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australian rowers profiles and history

Zunker family

The Zunker family from Bundaberg were quite remarkable in Queensland rowing. The following is recorded in the Bundaberg Rowing Club history.

It was in the latter half of the '50s that Bundaberg Rowing Club once more made an impact on the competitive sector of rowing, chiefly through the efforts of the youthful Zunker family rowers of brothers and cousins. It was in 1957 that the initial representatives of these talented athletes first revived memories of earlier members of the family - the original Joseph, a club supporter of more than a half century earlier; Jim, who stroked an all-Zunker crew in 1920, then the State and King's Cup representatives, brothers Herb and Arthur; and finally Col, of the immediate post-war years.

1948 Men's Eight in Hobart stroked by C Zunker

Bow: C Volzke, 2: I Lloyd-Jones, 3: N Christie, 4: N Wallace, 5: A Richardson, 6: E Rickert, 7: C Rickert, Str: C Zunker, Cox: R Clemence

For five years now more members of the Zunker families carried all before them in the Queensland Under 20 fours events. The same crew — Graham (stroke), Gordon, Laurie, Eddie and their cox, Barry — won the State title in four successive years, 1957 - 1960. Their 1957 success went into national rowing records as the first all-family State title winners, their average age at the time being 16 1/2. In 1958 this crew represented Queensland in the test races on the Nepean (Penrith) to select an Australian crew to contest the Commonwealth Games in Cardiff. They won the State open fours in 1960.

In 1961, this time stroked by Kevin Zunker, the State-winning Under 20 crew included Bevan and Barry again.

In 1964 still another all-Zunker crew - Laurie (stroke), Gordon, Bevan and Barry (bow) - competed in the Australian trials on Canberra's Lake Burley-Griffin for selection to the Tokyo Olympics,and won the State fours in 1965.

The following Zunker family picture was taken on the Burnett River in Bundaberg with all members of this crew having represented Queensland in the King's Cup.

From the left: Cox: Barry Zunker 1968, 1969, Stroke: Herb Zunker 1927, 7: Arthur Zunker  1935, 6: Colin Zunker 1948, 5:  Laurie Zunker 1968, 4: Gordon Zunker 1968, 3: Alan Zunker 1968, 1969, 1972, 1973 and 1975, 2: Bevan Zunker 1968, 1969, Bow: Brian Zunker 1973, 1975.

The following interstate representation has been achieved by the family.

Zunker, Arthur

1935 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship four seat - Fifth

Zunker, Alan

1968 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship seven seat – Eliminated in repechage

1969 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship five seat – Eliminated in repechage

1972 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship three seat – Eliminated in repechage

1973 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship five seat – Eliminated in repechage

1975 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship three seat – Eliminated in repechage

Zunker, Bevan

1968 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship bow – Eliminated in repechage

1969 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship bow – Eliminated in repechage

Zunker, Barry

1968 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship stroke – Eliminated in repechage

1969 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship stroke – Eliminated in repechage

Zunker, Brian

1973 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship three seat – Eliminated in repechage

1975 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship five seat – Eliminated in repechage

Zunker, Colin

1948 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship stroke - Fifth

1968 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship coach – Eliminated in repechage

Zunker, Gordon

1968 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship five seat – Eliminated in repechage

Zunker, Herb

1927 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship six seat – Swamped

1935 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship two seat - Fifth

Zunker, Laurie

1968 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship six seat – Eliminated in repechage

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