1922 Ballarat Head of the Lake
This was St Patrick's year after finishing third the previous year.
As a sporting and social function, the Head of the Lake race is each year looming larger in the public eye. When the race was first held in 1914 very few persons outside the school boys and their immediate relatives knew of it or took any notice of it. Year by year however, the public interest is increasing, (school) colors are displayed in shop windows and the training and performance of each crew are criticised. Star 23/10/1922
This year’s race attracted more spectators that any previous regatta. The shores of the Lake were thronged with spectators all along the south side of the Lake and past Ballarat City’s shed and View Point was crowded. For the second year, the Old Collegian’s race was held at the start of the regatta but only College and Grammar could field a crew. The race was won by the Old Grammarians with N. Eyres (str), H. Reynolds(3), T. Taylor(2) and W. Allen(bow). The Old Collegians crew was again anchored by Archie Dawson Junior and Arch Dawson Senior but they were unable to replicate their winning form of last year.
Organising Committee and Officials
Organising Committee: Ballarat Public Schools' Association
Regatta Officials: Ballarat Regatta Association
Judge - Mr George Tonner
Umpire - Mr A W Bennett
Starter - Mr T F Moran.
Clerk of scales - Mr I A Moran.
Timekeeper - Mr J Marks
Primary source: Ballarat Star 23/10/1922, page 3
Principal researcher: Kate Elliott
Head of the Lake
Time:6:28 (mile course)
1st St Patrick's College - Bow: W H Wilding, 2: R F Dickinson, 3: J M Dwyer, Str: F S Uther, Cox: A J Carroll. Coach: Mr Fred Luke
2nd Ballarat Grammar - Bow: C K Wright, 2: P Champion, 3: A Henry, Str: O W Danman, Cox: S Just. Coach: Mr J B Suffren
3rd Ballarat College - Bow: J A Cooke, 2: C Witter, 3: B Currie, Str: J C McMillan, Cox: J Tonner. Coach: W D Dawson.
St Patrick's College winning crew
From 100 Years of the Head of the Lake published by The Courier in 2012
The three crews got away from the start fairly evenly. After about 100 yards St.Patrick’s had a slight advantage over Ballarat College with Grammar just slightly back in third. By the quarter mile mark, St.Patrick’s were rowing strongly with a “good catch and a hard drive” and managed to pull about a length ahead. At the half mile mark St.Patrick’s increased their lead to nearly two lengths to Grammar who had moved ahead of College. As they reached View Point, St.Patrick’s still held a length and a half advantage. Grammar put in a determined effort from the Point to the finish line but St.Patrick’s held them off and won by a length.