Iris Atkinson (nee Pike)

Sydney Women's Rowing Club (NSW) - now called Abbotsford Rowing Club

Whilst a successful rower, Iris' contribution is best known for her lifetime administrative support of women's rowing. Her rowing achievements listed below provide some insights into this superb contributor to the sport.

The following profile of Iris is contained in the introduction of Rose Evans book "Sixty Years of Women's Rowing 1920-1980, self published in 1980.

This history of women's rowing would be incomplete without mention of one of Rose's closest friends and colleagues, Iris (Pike) Atkinson. Iris joined the Western Suburbs Ladies Rowing Club (now Sydney Women's) in 1921 and became one of its most dedicated and active members. Through the years Iris held the positions of Club Captain and Club Secretary and served as the Club President for 25 years.

While achieving much together, Rose and Iris did not always see "eye to eye". The wearing apparel in the 1920's was black bloomers and stockings, a white pique jumper with a sailor collar and a white starched hat. A black skirt was worn to the club each Saturday over this apparel, everyone being expected to arrive at the club in uniform. The skirt was worn to the edge of the pontoon and neatly dropped before stepping into the boat.

Rose tried to introduce shorts which had just come into vogue but Iris, as Club Captain, was adamant that bloomers would stay. This dispute continued until Iris had to take her annual leave. When she returned, she found that the members had been called to a special meeting and "brainwashed" into accepting shorts fully 2 inches above the knee.

Iris was also one of the founders of the N.S.W. Women's Rowing Association. She is a Life Member of Sydney Women's Rowing Club. She has worked constantly for women's rowing and is still contributing her valuable experience through the N.S.W. Union of Ex-Oarswomen.

Summary of rowing contribution

Hon. Secretary, Captain and for 25 years President of Sydney Women's Rowing Club

1925 - Interstate Championships, Women's Four, three seat - Third

1928 - Interstate Championships, Women's Four, 3 seat - First

1928-35 - Hon. Secretary NSW Ladies' Rowing Association

1929 - Interstate Championships, Women's Four, bow seat - Second

1936-64 - Hon. Secretary Australian Ladies' Rowing Council

Key administrator within the NSW Women's Rowing Association and the NSW Union of ex-oarswomen

1925 NSW crew training in Sydney - Iris thought to be 3rd from right

The Australasian 23rd April 1925 - NSW crew top left with Iris in three seat.

Andrew Guerin
November 2024

Sources

This website
Sixty Years of Women's Rowing 1920-80 by Rose Evans, self published in 1980 and presnetd by the NSW Union of Ex-Oarswomen. The original manuscript is held in the Mitchel Library
Abbotsford Rowing Club website - https://www.abbotsfordrc.org.au/about/club-history, extracted 8th November 2024
Trove - AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S FOUR-OARED CHAMPIONSHIP, ROWED AT ALBERT PARK, MELBOURNE, ON APRIL 18. (1925, April 25). The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic. : 1864 - 1946), p. 66 (METROPOLITAN EDITION). Retrieved November 8, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140773643.

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, errors may exist. Please send advice of any errors or inaccuracies by email to:

Also your comments, suggestions and photos are sought to enhance this site.

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
These contents of this history are copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted by the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission. However given that the purpose of the history is to assist rowers and rowing clubs, written permission is not required for non-commercial usage by rowers and rowing clubs provided acknowledgement is made.

Disclaimer: Whilst extensive efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information supplied, the editors take no responsibility for any loss or damage whatsoever arising from inaccuracies contained in this work.