9. The Richardson Years - 1985 onwards to the World Cup

The Richardson Years - Revitalisation and World Cups

Victorian Rowing Association President Hon. Hubert Frederico was concerned with the falling status of the Australian Henley Regatta. He was also a good friend of Rosemary Richardson and knew her drive, professional organisational skills, ability to influence and engage people and her devotion to the sport. 'Freddy' approached Rosemary in 1984 about taking over the regatta and bringing back some its former glory. Rosemary had a very high regard for 'Freddy', and fortuitously for the sport and the regatta, she agreed.¹ Rosemary did insist that Freddy be an ex-officio member of the Committee of the regatta.

By way of background, Rosemary gained many useful skills for her role with Australian Henley during her working life as a director of the Australian American Association. She dealt and engaged with dignitaries on both sides of the Pacific and retained their confidence. Her role included partnering visiting dignitaries to functions. The role suited her superb dress sense and she dressed impeccably in this role. She would also organise perfect diplomatic functions at a drop of a hat, and equally well, a booze up for visiting American sailors.

Thus began a restoration of the regatta as a premier rowing and social event. It would lead to international crews racing at the regatta and the hosting of a televised World Cup sculling event.

1985

An interim committee to run the 1985 regatta was formed by Rosemary Richardson in August 1984. They maintained that title until fresh elections took place at the annual general meeting in 1985.

The vision of revitalising the regatta was clearly stated in the annual report, namely to:  restore it to its previous position as one of the leading events on the Australian rowing and social calendar.

The annual report lamented that it was not possible to provide facilities for a Subscribers' Reserve for the 1985 Henley; it was planned to remedy this situation for the 1986 Regatta.  Not all was disappointing as the interim committee arranged a most successful pre-regatta Cocktail Party at theVictorian Arts Centre on 18th February 1985. Rosemary Richardson knew that the social side of the regatta was important and the Victorian rowing community embraced it. It was designed on a lavish style compared to usual rowing events with the invitation stylishly printed on card. Despite a minor loss on the event and the substantial cost of trophies, the Association recorded a modest surplus for the year.

As it sought to raise standards in all matters the annual general meeting was conducted in a meeting room in the  Victorian Arts Centre.

The regatta was conducted on Saturday 2nd March 1985 in excellent conditions. A full copy of the 1985 regatta program can be found through this link. The Committee restored the regatta  cover to the pre WWII design.

There were 251 entries for 1526 competitors despite the regatta being conducted on the same day as a National  Selection Regatta. As a result three of the Challenge Cups were not presented due to a lack of entries in these senior events.

There was also no Miss Henley Girl competition. A leisure scull was donated by Sargent and Burton Ptd. Ltd., which was awarded to Mercantile RC for winning the Grand Challenge Cup. The Committee proposed modifications to the 1903 Constitution to amend the structure of the Association.

 Mercantile RC retained the Grand Challenge Cup, and also had success in the Executive and Founders’ Challenges Cups, alongside the Youth Eights and Junior Sculls. Caulfield Grammar School won the Division 1 School Eight, whilst Melbourne University Ladies won the Ladies' Open Eight. Peter Antonie won the Yarra Challenge Cup and Silver Sculls for the first time, beginning what would become a long run of success in the event.

1986

As part of the revitalisation of the regatta, the Lieutenant Governor and father of Olympic rower Tim, The Hon. Sir John Young, KCMG agreed to be the President of the Association. The regatta was beginning to regain its former patronage of eminent Victorians.

It should be noted that the Committee sought to lift the status of subscribers and provide them with badges and other recognition.

As promised, a fenced regatta enclosure for subscribers was provided. The regatta was conducted on 1st March 1986 and a full copy of the 1986 regatta program can be found through this link.

 Sir John Young presenting the Grand Challenge Cup to Mercantile Rowing Club's stroke, Alan Borger 

The records from the 1986 Regatta are incomplete, and have been compiled from previous reports. The editors would welcome correspondence with fuller results and recollections.

1987

The Regatta was marred by heavy rainfall, with 30.6mm of rain over the course of the day. Despite this, afternoon tea was still provided in the Subscribers' Reserve. The engagement with the Melbourne City Council was renewed and the Lord Mayor Cr. Trevor Huggard presented the Lord Mayor's Challenge Cup. As promised, the social side of the regatta again lifted with an outstanding 75th annual regatta commemorative dinner organised by Rosemary Richardson at the Victorian Arts Centre. Every aspect of the dinner was undertaken with great skill and quality - the toasts and response, the memorable and engaging speech by the guest speaker Professor Geoffrey Blainey and menu. Even the menu cards were exquisitely designed and printed.

The Regatta recorded a loss due to poor programme sales resulting from lower attendance and increasing costs of providing individual trophies. However, the increasing assets of the Regatta meant that the balance of the Association remained healthy.

The annual report sadly noted the deaths of prominent subscribers Doug C L Brooke, Jack Coglan, R. G. Harding, A. J. Haslam, T. B. McKay, Ron March and Deane Morgan. Many of these people had played key roles in the Association. Given the growing scale of the event, a new constitution was adopted and the Association incorporated as a limited company. This task was led by Hon. Solicitor Andrew Guerin.

The 75th Australian Henley had a very large entries list of 1733 competitors racing over 161 events. Mercantile RC again dominated the winnings, with success in the Grand, Stewards’ and Founders’ Challenge Cups, alongside winning the Junior Four and Youth Eight.

Future Olympic sculler and 1988 Henley Royal Regatta Diamond Sculls winner Hamish McGlashan won his first Silver Sculls at the Regatta from a field of 19 entries, whilst Geelong College won the School Eight Division 1 event. Melbourne University Ladies RC retained the women's Open Eight championship, and Wesley College had success in the schoolgirl events. There was no race in the Old Oarsmen’s Challenge Cup for Lightweight Eights due to lack of entries.

In the absence of a Regatta programme, the table below includes winners only.

Hamish McGlashan pictured in 1988

1988

The 1988 Regatta was approved as an "Endorsed Australian Bicentennial Activity" and had near perfect conditions. The regatta grew yet again with a huge lift in sponsorships, and in particular, the Association's inaugural major sponsor British Airways. They donated two Club World return tickets to attend Henley Royal Regatta in July 1988 as a Bicentennial gesture to link Australian Henley and Henley Royal Regatta. This became the major prize in a raffle to raise funds for the regatta. Other similarly attractive prizes were added and a successful raffle resulted. It was the start of an important association with British Airways. As a result, the finances grew significantly and members' funds grew 50% to $30,000 at year end. The regatta now had sufficient funds to expand further.

On the social side, the pre-regatta function was the Cocktail Party held at the Victorian Arts Centre which was attended by 156 subscribers and guests. It thus grew yet again in popularity becoming Victorian rowing's major annual social event. The Subscribers' Reserve also improved in popularity and style. Obituaries were noted for N.A. Gibbs, R.J. Jelbart and N.J. Spalding.

The 76th Australian Henley had a very large entries list of 1801 competitors racing in 174 events. >The regatta was conducted Saturday 5th March 1988 and a full copy of the 1988 regatta program can be found through this link. There were however no interstate entries for the first time in many years, and also no lightweight entries, resulting in no races for the Ladies’ and Old Oarsmen’s Challenge Cups

Mercantile RC dominated the senior events entering a record five eights into the Grand Challenge Cup, which they won alongside the Stewards' Challenge Cup. Peter Antonie representing Melbourne University BC won the Yarra Challenge Cup and Silver Sculls for the third time, and Geelong Grammar School had victory in the School Eight Division 1. Melbourne University Ladies RC had continued success at the Regatta, winning the Open Eights, Senior A Fours and Senior B Fours events, with Geelong Grammar School also having success in the Schoolgirl races.

The Regatta poster, which became a regular feature of the regatta.

1989

The 1989 Australian Henley had a slightly smaller entries list than the previous year, in part due to a clash with Australian Selection Trials, but still numbered a large 1697 competitors. Unlike the previous year, there were several interstate entries, with Sandy Bay RC (TAS) winning the Stewards' Challenge Cup. Monash University won the coveted Grand hallenge Cup, and also had representation in the composite crew that won the Founders’ Challenge Cup. Melbourne University BC were successful in the Elswick and Lord Mayor’s Challenge Cups, whilst Mercantile RC retained the Youth Eight title. Scotch College won the Schoolboy Eight Division 1 for the first time in many years.

In the women’s events, a composite crew won the Open Eights, and unlike the previous years’ of Melbourne University Ladies dominance, events were won by a variety of clubs including Wendouree Ballarat, Power House and Western Australian Institute of Sport. Geelong College won the senior schoolgirl event, the School Fours Division 1.

For the second year running, the Regatta had British Airways as its primary sponsor, which ensured the financial health and prosperity of the Regatta and Association. The pre-Regatta function was a Dinner at the Victorian Arts Centre, where a raffle was held, with a first prize of two Club World tickets to London. Partly due to this sponsorship, the balance of the Association was a healthy $9,950.85.

A fenced enclosure was erected for over 200 Subscribers and their guests, where refreshments were served, although temperatures were very hot rising to 38°C. The Committee were pleased with increased interstate entries compared to the previous year. R.H. Richardson was elected Chairman of the Committee, and Sir John Young remained as President. Obituaries were noted for J.H. Bailey, R.S. Bolton, J.J. O’Neill, J.G.H. Sprigg and J. Trengrove.

1990

The 78th Australian Henley not only set a record for the largest entries list in the Regatta’s history, with 2269 competitors, but it was also distinguished by entries from five international clubs. For the first time since 1934, when London Rowing Club (GBR) won the Grand Challenge Cup, international crews competed for the Grand and Founders’ Challenge Cups. These were: University of London BC (GBR), Rowing Centre Dortmund (GER), Boston Rowing Centre (USA) and the universities of Waseda and Keio (JPN).

All the events were, however, won by Australian crews, with Mercantile RC winning back the Grand having lost the previous year. Yarra Yarra RC had a very successful regatta, winning no less than four events; the Lord Mayor’s and Executive Challenge Cups, and the Women’s Intermediate and Youth Fours. Peter Antonie won the Yarra Challenge Cup for the fourth time, and the Australian national team won the Women’s Open Eight defeating the incumbent holders Melbourne University Ladies BC.

The 1990 Regatta had been an endeavour by the Association ‘to give Victorian and Australian rowing a boost by inviting international crews to compete at Australian Henley’. The costs were significant; nearly $60,000 was donated to the British, German and American clubs competing for travel costs. Due to continued support by British Airways and other sponsors, the Association balance ended with $22,705, and the Committee hoped international representation ‘shall have far-reaching effects at future regattas’.

The Subscriber’s reserve at the Regatta was doubled in size, and excellent conditions enabled guests to enjoy both the racing and refreshments. The pre-Regatta Dinner was held at the Great Hall of the National Gallery, due to the large number of attendees, where the customary raffle was drawn with first prize being two Club World tickets to London.

R.H. Richardson was re-elected Chairman of the Committee, with Sir John Young A.C. K.C.M.G. remaining President of the Association. Obituaries were noted for subscribers H.J. Trebilcock and K.S. Cusworth.

1991

The 79th Australian Henley Regatta had 1990 competitors entered, which whilst not as numerous as the previous year, was still one of the largest Regattas in the event’s history. For the second year in a row, there were a number of international entries at the invitation of the Association. These included Steven Redgrave, later Sir Steven Redgrave C.B.E., from Leander Club and Thomas Lange from Halle Sports Club Germany, the latter winning the Yarra Challenge Cup, alongside Klaipeda Rowing Centre Lithuania who won the Stewards’ Challenge Cup.

Mercantile RC successfully retained the Grand Challenge Cup, and also won the Founders’ Challenge Cup and Junior Eight. Banks RC won multiple events for the first time in several years, winning the Youth Eight and Elswick Challenge Cup, and Essendon RC also won two events, the Executive and Lord Mayor’s Challenge Cups. There were fewer Women’s events this year, with no Senior A Eight or A Four events. Geelong College won all of the Junior and Schoolgirl events, with the Open Scull won by S. Herold from Melbourne RC.

British Airways continued to support the Regatta as the main sponsor, which enabled the invitation of international athletes, alongside the erection of the Subscribers’ Reserve for the benefit of guests to view the racing. The pre-regatta dinner was held at the Victorian Arts Centre, where the raffle was drawn with first prize of two Club World tickets to London.

Due to the costs of inviting international competitors, and increased costs of running the regatta, the Association had a balance of $5,395.16. Obituaries were noted for J. Rawson and E.F. McKenna. R.H. Richardson continued in his role as Chairman of the Committee, and Sir John Young continued as President of the Association.

1992

The 80th Australian Henley had 1683 competitors entered, with 259 crews competing. Again, with financial assistance provided by primary sponsor British Airways, several international crews journeyed to compete at the Regatta. Klaipeda Rowing Centre, Lithuania, won the Grand Challenge Cup for the first time, whilst Keio University of Japan won the Lord Mayor’s Challenge Cup.

University of California Berkeley, in the club’s first race at the Regatta, won the Senior A Pairs. Peter Antonie won the Yarra Challenge Cup for the fifth time, whilst Mercantile RC won the Founders’, Old Oarsmen’s and Ladies’ ChallengeCups. There was no race in the Stewards’ Challenge Cup due to lack of entries.

The Women’s events were again limited at the Regatta. Geelong College won the School Four Division 1, but there were no Senior A sculling or sweeping events this year.

The Association were pleased that the Regatta continued to attract international entries, and were grateful for sponsors, in particular British Airways, in supporting this element of the Regatta. The balance of the Association was a healthy $4,595.21, although the Committee remained concerned about the rising costs of running the Regatta.

Despite this, the Subscribers' Reserve was once again erected and was enjoyed by members and their guests. The pre-Regatta function was held at the Victorian Arts Centre, where the raffle first prize of two Club World return tickets to London was once again drawn by the British Airways Victoria/Tasmania Sales Manager. Further prizes of Oneida Lifetime Silverplate cutlery and a Hunt Leather attache and briefcase were also won.

J.S. Rowe A.M. was elected Chairman of the Committee, taking over from R.H. Richardson.Sir John Young remained President of the Association. Obituaries were noted for Subscribers N.F. Wilkinson B.E.M., W.P. Escott, J.E. Fallon, J.G. Parr, C.F. Raven, T.E. Mulcahy and R.J. Nankervis.

1993

The 81st Australian Henley Regatta was also, for the first time in the Southern Hemisphere, a FISA World Cup Race for single sculls. The Regatta was the first in a series of seven World Cup regattas for scullers to compete in throughout 1993, and therefore in addition to the 1660 competitors at Australian Henley, there were 54 entries from Australian and international scullers. The other highlight of the entries list was two British crews, Oxford University Boat Club in the Grand Challenge Cup and Eton College in the Senior A Pairs, who were assisted by primary sponsor British Airways in their journey to the Regatta.

The Australian Institute of Sport beat local and international competition to win the Grand Challenge Cup. Mercantile RC won the Founders’ and Ladies’ Challenge Cups, alongside the Senior A Pair. Newington College from New South Wales competed at the Regatta for the first time and won the Schoolboy Eight Divisions 1 and 2. Peter Antonie won the FISA World Cup race for Melbourne University BC, bringing his wins of the Yarra Challenge Cup to a total of six.

The Women’s events had greater competition in comparison to previous years, with the Victorian Institute of Sport winning the Open Eight, and Adelaide University BC winning the Senior C and Intermediate Fours events. Brenda Lawson from New Zealand won the FISA World Cup Single Scull.

The addition of the FISA World Cup and international crews ensured that the Subscriber’s Reserve and Luncheon Marquee was well attended, alongside the pre-Regatta dinner held at the Melbourne Hilton hotel. The customary raffle was drawn at the dinner, with first prize drawn by Mr K. McLean of British Airways.

The Association remained financially healthy, ending the year with a balance of $783.90. British Airways continued to donate significant sums to the Association, this year providing $13,055 alongside the Club World raffle tickets prize. $82,347.97 was spent on hosting the World Cup scullers, although this was mostly offset by sponsorship for the event. The Association continued to hold assets worth $38,967.90.

J.S. Rowe and Sir John Young continued to serve as Chairman of the Committee and President of the Association respectively. Obituaries were noted for J. Evans, A. Parr, F.G. Rickards and G.H. Smith.

1994

This year was a sad one for the regatta as after 10 years at the helm, Rosemary Richardson retired from the management of the regatta at the 1994 annual general meeting. Hers was a superb contribution and was supported so well by her husband Roland to rowing and specifically to the regatta. She demonstrated to the rowing world what could be done and it was remarkable. It was a great example of how a combination of her skills, great influencing ability, determination, persistence, imagination, financial expertise and superb organisation, can achieve the impossible. After 10 testing years, she and Roland needed a rest

The following letter from Victorian Rowing Association President Hubert Frederico summed up the views of all rowers.

- The 1994 Australian Henley Regatta continued to attract varied international entries from the United Kingdom, Japan and Denmark, with 77 international competitors. There were 1660 total entries, which whilst not as large as Regattas in recent history, was still a significant entries list. The Regatta also had the largest Women’s entry in the event’s history.

The Grand Challenge Cup, redesignated as the ‘Elite Eight’, was won by a Mercantile RC-Melbourne University BC composite crew, as was the Stewards’ Challenge Cup. Banks RC were successful in the Founders’ and Ladies’ Challenge Cup, the latter of which had been re-assigned to the Youth Eight from Lightweight C Four, whilst Peter Antonie won his seventh Yarra Challenge Cup and the Silver Sculls title. The Victorian Women’s Eight won the Women’s Elite Eight, and Adelaide University BC had success in the Intermediate Eights and Fours.

For the seventh year, British Airways was the primary sponsor of the Regatta, with the Association once again thanking the company for their donation of $15,880 for the year. This was alongside the raffle first prize, which was drawn at the pre-Regatta function held at the Victorian Arts Centre. Significant sums were spent on international and interstate crews’ expenses, alongside smaller donations to local clubs, with a final balance of $1191.09 and assets of $27,144.09.

The Subscribers' Reserve and Luncheon Marquee was well patronised, and the Challenge Cups were presented in the Reserve by the President and other sponsors. J.S. Rowe A.M. was re-elected Chairman of the Committee, with Sir James Gobbo A.C. elected President. Sir John Young A.C. K.C.M.G. was made Patron of the Association, stepping down from his Presidency. Obituaries were issued for G.H. Taylor, Judge Howden, H.H. Yoffa A.M. and G. Plant.

Footnotes

1. Conversations with the author with both Rosemary Richardson and Hon. Hubert Frederico. 
2. 1985 MARA annual report

 

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