed for assistance. A houseboat owner rushed to assist in his speed boat and transferred Ted to his houseboat. Fortunately a paramedic lived nearby and was waiting with an ambulance by the time Ted reached shore. Despite remaining unconscious for sometime, and surviving bypass surgery, Ted went onto to live a full and interesting life thereafter, some additional 21 years.
Ted at a regatta in the mid 1970s
Despite not having a noteworthy rowing career, he started a stellar rowing administration career. The following summary provides an outline of his work.
- 1955-1980 (25 years), Yarra Yarra Rowing Club Secretary
- From 1963, Yarra Yarra delegate to Rowing Victoria
- 1970 Life member Yarra Yarra
- 1980-81, 1983-84 and 1992-1996 Yarra Yarra Rowing Club Vice-President
- 1984-87 Yarra Yarra Assistant Treasurer
- 1988 to 1992 Yarra Yarra President
- 1997 onwards Patron Yarra Yarra
- From 1956 Metropolitan Regatta Committee member and Chairman from 1969.
- From 1964 Rowing Victoria boat race official until only a few years prior to his death.
- 1972 Victorian Rowing Team manager
- Lake Colac Melbourne representative for more than 30 years ensuring that Rowing Victoria proposals took into account the best interests of Lake Colac Rowing Club, and also other country clubs.
- Victorian Oarsmen and Women's Association Committee man, Secretary and President
- From 1964 Rowing Victoria Committee for many of those years and finishing in 1999
- Rowing Victoria Life Member 1999
In further recognition of his service to Yarra Yarra Rowing Club, three boats were named in his honour in 1961, 1991 and 2002. For services to the club, a boat was also named in his mother's honour.
Ted Woolcock in 2002 at a boat naming in his honour
Peter Gill in a letter to Ted in July 1980 upon his retirement as Secretary, summed up the thoughts of many within Yarra Yarra Rowing Club both then and after: Your approach has been significant towards maintaining stability within the club. You have at times probably borne more work than was your share because others did not sustain enough effort. So, I believe your efforts have been an important factor in the club's successes during the past 25 years.
Others recalled a simpler memory, namely that as secretary, he always had a pen at hand so that he could collect outstanding dues and issue a receipt. Clearly no one at Yarra Yarra was safe from outstanding dues with Ted about!
Ted also live a full life outside the sport of rowing. He was a great contributor to Legacy. He joined "Melbourne Old Boys" in 1944 and spent 30 years as its Secretary. He was also assistant secretary, secretary and the chairman for 10 years of the Northern Branch of Legacy.
He was a mason and joined Lodge Henley, a rowing Lodge. He served as assistant Secretary, Almoner and as Master from 1980. Despite that Lodge closing, he remained active throughout his life, attending a daylight Lodge.
Locally he assisted his local community in several ways. He was secretary, treasurer and coordinator of his Neighbourhood Watch group. He was also an unofficial supporter of the elderly, doing messages, shopping and even taking dogs for a walk.
Ted loved his various communities and made sure that he contributed to them. He would not have regarded his contribution as a chore - he fully comprehended that those who contribute, get far more back in return.
We need more Teds in this world.
The following further information was supplied by Kim Skidmore in June 2024.
Joined 1948/49 passed away 3/9/2013
Secretary 1955/56 - 1979/80season.
Vice president, 1980/81 - 1983/84
Assistant treasurer 1985/86 - 1987/88
President 1988/89 - 1996/97 season.
Patron from 1997/98 till death in 2013/14 season.
Awarded life membership of Yarra Yarra 1970/71 season.
Recorded wins:-
1955 - Henley sprint regatta, maiden eight (4)
1968 - Head of the Yarra, veteran eight (2)
1971 - Head of the Yarra, veteran eight (2)
Ted had 4 boats that carried his name:-
An eight in 1967,
A coxless four in 1992,
And another eight in 2002,
Also another eight in 2012.
From the YYRC newsletter 'Yarra Yabbie' no 41, 1991-12-20
Ted Woolcock received the “Tom Rodda” trophy for services to Victorian rowing, which was awarded at the V.O.W.A. (old oars) annual meeting.
From the YYRC newsletter 'Yarra Yabbie' no 421992-3-20
We had a successful Christmas break-up with two boats christenings. “Ted Woolcock” a new racing 4, Ted did the job himself.
Ted in dark suit under oars
From the YYRC newsletter 'Yarra Yabbie' no 43, 1992-7-20
Ted Woolcock had a turn and fell out of boat while rowing at Wentworth at Easter and spent ten days in Mildura hospital. Ted will have an operation later on.
From the YYRC newsletter 'Yarra Yabbie' no77, 1999-11-20
Congratulations to YYRC stalwart Ted Woolcock who was awarded Life Membership of the Victorian Rowing Association (VRA) at the VRA awards night in October.
Ted joined YYRC in 1945 and took up his first VRA committee appointment in 1955, as Lake Colac Rowing Club delegate, a position he still holds today. In 1962, Ted became an elected member of the VRA, followed by executive member in 1967 and rising through the ranks, Vice President of the VRA from 1983 to 1998. And if this wasn’t enough involvement, Ted was the Kings Cup manager in Tasmania in 1972. Well done Ted.
From the 2013/14 YYRC annual report;-
As part of the Presidents report; - Vale
The second half of 2013 brought great sadness to Yarra Yarra.
We lost our beloved Patron Ted Woolcock after a period of illness and remain deeply saddened by the loss. On top of his priceless legacy, Ted kindly left $10,000 to Yarra. He made everyone feel at home with that big smile and welcoming beer. Always the first to help out around the club and took a real interest in all members old and new.
Vale
Edward Woolcock 6 July 1928-3 September 2013
Edward (Ted) Woolcock joined Yarra Yarra in 1948 and was a significant contributor to many aspects of the club at all times.
In 1955 Jack Prime (who had been the secretary) encouraged Ted to become Secretary for a brief period. However, Ted remained as Secretary for 25 years, providing very steady leadership.
He then had terms as a Vice President, Assistant Treasurer, President, and he was elected as Patron in 1997. Ted continued to show tremendous support, leadership, and friendship as his health declined in the last year or so.
As well as his official positions with Yarra Yarra, Ted was also active in the former Metropolitan Rowing Committee, The Victorian Rowing Association(now Rowing Victoria) and the Old Oarsman’s Association(now the Victorian Oarsman’s and Women’s Association)
He was a Boat Race Official from the inception of the former Victorian Rowing Association Official’s panel, and Ted was a diligent official at many metropolitan and country regattas.
Ted was the ‘Melbourne representative’ of the Lake Colac Rowing Club for more than 30 years.
To recognize his involvement and contribution to Victorian rowing he was honored with life membership of Rowing Victoria.
Ted was elected as a Yarra Yarra Life Member in 1970.
Both Ted (and his mother ‘Mrs. Woolcock’) had boats named after them. We were fortunate that Ted was able to christen a new Eight ‘Ted Woolcock11’ in November 2012.
Ted enjoyed rowing at Yarra Yarra particularly as a Veteran. But his most significant contributions included many aspects of administration in the club from the 1950’s until his passing. He was a great friend to the club and to all the members who knew him.
From YYRC newsletter 'Yarra Yabbie' no 77, November 1999
Congratulations to YYRC stalwart Ted Woolcock who was awarded Life Membership of the Victorian Rowing Association (VRA) at the VRA awards night in October.
Ted joined YYRC in 1945 and took up his first VRA appointment in 1955, as Lake Colac rowing club delegate, a position he still holds today. In 1962 Ted became an elected member of the VRA, followed by executive member in 1967 and, rising through the ranks vice president from 1983 to 1998. And if this wasn’t enough involvement, Ted was manager in Tasmania in 1972. Well done Ted.
1984 Ted as manager of Victorian Kings cup team.
Peter Gill in a letter to Ted in July 1980 upon his retirement as Secretary, summed up the thoughts of many within Yarra Yarra Rowing Club both then and after: Your approach has been significant towards maintaining stability within the club. You have at times probably borne more work than was your share because others did not sustain enough effort. So, I believe your efforts have been an important factor in the club's successes during the past 25 years.
Others recalled a simpler memory, namely that as secretary, he always had a pen at hand so that he could collect outstanding dues and issue a receipt. Clearly no one at Yarra Yarra was safe from outstanding dues with Ted about!
Ted also live a full life outside the sport of rowing. He was a great contributor to Legacy. He joined "Melbourne Old Boys" in 1944 and spent 30 years as its Secretary. He was also assistant secretary, secretary and the chairman for 10 years of the Northern Branch of Legacy.
He was a mason and joined Lodge Henley, a rowing Lodge. He served as assistant Secretary, Almoner and as Master from 1980. Despite that Lodge closing, he remained active throughout his life, attending a daylight Lodge.
Locally he assisted his local community in several ways. He was secretary, treasurer and coordinator of his Neighbourhood Watch group. He was also an unofficial supporter of the elderly, doing messages, shopping and even taking dogs for a walk.
Ted loved his various communities and made sure that he contributed to them. He would not have regarded his contribution as a chore - he fully comprehended that those who contribute, get far more back in return.
We need more Teds in this world.
1989 Ted receiving an award for services as club secretary.
2018-10-24 Ted Woolcock plaque
Compiled by Andrew Guerin with the great assistance of Peter Gill and Jim Skidmore
August 2020 (updated June 2024 with further information from Jim Skidmore)
Sources:
- Peter Gill's records and his tribute to Ted.
- Ron Mitchell's "Our Ted" - June 2000.
- Jim Skidmore's recollections of Ted - June 2020
- Rowing Victoria annual reports