8. Just another regatta... 1960 - 1984

Just another regatta - 1960s to 1990s

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1960

Conditions at the 1960 Regatta were excellent, in contrast to several years of bad weather, and attendance was strong. The Regatta recorded a small profit, as the expenses of the event were covered by the Moomba Committee. The Miss Henley Competition continued as per previous years, and was won by Miss Lorraine Brundell. The Lord Mayor was in attendance, although the Governor of Victoria was not.

M.S. Williams was re-elected Chairman of the Executive and General Committees, and Sir E. Coles re-elected President, with the other serving officers all also re-elected. R.W Thursfield then resigned as Honorary Secretary due to ill-health, and J.A. McBean and D.J. Morgan were appointed Joint Honorary Secretaries. Obituaries were issued for several prominent members of the rowing fraternity: M. Burke, J.B. Sutherland, L.L. Williams, W. Sydney Jones and K. McInerney.

The 1960 Regatta had a strong entry list, with 408 oarsmen competing. Interstate entries were very limited however. There was a continued good entry from state and public schools, and all events from the previous year were contested except the Double Sculls.

Mercantile RC had a successful regatta, winning the Grand, Lord Mayor’s and Ladies’ Challenge Cups. Corio Bay RC successfully retained the Stewards’, and also won the Old Oarsmen’s Challenge Cup for the first time in twelve years. Scotch College won the School Eights once again, and for their first entry at Australian Henley Yarrawonga High School were awarded victory in the School Fours in a row over.

1961

1961

The Regatta once again received a large reimbursement from the Moomba Festival Committee, which resulted in the Regatta recording a surplus of £659. Unlike Regattas past, the substantial portion of income came not from direct charging of entry to the enclosures, but instead through the Moomba Committee.

The Miss Henley Girl Competition was held again, and the YMCA Vikings and Saxons had a flour battle on the river. The President entertained dignitaries in the enclosure, and an evening function was held at the Dorchester Hotel. However, the canoe and motor boat parades of regattas past were not held this year.

Sir E. Coles was re-elected President, M.S. Williams was elected Chairman of the Committees. Obituaries were issued for F.G. Hyett and T. Fogarty.

The 1961 Australian Henley Regatta had a very strong entries list, with 439 competitors racing in 45 events. Whilst the interstate entry was confined to Torrens RC and Adelaide RC from South Australia, there were record entries in the Maiden Eights and Fours events. However, for the first time in the Regatta’s history, the Stewards’ Challenge Cup was not raced due to lack of entries. Also for the first time, the Senior Pairs event was competed in coxless, not coxed, boats.

Mercantile RC dominated the 1961 Regatta, with wins in five events: the Grand, Founders’, Ladies’ and Old Oarsmen’s Challenge Cup, alongside the Maiden Fours. Carey Baptist Grammar School won their first ever event in the School Fours, whilst Scotch College retained the School Eights prize. Racing was reportedly very close, with two dead-heats recorded and the Founders’ final being decided by one foot.

1962

The Subscribers' Enclosure could not be attended this year by the President, Sir Edgar Coles, and the Association reported that ‘arrangements in the Reserve were not to our satisfaction’. Nonetheless, the evening function at the Dorchester Hotel was described as a success, and the Challenge Cups were presented by the Lord Mayor, Sir Maurice Nathan. The Miss Henley Girl competition for 1962 was won by Miss P. Myall.

Sir Edgar Coles was re-elected as President, although then later resigned his position, and a function in his honour was held at the Amateur Sports Club. M.S. Williams was elected Chairman of the Executive and General Committees.

Obituaries were recorded for: J.M. Macfarlane, former President of the Association and founding member of the Executive, R.L. Thwaites, former Vice President of Banks RC, T.C. Nickson, former King’s Cup athlete for NSW, E.E. Akins and J.J. McCullagh.

The 1962 Regatta had a near-record entries list of 469 competitors, alongside the Victorian Amateur Canoe Association races. The Grand Challenge Cup was won by a Melbourne University BC-Banks RC composite, whilst Corio Bay had success in the Stewards’. Jeff Sykes won the Yarra Challenge Cup and Silver Sculls, and Carey Grammar School won the School Eights.

1963

Weather for the 1963 Regatta was very good, and the event was well attended. For the first time in a number of years, houseboats were featured for spectators, and the President entertained a number of guests aboard his vessel. The Henley Girl competition and Vikings and Saxon battle was held again, and an evening function was held at the Dorchester Hotel. A particular highlight of the Regatta this year was the procession of a 16th Century Venetian Gondola craft, on loan from the Italian Consulate in Melbourne. Once again underwritten by the Moomba Committee, the Regatta recorded a surplus of £275.

Sir. B Evans was elected President, with Sir M. Nathan CBE, W.J. Bren, J.M. Macfarlane, W.R. Thursfield and M.S. Williams elected Vice Presidents. M.S. Williams was elected Chairman of the Executive and General Committee, J.A. McBean and D.J.R. Morgan as Honorary Secretaries and R.J. Meredith as Honorary Treasurer.

With 461 competitors entered, the 1963 Australian Henley was one of the largest competitions in the event’s history. 22 clubs were represented, with four interstate entries, and all events except the School Fours were competed for.

Banks RC had victory in the Grand Challenge Cup, beating the Tasmanian state champions Buckingham, recording their first ever non-composite win in the event. Mercantile RC (TAS) were successful in the Stewards' Challenge Cup, also with their first victory in the event. Controversy took place in the Lord Mayor’s Challenge Cup, when the winning crew coxswain did not make the correct weight, resulting in a No Race declaration. Brighton Grammar School won their first victory in the School Eights. The Canoe and Kayak events were revived, which further increased the programme, with five canoe clubs represented.

1964

The 1964 Regatta had pleasant weather, despite predictions of thunderstorms, and attendance was estimated at 10,000. The Lord Mayor was hosted by the President on his houseboat, although as had now been the case for several years the Governor of Victoria was not present. The Henley Girl presentation was made on the Henley staging, sponsored by the Retail Traders’ Association of Victoria, and was won by Miss Jan Sheedy. The YMCA Vikings club conducted a ‘stomp competition’ which ‘contributed a lot of amusement to the spectators’. There were no canoe or motor boat parades however. An evening function was again held at the Dorchester Hotel for the Association and competitors.

The Regatta continued to be supported by the Moomba Committee, and recorded a surplus of £286.

Sir B. Evans DSO was re-elected President, and M.S. Williams was re-elected Chairman of the Executive and General Committees, alongside the other officers. Obituaries were issued for J.T. Duncan, N.S. Muir, S.G. Nash and J.J. Wylie.

The 1964 Regatta entry was by far the largest in Australian Henley’s history at this point. A record 541 competitors raced in 68 events, and included a good interstate entry from New South Wales and Tasmania. Two events were introduced in 1964; the coxless four and lightweight coxed pair, and the junior coxed pair, maiden coxed pair and double scull were all reintroduced after a several year hiatus.

Mercantile RC regained the Grand Challenge Cup, and also had success in the new Coxless Four event. Yarra Yarra RC had victories in the Coxless Pair, Double Scull and Stewards’ in a composite with Melbourne University BC. Xavier College and Dimboola High School won their first events at Australian Henley with wins in the School Eights and Fours respectively.

1965

The Regatta had pleasant weather, was well attended and recorded a profit. The President of the Association entertained guests on his houseboat, and a substantial £250 donation was made by the Retail Traders’ Association. The Miss Henley Competition was again held, and was won by Miss Sandra Calwell. The Committee were pleased to report that the Regatta:

‘maintained our position as the leading Regatta in Australia’.

The Committee was pleased to report that a member of the Association, the Rt. Honourable Lord Casey of Berwick was appointed as Governor General of Australia, and that A.H.G. Clarke was awarded an M.B.E.. Sir Bernard Evans was re–elected President, and M.S. Williams was elected Chairman of the Executive and General Committees. Obituaries were issued for A.W. Massina and B.R. Coningsby.

The 1965 Regatta was similarly sized to the record-breaking previous year, with 538 oarsmen competing from 39 clubs. Interstate clubs were well represented, with crews from Tasmania and New South Wales attending. There was a large variety of events competed for, although the coxless four introduced the previous year was not raced.

Mercantile RC once again dominated the racing, retaining the Grand Challenge Cup and winning the Founders’, Elswick and Ladies’ Challenge Cups. Banks RC also had success winning the Old Oarsmen’s and Lord Mayor’s Challenge Cups. Dimboola High School retained the School Fours title, and St Kevin’s College had success in the School Eights event.

1966

The Association were pleased with the general enthusiasm towards competing at and spectating the Regatta. The President again entertained guests on his houseboat, and the Miss Henley beauty pageant was won by Miss Jill Lillingstone. The Committee noted with regret that the Retail Traders’ Association were unable to provide continued financial support, although the Association’s financial position remained strong, with continued receipts from the Moomba Festival.

Sir Bernard Evans and M.S. Williams were re-elected to their roles as President and Chairman of the Committees respectively. Obituaries were noted for C. Mills and M.J. Last.

The 54th Australian Henley was another record breaking year, with 621 competitors. Whilst the bulk of these comprised boys competing in the Maiden and School Eights, there was also a varied interstate entry amongst the senior events from South Australia and New South Wales. These large numbers indicated the scale of Melbourne schoolboy rowing. For example, Brighton Grammar entered no less than four eights into the School Eights event.

Banks RC took Mercantile RC’s crown to win both the Grand and Stewards’ Challenge Cups. Having won four events the previous year, Mercantile were confined to a single victory in the Old Oarsmen’s Challenge Cup. J.R. Sykes retained the Yarra Challenge Cup for Corio Bay RC, and Haberfield RC were rewarded for their travel to the Regatta with victories in the Senior Coxless Pair and Junior Pair.

1967

The 1967 Regatta had favourable conditions and the Association were pleased with the execution of the event. The Miss Henley competition was won by Miss Pixie Whyte, who won a first prize of a trip to Coolangatta donated by Trans-Australia Airlines. The financial position of the Regatta remained healthy with a balance of $1035.

Obituaries were recorded for former President of the Association C.N. McKay, and former President of Melbourne RC L. Bacash. Sir Bernard Evans was re-elected President and M.S. Williams was re-elected Chairman of the Executive and General Committees.

The 1967 Australian Henley was slightly smaller than the previous two years but still numbered a considerable 535 competitors from Victoria and beyond. Adelaide University won their first victory in the Grand Challenge Cup, becoming the first interstate crew to win the event in twenty years. J.R. Sykes continued his undefeated run in the Yarra Challenge Cup, winning the event for the third time, and Mercantile RC were successful in the Stewards’ and Founders’ Challenge Cups alongside the Senior Coxed Pairs. Ballarat City won their first event in many years in the Maiden Pair, and Geelong Grammar secured their second ever win at Australian Henley with victory in the Lord Mayor’s Challenge Cup.

1968

The 1968 Regatta had houseboats for both the President and the Subscribers of the Association. Guests were entertained on these throughout the day, and the Miss Henley Girl competition was won by Miss Jenny Collier. The first prize was again donated by Trans-Australian Airlines, alongside the second and third place prizes donated by various organisations.

The financial situation of the Association was described in the Annual Report as ‘satisfactory despite rising costs’, with a balance of $951.60, although there was a call for increased support from the majority of Subscribers. Sir Bernard Evans and M.S. Williams were re-elected to their roles, and obituaries were passed for A.H.G. Clarke, A. Spowers, K. Macintosh and G. Anderson.

The 56th Australian Henley Regatta had excellent weather, and a record entries list of 640 competitors. This was 105 more oarsmen than the previous year, and there was representation from South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania and New South Wales.

Adelaide University repeated their victory from the previous Regatta in the Grand Challenge Cup, and P. Edwards of Melbourne RC won the Yarra Challenge Cup and Silver Sculls for the fourth time. The University of Tasmania won their first event at the Regatta, the Ladies’, and Melbourne Grammar retained the School Eights title, alongside also winning the Lord Mayor’s Challenge Cup.

1969

The Regatta day was pleasant and ran smoothly, and was described by the Committee as the ‘best Henley for years’. The first prize for the Miss Henley Girl competition was again provided by Trans-Australia Airlines, and was won by Miss Laurel Walker. As an added bonus, Prestige Ltd were described as having ‘provided panti-hose for all entrants’ to the competition. There were a larger number of guests than the previous year and the President entertained the Lord Mayor and other guests aboard his houseboat

The finances of the Regatta were healthy with the usual $800 donation from the Moomba Festival, bringing the total balance to $1143. Obituaries were recorded for M.C. Dowd and R. Keon-Cohen. Sir Bernard Evans and M.S. Williams were re-elected to their respective roles.

The 1969 Australian Henley was dominated by interstate crews’ victories. There were 569 competitors entered, of whom 79 were interstate oarsmen. Sydney RC had success in the Grand, Yarra and Old Oarsmen’s Challenge Cups, with the crew that won the Grand (although that crew included Mercanitle RC's David Douglashaving recently returned with Australia’s first silver ever medal at the Mexico City Olympic Regatta. New South Wales was further represented with Mosman RC’s success in the Senior Coxless Pair and Lord Mayor’s Challenge Cup, and Glebe RC’s victory in the Maiden Four. Stuart McKenzie won the Yarra Challenge Cup thirteen years after having won it previously in 1956, to congratulations from the Association.

1970

The Regatta conditions were pleasant, and the President hosted the usual guests aboard his houseboat. The Miss Henley Girl competition was won by Miss Coral Houston, who won a trip to Gold Coast donated by Gold Coast City Council and Trans-Australia Airlines. The finances of the Regatta were healthy, with a balance of $1660.92, and the Association was pleased with the interest and competition at the event.

Sir Bernard Evans was re-elected President of the Association, and M.S. Williams was re-elected Chairman of the Executive and General Committees. Obituaries were recorded for J. Mounsey, former Mercantile Captain, G. Stooke and R. White.

The 58th Australian Henley of 1970 was most notable for including for the first time a women’s rowing event, the Ladies’ Jubilee Four. This was won by a crew from the Y.W.C.A. and had 24 competitors. There were 633 competitors entered overall, making this one the largest Regatta’s in the event’s history. There was a good interstate entry, with crews from five states competing. Barwon RC, celebrating their centenary year, were successful in winning four events, and were specifically congratulated by the Association. For the first time in many years, the Victorian Amateur Canoe Association concurrently held a Kayak and Canoe singles and doubles event which also created much interest.

Mercantile RC won the Grand Challenge Cup after a several year hiatus, and also had success in the Founders’ and Old Oarsmen’s events. Melbourne High School defeated private school opposition to win their first victory in the School Eight, whilst Sydney RC defeated the Victorian four to win victory in the Stewards’ Challenge Cup.

<1971>

The Association were pleased with the interest for the 1971 Regatta, and the conditions for the event were described as ‘ideal’. The President once again entertained guests from the Moomba Festival Board and Councillors of the City of Melbourne, and the Miss Henley competition was won by Lisa Parker. Whilst the balance of the Association remained a healthy $1,151.34, concerns were expressed over rising costs.

Sir Bernard Evans was re-elected President, and M.S. Williams was re-elected Chairman of the committees. Obituaries were noted for J. McBean, S. Stewart, B. Kirsch, former Vice President of Melbourne RC, and W. Turnbull.

The 59th Australian Henley was record breaking in its entry. 758 oarsmen, ‘36 lady oarsmen’ and 177 kayakers and canoeists were entered into the Regatta. There were interstate entries from New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania, and for the second year in succession there was a Ladies’ Open Four event, won by this year won by Ryde RC from New South Wales.

Monash University RC dominated the winnings at the Regatta, with victory in the Grand Challenge Cup for the first time, alongside the Stewards’ and Elswick events. The Association specifically praised the Monash oarsmen who doubled up to win both the Grand and Stewards’. J.R. Sykes was successful in the Yarra Challenge Cup for the fourth time representing Corio Bay RC, and Melbourne University had success in the Ladies’ Challenge Cup and Lightweight Coxed Pair.

1972

The weather for the 1972 Regatta was described as ‘not promising’ in the morning but improved in the afternoon to ‘a pleasant 75 degrees’. The President entertained guests including the Lord Mayor and Melbourne City Councillors, although it is unclear if the President’s houseboat was still a feature. The Miss Henley girl competition was won by Miss Leisa Parker, who won a trip to Fiji donated by Qantas Airways.

The Executive Challenge Cup was introduced as the perpetual trophy for the Maiden Four events, which was engraved with the names of the Presidents, Secretaries and Treasurers since the foundation of the Regatta in 1903.

A loss was incurred at the Regatta, due to what the Committee described as ‘increased costs and lack of support in the Subscribers Reserve’, leaving a balance of $842.19. Sir Bernard Evans was re-elected as President, and M.S. Williams was re-elected Chairman of the Committee. Obituaries were recorded for Cr. W.J. Brens, Dr. R.A. Cooper, H.N. Cooper, K.H. Boykett, H.R. Duncan, K. Miller, A.G. Lindblade and J.N. Robertson.

The 1972 Australian Henley yet again surpassed previous entries records, with an entry of 929 competitors, including ‘16 lady oarswomen’ and 9 scullers. There were 121 interstate oarsmen racing from New South Wales. The Grand Challenge Cup was won by a M.U.B.C.-Monash-Yarra Yarra composite who defeated competition from Mercantile RC and Xavier College. Mercantile RC were successful in the Stewards’ Challenge Cup, although the club only won one event this year. Barwon RC had victory in the Coxless Pair and Junior Pairs, and Mosman RC (NSW) were rewarded for their interstate journey with wins in the Lord Mayor’s and Ladies’ Challenge Cups. Melbourne Grammar School won the School Eights Division 1 title from Xavier College, and R.M. Reddell from Haberfield RC won the Yarra Challenge Cup and Silver Sculls for the first time.

1973

The 61st Australian Henley had ‘excellent’ rowing conditions, and guests were once again entertained on the President’s houseboat, which was granted by the Moomba Festival. Miss Merita Lawlor was crowned Miss Henley 1973, and won return flights with Ansett Airlines. Provision was made in the programme for canoe and kayak events but due to other commitments they were unable to compete. The finances of the Regatta recovered and the balance was a healthy $1,520.35.

At the Annual General Meeting of the Association, Sir Bernard Evans was re-elected President, and M.S. Williams Chairman of the Committees. However, M.S.Williams, a former President of the Victorian Rowing Association, Vice President of Mercantile RC and Chairman of the Committees of the Association for many years subsequently passed away. Obituaries were published for himself and also N.P. Kerrigan.

The 1973 Regatta had another impressively large entries list of 881 rowers, of whom 105 were from interstate clubs, a number just short of the previous year’s record breaking numbers. Two crews from the Royal Military College, Duntroon, were competing for the first time, and won the Lord Mayor’s Challenge Cup. Mercantile RC won the Grand Challenge Cup for the first time in several years, and Melbourne University BC had victoriesin the Ladies’ Challenge Cup, Senior and Junior Pairs. For the first time, there were multiple heats of the Ladies’ Open Four, which was once again won by the Y.W.C.A., indicating increasing interest amongst female competitors in racing at Australian Henley.

1974

In light of the absence of an Annual Report, the results for this regatta are incomplete and based on cross referencing from previous years' crew lists.

1975

Similar to the 1974 Regatta, no annual report exists and results are based from the programme and cross referencing, leading to incomplete results.

1976

No Annual Report - winning crews are based off programme markings and cross reference to later years

1978

Sadly, the abcontinued absence of an annual report means that event records are incomplete. Where new records come to light, they will be added by the editors.

1979

The 1980s

1980

1982

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