Edward M (Jim) Wilson
Yarra Yarra Rowing Club (VIC)
Edward Murray (Jim) Wilson, born 27 January 1925
Joined the club in 1943 and passed away 26 August 2008.
Committee, 1950/51, 1961/62, Vice-captain 1951/52 to 1952/53
Captain 1953/54 to 1959/60,
Treasurer, 1960/61
Vice president 1962/63, 1965/66 to 1968/69, 1972/73 to 1976/77
President, 1969/70 to 1971/72
Life member from 1968/69
Wins recorded:-
1949 - Royal Hobart regatta, maiden four (bow)
1949 - Sale regatta, maiden eight (bow)
1951 - V.R.A. regatta, junior eight (bow)
1951 - Lake Colac regatta, junior four (bow)
1951 - Camperdown regatta, lightweight four (3)
1952 - Lake Colac regatta, lightweight four (3) and Lightweight pair (bow)
1952 - Upper Yarra regatta, junior four (bow)
1952 - Warrnambool regatta, lightweight four (3)
1952 - Camperdown regatta, lightweight four (3)
1953 - Lake Colac regatta, lightweight four (3)
1953 - Bairnsdale regatta, junior four (bow)
1953 - Sale regatta, junior four (bow)
1953 - Warrnambool regatta, lightweight four (stroke) and Lightweight pair (stroke)
1954 - Camperdown regatta, lightweight four (stroke)
1954 - Ballarat regatta, lightweight four (3)
1955 - Bairnsdale regatta, junior four (bow)
1955 - Sale regatta, junior four (bow)
1955 - Upper Yarra regatta, lightweight four (bow)
1955 - Nagambie regatta, lightweight pair (coach)
1956 - Novice regatta, novice four (coach)
1956 -Victorian championships, lightweight four (bow)
1957 - Colac regatta, ightweight pair (bow)
1957 - Yea regatta, lightweight four (3)
1957 - Albert Park regatta, lightweight four (3)
1957 - Barwon regatta, lightweight eight (7)
1957 - Henley regatta, lightweight eight (7) and Lightweight four (3)
1957 - V.R.A. regatta, lightweight four (3)
1957 - Upper Yarra regatta, lightweight four (3)
1958 - Colac regatta, lightweight pair (bow)
1958 - Barwon regatta, lightweight eight (7)
1958 - Henley regatta, lightweight eight (7)
1958 - Victorian championships, lightweight eight (7)
1958 - Metropolitan regatta, maiden pair (coach) and Maiden four (coach)
1958 - Preston regatta, Maiden four (coach)
1959 - Yea regatta, senior four (3)
1959 - Bairnsdale regatta, senior four (bow)
1959 - Scotch Mercantile regatta, senior four (bow)
1959 - V.R.A. Metric regatta, maiden eight (coach)
1959 - Yarrawonga regatta, lightweight four (coach)
1960 - Ballarat regatta, maiden eight (coach)
1960 - Yarrawonga regatta, junior four (coach)
1965 - Metropolitan regatta, maiden four (coach)
1965 - Banks regatta, maiden four (coach)
1965 - Preston regatta, maiden four (coach)
1965 - International regatta (Ballarat), maiden eight (coach)
1965 - Dimboola regatta, maiden eight (coach)
1965 - Upper Yarra regattamaiden eight (coach)
1965 - Nagambie regatta, junior eight (coach)
1965 - Yarrawonga regatta, junior eight (coach)
1966 - Rutherglen regatta, open eight (coach)
1966 - Yea regatta, junior eight (coach)
1966 - Albert Park regatta, junior eight (coach)
1966 - Ballarat regatta, junior eight (coach)
1966 - Scotch Mercantile regatta, junior eight (coach)
1966 - Royal Hobart regatta, junior eight (coach)
1967 - Footscray regatta, junior eight (coach)
Jim had an eight christened in his honour in 1957.
From the YYRC newsletter 'Yarra Yabbie, no10, 1984-3-20
Personalities one associates with Yarra over a very long period, which has been a strong point of the club.
Vice Presidents Andy Currie, Geoff Harding and Jim Wilson have maintained a long interest in club affairs and have been great benefit to Yarra.
From the 2008/09 YYRC annual report:-
Vale
Edward Murray (Jim) Wilson
Jim was a member since 1943 until his death on 26th August 2008
Jim was a former junior legatee and was one of a number who joined Yarra from legacy Central Class. Jim became a very dedicated member who achieved success in many winning crews. Such crews resulted in Yarra Yarra winning the 1951/52 junior premiership with only 16 oarsmen. This was the first club premiership won since the 1890s period. Jim was also a member of the club's lightweight crew, who were successful in winning in the 1957/58 lightweight premiership including a lightweight eight championship on 29th March 1958.
Jim was club captain from 1954 to 1960, one of the longest serving captains and also contributed as treasurer from 1960 to 1961 and president from 1970 to 1973. He was a elected a life member in 1966 as a reward for his efforts and continued to maintain a strong interest in the club until his passing.
Jim’s wife Rene, a former member of Albert Park Ladies Rowing Club, precedeceased Jim in 2007.
Jim’s family, through his sons Allan and Graham, have donated a splendid collection of club history such as annual reports, rowing programs and the like for which we extend our sincere thanks.
1951 Colac regatta junior four Jim in Bow seat
1956 Victorian champion lightweight four Jim in bow seat
Jim Skidmore
June 2024