Jeff Wylie
Mercantile Rowing Club (VIC)
Jeffery James Wylie graduated to Mercantile after four years at Scotch College, where he made his mark both scholastically and in the world of sport. He rapidly settled into his Mercantile surroundings and it soon became apparent we had gained an excellent club man, an enthusiastic oarsman and a capable administrator.
His rowing was mainly confined to the Lightweight Division, where he won many eights, fours and pairs. He also won three State Lightweight Championships Eights, Fours and Pairs and was successful in the Australian Eight-Oared Championship in the Lightweight Division on Lake Burley Griffin at Canberra. On two occasions he represented Victoria in the Lightweight Four Championship for the Penrith Cup and in 1964 won the Championship.
1964 Australian Champion Lightweight Eight – Jeff in the seven seat standing second from the left between David Palfreyman and George Xouris
He had proved himself a capable administrator and had been Hon. Secretary of the Club for a number of seasons before elected Club Captain, the post he was holding at the time of his death.
Jeff died as a result of a road accident and the shock waves around the Club were enormous. The Club had lost a great young man, gifted in so many ways and one who loved his Club.
The Club recognises Jeff with a perpetual trophy for the most improved lightweight annually. This is a prestigious award and proudly sought after by our lightweights.
Andrew Guerin (based on his obituary in the 1964-65 annual report)
January 2019