History of Ballarat Head of the Lake rowing regatta

1938 Ballarat Head of the Lake

This race was conducted on Lake Wendouree on Saturday 30th April 1938. The third and fourth fours were again raced prior to the Head of the Lake.

The Argus reported on Monday 2nd May 1938 on page 15 as follows.

A brilliant win by four lengths was achieved by Ballarat Grammar School crew in the Annual Head of the Lake race at Lake Wendouree. It was the school’s first win since 1935. St. Patrick’s College which made one change in its record breaking crew of last year, was out rowed. The winning crew had two changes from last year. Mr. R. F. Thwaites, President of the Association congratulated the winners and thanked the Ballarat Rowing Association for supervising the event. The Dowling Cup held by St. Patrick’s College, was presented to the stroke of the successful crew, A. J. Moorehouse by Mr. Graeme Dowling.

Clipping below comes from the St Patrick's College annual report.

Organising Committee and Officials

Regatta Committee: Ballarat Public Schools' Association

Organising Committee and Officials: Ballarat Rowing Association

Head of the Lake

1 mile
Time: 6:12
Margin: 4 lengths and 4 lengths

1st Grammar School - Bow: A W Best, 2: C E Suffren, 3: W T Roberts, Str: A J Moorehouse, Cox: A Gibbs, Cch: Mr F Suffren

2nd St Patrick’s College - Bow: K B De Lacy, 2: L M Vaughan, 3: J L Horgan, Str: A S Jones, Cox: J J Wise, Cch: Mr Otto Hauser

3rd Ballarat College - Bow: W A Coffield, 2: S J Lloyd, 3: R H Coutts, Str: D S Humphreys, Cox: W L Jenkins, Cch: Mr G.Hutchins

The SPCB Annual 1938-39 reported on the race as follows.

The day of the race bought with it a smart north-easterly, which caused the rowers a deal of anxiety. This meant our station (St.Pat’s)-the south-would be most affected. It was hoped that our weight would offset this initial disadvantage. Grammar got the best of a start that was delayed somewhat on account of the roughness of the lake, and even from this point appeared to be the best crew. Their rhythmic blade work and finished style were sustained throughout the whole mile.

The St.Pat’s crew did strike their best form as they drew level with their own boatshed and it was here that they began to threaten Grammar. However, as the Grammar crew swept past View Point they had the race well in hand and defeated St.Pat’s by four lengths, with College third.

We congratulate Grammar On their fine victory and feel they well deserved the honour of being “Head of the Lake” 1938.

Above is winning Grammar crew

Below is clipping from the St Patrick's College Annual

Second Four

1/2 mile
Time: Not known
Margin: 1 1/2 lengths and 4 lengths

1st St. Patrick’s College - Bow: Pat McNamara, 2: Jim Sullivan, 3: Joe Flannery. Str: Laurie Delahunty, Cox: George Dwyer, Cch: Mr A C Wilson.

2nd Grammar School - Bow: S R Nichols, 2: C M Tonkin, 3: G B McKinley, Str: R E Gyton, Cox: D Sweeting, Cch: Mr M Dunn

3rd Ballarat College - Bow: H J Keith, 2: R K Heriot, 3: J D Ritchie, Str: H F Morrow, Cox: R W Whiteside, Cch: Mr Alan Heighway

Old Collegians Fours

Time: Not known
Margin: 3 lengths

1st Grammar School - Bow: J Suffren, 2: F Suffren, 3: R Jelbart, Str: P Jelbart

2nd St Patrick’s College - Bow H Munday, 2: J Andre, 3: M O’Leary, Str: J Steward

3rd Ballarat College - Bow: Henry Berry, 2: Lloyd Jelbart, 3: I John, Str: N Jelbart

Third Fours

Time: Not known
Margin: Not known

1st Grammar School - Bow: M C Piercy, 2: A G L Price, 3: R L King, Str: R G Hall, Cox: R Schulz, Cch: Mr H A Nevett.

2nd St. Patrick’s College - Bow: W T Newton, 2: F J Englefield, 3: P G Mullins, Str: A D Anderson, Cox: B P Gibney, Cch: Mr A Desnoy.

3rd Ballarat College - Bow: J H Atkins, 2: S H McDonald, 3: J H Redman, Str: H C Carne, Cox: C S Reid, Cch: Mr I R John.

Fourth Fours

Time: Not known
Margin: Not known

1st St. Patrick's College - Bow: Jim Donovan, 2: Trojie Darveniza, 3: Joe Favaloro, Str: Bill Brittan, Cox: Tony Fry, Cch: Mr A Desnoy

2nd Grammar School - Bow: W W Mitchell 2: J Christoe, 3: S Lawrie, Str: L H P Jones, Cox: J Stevens, Cch: Mr G H Fell

3rd Ballarat College - Bow: E W Goon, 2: K A McDonald, 3: J F McGregor, Str: N G Goon, Cox: A S McIntyre, Cch: Mr H B Berry

Sources:

Ballarat Courier 100 years Head of the Lake Supplement
Argus, Monday May 2, page 15

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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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