Home > Rowing Profiles > Jelbart, James M (Kim)

James M (Kim) Jelbart

Melbourne University Boat Club (VIC)

4/5/1937 – 10/4/2024

Kim is a member of the famous Melbourne University rowing clan, the Jelbarts. His father Ron was rower and sculler and represented Victoria in the President's Cup in 1930.

Kim rowed for Trinity and MUBC before winning a King's Cup in 1958. His father Ron was the MUBC senior coach in 1959-60 season. Kim organised a four to trial for the Rome Olympics in 1960 and it was coached by his father Ron. The crew was successful in gaining selection. Ron remained as coach but was not a member of the team.

Kim's rowing was described by Arthur Adams, one of his peers, as been high rating and always hard.

The following tribute was posted in The Age on 16th April 2024 - Devoted and much loved husband of Mary Lou and father of Serena and Philippa. Loyal brother of Ian and Meredith. Caring father-in-law of Barnaby, brother-in-law of Christine, Michael and Christopher and proud grandfather of Fergus. Loved and respected uncle of Maya, Jessica, Stella and Alex. The most honourable of men

1958 Victorian King's Cup crew - Kim in five seat

1958 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship five seat – First

1959 - Victorian Men's Eight Championship, stroke - Second

1960 – Olympic Games – Men’s Coxless Four stroke – eliminated in repechage

Andrew Guerin
June 2021 (updated April 2024 following advice of his passing)

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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 - 2025
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