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Robert L Wickenden

Glebe Rowing Club (NSW) then Sydney Rowing Club (NSW)

Bob commenced his rowing career with the Glebe Rowing Club where he learned hos rowing craft. He is noted in the Club's history as one of their only twelve oarsmen racing in 1977 but they were very successful in third grade events that season. In 1978 he came to prominence figuring in second place at both the NSW and National Championships in second grade events.

Clearly his ambitions were higher than second grade events and so joined the in form club at that time, namely Sydney Rowing Club. By 1981, he was a NSW and Victorian Eight Oared Champion. He repeated the NSW Championship in 1982 and 1983.

He caught the eyes of the NSW selectors in 1982 being selected into the NSW King's Cup squad. Sadly he had to settle with the emergency position that year.

Bob retired from elite rowing at the conclusion of the 1983 season.

As an aside Bob was a great squash player who represented NSW in that sport.

1980 National Championships
Bow: Bob Wickenden, 2: Murray Ross, 3: Kirk Olsson, Str: Jim Stride

1981 NSW and Victorian Champion Eight with Robert in two seat

1982 NSW Champion Eight with Bob third from the left

Known rowing races

1978 - On or before this date joined Glebe Rowing Club

1979 - NSW Championships Second Grade Pair - Second

1979 - National Championships, Second Grade Pair - Second

1979 - Joined Sydney Rowing Club and won second grade races and an open four

1980 - National Championships, men's four, two seat - Fourth

1981 - NSW Championships, men's eight, two seat - First

1981 - Victorian Championships, men's eight, two seat - First

1981 - Riverview Gold Cup, two seat - First

1982 - NSW Championships, men's eight, five seat - First

1982 - Interstate Championships, King's Cup - emergency

1983 - Riverview Gold Cup, six seat - First

1983 - NSW Championships, Men's Eight, six seat - First

1983 - National Championships, men's pair, stroke - Finalist

1983 - National Championships, men's four, two seat - Second

Andrew Guerin
January 2026

Sources:

This website
The Boathouse on Blackwattle Bay, Glebe Rowing Club 1879-1993 by Max Solling published by Glebe RC in 1993
Sydney Rowing Club annual reports 1981-83 - black & white images sourced from those reports
Conversation with Anthony Brown
Colour image from the Hebfotos collection

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
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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.