A Max Cunningham
Swan River Rowing Club (WA)
Cunningham's first King's Cup was eventful for all the wrong reasons. Bill Cooper reports in his WA Rowing history "Home and Dry" published in 2008 as follows.
The King’s Cup was rowed over three miles at Penrith, with the Western Australian crew in a new boat built by Ninham and christened by Association president Jack Howson’s wife Elizabeth in March. The race was both dramatic and disappointing for, during the second mile, Max Cunningham in the four-seat experienced a partial blackout. The crew battled on, however, with the prospect of victory still real until, with 300 yards to row, Cunningham collapsed completely, creating a domino effect upon Francis, Lowry and Child, who all had to stop rowing. The stern four were left to bring the boat home, going down to Victoria by a little over a length. According to Robert Jeffreys, who was there at the time: … the Western Australian crew had shown by its good performance in coming second under difficulties at Penrith last Saturday that it was a good crew. With its knowledge of local conditions, it might win next year.
His success in 1960 left this episode as a dim memory.
Sadly Max died in December 2025. WA Councillor to Rowing Australia Craig James reflected that Max was a keen all-round sportsman all his life (rowing, tennis, sailing, golf, basketball, Australian Football), but rowing was his life-long interest. He coached at numerous lubs and boys and girls schools in WA and Queensland for over 30 years. Max was gregarious and always open to a chat.
1953 - PSA Head of the River, First Crew (Aquinas) - Third
1954 - PSA Head of the River, First Crew (Aquinas) - Second
1958 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship four seat – Second
1960 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship four seat – First
1960 - Olympic Games - Men’s Eight Four seat - eliminated in repechage
Max in the four seat of the winning 1960 WA crew
Andrew Guerin
June 2021 (update in December 2025 upon his death)