John N Robertson
Mercantile Rowing Club (VIC)
Father of W Malcolm I Robertson, a prominent Mercantile Rowing lightweight of the 1970s and 1980s.
The following obituary appeared in the Club's 1971-72 annual report.
John Robertson, in his younger days, was an accomplished and versatile oarsman and won many lightweight, maiden and junior races.
He was a student of physical fitness, and on a number of occasions stepped into a crew which had been upset by illness.
He took part in all Club activities, was interested in administration and for some years acted as treasurer.
During recent years, owing to pressure of business and failing health, he rarely visited the Clubhouse.
The following was written by Malcolm Robertson, a relative of John in his essay The Rowing Robertsons in April 2025:
In 1976, Malcolm went on to row with the Mercantile Rowing Club. Mercantile was the club that his father, John Norman Robertson, had rower for over many years. To quote Malcolm, “during this time, my father met his future brother in law (Alan) and rowed pairs, 4 and 8s with him. Alan introduced John to his sister Margaret Patricia Kohn (my future mother) and they soon got married.”
Extracted by Andrew Guerin
February 2023 (updated May 2025)