History of AAGPS Head of the River Rowing Regatta

1947 NSW AAGPS Head of the River

Newington wins “Head of the River” in Record Time (Sydney Morning Herald, 16 Apr 1947)

Crew Trained Hard in Camp Victory

“Five-six-seven-eight heave!” yelled the crew, and the cox splashed into the river. In such traditional manner did Newington College celebrate its win in the G.P.S. Head of the River last Saturday.

It was the first time the College had won the event since 1921. Excitement ran high. Experts, scanning the performances of the eight crews during the week, tipped Newington as the winner. But as Chris Kayser, Riverview coach said, “Young crews are particular. One day they will row like champions, the next day like tyros. You just can’t tell…” If could have been anyone’s day.

Sydney High led the way over most of the 1 ½ mile course, but just before the finishing line, Newington, rowing smoothly, surged ahead to win by a canvas. King’s School came third, followed by Shore, Grammar, Scots, St. Joseph’s, and Riverview.

Newington is enthusiastic about its crew’s achievements. Not only did they win the Head of the River, but they clipped 10 seconds off the record set by Scots last year. Official time for the race is now 6m 31s.

Crew and coach are sure that their wins are due to a new boat, presented to them by the college Old Boys’ Association, at a cost of £200.

Senior 1st Eight

Major Rennie Trophy

6:31.00

2/3 length

1 length

Deadheat

1^st Newington – Bow: L. Blackman, 2: R. Downer, 3: G. Nicholls, 4: A. Cameron, 5: R. Lester, 6: D. Stanley, 7: L. Notaras, Str: A. Druce, Cox: R. Bois, Cch: C. Davies

2^nd High – Bow: R.M. Tate, 2: H. Droga, 3: B.D. Soane, 4: B. Thiering, 5: L.N. Edelman, 6: W.B. Stevens, 7: R.A.K. Thompson, Str: P.A. Musgrove, Cox: J.H. Kemety, Cch: F.M. Nichols

3^rd The King’s School – Bow: J.H. Rose, 2: J.D. Whischer, 3: J.C. Murray, 4: J.C. Pain, 5: T.F. Hodgson, 6: D.G. Faulkner, 7: A.F. Carr, Str: H. Taylor, Cox: W.W. Thompson, Cch: J.R. McQueen

3^rd Shore – Bow: D. Hudson, 2: J. Thompson, 3: J. Sangster, 4: A. McAuley, 5: R, Davidson, 6: V. Arnold, 7: D. Freeman, Str: I. Curlewis, Cox: D. Budd, Cch: L. Robson

5^th Grammar

6^th The Scots College

7^th St. Joseph’s College

8^th Riverview

Senior 1st Four

Yaralla Cup

5:57.15

6ft

2 lengths

1^st The King’s School – Bow: R.B. Lawson, 2: J.F. McMahon, 3: N. Keech, Str: P.F. Saunders, Cox: W. Irwin, Cch: L.A. Barlow

2^nd High

3^rd Newington

4^th Shore

5^th Grammar

6^th Riverview

7^th The Scots College

8^th St. Joseph’s College

Senior 2nd Four

5:56.35

1 ¼ lengths

2 lengths

1^st High

2^nd Shore

3^rd Riverview

Senior 3rd Four

4:45.15

3ft

1^st Shore

2^nd The King’s School

3^rd High

Senior 4th Four

4:38.45

1 ¼ lengths

¾ length

1^st The King’s School

2^nd The Scots College

3^rd Shore

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Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, errors may exist. Please send advice of any errors or inaccuracies by email to:

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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