Chapter 4  1971-84 Kurwongbah to Alan Roaf 

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Chapter 4 Part 1 - 1971-78

1970-71

The Champion Eights regatta was held on Lake Kurwongbah at Petrie on 30 and 31 January, 1971, in wet weather conditions which rowers, officials and a few hardy spectators would not forget for a long time. All races were over 2000 metres and heats and repechage were run on Saturday 30th with finals on Sunday 31st. 

In the Champion Sculls -

In Heat 1 - G. Petelin of Brisbane District (Commercial R.C.) defeated I. Snape of U.Q.B.C. and R. Bleakley of U.Q.B.C. 

In heat 2 - G. Farrell of Toowong R.C. defeated M. Taylor of Commercial R.C. and M. Stewart of GPSOB&BRC

Repechage - I. Snape defeated R. Bleakley and M. Stewart 

In the final, G. Petelin of Brisbane District (Commercial R.C.) defeated I. Snape of University with R. Bleakley of University in third place.

In the Champion Lightweight Four -

In heat 1 - TH&CRC defeated Bundaberg R.C. and Kolan R.C. 

In heat 2 - Brisbane District (Commercial R.C) defeated U.Q.B.C. and Commercial R.C. 

Repechage - U.Q.B.C. defeated Bundaberg and Commercial

In the final the Brisbane District (Commercial R.C.) crew defeated TH&CRC with Bundaberg R.C. in third place. 

The winning Brisbane District (Commercial R.C.) crew was - P. Ferrari (B) J. Devlin (2) T. O'Connor (3) P. Bennett (S) R. Christofis (Cox) and S. Rogers (Coach).

In the Champion Eight - 

In heat 1 - U.Q.B.C. defeated GPSOB&BRC and Toowong R.C.

In heat 2 - Bundaberg R.C. defeated and Commercial R.C.

Repechage - Toowong defeated GPSOB and Commercial 

In the final, Bundaberg R.C. won by less than a length to U.Q.B.C. with Toowong R.C. third and GPSOB&BRC fourth. 

The winning Bundaberg R.C. crew was - D. Brook (B) G. Chambers (2) J. Bigg (3) G. Lloyd-Jones (4) A. Zunker (5) R. Purvis (6) M. Ford (7) J. Pressler (S) and K. Stokes (Cox).

The Queensland Boat Race Officials Association was eventually established and an examination held at the Champion Eights regatta, where five licences were granted. 

The Ladies' Championships were rowed at Bundaberg on March 14, 1971, all races being over 1000 metres. The Championships were rowed in squally weather and the wind was at its strongest during the Ladies' Champion Elite Four with Cox, which was won by T.H.& C.R.C. by three lengths to Bundaberg R.C..

The winning Tweed Heads crew was - P. Ward (B) K. Crompton (2) S. Whitton (3) R. Estriech (S) and R. Walker (Cox).

In the Ladies' Champion Elite Single Sculls, S. Graham of T.H.& C.R.C. won by one length to J. Wilkie of Tweed Heads with L. Finucan also of Tweed in third place. 

In the Ladies' Champion Lightweight Four with Cox, T.H. & C.R.C. won by three lengths to Bundaberg R.C. after Bundaberg had led for the first 500 metres.

The winning Tweed Heads crew was - L. Finucan (B) K. Crompton (2) S. Whitton (3) S. Graham (S) and R. Walker (Cox).

The Bundaberg Ladies had revenge in the Ladies' Champion Four of the Burnett where they led all the way to win by two lengths. 

As the Tweed Heads Ladies had two rowers common in both the elite and the lightweight crew, they opted to contest the Australian Lightweight Four and Bundaberg were then selected to contest the Elite Four at the Australian Championships. 

The G.P.S. Head of the River Regatta was rowed on Milton Reach on April 3, 1971. In the First Eight over 2000 metres for the Head of the River, Church of England Grammar School won by 4.0 sec. to Brisbane Grammar School, then Brisbane State High School, The Southport School, Brisbane Boys' College and St. Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace. 

The winning crew was:-D.N. Stewart-Moore (B) D.A. Buckham (2) C.P. Wilson (3) S.W. Sheehan (4) J.D. Miller (5) G.J. Brand (6) J.S. Armstrong (7) J.W. Sheehan (S) J.E. Nalder (Cox) and G. Jones (Coach).

The results of the fours races were:-

First Four -1500m1. B.B.C.2. G.T.3. C.E.G.S.

Second Four - 1. B.G.S.2. G.T.3. T.S.S.

Third Four -1000m1. B.G.S.2. B.B.C.3. T.S.S.

Fourth Four - 1. C.E.G.S.2. T.S.S.3. B.G.S.

Fifth Four -750m1. T.S.S.2. B.G.S.3. C.E.G.S.

Sixth Four - 1. T.S.S.2. G.T.3. B.B.C.

Seventh Four - 1. B.S.H.S.2. C.E.G.S.3. T.S.S.

Eighth Four - 1. B.S.H.S.2. B.B.C.3. C.E.G.S.

Ninth Four - 1. B.B.C.2. G.T.3. C.E.G.S.

Tenth Four - 1. G.T.2. C.E.G.S.3. B.B.C.

Eleventh Four -1. B.B.C.2. G.T.3. C.E.G.S.

The Champion Fours regatta was held in Bundaberg on April 10, 1971, with all races being over 2000 metres. 

The Champion Under 20 Four was won by a Brisbane State High School crew by half a length to Brisbane Grammar School followed by St. Joseph's Gregory Terrace, Pine Rivers R.C. and Kolan R.C .. 

The winning Brisbane State High School crew was - R. Mayes (B) H. Mackay (2) P. Travis (3) R. Conrad (S) and J. Eastman (Cox).

The Champion Four with Cox was won by Bundaberg R.C. by two lengths to GPSOB&BRC and a further six lengths to Toowong R.C., followed by Surfers Paradise R.C. and TH&CRC. 

The winning Bundaberg R.C. crew was - D. Brook (B) A. Slean (2) J. Bigg (3) R. Purvis (S) and P. Axam (Cox).

The Champion Lightweight Eight was won by Toowong R.C. after U.Q.B.C. were excluded from the race after failing to make weight at the official weigh-in after the race. 

The title holding Toowong R.C. crew was - J. Healey (B) D. Whiting (2) T. McGregor (3) R. Greasley (4) R. Stewart (5) A. McLennan (6) R. Buckley (7) D. Moore (S) and cox not named.

The Champion Four minus Cox was won by Bundaberg R.C. by 1 1/4 lengths to TH&CRC followed by GPSOB&BRC and Bundaberg R.C. No.2. 

The winning Bundaberg R.C. crew was - D. Brook (B) A. Slean (2) J. Bigg (3) and R. Purvis (S). 

The Champion Lightweight Sculls was won by R. Bleakley of U.Q.B.C. on a row-over. 

The Champion Schoolboys' Four was won by Brisbane State High School from Brisbane Grammar School followed by Bundaberg High School, Kepnock High School and St. Joseph's Gregory Terrace. 

In the Champion titles of the Burnett River held later in the afternoon, Bundaberg won the Four with Cox from Surfers Paradise, TH&CRC and GPSOB; B.S.H.S won the Under 20 Four from Pine Rivers; Bundaberg won the Four minus Cox from TH&CRC and GPSOB and in the Schoolboys' Four, B.S.H.S. defeated B.G.S.. 

The Ladies' Interstate Championships were rowed on the Nepean River at Penrith on April 17, 1971, all races being over 1000 metres. 

In the Ladies' Championship Lightweight Four-oar of Australia for the Victoria Cup, New South Wales won by 1 1/4 lengths to Victoria, 3/4 length to Queensland and South Australia outclassed

The Queensland Ladies were Misses A. Finucan (B) K. Crompton (2) S. Whitton (3) L. Finucan (S) R. Walker (Cox) and J. Finucan (Coach).

In the Ladies' Championship Elite Single Sculls of Australia for the Nell Slatter Trophy, Miss V. Bertrand of Victoria defeated Mrs. S. Graham of Queensland by eight lengths with a further 3/4 length to Miss J. Cameron of New South Wales.

In the Ladies' Championship Elite Four-oar of Australia for the U.L.V.A. Trophy, New South Wales won by one third of a length to Victoria with a further eight lengths to a tiring Queensland in third place, with South Australia in fourth place. 

The Queensland Ladies were Misses J. Axam (B) C. Taylor (2) L. Brown (3) S. Glass (S) and Mr. P. Axam (Coach). 

Although Queensland was not obliged to send crews to Perth when the King's Cup is rowed there as it was in 1971, the winners of the Queensland Champion Eight, Bundaberg, and the Lightweight Four, Commercial, raised the funds to represent and were managed by N. Cullen. 

At the A.A.R.C. Annual General Meeting held in Perth on April 22, 1971, Roy Gill announced that this would be his last meeting as delegate for Queensland. The President of the A.A.R.C. said "Roy Gill was the grand old gentleman of rowing in Australia, and that for all but one year he was the last of the original members of Council still attending meetings which dated back to 1925. No man could have given more to rowing in their lifetime than Roy Gill". 

The Interstate Championships were rowed on the Canning River in Perth on 23 and 24 April, 1971, all races being over 2000 metres with heats and repechage on Friday 23rd and finals on Saturday 24th. 

In the Interstate Championship Single Sculls for the President's Cup -

in Heat 1 - T. McNair of Western Australia defeated N. Talbot of South Australia 

Heat 2 - I. Lee of New South Wales defeated K. Leach of Victoria and E. Hale of Tasmania 

Repechage - N. Talbot defeated K. Leach and E. Hale 

In the final, N. Talbot of South Australia scored that State's first win in the President's Cup by 2.6 sec. to K. Leach of Victoria, a further 2.9 sec. to I. Lee of New South Wales and 7.4 sec. to T. McNair of Western Australia.

In the Interstate Championship Lightweight Four for the Penrith Cup 

in Heat 1 - New South Wales defeated Western Australia 

In Heat 2 - Victoria defeated South Australia and Queensland 

Victoria was removed from the heat for not making weight after the heat Victoria defeated Western Australia and Queensland 

In the final, the first start was aborted when South Australia broke a seat. In the restart, the Victorian crew was never headed to win by 0.3 sec. to South Australia, 0.2 sec. to New South Wales and a further 24 sec. to Western Australia. 

In the Interstate Championship Eight-oared Race for the King's Cup -

In heat 1 - South Australia defeated Tasmania and Western Australia 

In heat 2 - New South Wales defeated Victoria and Queensland 

Repechage - Victoria defeated Tasmania, Western Australia and Queensland

In the final, Victoria won by 0.3 sec. to South Australia, 0.4 sec. to New South Wales and Tasmania a further 3.4 sec. back in fourth place. 

Lake Kurwongbah was fully buoyed for the Intervarsity races held in May, as a dress rehearsal for the Nationals in 1972. 

For the first time in Queensland, a championship was held for Pair without Cox. This was at a winter regatta held at Maryborough on June 12/13, 1971, and because of the shortage of boats, was raced in heats, repechage and final. 

The race was won by a Bundaberg R.C. pair of A. Zunker (B) and G. Lloyd-Jones (S) by two feet to Toowong, and another Bundaberg pair in third place a further two feet behind. 

During the year the death occurred of M.L. "George" James, a committee man of the old Brisbane RC and a continuing supporter of the GPSOB & BRC, a staunch worker for Queensland particularly when the King's Cup was in Brisbane, and rowing was the poorer for his departure. 

At the time of the A.A.R.C. annual report (December 31, 1970) Queensland had eight A.A.R.C. Judge/Umpire Licencees, namely - J.E. Barton, B. Brown, R.E. Clemence, J. Dowrie, J.C. Hutchinson, Dr. D.H. McClymont, R.R. Pilbeam and S. Hinchy. 

Bundaberg RC again won the Premiership with 192 points to University on 87 points. The Kolan RC and Surfers Paradise Rowing clubs gained points during the season for placings in River titles. 

The President for many years, Roy Gill, advised that he did not wish to be renominated, and Eric Evers replaced him as President at the 1971 A.G.M.. Otherwise the office bearers remained unchanged. 

R. Pilbeam from Leichhardt RC. must have been elected as an Honorary Life Member at this A.G.M..

1971-72

On August 7, 1971, a four-oared crew from Pine Rivers RC. set out to break the Brisbane to Ipswich rowing record, in their opinion the 4 hours 59 minutes of Nick Caris's Commercial crew. They rowed the course in 4 hours 46 minutes, a time which broke the 1893 record of 4 hours 52 minutes, even allowing that in rowing from the new Commercial shed they were possibly 400 metres short of the previous distance. The Pine Rivers crew was - M. Young (B) T. Ninnes (2) G. Sprott (3) K. Wagner (S) M. Cherry (Cox) and N. Hirst (Coach).

In December, 1971, Ron Mahony resigned as Honorary Secretary and was replaced by Jack Pritchard. When Roy Gill retired from the role of President it left a vacancy as Queensland delegate to the A.A.R.C. and this role was also assumed by J. Pritchard. 

Roy Gill was the initial delegate when Queensland joined the A.A.R.C. in 1926, one year after its formation in 1925. He served in this capacity until 1930 and again from 1964 until 1972. D.T. Beatson served from 1930 to 1932, R.T. Delaney from 1932 to 1934, F.L. Poulgrain from 1934 to 1946, J.J. Delahunty from 1946 to 1951 and R.G. Longmore from 1951 to 1963. Roy Gill was Chairman of the Q.R.A. from 1920 until 1929, an Honorary Life Member prior to 1930 and President from 1958 until 1971. 

The Ladies' Championships were rowed at Tweed Heads on December 18, 1971, all races being over 1000 metres. The races were held up for some time and then the officials transferred the regatta to another calmer reach of the river. 

In the Ladies' Champion Elite Four with Cox, the race was one of the closest on record and the much more experienced Tweed Heads crew gained the advantage only in the last few strokes to win by less than half a length. However, at the weigh-in of coxswains subsequent to the race, it was found that the Tweed coxswain had not carried the extra weight of 15 lbs. to bring him up to 7 stone and the crew was disqualified. Bundaberg R.C. was then awarded the title and the winning crew was - J. Axam (B) C. Taylor (2) L. Brown (3) S. Glass (S) Mr. P. Axam (Cox) and Mrs. D. Dahl (Coach).

In the Ladies' Champion Elite Single Sculls, S. Graham of Tweed Heads & CRC defeated J. Wilkie, also of Tweed Heads. 

In the Ladies' Champion Lightweight Four with Cox, Tweed Heads & Coolangatta RC. won by two lengths to Bundaberg R.C. with another Bundaberg crew in third place. 

The winning Tweed Heads crew was - J. Wilkie (B) K. Crompton (2) P. Ward (3) S. Graham (S) and Mr.A. Yeomans (Cox). 

The Championship Eights regatta was held on Lake Kurwongbah at Petrie, on January 29 and 30, 1972, with all races over 2000 metres. 

In the Champion Sculls -

Heat 1 - A. Slean of Bundaberg R.C. defeated N. Everson of Grafton R.C. and M. Taylor of U.Q.B.C. 

Heat 2 - G. Petelin of Commercial R.C. defeated I. Snape of U.Q.B.C. and R. Alexander of GPSOB&BR

Repechage - I. Snape defeated N. Everson, R. Alexander and M. Taylor 

In the final, G. Petelin of Commercial R.C. defeated I. Snape of U.Q.B.C. by 2 1/2 lengths with a further three lengths back to N. Everson of Grafton R.C., then A. Slean of Bundaberg. 

In the Champion Lightweight Four -

Heat 1 - TH&CRC defeated U.Q.B.C. and YMCA-Leichhardt R.C. 

Heat 2 - Pine Rivers R.C. defeated Rockhampton District and Commercial R.C. 

Repechage - U.Q.B.C. defeated Rockhampton District, YMCA-Leichhardt and Commercial

In the final Tweed Heads defeated University by three lengths with a further four lengths to Pine Rivers R.C.

The winning TH&CRC crew was - H. Ward (B) R. Spencer (2) P. Walsh (3) R. Graham (S) and A. Yeomans (Cox).

In the Champion Eight -

Heat 1 - Toowong R.C. defeated GPSOB&BRC and Commercial R.C. 

Heat 2 - Bundaberg R.C. defeated Brisbane District Composite 

Repechage - Brisbane District defeated GPSOB and Commercial 

In the final, Bundaberg R.C. defeated the Brisbane Composite crew by one length with Toowong R.C. a further half-length back in third place, and two lengths to GPSOB in fourth place. 

The winning Bundaberg R.C. crew was - J. Bigg (B) M. Slean (2) B. Zunker (3) D. Slaughter (4) A. Zunker (5) G. Lloyd-Jones (6) D. Brook (7) M. Ford (S) and P. Axam (Cox).

After winning the Champion Eight of Queensland, the Bundaberg crew was strengthened by the inclusion of R. Alexander, G. Uebergang and T. Conrad, while J. Alexander was named as one of the emergencies. 

The Interstate Championships were held on the Huon River at Franklin in Tasmania on March 3/4, 1972. All races were over 2000 metres and rowed in heats and repechage on Friday 3rd and finals on Saturday 4th. 

In the Interstate Championship Single Sculls for the President's Cup -

in Heat 1 - E. Hale of Tasmania defeated T. McNair of Western Australia and N. Talbot of South Australia 

Heat 2 - K. Leach of Victoria defeated G. Petelin of Queensland and I. Lee of New South Wales

Repechage - I. Lee defeated N. Talbot, T. McNair and G. Petelin 

In the final, I. Lee of New South Wales defeated K. Leach of Victoria by 3.9 sec. with 4.9 sec. to E. Hale of Tasmania and a further 16.2 sec. to N. Talbot of South Australia. 

In the Interstate Championship Lightweight Four for the Penrith Cup -

In heat 1 - New South Wales defeated Queensland and Tasmania 

Heat 2 - Victoria defeated South Australia 

Repechage - South Australia defeated Queensland and Tasmania 

In the final, Victoria defeated New South Wales by 5.4 sec .with 13.6 sec. to South Australia and Queensland fourth. 

In the Interstate Championship Eight-oared Race for the King's Cup -

In heat 1 - New South Wales defeated Western Australia and Victoria 

Heat 2 - South Australia defeated Queensland and Tasmania 

Repechage - Victoria defeated Western Australia, Tasmania and Queensland

In the final, New South Wales defeated Western Australia by 6.1 sec. with 2.8 sec. to Victoria in third place and 8.1.sec. to South Australia in fourth place. 

The Champion Fours regatta was rowed in Maryborough on March 18, 1972, all races being over 2000 metres. 

In the Champion Under 20 Four, U.Q.B.C. won on a row-over after Bundaberg failed to make the start in time. 

The title holding University crew was -

G. Hall (B) G. Merritt (2) J. Brand (3) C. Sasnauskas (S) and no cox named.

The Champion Lightweight Single Sculls was won on a row-over by R. Bleakley of UQBC. 

In the Champion Four with Cox, Bundaberg won by a canvas to TH&CRC with one length to U.Q.B.C. in third place. The lightweight Tweed crew had held a twelve feet advantage with 100 metres to travel, but a magnificent finishing drive by Bundaberg earned them the title. The University Under 20 Four was third. The winning Bundaberg R.C. crew was - J. Bigg (B) A. Slean (2) D. Brook (3) M. Ford (S) and P. Axam (Cox). 

In the Champion Lightweight Eight, the Brisbane District composite crew won on a virtual row-over after one of the Pine Rivers R.C. crew collapsed shortly after the start. Pine Rivers completed the course mainly to get their crew member back to the clubhouse. 

The winning Brisbane District crew was - R. Bellis (B-UQBC) G. Merritt (2-UQBC) A. Philbrick (3-UQBC) G. Monk (4-CRC) J. Kluver (5-UQBC) G. King (6-UQBC) P. Finch (7-GPSOB) I. Duthie (S-UQBC) and cox not named.

In the Champion Four minus Cox, U.Q.B.C. was the first across the line ahead of TH&CRC, with Bundaberg R.C. having been disqualified by the umpire, Mr. R. Clemence, near the 500 metre mark. Tweed fired in a protest against faulty steering by University and it was upheld by the umpire and the placings reversed. The umpire stated that he had to warn University about their erratic course on a number of occasions during the running of the race. 

The winning TH&CRC crew was - H. Ward (B) R. Spencer (2) P. Walsh (3) and R. Graham (S). 

The National Regatta was held on Lake Kurwongbah at Petrie on Saturday 1st and Monday 3rd, April, 1972. In these days it was still not considered proper conduct to stage a major rowing event on a Sunday. After a tremendous amount of work by a dedicated band of workers led by the Chairman, Jim Dowrie, and in which the Pine Rivers Rowing Club members were a major force, the course was presented in the best condition of any in Australia at that time. The course was buoyed to albano standard for four lanes and when required, the passing lane was used for a fifth crew. There was a held start and clearly visible front and back markers to assist crews without coxswains. 

Despite a cyclone which swept in on Saturday night and caused the lake to rise four feet and flood over the spillway, the racing was good and on the Monday was only delayed for an hour to allow the boat race officials and competitors to reach the course. Many had to take the long way around via the Hornibrook Highway, Redcliffe and Kallangur to reach the course since the Bald Hills flats were flooded. Crews including single sculls and double sculls still trained on the lake on the Sunday. 

The results of the National Regatta were: 

Four with Cox 

1st Haberfield Comp.2nd Joondalup3rd Adel. Uni.

Lightweight Single Sculls 

1st Sydney (M Phillips)2nd Uni. Qld (R. Bleakley)3rd Haberfield (S. Roll) 

Junior (Second Grade) Eight

1st Sydney Univ. 2nd Sandy Bay3rd Toowong

Pair with Cox 

1st Sydney 2nd Haberfield/Mosman3rd Corio Bay

Lightweight Four without Cox 

1st Haberfield 2nd Drummoyne3rd Barwon

Schoolboy Four with Cox 

1st Brisbane Boys' Coll. 2nd NSW Combined Schools3rd St. Joseph's Col.

Four without Cox 

1st Sydney Comp. (row-over)

Lightweight Double Sculls

1st Haberfield 1 2nd Balmain1 3rd Haberfield 2

Junior (Second Grade) Four with Cox

1st Nepean2nd Syd. Uni.3rd Wendouree

Pair with Cox

1st Barwon2nd Torrens3rd Lindisfarne

Double Sculls

1st Haberfield/Glebe2nd Syd. Uni./Colleagues

Lightweight Eight

1st Melb. Uni.2nd Drummoyne3rd Haberfield

Junior (Second Grade) Single Sculls

1st Sydney (M Phillips)2nd Mercantile (P. McNamara)3rd Haberfield (E. Brazenail)

Schoolboy Eight

1st Aquinas Col. - Perth2bd Bris. Gram. Sch. 3rd B.B.C.

Lightweight Pair without Cox

1st Balmain2nd Haberfield3rd Melb. Uni.

From the Queensland viewpoint the highlight of the National Regatta was the win of Brisbane Boys' College in the Schoolboy Four. The B.B.C. four was - J. Skerman, R. Bell, C. Worcester, S. Foote, I. Terry (Cox) and D.J. Murphy (Coach). Other Queensland entries were Bob Bleakley of U.Q.B.C. and Mike Taylor of Commercial in the Lightweight Single Sculls. Mike Taylor was eliminated in the repechage and Bob Bleakley took second place in the final. In the Junior Eight there were crews from UQBC/Commercial and Toowong. UQBC/Commercial did not appear in the repechage and Toowong were unplaced in the final. In the Pair without Cox there were two GPSOB crews but both were eliminated in the repechages. In the Lightweight Four without Cox Tweed Heads and Pine Rivers entered crews. Pine Rivers were eliminated in the repechage and Tweed Heads came fourth in the final. In the Schoolboy Four there were crews from Brisbane Grammar School, St. Joseph's Gregory Terrace (2), Brisbane Boys' College and Church of England Grammar School. Churchie and BBC made the final with BBC winning and Churchie fourth. In the Junior Four there were crews from UQBC/CRC, Commercial and UQBC. All were eliminated in the repechages. Bob Alexander of GPSOB entered in the Junior Single Sculls and was eliminated in the repechage. Tweed Heads entered in the Lightweight Pair without Cox and were eliminated in the repechage. A UQBC/GPSOB crew entered in the Lightweight Eight and came fourth in the straight final, and in the Schoolboy Eight there were crews from Brisbane State High School, St. Joseph's Gregory Terrace, Brisbane Grammar School and Brisbane Boys' College, but the lone foreigner, Aquinas College from Perth stole the show to win from BGS and BBC. 

The G.P.S. Head of the River Regatta was rowed on Milton Reach on April 8, 1972. In the First Eight over 2000 metres for the Head of the River, Brisbane Boys' College won by 5.4 sec. to Brisbane Grammar School and Church of England Grammar School. 

The winning crew was:- R. Banks (B) C. Worcester (2) H. Foxton (3) R. Fraser (4) J. Skerman (5) R. Bell (6) W.B. Crichton (7) M.S. Foote (S) I. Terry (Cox) and D.J. Murphy (Coach).

The results of the fours races were:-

First Four -1500m1. C.E.G.S.2. B.B.C.3. B.G.S

Second Four - 1. C.E.G.S.2. B.B.C.3. T.S.S.

Third Four -1000m1. B.G.S.2. B.S.H.S.3. C.E.G.S.

Fourth Four - 1. C.E.G.S.2. G.T.3. T.S.S.

Fifth Four - 750m1. B.S.H.S.2. T.S.S.3. C.E.G.S.

Sixth Four - 1. C.E.G.S.2. B.S.H.S.3. G.T.

Seventh Four -1. B.S.H.S.2. C.E.G.S.3. G.T.

Eighth Four -1. B.S.H.S.2. B.G.S.3. T.S.S.

Ninth Four -1. B.G.S.2. C.E.G.S.3. T.S.S.

Tenth Four -1. C.E.G.S.2. B.G.S.3. B.S.H.S.

Eleventh Four - 1. B.G.S.2. B.B.C.3. T.S.S.

The Women's Interstate Championships were held at Canberra on Lake Burley Griffin on April 15, 1972, In the Women's Interstate Elite Single Sculls over 1000 metres for the Nell Slatter Trophy, New Zealander Elizabeth Cato in only her second major sculling event and competing for New South Wales, came from behind at the halfway mark to beat V. Bertrand of Victoria with S. Graham of Queensland in third place. 

Shirley Graham was subsequently selected to represent Australia in the 1972 European Women's Rowing Championships at Brandenburg in East Germany in August. Mr. R. Graham was selected as her coach. 

In the Women's Interstate Elite Four over 1000 metres for the U.L.V.A. Trophy, New South Wales started well but Victoria were in the lead after 300 metres and went on to win easily by two lengths to New South Wales, a further length to Queensland in third place, then South Australia and Australian Capital Territory fifth. The A.C.T. crew was a relatively inexperienced one comprising schoolgirls from Canberra Grammar. The Queensland Ladies were Misses C. Taylor (B) J. Axam (2) L. Brown (3) S. Glass (S) Mr. P. Axam (Cox) and Mrs. D. Dahl (Coach). 

The Women's Interstate Lightweight Four over 1000 metres for the Victoria Cup was won easily by Victoria by five lengths to New South Wales with South Australia 10 feet away third. Queensland was not represented in this race. 

Following the King's Cup Regatta at Franklin in March, 1972, and the National Regatta at Lake Kurwongbah in April, 1972, the following Australian Rowing Team was announced for the Munich Olympics in August/September, 1972. 

Team Manager - R.C. Hemery of Western Australia 

Eight-oared crew 

M. Shaw (B-NSW) G. Pearce (2-NSW) K. Jelbart (3-Vic) R. Paver (4-NSW) R. Curtin (5-NSW) B Curtin (6-NSW) M. Morgan (7-NSW) J. Clark (S-NSW) A. Grover (Cox-NSW) Coach - Alan Callaway

Four with Cox 

I. Lee (B-NSW) P. Wilkinson (2-NSW) W. Baillieu (3-Vic) P. Shakespear (S-WA) V. Bowrey (Cox-NSW) Coach - Lance Robinson

Pair without Cox 

K. Mackney (B-NSW) C. Stevens (S-NSW) Coach - Alan Callaway

The Champion Pair Minus was again held in Maryborough on June 3, 1972, and resulted in a win for T.H.& C.R.C. over GPSOB&BRC.

The winning Tweed Heads pair was - P. Walsh (B) and R. Graham (S).

Bundaberg R.C. again won the Premiership but no points or runner up were included in the annual report. 

Steve Hinchy resigned as Honorary Treasurer at the 1972 A.G.M. as he was returning to study for a medical degree having become dissatisfied with being a mere pharmacist. He was replaced by David Coomber. 

Sir Alan Mansfield completed his term as Governor of Queensland and was replaced by Air Marshall Sir Colin Hannah, K.C.M.G., K.B.E., C.B., who extended his patronage to the Q.A.R.C.. These were the only changes in the office bearers at the 1972 A.G.M.. Dave Magoffin, long time coach of Brisbane Boys' College, Toowong and Queensland crews was elected as an Honorary Life Member at this meeting. 

1972-73

Shirley Graham came sixth in the Petite Final of the Women's Single Sculls in the European Championships after rowing in three different sculling boats during the regatta. 

At the Munich Olympics in August/September, 1972, the Australian Rowing Team achieved the following results: 

In the Eight-oared event Australia were fourth in their heat, won the repechage in a remarkable time of 6.09.75 but after being second after 500 metres, third at the 1000 metres, they faded to finish fifth in the semi-final and did not make the final. Their standing was eighth. 

In the Four with Cox event Australia was fourth in their heat and fourth in the repechage, missing further advance. 

In the Pair without Cox event Australia was third in their heat and third in the repechage, missing further advance. 

At a special meeting of the A.A.R.C. held in Melbourne in November, 1972, it was decided to combine the 1974 King's Cup Regatta with the Australian National Championships and these events were to be conducted by the Victorian Rowing Association at Ballarat. 

During the 1972/73 season membership increased from a very low 151 in 1971/72 to reach 220 registered members. 

The Champion Eights regatta was held in Rockhampton on January 28 and 29, 1973, and was the last regatta to be held on the tidal section of the Fitzroy River. All future regattas were to be held upstream of the Rockhampton Barrage. 

In the Champion Sculls, G. Petelin of Commercial R.C. defeated R. Alexander of GPSOB&BRC by eight lengths. 

In the Champion Lightweight Four, TH&CRC defeated Commercial R.C. by four lengths with a further five lengths to Pine Rivers R.C.. 

The winning Tweed Heads crew was - H. Ward (B) R. Spencer (2) P. Walsh (3) R. Graham (S) and A. Yeomans (Cox).

In the Champion Eight, the heats and repechage were rowed on Sunday 28th -

In heat 1 - Bundaberg R.C. defeated U.Q.B.C. and GPSOB&BRC 

Heat 2 - Toowong R.C. had a row-over after Rockhampton District broke an oar and then a rigger 

Repechage - U.Q.B.C. defeated GPSOB and Rockhampton District 

In the final rowed on Monday 29th, Bundaberg R.C. led from start to finish to win by 2 1/2 lengths to University who had conducted a great battle with Toowong R.C. who were a length back in third place. The winning Bundaberg R.C. crew was – J. Bigg (B) M. Slean (2) B. Zunker (3) M. Galt (4) A. Zunker (5) G. Uebergang (6) D. Brook (7) M. Ford (S) and P. Axam (Cox).

Bundaberg again won the right to represent in the King's Cup and while looking to strengthen their crew were only able to obtain the services of R. Alexander and G. Cameron from Brisbane. 

Tweed Heads & Coolangatta R.C. became a limited company on February 16, 1973, merging with other aquatic interests at the Tweed. From the beginning of the 1973/7 4 season the rowing section changed its name to Tweed Heads Rowing & Aquatic Club. 

The Ladies' Championships were rowed in Bundaberg on March 24, 1973, all races being over 1000 metres. 

In the Ladies' Champion Lightweight Four, Commercial R.C. defeated Bundaberg R.C.. 

The winning Commercial R.C. Ladies were - Misses P. Grech (B) D. Quarrel (2) K. Carpenter (3) L. Munden (S) and cox not named. 

In the Ladies' Champion Elite Single Sculls, Mrs. S. Graham of TH&CRC defeated Miss J. Wilkie also of TH&CRC. 

In the Ladies Championship Elite Four, Bundaberg R.C. defeated TH&CRC. 

The winning Bundaberg R.C. Ladies were - Misses M. Pownall (B) M. Bush (2) N. Davidson (3) A. Pownall (S) and Mr. P. Axam (Cox).

The G.P.S. Head of the River Regatta was rowed on Milton Reach on April 7, 1973. In the First Eight over 2000 metres for the Head of the River, Church of England Grammar School won by 3.0 sec. to The Southport School, then Brisbane Boys' College and Brisbane Grammar School. 

The winning crew was:- C. Thomas (B) L. Pilkington (2) M. Lean (3) M. Lucas (4) P. Van den Broek (5) P. Zahnleiter (6) G. Keatinge (7) S. Rees (S) J. Nalder (Cox) and G. Jones (Coach).

The results of the fours races were:-

First Four -1500m1. C.E.G.S.2. T.S.S.3. B.B.C.

Second Four - 1. B.B.C.2. C.E.G.S.3. B.G.S.

Third Four -1000m  1. C.E.G.S.2. B.B.C.3. B.S.H.S.

Fourth Four - 1. T.S.S2. C.E.G.S.3. B.B.C.

Fifth Four -750m 1. B.S.H.S.2. C.E.G.S.3. B.B.C.

Sixth Four1. C.E.G.S.2. B.B.C.3. T.S.S.

Seventh Four -1. T.S.S.2. G.T,3. B.S.H.S.

Eighth Four -1. B.B.C.2. T.S.S.3. B.S.H.S

Ninth Four -1. C.E.G.S.2. T.S.S. & B.S.H.S.

Tenth Four -1. B.S.H.S. & T.S.S.3. B.B.C.

Eleventh Four -1. T.S.S.2. B.S.H.S.3. C.E.G.S

The Champion Fours regatta was rowed on Lake Kurwongbah at Petrie on April 21, 1973, with all races being over 2000 metres. 

In the Champion Four with Cox, TH&CRC defeated Toowong R.C. by 3 lengths with a further six lengths to Pine Rivers R.C.. 

The winning Tweed Heads crew was - H. Ward (B) R. Spencer (2) P. Walsh (3) R. Graham (S) and A. Yeomans (Cox).

The Champion Four minus Cox was won by TH&CRC by fifteen lengths to Pine Rivers R.C.. 

The winning Tweed Heads crew was - H. Ward (B) R. Spencer (2) P. Walsh (3) and R. Graham (S). 

The Champion Pair minus Cox was won by TH&CRC by ten lengths to TH&CRC and a further length to GPSOB&BRC. 

The winning Tweed Heads crew was - H. Ward (B) and R. Spencer (S). 

The Tweed Heads rowers listed above were all lightweight oarsmen winning open weight championships. 

In the Champion Under 20 Four, Brisbane Grammar School defeated Kalan RC. by three lengths, with a further length to Brothers Old Boys R.C.. 

The winning B.G.S. crew was - A. McIntyre (B) D. Howell (2) R. Henderson (3) A. McPherson (S) L. Barkla (Cox) and A. Bromiley (Coach).

This was the last Under 20 Four Championship conducted, the status changing to Australian Youth in the succeeding year. 

In the Champion Lightweight Single Sculls, R. Bleakley of U.Q.B.C. defeated A. Wearne of Drummoyne R.C. (Sydney) by 1 1/2 lengths with eight lengths to M. Fitzgerald of Commercial R.C ..

In the Champion Lightweight Eight, Toowong R.C. defeated U.Q.B.C. by one length with a further length to Church of England Grammar School in third place. 

The winning Toowong R.C. crew was - R. Morgan (B) R. Holt (2) B. Hinton (3) J. Birt (4) J. Healey (5) M. Wilson (6) R. Thomason (7) T. Finn (S) N. Defteros (Cox) and T. Mulligan (Coach).

The Women's Interstate Championships were held on the Barwon River at Gee long on April 27 and 28, 1973, all races being over 1000 metres. 

The Women's Interstate Elite Four for the U.L.V.A. Trophy was rowed in heats and repechage on Friday 27th and final on Saturday 28th. 

In Heat 1 - New South Wales defeated Victoria and South Australia 

Heat 2 - New Zealand defeated Queensland and Tasmania 

Repechage 1 - Victoria defeated Western Australia and Tasmania 

Repechage 2 - Queensland and South Australia dead-heat, A.C.T. third 

Re-row repechage 2 - Queensland defeated South Australia 

In the final, New South Wales defeated Victoria by 1 1/2 lengths, followed by New Zealand and Queensland. 

The Queensland Ladies were Misses M. Pownall (B) M. Bush (2) N. Davidson (3) A. Pownall (S) Mr. P. Axam (Cox) and A. Emerick (Coach). 

The Women's Interstate Elite Single Sculls for the Nell Slatter Trophy was rowed as a straight final on the Saturday and Mrs. S. Graham of Queensland scored the easiest of wins by about six lengths to Miss V. Bertrand of Victoria. 

Following these Championships Shirley Graham was selected to compete in the Single Sculls at the European Championships in Moscow. Because of the costs involved she had to travel without a coach. 

The Women's Interstate Lightweight Four for the Victoria Cup was also rowed as a straight final on the Saturday and New South Wales defeated Victoria by a canvas. 

There was no Queensland representation in the Lightweight Four. 

The Interstate Championships were rowed on the Murray River at Murray Bridge in South Australia on May 4 and 5, 1973. All races were over 2000 metres and were rowed in heats and repechage on Friday 4th and finals on Saturday 5th, except for the Penrith Cup, which was a straight final. 

For the first time, an Interstate Coxswainless Pair Oared Championship was held. Each State had a right to enter two crews, however, if two crews were entered, one of those crews had to comprise the emergencies from the King's Cup Eight. 

In Heat 1 - NSW "A" defeated S. Aust. "B" and S. Aust. "A" 

Heat 2 - W. Aust. defeated NSW "B" and Vic. "B" 

Heat 3 - Vic. "A" defeated Tas. - Qld withdrew 

Repechage (second in each heat only) - NSW "B" defeated S. Aust. "B" and Tas. 

In the final, NSW "A" defeated NSW "B" by 4.5 sec. with 5.6 sec. to W. Aust. in third place and a further 2.9 sec. to Vic. "A" in fourth place. 

In the Interstate Championship Single Sculls for the President's Cup -

In Heat 1 - G. Petelin of Queensland finished first, ahead of I. Lee of New South Wales, but was excluded, apparently for poor steering. 

Heat 2 - E. Hale of Tasmania defeated J. Sykes of Victoria and T. McNair of Western Australia Repechage - G. Petelin defeated J. Sykes and T. McNair 

In the final, E. Hale of Tasmania and J. Sykes of Victoria dead-heated for first place after Sykes had staged a magnificent finish, 7.6 sec. to G. Petelin of Queensland in third place and 4.2 sec. to I. Lee of New South Wales in fourth place. 

In the re-row later in the afternoon, J. Sykes defeated E. Hale by 5.3 sec.. 

In the Interstate Championship Lightweight Four for the Penrith Cup which was run as a straight final, Victoria won by 1.4 sec. to South Australia, 13.1 sec. to Queensland and a further 14.8 sec. to New South Wales. 

In the Interstate Championship Eight-oared Race for the King's Cup 

In heat 1 - New South Wales defeated Tasmania and Victoria 

Heat 2 - Western Australia defeated South Australia and Queensland

Repechage - South Australia defeated Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania

In the final, Western Australia won by 1.6 sec. to Victoria, 7.3 sec. to South Australia and a further 4.8 sec. to New South Wales in fourth place. 

Also on the same programme was the first Women's Interdominion Race between Australia and New Zealand. The races were over 1000 metres and the Australian No.1 crew was the New South Wales four which had won the Women's Championship Elite Four-oar of Australia on the previous weekend. The Australian No.2 crew was a lightweight four comprising one New South Wales and three Victorian oarswomen. Also competing against New Zealand was a South Australian four and a four from Tailem Bend R.C.. 

Australia No.1 won from Australia No.2, then New Zealand, Tailem Bend and South Australia. 

On the same card, a Women's Single Sculls was rowed and Mrs. S. Graham representing Australia defeated Miss R. Pull of New South Wales and Miss E. Guterres of South Australia. 

1973-74

Australia was represented in the F.I.S.A. Junior Championships (Under 19) at Nottingham in July, 1973, by an eight from Scotch College in Victoria. This crew had won the right to go to Nottingham by defeating ten other schools, covering three States. The funds for the tour were raised within Victoria. The crew finished second in the Petite Final, making their standing eighth in the world for Juniors. 

Tim Conrad, who had rowed in the Queensland eight in the previous season was picked in the N.S.W. eight for this year's King's Cup. He was subsequently selected in a six man Australian Rowing Team to compete in the European Championships in Moscow. 

This team comprised a Four with Cox, Pair without Cox and a Single Sculler was added. The Pair and the Sculler entered the semi-finals but did not reach the finals. The Four with Cox won the Petite Finals placing them seventh in the world. Shirley Graham came sixth in the Petite Final to make her twelfth in the world rankings. This was a great feat for a real lightweight sculler competing in open sculling company. 

The Queensland Government through its Minister for Sport, Mr. John Herbert, made a grant of $1000 towards the costs of the Interstate team. 

Tweed Heads and Coolangatta R.C. won the State Premiership with 119 points to Toowong on 113 points. This must be considered a feat of more than usual merit as the one lightweight four-oared crew took off sufficient titles to defeat clubs with much stronger memberships. 

Brisbane Grammar School recorded two fine wins in taking out the Queensland and Brisbane River Under 20 Fours. Brothers Old Boys R.C. won the Burnett Under 20 Four and recorded second placings in the Queensland and Brisbane River Under 20 Fours. It was extremely encouraging to see this new club picking up premiership points, particularly in the youth events. 

As part of its investment policy the QARC purchased a house at Toowong in May for $17,875 and anticipated that after clearing the indebtedness of $6,000 that the income would substantially ease the costs of the Interstate trips. 

Dave Magoffin, who had retired to his beloved Blue Mountains in N.S.W., died there within a very short time of his retirement and in the season after being elected an Honorary Life Member of the Q.A.R.C.. 

The January bi-annual conference forwarded motions to the A.G.M. that all races for State representation be rowed on non-tidal courses. State titles for other than State representation still to be able to be rowed on other approved courses. The April bi-annual conference lapsed for lack of a quorum. It was also moved that an alternative date to Easter be found for the State Fours title in view of the combined King's Cup and National Regatta being conducted at the same time. 

The office bearers remained unchanged at the 1973 A.G.M.. 

The Champion Eights regatta was held at Bundaberg on February 16 and 17, 1974. 

The heats of the Champion Eight were conducted on Saturday 16th and resulted in Brothers Old Boys R.C., Bundaberg R.C., Toowong R.C. and U.Q.B.C contesting the final on Sunday 17th. U.Q.B.C. led all the way to defeat Toowong R.C. by 6.6 sec., with 0.4 sec. to Bundaberg in third place.

The winning University crew was - B. Smart (B) R. Doyle (2) C. Reed (3) C. Sasnauskas (4) S. McRae (5) G. Uebergang (6) R. Conrad (7) G. Chambers (S) and D. McGrath (Cox).

In the Champion Sculls, G. Petelin of U.Q.B.C. defeated R. Alexander of GPSOB&BRC by 14.8 sec. with R. Bleakley of U.Q.B.C. in third place.

The Champion Lightweight Four was won by THR&AC by 14.2 sec. to Pine Rivers R.C. with a further 1.8 sec. to Bundaberg R.C. in third place. 

The winning Tweed Heads crew was - H. Ward (B) R. Spencer (2) P. Walsh (3) R. Graham (S) and A. Yeomans (Cox).

In the Champion titles of the Burnett River held later in the day, Toowong won the Eight from U.Q.B.C. and Bundaberg; Tweed won the Lightweight Four from Bundaberg and Pine Rivers, and R. Bleakley defeated R. Alexander and M. Taylor in the Sculls. 

After the Queensland Championships, G. Petelin was endorsed to represent in the President's Cup. In the Lightweight Four, Tweed Heads won the right to represent and became a composite crew with two Surfers Paradise members. The University eight was merged with the Toowong eight to become a composite crew coached by D.J. Murphy. T. Mulligan was appointed Team Manager. 

The Champion Fours regatta was rowed on Lake Kurwongbah at Petrie on March 9, 1974, with all men's championship over 2000 metres and the women's championships over 1000 metres. 

The results of these Championships and the winning crews were: 

Mens "Senior A" Four with Cox 

1st Toowong R.C. 2nd Pine Rivers R.C.3rd Gold Coast R.C.

D. Ochert (B) M. Doyle (2) D. Buchbach (3) C. Lyndon (S), O. Knight (Cox), T. Mulligan (Coach)

Mens "Senior A" Four Minus 

1st Toowong R.C. 2nd U.Q.B.C.3rd Pine Rivers R.C.

D. Ochert (B) M. Doyle (2) D. Buchbach (3) C. Lyndon (S) T. Mulligan (Coach)

Mens "Senior A" Pair Minus 

1st U.Q.B.C. 2nd GPSOB&BRC3rd Toowong R.C.

R. Doyle (B) B. Smart (S)

Mens Youth Four with Cox (1500 metres)

1st Brothers Old Boys R.C.2nd N/A

J. Starr-Nolan (B) M. Vlasic (2) J. Bowes (3) J. Tooma (S) D. McCrossin (Cox)

Mens "Senior A" Lightweight Single Sculls 

1st U.Q.B.C.2nd U.Q.B.C.

R. BleakleyM. Taylor

Mens "Senior A" Lightweight Eight

1st U.Q.B.C.2nd Toowong R.C.3rd Pine Rivers R.C.

R. Quartermaine (B) M .Taylor (2) J. Major (3) I. Snape (4) B. Smart (5) R. Doyle (6) R. Bleakley (7) G. Merritt (S), D. McGrath (Cox)

Women's "Senior A" Four with Cox 

1st Tweed Heads R&AC 2nd Bundaberg R.C.3rd Toowong R.C.

M. Jones (B) H. Jaques (2) J. Cox (3) P. Fitzgerald (S) Mr.T. Jaques (Cox), Mr. F Jaques (Coach)

Women's "Senior A" Single Sculls 

1st Tweed Heads R&AC (row-over)

S. Graham

Women's "Senior A" Lightweight Four with Cox 

1st Bundaberg R.C. 

R. Mackrill (B) M. McCracken (2) R. Nixon (3) E. Batchler (S) R. Doyle (Cox)

A Tweed Heads/Toowong composite four finished first, but were ineligible to hold the title.

In the Champion titles of Brisbane rowed later in the programme, Toowong defeated Commercial and Brothers Old Boys in the Four with Cox; Commercial defeated Toowong in the Four Minus; U.Q.B.C. defeated Toowong and Pine Rivers in the Lightweight Eight and M.Taylor of U.Q.B.C. had a row-over in the Lightweight Sculls. 

Mens open races were not officially termed "Senior A" until the introduction of "Senior B" F.I.S.A. Championships (Under 23 yrs.) in 1982. The term has been used early in this history to clearly define the status of races at State level in men's and women's events and for men at National Regatta level. Until the amalgamation of the men's and women's councils after the April 1981 A.G.M., the status of women's races at National Regatta level is expressed in their terminology and this terminology continued for a period after the amalgamation for status other than "Elite" which became "Senior A". With the introduction of "Senior B" the old men's Junior (second grade) championship lapsed. 

The G.P.S. Head of the River Regatta was rowed on Lake Kurwongbah at Petrie on April 5 and 6, 1974. The lake had room for five crews in lanes and the regatta was rowed in heats and repechage on the Friday, with two heats of three crews, the winners going direct to the final and the other crews racing a repechage to find the other crews proceeding to the final. In the First Eight's race the three losing crews from the repechage rowed off in a Petite Final on the Saturday morning, three hours before the main race with the first two crews going to the Grand Final. T.S.S. and B.G.S. made the final and G.T. was eliminated. In the First Eight over 2000 metres for the Head of the River, Brisbane Boys' College won by 7.1 sec. to Brisbane State High School, then Church of England Grammar School, Brisbane Grammar School and The Southport School. 

The winning crew was:- P.N. Einersen (B) P.R. Winkley (2) R.G. Gould (3) A.F. Henderson (4) C.J. Beech (5) N.D. Seawright (6) M.R. Geldard (7) R.A. McLeod (S) K.S. Gobius (Cox) and D.J. Murphy (Coach).

The Second Eight, also over 2000 metres, was won by B.B.C. from B.G.S. and C.E.G.S.. 

The results of the fours races were:-

First Four -1500m1. B.G.S.2. C.E.G.S.3. T.S.S.

Second Four - 1. C.E.G.S.2. T.S.S.3. B.G.S.

Third Four -1000m1. B.B.C.2. B.G.S.3. B.S.H.S.

Fourth Four - 1. B.G.S.2. T.S.S.3. B.B.C.

Fifth Four - 1. C.E.G.S.2. T.S.S.3. B.G.S.

Sixth Four1. B.B.C.2. B.G.S.3. B.S.H.S.

Seventh Four -1. B.S.H.S.2. C.E.G.S.3. G.T.

Eighth Four -1. G.T.2. B.S.H.S.& C.E.G.S.

Ninth Four -1. T.S.S.2. B.S.H.S.3. C.E.G.S.

Tenth Four -1. G.T.3. C.E.G.S.3. T.S.S.

Eleventh Four -1. G.T.2. T.S.S.3. C.E.G.S

The first combined Interstate Championships (King's Cup Regatta) and National Regatta was held on Lake Wendouree in Ballarat, the heats and repechage of the Interstate events being conducted on Thursday, April 11, 1974, the finals on Saturday 13th and the heats and repechages of the Nationals on Monday 15th and finals on Tuesday 16th. All races were over 2000 metres. A new event was added to the Interstate programme - The Australian Youth Eight-oared Championship over 2000 metres for the Noel F. Wilkinson Trophy. 

In the Wilkinson Cup the Royal Shrewsbury School Boat Club crew competed by invitation and qualified for the final regardless of their heat placing. The School was ineligible to hold the title. States were permitted to nominate a No.2 crew if they so elected and this crew was permitted to row in their school or club colours. Brisbane Boys' College won the right to represent Queensland. 

Heat 1 - 1st Vic No. 12nd SA No. 13rd QLD

Heat 2 - 1st NSW No. 12nd Royal Shrewsbury3rd TAS No. 2

Heat 3 - 1st Vic No. 22nd Tas No. 13rd NSW No. 2

Repechage 1 - 1st NSW No. 22nd SA No. 23rd SA No. 1, 4th Tas No. 2

Repechage 2 - 1st Tas No. 12nd Royal Shrewsbury3rd QLD

Final - 1st Tas No. 12nd NSW No 23rd Vic No. 2

Margins 0.6 sec. 2.1 sec. 

Brisbane Boys' College broke a blade in their heat and were unable to handle the bitterly cold and windy conditions, for which they were unprepared physically and by want of warm rowing gear. 

In the Interstate Championship Single Sculls for the President's Cup 

Heat 1 - 1st G. Petelin - QLD2nd E. Hale - TAS3rd D. McCowen - VIC

Heat 2 - 1st P. Rowe - NSW2nd N. Talbot - SA

Repechage - 1st E. Hale - TAS2nd P. Rowe NSW3rd N. Talbot - SA

Final - 1st G. Petelin - QLD2nd P. Rowe - NSW3rd D. McCowan - VIC4th E. Hale - TAS 

Margins 1.6 sec. 13.1 sec.

This was Queensland's first Interstate win since F. Kert won in 1968.

In the Interstate Championship Lightweight Four for the Penrith Cup -

In heat 11st SA2nd QLD3rd WA

Heat 21st VIC2nd TAS3rd NSW

Repechage1st QLD2nd WA3rd NSW4th TAS

Final1st VIC2nd SA3rd QLD4th WA

Margins6 secs.7.8 secs

In the Interstate Championship Eight-oared Race for the King's Cup -

Heat 11st SA2nd NSW3rd TAS

Heat 21st WA2nd VIC3rd QLD

Repechage1st NSW2nd TAS3rd VIC4th QLD

Final1st NSW2nd SA3rd WA4th TAS

Margins1.6 secs4.9 secs

The results of the National Regatta, which was a "Males Only" regatta, were:

Mens "Senior A" Four with Cox 

1st Joondalup R.C. (WA) 2nd SUBC3rd Lindisfarne/Buckingham/Tamar

14 entries 

Schoolboy Four with Cox 

1st Newington Coll. 2nd Sth. Grafton HS3rd Kings Sch (NSW)

9 entries 

Mens "Senior A" Pair minus Cox 

1st Mosman R.C. 2nd Sydney RC3rd Lindisfarne RC

14 entries 

Mens “Senior A” Lightweight Pair with Cox

1st Torrens RC2nd Drummoyne RC3rd Leichhardt RC (NSW)

12 entries

Mens Junior Four with Cox (Second Grade)

1st Wendouree/Ballarat 2nd Glebe RC3rd Powerhouse RC (VIC)

14 entries 

Mens "Senior A" Lightweight Single Sculls

1st J. Sykes-Corio Bay 2nd M. Walker – Derwent Mercs3rd R. Bleakley - UQBC

12 entries 

Schoolboy Eight with Cox 

1st Melbourne Grammar Sch. 2nd St Ignatius Col.3rd Scotch College (VIC)

15 entries 

Mens "Senior A" Pair with Cox 

1st Joondalup R.C. 2nd SUBC3rd MUBC

10 entries 

Mens Junior Eight with Cox (Second Grade)

1st Mercantile R.C. 2nd Reeconian RC (TAS)3rd Barwon RC

10 entries 

Mens "Senior A" Four minus Cox 

1st Joondalup No. I 2nd Sydney/SUBC3rd Haberfield RC

7 entries 

Mens "Senior A" Double Sculls 

1st Haberfield RC 2nd Lindisfarne RC3rd Corio Bay RC

7 entries 

Mens "Senior A" Lightweight Eight with Cox

1st Mercantile RC2nd Drummoyne RC3rd Buckingham RC

4 entries 

This regatta, organised by the Victorian Rowing Association, was a well organised and very successful regatta and showed what was to be expected at future combined regattas. 

Queensland had no wins in the Nationals, R. Bleakley's third being the only placing in the regatta. The Toowong Coxless Pair who were the emergencies for the eight performed well considering their limited experience in this class of boat as did the University Lightweight Pair. Mike Taylor of UQBC won his heat in the Lightweight Single Sculls but could not repeat that effort. A Toowong Junior Four represented without setting the world alight and a Bundaberg combined eight represented in the Schoolboy Eight and turned in a very creditable performance which would have done much to ensure their further participation in other rowing events. 

Following his win in the President's Cup, George Petelin was selected to represent Australia in the single sculls at the 1974 World Championships in Lucerne. 

The Women's Interstate Championships were rowed at Snowden's Beach in Adelaide on April 27, 1974, with all races over 1000 metres. 

In the Women's Interstate Elite Four for the U.L.V.A. Trophy, New South Wales defeated Victoria by 2 1/2 lengths, followed by Western Australia and South Australia. 

In the Women's Interstate Lightweight Four for the Victoria Cup, New South Wales defeated Victoria by 

1 1/4 lengths with South Australia in third place, then Western Australia and Queensland. 

The Queensland Ladies were Misses S. Buchbach (B) H. Jaques (2) M. Jones (3) P. Fitzgerald (S) Mr. T. Jaques (Cox) and Mr. F. Jaques (Coach). 

In the Women's Interstate Elite Single Sculls for the Nell Slatter Trophy, Mrs S. Graham of Queensland defeated Miss V. Bertrand of Victoria by five lengths with Miss L. Skelton of New South Wales in third place. 

There was no Queensland representation in the women's elite championship fours race. 

Subsequent to these titles, Shirley Graham was selected to represent Australia in the first Women's World Rowing Championships at Lucerne in September. A pair from New South Wales were selected to make up a three member team, and R. Graham was appointed team coach. 

The disastrous floods on the 1974 Australia Day weekend in Brisbane dealt very severely with rowing facilities in Brisbane, and resulted in Emmanuel College, Toowong RC. and Brisbane Boys' College losing their sheds, although all boats were saved. It also caused considerable damage to University and Church of England Grammar School sheds. The flood waters rose to a height of six feet in the public bar at the Regatta Hotel. 

The club membership dropped during the 1973/74 season to 174 registered members. 

The University of Queensland Boat Club won the First Grade Premiership with 156 points to Toowong R.C. on 112 points. Commercial RC. won the Minor Grades Premiership which was conducted for the first time.

1974-75

At the 1974 A.G.M. G. Hussie replaced J.M. Dowrie as Chairman and J.M. Dowrie replaced J. Pritchard as Honorary Secretary. G. Hussie soon found that his frequent business trips to country centres made it impossible to carry on as Chairman and S. Hinchy took over the responsibilities of Chairman after several months. W.R. Hughes was elected an Honorary Life Member at a Special General Meeting held in October at which his qualification for Life Membership was confirmed. 

At the April, 1974, Annual General Meeting of the A.A.R.C. held in Ballarat, Reg Blundstone, O.B.E., retired after fifteen years as Honorary Secretary of the A.A.R.C.. Jack Pritchard was elected as Honorary Secretary and Jim Dowrie became the Queensland delegate to the A.A.R.C.. 

Roy Howard Gill passed away in the later part of 1974 and brought to a finale his close association with Commercial R.C., and Queensland and Australian rowing. A gentleman of the old school, his loss was keenly felt by all who had contact with him. 

During the year the A.A.R.C. decided to call nominations for a National Coach requiring applicants to state their experience, their availability and the financial recompense required, so that a decision could be made as soon as possible on the Council's capacity to finance such a project. 

It was decided that the Australian Women's Rowing Council be invited to accept representation on the Council in regard to matters affecting women's rowing. This action was brought about because the world governing body, F.I.S.A., advised that they would deal with one body only in relation to both men's and women's international rowing. 

At the 1974 World Rowing Championships in Lucerne, Australia was well represented in continuance of the policy to keep sending crews for overseas experience in preparation for the Montreal Olympics. The eight came second in the Petite Final after rowing the majority of the race with a broken rigger in two seat. The pair without cox who were emergencies for the eight and the four with cox had their training interrupted to help out other crews, and by illness, and were eliminated in the repechages. George Petelin did not produce the form shown in Australia and was also eliminated in the repechage. 

The lightweight ranks were admitted to world championships for the first time at this Lucerne regatta and the Australian Lightweight Four without Cox won gold. 

Shirley Graham was eliminated in the repechage of the Women's Single Sculls and the Pair Minus came fifth in the Petite Final. A decision was made following these results that no further single scullers be sent until there was a very big improvement in performance. The same comment was applicable to the pair-oar. 

Australia was not represented in the F.I.S.A. Junior Championships for 1974 which were held in Ratzeburg. 

The Champion Eights regatta was held on Lake Kurwongbah at Petrie on January 26 and 27, 1975, with heats and repechage of the Champion Eight on Sunday 26th and final on Monday 27th, together with the straight finals for the Champion Lightweight Four and Champion Sculls. All races were over 2000 metres. 

The results of the Championships and the winning crews were: 

Mens "Senior A" Eight with Cox 

Heat 11st Toowong R.C. 2nd U.Q.B.C. 3rd Surfers Paradise RC

Heat 21st Bundaberg R.C. 2nd GPSOB&BRC 

Repechage1st U.Q.B.C. 2nd Surfers Paradise 3rd GPSOB&BRC 

Final1st Bundaberg R.C.2nd Toowong R.C. 3rd U.Q.B.C. 

Margins 1 sec. 10.5 sec. 

J. Bigg (B) A. Gough (2) J. Luthe (3) A. Zunker (4) B. Zunker (5) N. Ross (6) D. Brook (7) A. Duval (S) P. Axam (Cox)

Mens "Senior A" Single Sculls 

1st GPSOB&BRC R. Alexander2nd U.Q.B.C. G. Petelin

Margin26.5 secs

Mens "Senior A" Lightweight Four with Cox

1st U.Q.B.C.2nd Gold Coast District3rd Pine Rivers RC

A. Philbrick (B) G. Merritt (2) B. Smart (3) R. Doyle (S) A. Price (cox) R. Bushell (Coach)

The Champion Fours regatta was held at Bundaberg on March 29, 1975, all races being over 2000 metres. The results of these Championships and the winning crews were: 

Mens "Senior A" Four with Cox

1st GPSOB&BRC 2nd Toowong R.C.3rd Bundaberg R.C.

L. Bertini (B) B. Lynch (2) J. Alexander (3) R. Alexander (S) J. Kruger (Cox) R. Graham (Coach)

Mens "Senior A" Four Minus 

1st GPSOB&BRC 2nd Toowong R.C.3rd Bundaberg R.C.

L. Bertini (B) B .Lynch (2) J. Alexander (3) R. Alexander (S) R. Graham (Coach)

Mens "Senior A" Lightweight Eight with Cox 

1st UQBC/Toowong R.C.2nd Bundaberg R.C.3rd Pine Rivers R.C.

J. Kluver (B) M. Taylor (2) R. Bleakley (3) T. Finn (4-TRC) A. Philbrick (5) G. Merritt (6) B. Smart (7) R. Doyle (S) A. Price (Cox)

Mens "Senior A" Lightweight Single Sculls 

1st U.Q.B.C. R. Bleakley2nd U.Q.B.C. M. Taylor3rd THR&AC R. Spencer

Mens "Senior A" Pair Minus 

1st G.P.S.O.B.& B.R.C. (all others disqualified) B. Lynch (B) L. Bertini (S)

Mens Youth Four with Cox (1500 metres) 

1st Brothers Old Boys R.C.2nd Bundaberg R.C.3rd Commercial R.C.

M. Campbell (B) P. Cowan (2) P. O'Sullivan (3) C. Buckley (S) D. McCrossin (Cox)

The Women's Championship regatta was held at Tweed Heads on April 13, 1975. The results of the Championships and the winning crews were: 

Women's "Senior A" Four with Cox 

1st Tweed Heads R&AC 2nd Tweed Heads R&AC 

W. Annand (B) L. Walker (2) J. Cox (3) H. Jaques (S) L. Ralph (Cox)

A McLean Rowing Club crew was first across the line but was ineligible to claim the title. 

Women's "Senior A" Single Sculls 

1st Grafton R.C. C. Everson2nd Tweed Heads R&AC J. Cox 

(C. Everson was ineligible to claim the title)

Women's "Senior A" Lightweight Four with Cox

1st Tweed Heads H.S.2nd Bundaberg Ladies R.C.

G. Richards (B) A. Stoker (2) J. Johanson (3) M. McConnell (S) L. Brown (Cox)

Following the Champion Eights regatta, R. Alexander was endorsed as Queensland representative sculler, the University Lightweight Four was endorsed for the Penrith Cup with T. Finn of Toowong R.C. as emergency and a composite eight was selected with C. Sasnauskas of U.Q.B.C. and R. Burness of the Gold Coast going into the Bundaberg eight and D. Buchbach and C. Lyndon of Toowong being named as emergencies. 

Church of England Grammar School and Brisbane Grammar School won the right to represent in the Youth Eight with C.E.G.S. in the maroon of Queensland as No.I and B.G.S. in their school colours as No.2. 

The G.P.S. Head of the River Regatta was rowed on Lake Kurwongbah on April 5, 1975. In the First Eight over 2000 metres for the Head of the River, Church of England Grammar School won by 3.6 sec. to Brisbane Grammar School, then Brisbane Boys' College, The Southport School, Brisbane State High School and St. Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace. 

The winning crew was:- S.M. Thompson (B) P. Austin (2) P.G. Unwin (3) P.L. Thompson (4) D.B. Wagner (5) W.J. Suffren (6) C.E. Todd (7) G.E. Burley (S) D.B. Francis (Cox) and G. Jones (Coach).

In the Second Eight over 2000 metres, B.G.S. won from C.E.G.S. and T.S.S .. 

The results of the fours races were:-

First Four - 1500m1st C.E.G.S.2nd B.S.H.S.3rd B.G.S.

Second Four - 1st B.S.H.S.2nd C.E.G.S.3rd B.G.S.

Third Four - 1000m1st G.T.2nd B.G.S.3rd C.E.G.S.

Fourth Four - 1st B.S.H.S.2nd B.G.S.3rd T.S.S.

Fifth Four - 1st C.E.G.S.2nd B.G.S.3rd G.T.

Sixth Four - 1st B.G.S.2nd G.T.3rd C.E.G.S.

Seventh Four - 1st B.S.H.S.2nd G.T.3rd T.S.S.

Eighth Four - 1st T.S.S.2nd B.S.H.S.3rd G.T.

Ninth Four - 1st G.T.2nd B.S.H.S.3rd C.E.G.S.

Tenth Four - 1st T.S.S.2nd G.T.3rd B.G.S.

Eleventh Four -1st C.E.G.S.2nd B.G.S. & T.S.S.

The combined King's Cup and National Regatta was held on Lake Kurwongbah at Petrie from April 16 to April 20, 1975. Heats of the Interstate events were held from 9.30 a.m. to 10.50 a.m. on Wednesday 16th, repechages from 9.00 a.m. to 9.55 a.m. on Thursday 17th and finals from 9.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. on Friday 18th. This enabled crews gathered for the National Regatta to have adequate training time on the lake. The heats and repechages of the National events were rowed on Saturday 19th and finals on Sunday 20th finishing at 1.00 p.m 

In the Australian Youth Eight-oared Championship over 1500 metres for the Noel F. Wilkinson Cup -

Heat 11st TAS No. 12nd QLD No. 23rd TAS No. 2

Heat 21st VIC No. 12nd QLD No. 13rd NSW No. 1

Repechage1st NSW No. 12nd NSW No. 23rd QLD No. 2

Final1st VIC No. 12nd NSW No. 23rd NSW No. 1

Margins 2 sec. 0.1 sec. 

Queensland No.2 made the final but was unplaced. 

In the Interstate Championship Single Sculls for the President's Cup -

Heat 1 -1st E. Hale-TAS. 2nd P. Rowe-NSW 

Heat 2 -1st R. Alexander-QLD. 2nd P. Benjamin-VIC.  

Repec. -1st P. Rowe 2nd P. Benjamin

Final -1st R. Alexander-QLD.2nd P. Rowe-NSW 3rd E. Hale-TAS

Margins 7.3 sec. 2.5 sec. 

Subsequent to the regatta, Bob Alexander was selected with his coach R. Graham to represent Australia in the 1975 World Championships at Nottingham. 

In the Interstate Championship Lightweight Four for the Penrith Cup-

Heat 11st VIC2nd WA3rd QLD

Heat 21st SA2nd NSW

Repechage1st WA2nd NSW3rd QLD

Final1st VIC2nd NSW3rd SA

Margins 7 secs. 1.7 secs

In the Interstate Championship Eight-oared Race for the King's Cup -

Heat11st NSW2nd Tas3rd QLD

Heat 21st SA2nd VIC3rd WA

Repechage1st VIC2nd TAS3rd WA4th QLD

Final1st NSW2nd SA3rd VIC4th TAS

Margins5.8 secs. 4.2 secs

The results of the National Regatta were:

Mens "Senior A" Four with Cox 

1st Adelaide/Torrens 2nd Sydney No. 13rd SUBC/Sydney

Mens "Senior A" Four minus Cox 

1st Mosman R.C. 2nd MUBC3rd Sydney/Glebe

Mens "Senior A" Pair with Cox 

1st Mosman R.C. 2nd SUBC3rd Buckingham RC

Mens "Senior A" Pair minus Cox 

1st Syd.Univ./Mosman2nd UQBC3rd MUBC/Mercantile

Mens "Senior A" Double Sculls 

1st Haberfield R.C.2nd Lindisfarne RC3rd Haberfield/Glebe

Mens "Senior A" Lightweight Eight 

1st Mercantile R.C. 2nd Barwon RC3rd Glebe RC

Mens “Senior A” Lightweight Single Scull

1st Haberfield RC – P. Rowe2nd Corio Bay – J. Sykes3rd UQBC – R. Bleakley

Men’s “Senior A” Lightweight Four minus Cox

1st MUBC2nd UWABC.ANA3rd Buckingham RC

Mens Second Grade (Junior) Eight 

1st Mercantile No. I 2nd Mercantile No. 23rd MUBC

Mens "Senior A" Quad Scull 

1st Haberfield No. 12nd Haberfield No. 23rd Haberfield No. 3

Mens "Senior A" Lightweight Pair minus Cox

1st Balmain RC2nd ANA RC3rd Adelaide RC

Mens "Senior A" Lightweight Double Sculls

Haberfield No. 12nd Haberfield No. 23rd Grafton RC

Mens Second Grade (Junior) Four with Cox

1st Sydney RC2nd Sydney/Drummoyne RC3rd SUBC

Mens Second Grade (Junior) Single Sculls

1st Perth Collegians2nd Glebe RC3rd UQBC – R. Bleakley

Mens Third Grade Four with Cox - 1500 metres

1st Sydney Univ. 2nd Manning River RC3rd Drummoyne RC

Schoolboy Eight - 1500 metres 

1st Geelong College 2nd Newington Col.3rd St. Ignatius Col.

Schoolboy Four with Cox - 1500 metres

1st Ballarat-Clarendon Col.2nd Chatham HS3rd Bris Boys Col

The Women's Interstate Championships were rowed on the Canning River in Perth on May 10, 1975, all races being over 1000 metres. 

In the Women's Interstate Lightweight Four with Cox for the Victoria Cup, New South Wales won by 1 1/2 lengths to Western Australia and South Australia who dead-heated for second place, with the A.C.T. a further four lengths back in fourth place. 

In the Women's Interstate Elite Single Sculls for the Nell Slatter Trophy, S. Everson of New South Wales comfortably won the title from M. Renouf of Victoria. 

In the Women's Interstate Elite Four with Cox for the U.L.V.A. Trophy, Victoria won by four lengths to New South Wales. This four was then selected to go to the World Championships in Nottingham in August. 

There was no Queensland representation at this regatta. 

Bundaberg R.C. won the 1974/75 First Grade Premiership with 136 points to GPSOB&BRC on 99 points. Bundaberg also won the Minor Grades Premiership with 146 points to Commercial R.C. on 130 points. 

The office bearers remained unchanged at the 1975 A.G.M., but a representative of the Queensland Women's Rowing Council was appointed to represent on matters affecting women's rowing. The initial delegate was M. Hickling (nee Muffy Reed of the Brisbane Ladies R.C.). 

1975-76

With the change in the A.A.R.C. constitution, R.R. Aitken of Victoria became the inaugural Chairman for a term of four years from November, 1975. Margaret MacKenzie became the Australian Women's Rowing Council representative on the A.A.R.C.. It was decided that all States could enter three scullers in the President's Cup from 1976, greatly increasing the scope and incentive for single scullers in Australia. 

In the 1975 World Rowing Championships in Nottingham, the Australian Eight qualified for the major final but could not reproduce their repechage form and finished sixth. The Pair with Cox, Double Sculls and Single Sculler (Bob Alexander) were eliminated in the repechages and indicated that Australia did not have the required class of oarsmen with the necessary time together to compete in these boats. The Lightweight Single Sculler, after showing good form in the heat, suffered from the pressures of the final and finished sixth. The Lightweight Four minus Cox, World Champions in 1974, gained the final but appeared to misjudge their race over the course, and after leading by a large margin at the 1000 metres were overtaken by France and England in the final sprint to finish third. 

World Championships were conducted for the first time for women's events at Nottingham and a Women's Four with Cox represented Australia and they came second in the Petite Final to rank eighth in the world. 

The Champion Eights regatta was held on Lake Kurwongbah at Petrie on February 1, 1976, with all races over 2000 metres. The results of the Championships and the winning crews were: 

Mens "Senior A" Eight with Cox 

1st Toowong R.C. 2nd Bundaberg RC3rdUQBC

Margins 1. 7 sec. 7. 8 sec. 

C. Reeve (B) M. Doyle (2) D. Ochert (3) C. Hollingsworth (4) D. Buchbach (5) P. Zahnleiter (6) S. Thomsen (7) C. Lyndon (S) D. Francis (Cox). T. Mulligan (Coach)

Mens "Senior A" Single Sculls 

1st U.Q.B.C. G.Petelin2nd GPSOB&BRC R. Alexander3rd UQBC R. French

Margins 4.5 sec. N/A 

Mens "Senior A" Lightweight Four with Cox

1st U.Q.B.C. 2nd Pine Rivers RC3rd Rockhampton District

Margins 8.1 sec. 3.0 sec.

A. Philbrick (B) M. Taylor (2) R. Bleakley (3) G. Merritt (S) A. Price (Cox)

The Women's Championships were rowed at Bundaberg on February 15, 1976, with all races over 1000 metres. The results of the Championships and the winning crews were: 

Women's "Senior A" Four with Cox 

1st Bundaberg R.C. 2nd THS&AC

J. Graff (B) B. Webster (2) K. Speight (3) R. Graff (S) Mr.R. Doyle (Cox) L. Arnicar (Coach)

Women's "Senior A" Single Sculls 

1st Tweed Heads R&AC s. Graham2nd THR&AC J. Cox

Women's "Senior A" Lightweight Four with Cox 

1st Bundaberg R.C. (row-over) 

J. Graff (B) B. Webster (2) K. Speight (3) R. Graff (S) Mr.R. Doyle (Cox) L. Arnicar (Coach)

After the State Eights regatta a composite eight was formed which included members of the winning Toowong eight plus GPSOB, UQBC, Bundaberg and Surfers Paradise oarsmen, but lack of time to mold the crew into a competent eight defeated the initiative. The winning UQBC lightweight four was strengthened by the inclusion of R. Larsen from Pine Rivers R.C.. 

The King's Cup and National Regatta was held on the Nepean River at Penrith on March 17 to 21, 1976. This regatta included the Women's Interstate Championships which were to be an integral part of the combined regatta from 1976 onwards. Women's events were included in the National Regatta for the first time. In the President's Cup, each State was permitted to enter three scullers if they so desired. The heats and repechages of the Interstate events were rowed on Wednesday 17th; Thursday 18th was a practice day for all crews; the Interstate Finals were rowed on the morning of Friday 19th, the heats of the National events started after 1.30 p.m. including school events; on Saturday 20th the heats continued with finals in some events and finals of School events, and Sunday 21st contained finals only and finished at 1.05 p.m.. 

The organisation of the regatta was spoiled by heavy rains and consequent flooding a fortnight prior to the regatta, which made it difficult for the New South Wales Rowing Association to complete the regatta course preparations on time. The fixed start arrangements were not available for the heats of the Interstate events and this must have had some detrimental effect on the competing crews. All races were over 2000 metres unless otherwise specified. 

In the Australian Youth Eight-oared Championship over 1500 metres for the Noel F. Wilkinson Cup -

Heat 1 - 1st NSW No. 12nd VIC3rd QLD4th WA

Heat 2 -  1st TAS2nd SA3rd NSW No. 2

Repec. - 1st QLD2nd VIC3rd SA

Final -1st VIC2nd TASNSW No. 1

Margins 0.6 sec. 0.3 sec. 

Queensland made the final but was unplaced 

In the Interstate Championship Single Sculls for the President's Cup -

Heat 11st VIC No. 32nd QLD No.I 3rd TAS No.I 

Heat 21st NSW No.I 2nd NSW No.2 3rd NSWNo.3 

Heat 31st VIC No.I 2nd S.AUST No.I 3rd W.AUST 

Rep. 11st QLD No.I 2nd NSW No.3 3rd QLD No.2 

Rep. 21st NSW NO. 22nd W.AUST3rd TAS No.3 

Rep. 31st SA No. 12nd TAS No.13rd TAS No.2

Final1st NSW No. 2 E. Hale2nd NSW No. 1 P. Rowe3rd QLD No. 1 G. Petelin 

Margins 4.5 sec. 4.2 sec.

In the Interstate Championship Lightweight Four with Cox for the Penrith Cup -

Heat 11st VIC2nd QLD3rd WA

Heat 21st NSW2nd SA3rd TAS

Rep.1st SA2nd WA3rd QLD

Final1st VIC2nd WA3rd NSW

Margins 8.5 secs 2.6 secs

In the Women's Interstate Elite Four with Cox over 1000 metres for the U.L.V.A. Trophy – 

Final - 1st TAS 2nd NSW 3rd W.AUST 

In the Interstate Championship Eight-oared Race for the King's Cup -

Heat 11st VIC2nd SA3rd WA

Heat 21st NSW2nd WA3rd QLD

Rep.1st WA2nd SA3rd TAS4th QLD

Final1st NSW2nd VIC3rd SA

Margins 11.6 secs 0.7 secs

In the Women's Interstate Lightweight Four with Cox over 1000 metres for the Victoria Cup – 

Final - 1st NSW 2nd W.AUST 3rd S.AUST 

In the Women's Interstate Elite Single Sculls over 1000 metres for the Nell Slatter Trophy –

Final - 1st NSW - C. Everson2nd VIC - M. Renouf3rd QLD - S. Graham

The results of the National Regatta were:

Mens Third Grade Single Sculls - 1500 metres

1st Sydney RC - N. Clubb2nd Sydney RC - N McGill3rd SUBC R. McEntyre

Women's Lightweight Single Sculls - 1000 metres

1st Grafton RC - S.A. Everson2nd Sydney RC - E. Adams3rd Corio Bay RC - L.J. Patterson

Mens Third Grade Four with Cox - 1500 metres

1st Manning River RC2nd Mercantile RC3rd Sydney RC

Women's Lightweight Pair Minus - 1000 metres

1st Sydney R.C. 2nd Sydney/Drummoyne

Mens "Senior A" Quad Sculls 

1st Sydney/Haberfield 2nd Haberfield/Sydney3rd UQBC/GPSOB/Perth

Mens Youth Pair Minus – 1500 metres

1st Nepean RC2nd Nepean RC3rd Haberfield RC

Mens “Senior A” Lightweight Four Minus

1st Mercantile RC2nd Sydney/Haberfield3rd UWARC

Mens Junior (Second Grade) Single Sculls

1st ANURC – P. Nevitt2nd Haberfield RC – C. Rowe3rd Sydney RC – J. Stride

Mens Lightweight Third Grade Four with Cox - 1500 metres 

1st Sydney R.C.2nd Haberfield R.C. 3rd Sydney HS

Mens "Senior A" Four with Cox 

1st Sydney/NSW Univ. 2nd Mosman RC3rd Monash/MUBC

Men’s Junior (Second Grade) Eight with Cox

1st SUBC/UNSW2nd Mercantile RC3rd Drummoyne RC

Women’s Junior Four with Cox – 1000 metres

1st UWARC/WAIT2nd Sydney RC3rd UniTAS/Buckingham

Mens Junior (Second Grade) Four with Cox

1st SUBC/UNSW2nd Sydney RC3rd TAS Composite

Women’s Senior Pair Minus – 1000 metres

1st Nestles RC2bd Sydney RC

Schoolgirl Four with Cox – 1000 metres

1st Essendon RC2nd Nestles RC3rd Malvina HS

Schoolboy Four with Cox - 1500 metres

1st Ballarat & Clarendon Col.2nd Canberra Gram.3rd Ashfield HS

Schoolboy Eight with Cox - 1500 metres

1st Newington Coll. 2nd St. Ignatius Col3rd Scots Col.

Mens "Senior A" Pair with Cox 

1st Sydney R.C. 2nd Warrnambool RC3rd Torrens RC

Women’s Double Sculls – 1000 metres

1st Nestles RC2nd Sydney RC3rd Lakeside RC

Mens Youth Four with Cox – 1500 metres

1st Lindisfarne RC2nd Sydney RC3rd Nepean RC

Mens Junior (Second Grade) Pair Minus

1st SUBC2nd Uni TAS3rd Haberfield No. 2

Mens "Senior A" Four Minus 

1st Mosman R.C. 2nd Joondalup R.C. 3rd Sydney Comp.

Mens Youth Single Sculls - 1500 metres

1st UQBC - R French2nd Haberfield RC - C Rowe3rd St George RC - S Callaghan

Women's Junior Single Sculls - 1000 metres

1st Corio Bay R.C. - L. Patterson2nd Sydney RC - E Adams3rd Sydney RC - D Phillips

Mens "Senior A" Lightweight Eight with Cox

1st Mercantile RC2nd Balmain Comp.3rd Glebe RC

Mens "Senior A" Double Sculls

1st Haberfield/Sydney2nd UQBC/GPSOB3rd North Esk/Lindisfarne

Women's Junior Pair Minus - 1000 metres

1st Univ Tas2nd Perth & Collegians3rd Nestles RC

Mens Third Grade Eight with Cox - 1500 metres

1st Sydney RC2nd St Josephs Col3rd Nepean RC

Mens "Senior A" Lightweight Pair Minus

1st Balmain RC2nd ANA RC3rd Sydney RC

Women's Jubilee Four with Cox - 1000 metres

1st YWCA2nd SUBC3rd Uni Tas/Buckingham

Mens Open Eight with Cox 

1st Mosman R.C. 2nd Joondalup RC3rd SUBC

Entries for the National Regatta were rather poor and were further marred by many late withdrawals. The only encouragement for Queensland rowing was the win of Ralph French in the Youth Single Sculls, the Bundaberg Youth Eight in reaching the final, R. Bleakley in reaching the final of the Lightweight Single Sculls, a UQBC/GPSOB and Perth Collegians composite quad came third in a field of four, a UQBC/Pine Rivers Four Minus made the final, a Toowong Four with Cox made the final, a Surfers Paradise/GPSOB Junior Pair made the final and R. Alexander and G. Petelin came second in the Double Sculls. 

Rowing in Australia had now taken the big step forward with an established King's Cup/National Regatta which included all women's events. The opportunity was now available for all rowers to participate in this regatta if they felt they were good enough, and the National Selectors were able to view all candidates under actual racing over a period of four days. 

After extensive trials on the Nepean River at the conclusion of the 1976 Australian Championships, the Grading and Selection Committee named the following crews to represent Australia in the 1976 Olympic Games at Montreal - a Women's Four with Cox, a Mens Single Sculler, a Pair without Cox and an Eight ­oared crew. The A.A.R.C. representatives at the Justification Committee were unable to have the Women's crew approved. A subsequent appeal to the full general meeting of the Australian Olympic Federation was also unsuccessful, as were all appeals from other organisations. 

The G.P.S. Head of the River Regatta was rowed on Lake Kurwongbah on April 2 & 3, 1976. Because of severe weed infestation, the regatta was conducted in heats and repechages on the Friday, with four crews only proceeding to the final on the Saturday. In the First Eight over 2000 metres for the Head of the River, Brisbane Grammar School won by 0.6 sec. to Brisbane State High School, then The Southport School and Brisbane Boys' College. 

The winning crew was: W.D. Spencer (B) R.C. Morton (2) A.I. Maclean (3) I.R. Thomas (4) P.W. Dall (5) S.J. Winter (6) R. Van den Broek (7) D.J. Scott (S) D.W. Wright (Cox) and A. Bromiley (Coach). 

The results of other races were:-

Second Eights – 2000mT.S.S.C.E.G.S.B.G.S.

Third Eights – 1500mB.G.S.C.E.G.S.T.S.S.

Fourth Crew (4) – 1000mB.G.S.T.S.S.C.E.G.S.

Fifth CrewC.E.G.S.T.S.S.B.G.S.

Sixth Crew B.G.S.C.E.G.S.B.S.H.S.

Seventh CrewB.G.S.T.S.S.C.E.G.S.

Eight Crew G.T.B.G.S.T.S.S.

Ninth CrewT.S.S.B.G.S.B.S.H.S.

Tenth CrewB.G.S.B.S.H.S.C.E.G.S.

Eleventh CrewB.S.H.S.B.G.S.G.T.

Twelfth CrewC.E.G.S.B.S.H.S.T.S.S.

The Champion Fours regatta was rowed at Maryborough on April 17 and 18, 1976, with all races over 2000 metres. The results of the Championships and the winning crews were:

Mens "Senior A" Four with Cox 

1st Toowong R.C.2nd Bundaberg R.C.3rd Brothers Old Boys R.C.

D. Buchbach (B) M. Doyle (2) P. Zahnleiter (3) S. Thomsen (S) D. Francis (Cox), T. Mulligan (Coach)

Mens "Senior A" Four Minus 

1st Toowong R.C.2nd Bundaberg R.C.

D. Buchbach (B) M. Doyle (2) P. Zahnleiter (3) S. Thomsen (S) T. Mulligan (Coach)

Mens "Senior A" Pair Minus 

1st U.Q.B.C.2nd Commercial R.C.3rd Toowing R.C.

A. Philbrick (B) G. Merritt (S)

Mens Youth Four with Cox - 1500 metres

1st Brothers Old Boys R.C2nd Bundaberg R.C.3rd Pine Rivers R.C.

M. Campbell (B) P. Cowan (2) P. O'Sullivan (3) C. Buckley (S) D. McCrossin (Cox)

Mens "Senior A" Lightweight Single Sculls

1st U.Q.B.C. R. Bleakley2nd Pine Rivers R.C. J. Stubbings

Mens "Senior A" Lightweight Eight with Cox

1st U.Q.B.C./Pine Rivers2nd Toowong R.C.3rd Bundaberg R.C.

B. Heathwood (B-Pine) M. Taylor (2-UQBC) W. Law (3-Pine) D. Alexander (4-Pine) A. Philbrick (5-UQBC) R. Larsen (6-Pine ) R. Bleakley (7-UQBC) G. Merritt (S-UQBC) A. Price (Cox)

Mens Youth Eight with Cox - 1500 metres

1st Bundaberg District2nd Brothers OBRC3rd Bundaberg R.C.

G. Bretag (B) B. Dinsey (2) L. Amos (3) B. Bretag (4) T. Doyle (5) S. Gammie (6) G. Whalley (7) S. Hargreaves (S) R. Doyle (Cox)

In the Champion titles of the Mary River, UQBC/Pine won the Lightweight Eight from Bundaberg and Commercial; in the Four with Cox, Bundaberg won from Brothers Old Boys; in the Youth Four, Bundaberg defeated Brothers Old Boys and Pine Rivers; in the Four Minus, Bundaberg had a row-over; in the Lightweight Sculls, J. Stubbings of Pine Rivers had a row-over; in the Youth Eight, Bundaberg District won from Brothers Old Boys and Bundaberg R.C. and in the Pair Minus, Commercial defeated Bundaberg and Pine Rivers.

Bundaberg R.C. again won the First Grade and Minor Grade Premierships in the 1975/76 season. After three meetings, Steve Hinchy found his workload too heavy to continue as Chairman and was replaced by Jack Pritchard. Club crews were encouraged to support the 1977 National Regatta in Perth. R. Pilbeam replaced E.P. Evers as President. The deaths of Alf Lewis and Cec Grimley occurred during the season. Alf Lewis, who was an Honorary Life Member of the Q.A.R.C., spent much of his later years in Brisbane and was an official umpire until his health put a stop to that. He was also Bundaberg's delegate to the Q.A.R.C. for many years. Cec Grimley had been Honorary Treasurer of the Q.A.R.C. in 1926/28 and was Manager of the 1925 King's Cup crew to Melbourne. He was also a founding member of Toowong R.C.. 

The Australian Rowing Team for the Montreal Olympics raced at Henley in their lead-up regattas and E. Hale won the Diamond Sculls and the Pair won the Silver Goblets. 

In the Olympic rowing, E. Hale finished second in the Petite Final and the Pair were eliminated in the repechage. The Eight won their heat brilliantly to advance to the final. In training between the heat and the final, Mal Shaw suffered a severe back injury and was replaced by P. Shakespear. The Eight finished fifth in the final. 

1976-77

The Women's Championships were held at Tweed Heads on November 14, 1976, all races being over 1000 metres. The results of these Championships and the winning crews were:

Women's "Senior A" Four with Cox 

1st Commercial R.C.2nd Tweed Heads R&AC

B. Watson (B) R. Keating (2) C. Beatts (3) C. Wright (S) Mr. S. Rowe (Cox) Mr. P. Carpenter (Coach)

Women's "Senior A" Single Sculls 

1st Tweed Heads R&AC, J. Cox2nd Tweed Heads R&AC, S. Graham

Women's "Senior A" Lightweight Four with Cox

1st Tweed River High School2nd Bundaberg R.C.

G. Richards (B) V. Davy (2) D. Walpole (3) M. McConnell (S) Mr. J. Avery (Cox) Mr. B. McLennan (Coach)

The Champion Eights regatta was held on the Barrage course at Rockhampton on January 30 and 31, 1977. The heats and repechage of the Champion Eight and the Lightweight Four were rowed on Sunday 30th and the finals on Monday 31st. All races were over 2000 metres. The results of the Championships and the winning crews were:

Mens "Senior A" Eight with Cox

Heat 11st GPSOB2nd Toowong R.C.

Heat 21st Bundaberg R.C.2nd Brothers Old Boys3rd Wide Bay

Repec1st Toowong2nd Brothers Old Boys3rd Wide Bay

Final1st Bundaberg R.C.2nd Toowong R.C.3rd DPSOB&BRC

Margins 9.8 secs, 0.9 secs

I. McDermid (B) J. Luthe (2) A. Gough (3) G. Phillip (4) R. Dick (5) S. Gammie (6) M. Galt (7) J. Bigg (S) A. Hoskin (Cox)

Mens "Senior A" Lightweight Four with Cox

Heat 11st Pine Rivers2nd UQBC

Heat 21st Toowong R.C.2nd Bundaberg3rd Rockhampton Districts

Repec1st Bundaberg2nd UQBC3rd Rockhampton Districts

Final1st Pine Rivers R.C.2nd Toowong R.C.3rd UQBC

Margins 1.6 sec. 18 sec

G. Harridge (B) R. Larsen (2) W. Law (3) D. Alexander (S) S. Ferguson, N. Hirst (Coach)

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