W Ian "Octa" Wilson
Mercantile Rowing Club (VIC)
Octa commenced his rowing at Geelong Grammar School where he excelled, finishing in 1951 in four seat of their first VIII. It was here that he was influenced to commence rowing by then senior school rowers, and future Mercantile greats, Brian Dawes, Garth Manton and John Rowe.
In 1953, Ian joined Mercantile and began what is now a 73 year continuous membership of that club. He rowed at Mercs at a time when the Club was the dominant Club in Australia. It was usual that the Club to boat top class senior eights, junior eights, maiden eights and lightweights eights. "Older members took pride in seeing these crews hit the water on a Sunday morning. They also knew that it would annoy the other clubs intensely."
He lived next door to fellow Mercantile great David Boykett, and they both joined Mercantile on the same day - both enjoyed immediate success. In November 1953 both convincingly won a maiden eight at the Melbourne Regatta with David in stroke seat and Ian in five. Interestingly, at the same regatta, his school heroes Dawes, Manton and Rowe won the senior eights for the Club. This was followed immediately by success in the Lord Mayor's Challenge Cup at Henley.
The move to successful junior rowing was to take until the next season. In the 1954-55 season, not only was his junior rowing successful, but he won his first championships. The first was the champion junior four in December 1954 and then the Champion junior eight in March 1955. The four championship was again with David Boykett in stroke seat and Ian in three. In the junior eight championship, Ian raced in the four seat. It was a great season with success in many junior races including a win against Sydney Rowing Club at Henley in the junior eights in November 1954. This was the year when Henley was moved to March and so the season had two Henley regattas. Ian made good use of this opportunity to pick up another Henley pot at the March regatta. All in all, it was an exceptional season.
The next season was the Olympic year, making it very difficult to break into the senior ranks. Everyone was trying their hand at selection. That did not stop Ian taking to pairs to gain some wins.
After the Olympics, the core of senior rowers at Mercantile did not diminish and whilst Ian enjoyed a couple of senior eight wins in the next season. It was also at this time that his father required Ian to pick up more responsibility in the family business. However the irregular hours of running a business clashed of course with the regular hours of rowing training. The solution was obvious to Ian, start sculling and train as time permitted.
The 1957-58 season showed how well this worked. His inherent athleticism and rowing skills led to immediate success at the senior level. It was a very successful season despite being disqualified in the 2000m State Championship for erratic steering despite winning the race.
Business finally won the battle of time and Ian returned only occasionally for competition. His favourite race was the State Championship 1/4 mile sprint which he won four times in a row. This just required skill and cunning rather than reserves built up with much training.
His time at Mercantile was never a memory. Ian maintained his interest through rowing with the veteran rowers in the 'Cock Robins' group, attending club functions and assisting the Club whenever he could. Being a businessman, his skills were sought when the Club started to rebuild the boatshed in 1969 and again when the boathouse burned down in 1973.
Ian in the six seat of the Cock Robins crew in 1969
Another great interest took over his life after rowing, namely the Richmond Football Club. He brought together both his football and rowing knowledge, business skills and ruthless will to win, to lead Richmond as President to a period of success. Known in the football world, as "Richmond Royalty", Ian and powerbroker Graeme Richmond ran the Club aggressively and often controversially. The Richmond tradition lives on strongly in his family with daughter Caroline being a highly respected football reporter.
Ian's high profile and contacts enabled Mercantile to gain sponsors such as Carlton & United Breweries and Esso which provided many years of support. Ian also used his personal contacts at the Carbine Club to also gain support from them for Mercs.
When asked about the enjoyable times at the Richmond Football Club, Ian immediately retorts that they do not compare with the enjoyment gained at Mercantile. "Mercantile contained a lot of beaut blokes who are my lifelong friends."
Andrew Guerin
May 2025