L W Bell
Melbourne Rowing Club (VIC) then I Zingari Rowing Club (VIC)
Bell was a notable early rower in Victoria representing his Colony in Intercolonial competitions both as a sculler and as a sweep oarsman. Whilst Bell mostly raced for Melbourne Rowing Club, there appears to be a Ballarat connection as he raced for Ballarat at one regatta with J F Eddington who hailed from Ballarat. They both raced later for I Zingari Rowing Club in 1875.
The Intercolonial races in which he raced were not the formal races that followed and perhaps were not of sufficient nature to be called Intercolonial Championships. The sculling race contained no representatives of other colonies and the fours race was conducted at the Balmain Regatta in Sydney. The latter was intercolonial in the sense of having a Victorian crew competing, but not of the character of a championship.
The I Zingari Rowing Club is of interest as there was a similarly named club in Adelaide which subsequently changed its name to Adelaide Rowing Club. Quoting from the I Zingari Australia website, some interesting background is found.
I Zingari which translates from Italian as "The Gypsies" is one of the worlds oldest cricket clubs, founded in England in 1845, as an amateur wondering club' intent on spreading the game far and wide. I Zingari Australia, was founded in Sydney in 1888 and was given permission to use the name and colours of the English club three years later It is the oldest social cricket club in New South Wales. The Colours of IZ are Black, Red and Gold and it has become commonly acknowledged that "Out of darkness, through fire, into light" is the foundation upon which the Colours of IZ are built. It is said to be most important that the Colours should always be worn showing the Gold at the top.
Why were rowing clubs in Australia formed under the same name? Whilst this is unclear, it is likely that these rowing clubs were comprised of members not connected by domicile or trade or profession, as were members of other rowing clubs, hence the Gypsy connection. It is also likely that the membership comprised those who could afford the luxury of recreation and sought the rowing company of others similarly placed. Bell's win in the Challenge Pairs in 1875 was with his Ballarat friend J F Eddington, who had probably moved to Melbourne where I Zingari was based. One of the Club's better known members was famous Melbourne detective and sportsman, J M Christie.
The Victorian club was formed in Melbourne and probably in 1875. It was a foundation club of the Victorian Rowing Association formed in 1876, but did not survive long. The last reference to this club is in 1877. The notion of a Gypsy style rowing club is incompatible with a sport requiring equipment and boathouse.
Known rowing record
1870 - Melbourne Regatta, Maiden Pair, stroke - First
1870 - Ballarat Regatta, Junior Scull - First
1871 - Melbourne Regatta, Junior Scull - First
1871 - Melbourne Regatta, Junior Four, stroke - First
1872 - Melbourne Regatta, Senior Gig, two seat - First
1872 - Intercolonial Fours, three seat - Third
1873 - Melbourne Regatta, Senior Gig, two seat - First
1873 - Geelong Regatta, Senior Four, two seat (with Ballarat RC)
1873 - Intercolonial Sculls - Second
1875 - Ballarat Regatta, Senior Sculls - First (Raced for I Zingari RC)
1875 - Melbourne Regatta, Challenge Pairs, stroke - First (Raced for I Zingari RC)
Andrew Guerin
2020 (updated April 2026)