History of AAGPS Head of the River Rowing Regatta

1933 NSW AAGPS Head of the River

St. Joseph’s Win. (Sydney Morning Herald, 01 May 1933)

The final of the Great Public Schools’ championship eights was won, amid memorable scenes on the Parramatta River on Saturday afternoon, by St. Joseph’s College, by the narrow margin of nine feet from the Sydney Church of England Grammar School. The Sydney Grammar School was third, and the Sydney High School fourth and last.

One always sees the same picture at the regatta. The weird noises and notes, human and mechanical, that pierce and sweep the scene have long lost their novelty. One sees each year, churning the waters of the historic old stream, every type of craft that will keep afloat. But the scene never loses its hold, not only as a spectacle, but also because of the spirit of clean, wholesome sportsmanship of the Great Public Schools. Behind it one sees a background of youth of magnificent physique and discipline.

Every point of vantage on the river and along its banks was crowded. May had taken up picked positions early in the day. On the river itself crowded coal barges, gay with colour, trailed their black smoke over stately looking yachts and luxurious motor launches. Antiquated craft looked rakish under clouds of streamers and flags, and with youth at the prow. From crowded ferries boys and girls and ordinarily phlegmatic elders yelled themselves hoarse.

Senior 1st Eight

Major Rennie Trophy

7:49.00

9ft

6 lengths

3 lengths

1^st St. Joseph’s College – Bow: A. Frew, 2: C. Ranshaw, 3: W. Marien, 4: C. Reid, 5: W. Kelly, 6: J. Harley, 7: A. Monnt, Str: C. Ritan, Cox: J. McHugh, Cch: Bernard S. Williams

2^nd Sydney Church of England Grammar School – Bow: G.E. Seagoe, 2: W.G. Thomas, 3: H.F. Waston, 4: J. Creagh, 5: D.G. Dawson, 6: D.I. Baggett, 7: W.L. Buckham, Str: J.R. Burrell, Cox: L.A. Fookley, Cch: L.C. Robson

3^rd Sydney Grammar School – Bow: D. Morrison, 2: J.C. Close, 3: G.C. Sharp, 4: D.L. Finlay, 5: C.A. Muller, 6: R.R. Thomson, 7: N.I. Blue, Str: J.A. Watson, Cox: J.G. Edwards, Cch: A.N. Finlay

4^th Sydney High School – Bow: A. Ross, 2: R. Fleming, 3: D. Jackson, 4: M. Wood, 5: R. Clark, 6: A. Munter, 7: S. Coleman, Str: W. King, Cox: J. Farren, Cch: G. Hancock

The Herald described the race as follows: "St. Joseph's College and S.C.E.G.S. appeared to get the most out of the first twelve strokes. Before reaching Blaxland's Beacon, Shore had taken the lead. After turning, Joey's headed Grammar and came up on the leader, but Shore had increased the rating and had drawn away before Bottle Point was reached. At this point it lead from Joey's by almost a length, while High had improved its position and was level with Joey's, with Grammar a quarter of a length behind. Shore and St. Joseph's were still separated by half a length when Tennyson Wharf was passed. Nearing the finish, only a few feet separated the pair, but Shore, with a great effort moved away again. Both crews increased the rating to 36 in the final sprint for the finish, but St. Joseph's greater weight gave them the victory in a hard-fought race."

Sydney High School

Senior 1st Four

Yaralla Cup

5:48.50

1 ¼ quarter

5 lengths

1 length

1^st Sydney High School – Bow: R. Clark, 2: M. Lawton, 3: R. Wise, Str: F. Gray, Cox: R. Ryan, Cch: W.E. Livingstone

2^nd Sydney Church of England Grammar School – Bow: K.D. Green, 2: C.E. Woodman, 3: B.E. Marris, Str: R.R. Moody, Cox: B.G. Broadbent, Cch: J.B. Burrell

3^rd The Scots College – Bow: M. Geike, 2: R.J.S. McDonald, 3: I. Campbell, Str: R.B. Sevil, Cox: J. Olsen, Cch: L.W. Webster

4^th Sydney Grammar School – Bow: J,C, McLachlan, 2: L.E. McDonald, 3: R.A. Kearney, Str: V.R. Noble, Cox: A.J. Langdon, Cch: C.S. Street

Sydney High School

Senior 2nd Four

5:56.50

½ length

2 lengths

1 length

1^st The Scots College – Bow: H. Hain, 2: N.O. Helmore, 3: R.W. Williams, Str: R.J. Trimble, Cox: D. Rich, Cch: L.W. Webster, J.D. Butcher

2^nd Sydney High School – Bow: G. Jasper, 2: R. Jones, 3: J. Allen, Str: C. Ward, Cox: B. Henderson, Cch: F. Nichols

3^rd Sydney Grammar School – Bow: W.D. Matthew, 2: H.M. Deck, 3: K. Smith, Str: R.G. Skinner, Cox: F.O. Lambert, Cch: A.T. Stewart

4^th Sydney Church of England Grammar School – Bow: J.D. MacMaster, 2: J.N. Sevier, 3: R.A. Swift, Str: J.S. Ellis, Cox: E.F. Selff, Cch: J.B. Burrell

Sydney High School

Sources

The Record, Sydney High School, Vol XXV No 1

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Also your comments, suggestions and photos are sought to enhance this site.

The idea for this history originated from the Olympic Rowing and World Senior Rowing Championship histories written by Andrew Guerin and Margot Foster in 1991, 1992 & 1993 for the Australian team handbooks. Andrew Guerin developed and extended these histories to the current format in 2004 for publication in 2004 and then expanded the site.

Steve Roll has been an invaluable contributor to the website in locating errors and finding Christian names of rowers. His superb work is acknowledged.

© Andrew Guerin – 2004
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1933 NSW AAGPS Head of the River

Senior 1st Eight

Senior 1st Four

Senior 2nd Four

Sources

NSW AAGPS Head of River

Summaries