1962 QLD GPS Head of the River
The 1962 GPS Head of the River was conducted on Saturday April 14th 1962 on the Milton Reach of the Brisbane River.
Below are two exerpts from Brisbane Newspapers published in the lead up to the regatta, The Telegraph and The Courier-Mail.
“Choppy water may upset ‘Head’ crews.Five crews have good reason to be hopeful of winning the G.P.S. Head of the River tomorrow - but weather conditions could make a difference in the performance of some eights.
Brisbane Weather bureau in a special forecast yesterday, said that showers and “quite-fresh” south-east winds could be expected on Saturday. This would make the river choppy. The three heavyweight crews - Brisbane Grammar, Southport and “Churchie” - all with eights averaging about 12 ½ stone, must be favoured to fight it out if the water is choppy. Brisbane Grammar are pre-race favourites, and their strong rowing crew have yet to be beaten in an eights race.The Southport School eights is an unknown quantity. In races they have used only a training eight and after a good start they have merely glided to the finish. With two of last year’s crew (Brian McCullough, 14st 3lb, in for the fourth time) and their usual solid training behind them, Southport must have a good chance of winning. “Churchie” will use a new boat this year, a conventional eight built in Sydney for a crew weighing between 12 and 12 ½ stone. They will use the new type “spade” oar, which is shorter and wider than the conventional oar.
With four of last year’s crews place-getting crews and two close finishes with Brisbane Grammar over shorter distances, “Churchie” have an excellent chance of winning their first Head of the River since eights were introduced.
Terrace impress. St. Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace, again have a lightweight crew, and in number one lane they could run into trouble in choppy conditions. But Terrace, who depend on a minimum number of training hours have impressed all rowing coaches and experts in their training and trial races on the river.
Coach “Tiger” Fleming said yesterday that the crew was as good a combination as Terrace had had. Brisbane Boys’ College rowing in an eight which has won the race three times, must consider themselves a good chance. They are probably at a disadvantage rowing in lane 6, which is said to go through much “dead” water. The race has only been won from this position once, and that was when B.B.C. won in 1957. With a medium-weight crew (average 11st 12lb) choppy conditions could suit, as the crew would be more protected near the south bank. Brisbane State High School has the lightest crew in the race 0 averaging only 10st 8lb. This crew faces tough opposition, but a place would not be beyond them.All crews have been tapering off training this week, and will now rest until the race. The Head of the River race is time to start at 4 p.m., near the William Jolly Bridge and finishes near the regatta Hotel.”
Page 16, The Courier-Mail, Friday April 13th 1962 Edition
“A complete ban on speedboats and private launches using the GPS Head of the River Milton-Toowong course tomorrow has come as welcome news to the six school crews competing.
A police launch and a special speedboat carrying the course marshall Mr. Bob Longmore and a policeman will patrol the area. Between 15 000 and 20 000 are expected to see the main race at 4 p.m. for which Brisbane Grammar hold slight pre-race favouritism.
The nine-event program with 58 crews representing Brisbane Grammar, Church of England Grammar, Gregory Terrace, Brisbane Boys’ College, The Southport School and Brisbane State High School will start at 2.15 p.m.
Water police advise that the entire area between the William Jolly Bridge and the Toowong rowing shed will be closed to river traffic during the two hour regatta. Only official boats will be permitted to move anywhere on the Milton-Toowong reach. Private craft have been asked to anchor by the south bank well past the finish line. Police will have extra boats on duty to enforce the ban. In previous years crews often have complained bitterly that after months of training their chances were ruined because of swell caused by movement of fast river craft. The weather could help provide an upset to the two most fancied crews, Brisbane Grammar and Churchie. While the weather forecast is for some improvement in the squally conditions, a possible strong fresh which could force an early change in the tide could be to the detriment of the middle crews Grammar and Churchie. Fresh in the river could aid Gregory Terrace who have drawn No. 1 position on the Coronation Drive and perhaps Brisbane Boys’ College who are in No. 6 position on the south bank.
If there is an upset Terrace could provide it but the strong rowing school Brisbane Boys’ College never can be discarded from calculations. It could be a close race throughout with a margin of 60 feet covering the first three crews over the line. One mistake in timing on oarsmanship could cost a crew the race in such a tight finish. On performances in races this year it is expected Churchie will attempt to take the early lead. The solid CEGS combination are getting maximum leverage with their new spade oars and have settled comfortably into their new shell. Over the concluding stages a strong sprinting challenge will certainly come from the whippy Gregory Terrace combination. BBC are reported to have recorded some excellent training times in the last few days in their final preparations over 2000 Metres.”
Page 38, Telegraph, Friday April 13th 1962 Edition
Organising Committee
Great Public Schools Association
All Schools' Championship First Eight
The O'Connor Cup
Distance: 2000 Metres
Winning Time: 6:56.00
Margins:
1.5 Lengths (1-2)
2 Feet (2-3)1st Brisbane Boys’ College - Bow: David Simpson, 2: David Alexander, 3: James Blackburne, 4: Ian Robertson, 5: Stuart Allen, 6: Ian Leslie, 7: Ian Jamieson, Str: Doug Adam, Cox: Stephen Hood, Coach: David Magoffin
2nd Brisbane Grammar School - Bow: O’Donnell, 2: Johnson, 3: A. McLeod, 4: D. McLeod, 5: Williams, 6: Kortlang, 7: Finnimore, Str: Dwyer, Cox: Adsett
3rd Anglican Church Grammar School - Bow: R. J. Bleakley, 2: B. P. Schmidt, 3: T. D. M. Back, 4: R. Walker, 5: D. L. Thomas, 6: F. I. Curtis, 7: A. C. D. Collyer, Str: M. S. Webster, Cox: P. C. Gates, Coach: J. Thodey
4th Gregory Terrace - Bow: J. Stirling, 2: A. Barbeler, 3: S. Kidman, 4: I. Jensen, 5: M. Handy, 6: E. Quinn, 7: R. Bliss, Str: L. Lacey, Cox: B. Waters
5th The Southport School - Bow: A. Clarke, 2: S. Armstrong, 3: D. Moore, 4: T. Elliott, 5: R. Bligh, 6: J. Ballantyne, 7: B. McCullouch, Str: C. Brabazon, Cox: P. Lohse
6th Brisbane State High School
An Action shot of the 1962 Regatta. The Victorious Brisbane Boys' College VIII is closest to to the camera. 
The 1962 First VIII from The Southport School
The 1962 Gregory Terrace First VIII
1962 Church of England Grammar School First VIII
In 1987, Churchie honoured their 1962 First VIII Bow seat, Bob Bleakley, by naming a racing pair in his honour. The six racing pairs obtained by the school during the 1980s were all named for old boys or close associates who had represented Australia in rowing in one or other role. Bleakley had a distinguished career as a lightweight oarsman representing Queensland in the 1976 & 1978 Penrith Cup. However it is as a coach that Bob has had outstanding success. He has coached some 20 Australian crews or scullers at international level in Senior, U23 or Junior since 1984 and had most notable success in 1992 and 1993 taking Gary Lynagh to gold medals at the World Championships both years in the Men’s lightweight Double Sculls to gold medals at the World Championships both years in the Men’s Lightweight Double Sculls. He also coached the Men’s Lightweight Double Scull at the Sydney Olympics.
The Race Described
“B.B.C. won one of the most dramatic Head finished by one and a quarter lengths from Grammar, with two feet to Churchie and Gregory Terrace a close fourth. B.B.C. finished strongly with No. 4 man, Ian Robertson (arrowed in picture left) hardly able to sit up. He was out of his seat and tottering in the shell for the last 200 yards, but kept rowing with weakened strokes although out of time with the perfect rhythm of his crew mates.
Collapsed as gun echoed
Robertson collapsed as the fun sounded the end of the race, but was suffering only a severe headache when he cooled down. B.B.C. also won the river honour last year. B.B.C. also won the river honour last year. B.B.C.’s eight youngsters were aided by an “old fox” who could not lift a finger to help them during the race.He is there coach, Dave Magoffin whose pre-race instructions on tactics undoubtedly helped B.B.C. beat the hoodoo lane No. 6.
Coach very confident
Magoffin said after the race: “I never like making predictions but I was very confident that my crew could win after their vast improvement in the last three days. “the difference between B.B.C. and the other crews was that we reached peak racing condition during the race. It has been timed perfectly.” B.B.C.’s time for the 2000 metres was 6min 56 sec. Until yesterday the No. 6 lane (Southern bank) was considered a hoodoo lane, as only one crew - B.B.C. - had won from that position which runs though a lot of “dead water.” B.B.C. stroke Douglas Adam gave his family its third Head win. His brother John rocketed to G.P.S. rowing stardowm when he strokes B.B.C. to Head wins in 1956 and 1957.
And in the south…
In Melbourne yesterday, Wesley College won the Head of the River. In Sydney, Scots won, and in Perth, Guildford were the Head of the River winners.”
Page 40, The Sunday Mail, Sunday April 15th 1962 Edition
"The head of the River Eights started at 4 P.M. and C.E.G.S. began well by taking the lead from BGS and BBC. As the race continued it was obvious that it was going to be a battle between these three crews. After 1000m, CEGS was fighting to hold a canvas lead. Soon, BBC began to gain ground while BGS and CEGS rowed almost level in mid-stream. At the finish, B.B.C., rowing magnificiently, had a 2 length margin until one crew member collapsed level in mid-stream. At the finish, BBC, rowing magnificenty, had a two length margin until one crew member collapsed and they finished 1.5 lengths in front. The race had developed into a battle between BGS and CEGS for second place. BGS crossed the line two feet ahead of CEGS. We congratulate BBC on their first win.
Following the Regatta, the annual dinner at the Canberra Hotel, followed by a dance at Riverside Ballroom proved a fitting conclusion to a strenuous season."
Page 178, Churchie Rowing by Peter Jell, Published by Anglican Church Grammar School
All Schools' First Four
Distance: 0.75 Mile
Winning Time: 4:18.00
Margins:
Dead Heat for First.
1.25 Lengths (1-3)
1st Church of England Grammar School & Brisbane Boys’ College
C.E.G.S. - Bow: T. Robinson, 2: S. Goodman, 3: D. Jull, Str: H. Arthur, Cox: D. Munro, Coach: T. Holt
3rd Brisbane Grammar School
Other Competing Crews:
Gregory Terrace - Bow: T. Proctor, 2: M. Wilkinson, 3: J. Gygar, Str: K. Joyce, Cox: D. Murr
Gregory Terrace First IV 1962
All Schools' Second Four
Distance: 0.75 Mile
Winning Time: 5:40.00
Margins:
1.5 Lengths (1-2)
1 Length (2-3)
1st Church of England Grammar School - Bow: P. Fry, 2: A. Bartlett, 3: W. W. Noble, Str: P. Neville, Cox: P. Ferguson, Coach: R. Herbert
2nd The Southport School
3rd Gregory Terrace - Bow: J. Panton, 2: J. Wheeler, 3: P. Coyne, Cox: P. Millet
Gregory Terrace 1962 Second IV
All Schools' Third Four
Distance: 0.5 Mile
Winning Time: 3.04.00
Margins: n/a
1st Church of England Grammar School - Bow: P. Richards, 2: R. Firster, 3: I. Vincent, Str: R. Black, Cox: P. Watson, Coach: R. Herbert
2nd Brisbane Grammar School
3rd Brisbane Boys’ College
Other Competing Crews
Gregory Terrace - Bow: M. O'Shea, 2: B. Shannon, 3: D. Hinch, Str: I. Farry, Cox: T. McDonaldAll Schools' Fourth Four
Distance: 0.5 Mile
Winning Time: 3:28.00
Margins:
1 Canvas (1-2)
Dead Heat for Second.
1st Church of England Grammar School - Bow: J. Galway, 2: R. Drake, 3: M. Howe, Str: J. Purcell, Cox: G. McCracken, Coach: R. Herbert
2nd Brisbane Grammar School & Brisbane State High SchoolOther Competing Crews:
Gregory Terrace - Bow: P. Loth, 2: J. Norton, 3: P. McDonnell, Str: J. O'Gorman, Cox: P. Millett
All Schools' Fifth Four
Distance: 0.5 Mile
Winning Time: 3:14.00
Margins:
0.75 Length (1-2)
1 Canvas (2-3)
1st Brisbane Grammar School
2nd Gregory Terrace - Bow: R. Porter, 2: E. Murphy, 3: T. Beesley, Str: C. Spry, Cox: B. McManus
3rd Church of England Grammar School - Bow: J. Baird, 2: R. Michael, 3: P. Ridings, Str: M. J. Reynolds, Cox: G. Gates, Coach: R. Herbert
All Schools Sixth Four
Distance: 0.5 Mile
Winning Time: 3:15.00
Margins:
0.5 Length (1-2)
0.5 Length (2-3)
1st Brisbane Boys’ College
2nd Brisbane State High School
3rd Church of England Grammar School (b) - Bow: R. Johnson, 2: R. Hughes, 3: P. Macmillan, Str: G. Early, Cox: I. Leutchford, Coach: B. Whelan
Other Competing Crews
6th Church of England Grammar School (b) - Bow: P. Aroney, 2: L. J. Cutler, 3: P. A. Jell, Str: P. Shakespeare, Cox: D. Wilson, Coach: B. Whelan
Gregory Terrace - Bow: T. O'Hanlon, 2: T. Larkin, 3: T. Coutts, Str: W. Morris, Cox: R. Oliver
All Schools' Seventh Four
Distance: 0.5 Mile
Winning Times: 3:28.00
Margins:
1.25 Lengths (1-2)
Dead heat for Second.
1st Brisbane Boys’ College
2nd Brisbane Boys’ College & Brisbane Grammar School
Other Competing Crews:
Church of England Grammar School (a) - Bow: G. Brooke, 2: P. Sekuless, 3: A.Leeds, Str: B. Leutchford, Cox: D. Park
Church of England Grammar School (b) - Bow: A. Love, 2: J. Noble, 3: R. Grant, Str: D. Snowball, Cox: I. Buss
Gregory Terrace - Bow: K. O'Rourke, 2: G. Chappel, 3: R. Pitt, Str: E. Dowd, Cox: T. Gygar
All Schools' Eighth Four
Distance: 0.5 Mile
Winning Times: 3:07.00
Margins:
1 Length (1-2)
0.5 Length (2-3)
1st Church of England Grammar School (a)- Bow: A. Underwood, 2: P. Burton, 3: J. Woods, Str: W. Heaslop, Cox: J. Markwell, Coach: J. S. Jell
2nd Gregory Terrace - Bow: W. Barker, 2: K. Copley, 3: T. Bourke, Str: P. Howard, Cox: B. McManus
3rd Gregory Terrace 9th IV- Bow: R. Stenson, 2: R. McDonnell, 3: G. Daly, Str: G. Delaney, Cox: R. Oliver
Other Competing Crews:
Church of England Grammar School (b) - Bow: A. Fisher, 2: G. Walsh, 3: D. Fossey, Str: C. Boucher, Cox: J. Ross
Sources
Page 16, The Courier-Mail, Friday April 13th 1962 Edition https://archive.org/details/page-16-the-courier-mail-friday-april-13th-1962-edition
Page 38, The Telegraph, Friday April 13th 1962 Edition https://archive.org/details/screen-shot-2021-04-19-at-8.59.08-pm
Page 40, The Sunday Mail, Sunday April 15th 1962 Edition https://archive.org/details/img-20201214074150
Page n/a, The Sunday Mail, Sunday April 15th 1962 Edition https://archive.org/details/img-20201214074044
Page 62-63, St. Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace Newsletter, 1962 Edition https://media.digistormhosting.com.au/sjgt-au-qld-91-oldboys/documents/1962-St-Joseph-College-Terrace.pdf?mtime=20180403144335
Churchie Rowing by Peter Jell, Published by Anglican Church Grammar School