Post War Boom - 1919-1929

Post War Boom - 1919-1929

Racing results, including names of the winning crews, can be found in the challenge trophy chapter beneath the description of the various challenge cups.

Association Annual Reports and annual regatta programs can be found in Appendices B and C.

Full definition images of the regattas can be found on the Australian Rowing Images website through this link.

The first Regatta after the war was a great outlet for Melbourne to start removing the sorrows and shackles of war. The regatta boomed to become the premier and most important social and sporting event in Melbourne (and Australia).

However, ever so gradually, the regatta allure was chipped away. The regatta did not recover as well from bad weather years which affected crowds. The disruption of the twenty-five year construction of the Swan Street Bridge, and the growth of other social and sporting outlets for Melbournians all contributed to a slow decline. However, the importance of the rowing side grew as the social side declined. It is an interesting study in how social changes, and physical barriers such as the Swan Bridge construction, can affect a once-dominant carnival.

1919 - the biggest crowds ever

The first post war Regatta was highly popular with Melbourne residents and sports lovers, and it was a great success.

The mood change from mourning and sorrow to joy and excitement took place that day. 

The Argus reported, "One characteristic of Saturday's carnival was the manner in which it "got away" from the war. Never since the dark days of 1914 has there been less khaki in evidence at a huge function in Melbourne. Returned men there were by the thousand. But most of them by far had thankfully thrown the habiliments of war aside, and got into cool flannels or holiday attire for the day. Every racing crew seemed to have some returned man rowing, from Brigadier-General Lloyd in the Mercantile Club's junior eight, to the last a private in the "Diggers' Eight" put on the river by Hawthorn. The crowd gave the latter crew a hearty cheer as it was recognised on its way to the start. A reserve near the winning post was set aside for wounded soldiers from the military hospitals. They were a cheerful little crowd, well looked after by nurses and V.A.D.s in their smart uniforms, and, they seemed to thoroughly enjoy the afternoon's amusement. They, like everyone else, were determined to thrust aside the memory of the five years' nightmare, and irresponsible gaiety was the keynote of the carnival. The officials must have been happy men at the end of the afternoon. They had a good reason. For them Henley, 1919, was a "Victory Henley" in every sense of the term."¹

War-wounded cot patients from the ANZAC Hostel and wounded soldiers from other hospitals were entertained on the house boats and in deck chairs on the banks. The Victorian Volunteer Motor Corps arranged for transport of the soldiers to the regatta. The VAD and house boat hosts provided refreshments to these attendees.

Image: As printed in the Weekly Times 1 November 1919,

It is important to reflect on the impact of the war on rowing. To illustrate, three members of the winning junior eight from Mercantile at the 1914 Henley regatta all died in combat. All clubs had similar stories and the impact on all who attended in 1919 was not lost. The Chairman of the general committee, Sir Edward Carlile KC lost his son in combat in France. The regatta was a celebration of peace as much as the "Victory Henley" suggested by The Argus.

The weather for the regatta was perfect for the huge crowds.The Argus reported - Melbourne Cup crowds sink into insignificance in comparison with the Henley gathering on Saturday. In fact, no assemblage on Henley Day has even approached the size of this one. The largest crowd in previous years was estimated at approximately 100,000. According to the estimate of the secretary, Mr. W. S. Philip, the attendance on Saturday numbered quite 150,000 in the afternoon, and about 200,000 in the evening.²

Regatta scene showing the packed crowds

The South Bank enclosure

House boats were again occupied by the Governor, the President, the Lord Mayor, the Australian Club, Association Subscribers, Caledonian Club, Bohemian Club, Miss M Reid, Victorian Postal Institute and the Wallaby Club.

Clearly such a crowd was more than anticipated with transport and regatta arrangements inadequate. However, it had little impact on the crowds who thoroughly enjoyed the day.

The balance sheet continued to show that the regatta finances were underpinned by the cash takings and sale of tickets for the south bank enclosure. This funded the whole carnival. The Association again generously assisted interstate and country clubs to race at the regatta and made generous donations to Victorian rowing Clubs of £338.The Committee of the Association agreed to donate £105 for the construction of the Victorian Oarsmen's Memorial to commemorate those who died at war and in addition to its usual other donations.¹ The annual report highlighted to members that to meet the convenience and comfort of the Public, it will be necessary to incur a heavy expenditure in providing additional turnstiles, new fencing and other Reserve improvements

At the July 1919 meeting of the Subscribers sub-committee meeting, Lieut. W S Philip MC was appointed as Hon.Secretary. At the July Committee meeting, the Executive Committee was reinstated comprising Messrs. H M Strachan, J Crosthwaite, A O Henty, J M Macfarlane, E Kenny and S R Chubb.

Racing - Of note was the Stewards Challenge Four from Murray Bridge, SA. None of the Victorian crews were yet of senior standard to match this crew. Arthur Scott, two seat of this crew, arrived directly from England where he had raced in the four seat of the winning No 1 AIF crew at the Henley Peace Regatta in July. The AIF crew had won the King's Cup. Commentary in the newspapers noted that none of the senior crews would have matched those who competed in pre war regattas. It was also interesting that no schools entered. Debate at the General Committee of 16th October 1919 revolved around the Ladies Challenge being limited to Associated Public Schools to avoid having too many entries and so too many races for the boys on the day.

Final of the maiden eight won by Albert Park

1920

For the first time, the Regatta had to be postponed a week due to continuous rain and flooding of the river. Whilst a big step for the carnival, the decision turned out well with the the following weekend being fine and the river subsided. The postponed Regatta was a success despite Sydney University being unable to attend the postponed event.

The postponed carnival was down on attendees compared to the record 1919 crowd due to the postponement, which now forced it to compete with Derby Day, and spectators having other arrangements for the new date. However the evening spectators' numbers were still excellent.

View from the North Bank shows a lower but still large crowd in 1920

House boats were occupied by the Governor, the President, the Lord Mayor, Association Subscribers, Australian Club, Bohemian Club and Caledonian Club. As usual both the Governor-General and the Victorian Governor and their entourages attended.

The South Bank view in 1920 showing the grand house boats

Whilst the finances of the Association remained sound, member funds fell after £300 was spent of more river bank improvements, £500 on expenses of visiting crews and donations to Victorian rowing clubs, £600 on new turnstiles and fencing and also other donations of £171.

The annual report noted, "Wireless telegraphy was used for the first time in reporting results and was a great improvement on the old signalling system." Wireless communication was established at the start and at each umpire station, the finish line and the boatsheds. The progress of each race and the end results could now be advised to spectators. At the annual general meeting, the desire to subsidise the expenses of sending a crew to either America or the UK was confirmed.

1921

Attendances were again slightly down from the 1920 levels both during the day and at night.

As usual a house boat was provided for the Victorian Governor and the President. Other house boats were occupied by the Lord Mayor, Association Subscribers, Australian Club, Old Scotch Collegians' Club, and the Wallaby Club. The fire works display increased this year and it lasted 1 1/2 hours providing an extraordinary display.

Lord Mayor's Houseboat

The finances remained sound but members' funds reduced slightly. The annual report foreshadowed that extensive work would need to be completed on the Association's pontoons on which house boats were constructed in order to maintain their seaworthiness. House boats were present for the Old Scotch Collegians Club, Subscribers, The President, The Lord Mayor, the Wallaby Club and The Australian Club. Wounded Soldiers were again entertained in the Enclosure with transport provided.

Donations this year included £187 for expenses of interstate and country clubs to compete at the regatta, £30 funding for the extension of the pathway, £100 to assist Arthur Baynes of Queensland to race at Henley Royal Regatta, £221 in general donations and £213 to Victorian rowing clubs. As a gesture of gratitude for the work of the past Executive Committee Chairman Hugh M Strachan, the General Committee asked that he sit for a portrait to be hung in the offices of the Association. The long-serving Secretary and noted Victorian rowing historian John Lang also died this season.

It was another year of racing at a high standard, with excellent interstate representation. Murray Bridge won the Stewards for the third year in succession and L C Nimmo of the Tasmanian Derwent club won the Yarra Challenge and Silver Sculls.

Silver cups and gold medals were again presented to the winners.

Albert Park winning a heat in the eights

1922

The Regatta recovered from the previous two down years both in spectator numbers and finances. Members funds started to increase even after usual donations and liberal grants to clubs competing at the regatta, and also £375 spent on pontoon repairs. The Hospital Sunday Fund was once again blessed with a £100 donation. The £2,500 Commonwealth War Loan was rolled over until 1948, some 25 years into the future.

The regatta again hosted wounded soldiers in comfort both on the banks and on house boats. The Victorian Volunteers Motor Corps again assisted with transport.

The popularity of the regatta was beginning to wane with the Australian Club, the Wallaby Club and the Old Scotch Collegians Club all advising that they would not be hosting boats at the 1922 regatta. The remaining boats were those of the President, the Subscribers and the Lord Mayor. However there was no reduction in the music, fireworks or illuminations.

Mercantile (VIC) defeating Mercantile (TAS) in the final of the Grand

An interesting minute appeared in the Committee meeting of 22nd July 1922 meeting which explains the naming convention for challenge cups, "Mr. Joseph moved that the name of the maiden eight race on the regatta programme be changed to that of “John Lang Maiden Eights” in order to commemorate the name of our Late Secretary, Seconded by Mr. E Kenny. Messrs H M Strachan, J M Macfarlane, A O Henty and the Chairman spoke to the motion and pointed out that it had always been the policy of the Association to eliminate the personal element. It was pointed out that the matter had been discussed some time ago when it was decided not to introduce the personal side into the names of races. In view of what was said, Mr. Joseph with the consent of Mr. Kenny withdrew the motion."

It was also an instructive minute from the perspective of showing the wisdom of the senior members of the committee and how they upheld the conventions established by the founders.

Murray Bridge from South Australia won the Stewards' for the fourth time in succession. Also of great interest was the Yarra Challenge and Silver Sculls which attracted a highly competitive field of champion scullers from around Australia. It created a great deal of interest in rowing circles. Arthur Baynes from Queensland won from a strong field.

Arthur Baynes (Commercial RC QLD) winner of the Yarra Challenge and Silver Sculls

1923

1923 brought more changes to the Committee, with the resignation of the Hon. Secretary Mr. W S Philips due to work pressures. The Subscribers appointed Mr. Edward Kenny as a salaried Secretary in his stead. Both The Governor General, Lord Forster, and the Governor of Victoria, the Earl of Stradbroke, were in attendance this year. There were houseboats from the President of the Committee, the Association’s Subscribers, the Australian Club and Snow Lodge. Additional illuminations of the Regatta were also made by coloured lighting in the Reserve.

An enclosure was again provided for wounded soldiers from the hospitals and the Anzac Hostel. £100 was donated to the Hospital Sunday Fund, with minor sums to the St. John Ambulance Association, Royal Life Saving Society, the Wireless Institute of Australia and the rowing clubs represented at the Regatta.

The Regatta continued its ascendency with 34 clubs and 350 competitors entering in 1924, a list described by the Executive Committee as ‘splendid’. There was a record of seven entries for the Grand Challenge Cup, with the champion eights of New South Wales, Tasmania and Victoria all competing in this event. It demonstrated the deep interest in the this event by oarsmen.

However, the Committee lamented the lack of interest by school clubs in the Ladies’ Challenge Cup in recent years, which resulted in a row over at the Regatta. Public attendance was also slightly lower than in 1922. The Stewards' Challenge Cup, which had been held by South Australian clubs since 1913, returned to Victorian hands with a fine win by Wendouree.

1923 Crowd scene on the south bank

The Henley mile start just shy of the yet to built Hoddle Bridge
The 1895 footbridge was in place until the current Hoddle Bridge was built in 1938. The trusses of this foot bridge were later reused for a stock bridge over the Maribyrnong River, now known as the Angliss Stock Bridge.

1924

The 1924 Regatta was hugely popular with the public.

An estimated 300,000 people attended during the day, with the enclosure revenue totalling the second highest ever received.

The Governor-General, Lord Forster, and the Governor of Victoria, the Earl of Stradbroke, were in attendance, and houseboats from the President of the Association, the Lord Mayor, the Association Subscribers, the Australian Club, the Melbourne University Sports Union and the Old Scotch Collegians’ Club were present.

The Reserve was significantly expanded to accommodate the increased numbers, and refreshments and dancing continued until late. An enclosure was again provided for wounded soldiers, and £100 was again donated to the Hospital Sunday Fund, alongside smaller donations to the St. John Ambulance Association, the Royal Life Saving Society and the competing rowing clubs.

The Association experienced significant change over 1924. The President, George Fairbairn, resigned as he left for England, a position he had held since the foundation of the Regatta. E.H. Flack, Honorary Treasurer, also resigned for the same reasons. H.M. Strachan was elected President, and W.S. Philip elected Honorary Treasurer. Colonel J.M. Semmens was again elected Chairman of the General Committee, and J.M. Macfarlane elected Chairman of the Executive. 8 new members were elected to the Association.

An obituary was recorded following the death of J.F. Strachan II, a founding member of the Association.

Racing: 56 crews from 26 clubs were entered in 1924, totalling 341 competitors, a similar number to the previous Regatta. All the events were won by Victorian crews, with fewer interstate crews entered than in 1923. 

Controversy soured the Maiden Fours event, with Tamar RC (TAS) initially declared the winners, and then subsequently disqualified by the V.R.A on the grounds the crew was not eligible to compete in the beginner category. The event was then declared ‘no race’. 

 Melbourne University BC had a particularly successful regatta winning both the Grand Challenge Cup and the Maiden Eights, the only club to win multiple events. The Ladies’ Challenge Cup continued to suffer from a lack of entries, with only two Melbourne High School boats competing in the event.

James Barton of the Richmond RC (VIC) again won the Yarra Challenge and Silver Sculls

1925

First radio broadcast of Henley by local radio station 3LO.

Attendance was lower than the 300,000 who had attended the 1924 regatta, but still described as on average. The Governor of Victoria, the Earl of Stradbroke, was in attendance, but not the Governor-General as had been in previous years.

Houseboats were again occupied by the President of the Association, the Lord Mayor, the Association Subscribers, the Australian Club, the Melbourne University Sports Union and the Old Scotch Collegians’ Club. Dancing took place into the night, and a fireworks display was provided after a lapse of several years.

The Committee were also particularly pleased to report that all the races of the day ran to the advertised time.

The customary donations to the Hospital Sunday Fund, St. John Ambulance and Royal Life Saving Society were made by the Committee, alongside the provision of an enclosure for wounded soldiers from the hospitals. H.M. Strachan, Colonel J.M. Semmens and J.M. Macfarlane were re-elected to the positions of President of the Association, Chairman of the General Committee and Chairman of the Executive Committee respectively. An obituary was written following the death of Sir Lauchlan Mackinnon, a founding member of the Association and a trustee of the challenge cups.

The 1925 Regatta had a record entry of 69 crews from 27 clubs, with 390 competitors. This was the first time crews from Western Australia and New Zealand competed at the Regatta, and it was noted these crews travelled a total distance of 15,512 miles to race. Western Australian RC were well compensated by winning the Stewards’ Challenge Cup.

Mildura dominated the Maiden events with wins in both the Eights and Fours. Only three crews entered the Grand Challenge Cup, with Essendon RC defeating the incumbents Melbourne University BC.

The Ladies’ Challenge Cup continued to suffer from a lack of entries, with a row over for the event. For the first time, racing results were broadcast live through loudspeakers in the Regatta reserve.

Arthur Cambridge, winner of the Yarra Challenge Cup and Silver Sculls

1926

The Regatta - Disaster struck four days before the Regatta began, when the Edwards boathouse that was storing 27 boats was destroyed in its entirety by a fire. ‘Prompt assistance’ of loaning boats from other schools and clubs meant the coxed crews could continue to race, although four scullers had to withdraw for the Regatta as they could not secure suitable boats.

The Governor-General, now Lord Stonehaven, returned to the Regatta following last year’s hiatus, alongside the Governor of Victoria, Lord Somers, on the President’s houseboat. An improved fireworks display took place, alongside dancing into the night. The enclosure for wounded soldiers was again provided, and attendance was reportedly higher than the previous year.

There were several significant donations made by the Association in 1926. £700 was approved to improve the Prince’s Bridge boat landing, and a new eight was presented to the V.R.A for the use of Victorian crews in the King’s Cup. £25 was donated to Wendouree RC, who intended to travel to New Zealand at the invitation of the New Zealand Rowing Association. The customary donations to the Hospital Sunday Fund, St. John Ambulance and Royal Life Saving Society were also made.

There was no change to the Association membership. H.M. Strachan, Colonel J.M. Semmens and J.M. Macfarlane were again elected to the positions of President, Chairman of the General Committee and Chairman of the Executive respectively. Obituaries were issued for H.E. Rowe and G. Officer, late members of the Association.

Henley pot won by the stroke of the Mercantile RC (VIC) stroke Shannon

Racing - There was a record entry to the 1926 Regatta. 424 competitors from 30 different clubs comprised 73 crews, with one overseas entry from Otago, who won the Stewards’ Challenge Cup. There were multiple interstate entries, with all states except New South Wales represented by at least one club, including St Peter’s College (SA) who contributed to the first competitive Ladies’ event since 1921. The Maiden events were particularly well entered, with a total of 42 crews rowing in these events alone. Melbourne University dominated the entries list, with the most number of crews entered, although they were unable to win any events this year.

The northern Victorians who won the Elswick Challenge Cup for junior fours pictured here on the Murray River

1927

The Regatta - In spite of the record entry list, heavy clouds, light rain and cold weather meant attendance was significantly lower than previous years. Weather did not put off the Governor-General or the Governor of Victoria, Lords Stonehaven and Somers, from attending in customary fashion on the President’s houseboat. The Association lamented that funds were depleted from reduced gate money takings, and that although insurance had been taken out against poor weather the actual rain fallen was lower than insured against. 

As such, lower than usual donations were made to the Lord Mayor’s and Olympic funds, St. John Ambulance and Royal Life Saving Society.

The Committee expressed their wish to attract scullers to the next Regatta who were competing at the Olympic games the following year, and to improve the provision of motor car parking the following year. The Committee also appealed that men dressed appropriately for a river carnival, which was well responded to.

The Association had little change in membership. Four new members were elected, and H.M. Strachan, Colonel J.M. Semmens and J.M Macfarlane were again elected President of the Association, Chairman of the General Committee and Chairman of the Executive respectively. However, H.M Strachan announced his intention to resign prior to his departure on a trip abroad. Obituaries were issued for late members A.D. Hart, H.M. Collins and J.F.W. Payne.

Racing - Another record was set for the entry list, with 433 competitors from 34 clubs racing in the 1926 Regatta. The Grand Challenge Cup was won for the first time by an interstate crew, Mosman, from New South Wales. The Ladies’ Challenge Cup was also won by interstate crew, St Peter’s from South Australia, for only the second time in the event’s history. Interstate success was also seen by Wahgunyah who retained the Elswick Challenge Cup. Waitemata ensured the Stewards’ Challenge Cup was retained by a New Zealand crew following Otago’s victory in the event the previous year.

The great Bobby Pearce (NSW) wins the Yarra Challenge Cup and Silver Sculls

1928

Monograms for the Henley blazers were introduced.

The Regatta - The Regatta was again overshadowed by poor weather. Rain and cool breezes limited attendance, and gate takings were £1200 lower than the previous year which also suffered from poor weather. The Governor-General, Lord Stonehaven, was in attendance, although the Governor of Victoria was absent due to illness.

Regatta racing from the south bank

The regular houseboats were present, and dancing and fireworks continued into the evening. The Committee reported that parking for motor cars was improved by locating it on Alexandra Avenue. ‘The Henley Cup’ was presented to the Victorian Canoe Association as a perpetual trophy in recognition of the Association’s co-operation in arranging the canoe parade at the Regatta.

A £100 donation was made to send the Victorian King’s Cup crew to Western Australia, alongside the customary smaller amounts to the Lord Mayor’s Fund, Royal Life Saving Society and St. John Ambulance Association.

Following the resignation of H.M. Strachen due to commitments abroad, the now-returned from England and newly knighted Sir George Fairbairn was again elected President of the Association. Colonel J.M. Semmens and J.M. Macfarlane were again re-elected into the Chairs of the General and Executive Committees, and H.M. Strachen was elected trustee of the challenge cups. The obituary of the Association's honorary solicitor, R.S. Whiting, was recorded.

Racing - The record for entries was again broken for the 1928 Regatta. 76 crews and 460 competitors were entered, the vast majority of these in the Maiden events. Mosman RC retained the Grand Challenge Cup, and later in the season represented New South Wales to win the King’s Cup.

The Stewards’ Challenge Cup was again retained by a New Zealand crew, this year the reigning national champions from Wanganui Union. They were described as being ‘much superior to their opponents’ by the Association.

The Ladies’ Challenge Cup saw increased competition, and was again won by a South Australian crew, this year Adelaide High School. Mercantile won their first event in several years with victory in the Maiden Eight.

Several entries in the sculls were unable to race, and the event was won by J.C. Hardy of Footscray RC.

Mosman (NSW) defeats Mercantile (VIC) in the Grand

1929

The Regatta - For the third year running, the Regatta was plagued by bad weather. The General Committee resolved to change the Regatta date to the last weekend of November or first weekend of December to ensure better conditions. As a result, gate revenue was less than expected, although an improvement on the previous year. The Governor-General, Lord Stonehaven, was in attendance, although the President of the Association, Sir George Fairbairn, and the Governor of Victoria were absent, the former due to illness. Dancing, fireworks and the enclosure for wounded soldiers continued to be provided.

The Committee attempted to invite the entry of a Canadian crew from British Columbia but to no avail.

Alongside the regular donations to the Lord Mayor’s Hospital Fund, Royal Life Saving Society and St. John Ambulance, the Committee also donated £50 to V.R.A’s construction of a permanent judges’ box to improve conditions for judges.

Sir George Fairbairn, J.M. Semmens and J.M. Macfarlane were again elected to their posts of President, Chairman of the General Committee and Executive Committee respectively. As the former two gentlemen were abroad, A.O. Henty was appointed Acting Chairman of the Executive Committee. Obituaries were issued for the late members W.T. Appleton and W.B. Carmichael.

Racing - The 1929 Regatta had another strong entry list, with 435 competitors and 74 crews, although this was slightly smaller than the previous year. For the first time in several years,there were no New Zealand crews, and interstate entries were limited, with six of the eight events won by Victorian crews. H.R. Pearce, the Olympic champion, had to withdraw from the Yarra Challenge Cup.

The Grand Challenge Cup was returned to a Melbourne club with Hawthorn RC taking victory for the first time. The Ladies’ Challenge Cup suffered from a lack of entries, with a straight final determining Melbourne High School as victors.

top of page