1916 Ballarat Head of the Lake
On Wednesday 19th October, Grammar went from last in 1915 to first in 1916. With a lack of other sport in the war years, interest in school sport was high.
The Winner reported on 25th October 1916: The annual four-oared race among the Ballarat colleges to determine the position of Head of the Lake was rowed on Lake Wendouree last Wednesday, the competing crews representing Church of England Grammar School, Ballarat College and St. Patrick’s College respectively. St. Patrick’s were the holders, having won last year’s race. There was a large attendance of relatives and friends of the students, and keen interest was taken in the race. Grammar School went off with a lead, which they increased to two lengths before half the journey had been covered. Ballarat then came at them determinedly, and were less than a canvas to the bad outside View Point, while St. Patrick’s College were hopelessly out of it. Grammar School drew away again a little after Ballarat’s challenge, and a fine race resulted in favour of Grammar by half a length.
Organising Committee and Officials
Organising Committee: Ballarat Public Schools' Association
Course: One mile course
Head of the Lake
Time: Not known
1st Ballarat Grammar - M Robin (str), G Oddie (3), G Chandler (2), S Wilson (bow), Cox: R Salmon, Coach: J Suffren
2nd Ballarat College - A Dawson (str), W Forster (3), F Rousen (2), L Bradby(bow), Cox: R Coldham
3rd St Patrick's College - J D’Arcy (str), M O’Byrne (3), M Kerrins (2), A Kavanagh (bow), Cox: W Clements
Ballarat Grammar Crew
From 100 Years of the Head of the Lake published by The Courier in 2012