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William C Winkworth

Haberfield Rowing Club (NSW)

Cecil William (Bill) Winkworth

1948- Interstate Men's Eight Championship four seat- First

1950- British Empire Games Men's Four two seat- Silver

Bill Winkworth of Haberfield Rowing Club passed away aged 92.

Bill commenced his rowing in 1937 and was a champion oarsman and a 'father figure' of Haberfield along with Kevyn Webb, Owen Ruffles, Lance Robinson, Bert Harding, Geoff McIntyre among others.

Bill made an outstanding contribution to rowing over a period of 70 years at Haberfield , NSW Rowing, Union of Rowers and Australia as an oarsman, an administrator and a boat race official.

He was Treasurer at Haberfield for 50 years and Treasurer of Rowing NSW for many years in the 50/60's.

As an oarsman he won many state championships for Haberfield and was in the all conquering Haberfield Eight that represented NSW in winning the King's Cup in Tasmania in 1948.

He represented Australia in the coxed four at the Empire Games in Auckland in 1950 winning a silver medal for his country.

1948 NSW crew after winning the King's Cup

1950 Empire Games Men's Coxed Four

Left to right: Ken Gee, Bill Winkworth, Kevin Fox, Erwin Eder, Les Montgomery, Jack Eddie (coach)

The following rowing biography of Bill was published in 1950 by Kevyn Webb in his 25 year history of the Haberfield Rowing Club.

Born 29th May, 1924 at Strathfield N.S.W. Moved to Haberfield at the age of two. Educated at Haberfield Demonstration School, Fort Street Boys’ High School, Sydney Grammar School. First came to Haberfield Club as a coxswain in May 1937. Won six races in the stern, the last in 1942. Joined the Club as an active oarsman in August, 1941.

Won first race at the opening Regatta of 1941-42 season on 18th October, 1941. First Senior crew win, 5th October, 1946. Won Champion Eights of N.S.W. 1946-47, and again 1947-48. Rowed four in N.S.W. crew which won King’s Cup and Australian Champion Eights in Hobart, Tasmania, 1948. Won Grand Challenge Cup, Australian Henley, Regatta1946, and the Champion Fours of N.S.W. twice, 1947 and 1948. Also rowed against touring New Zealand crew 1948, scoring a victory at Haberfield Regatta. Won Champion Fours of Richmond and Tweed Heads 1949. Stewards Cup, Australian Henley and Empire Games Test Fours race Ballarat, Victoria 1949. Represented Australia at the 1950 British Empire Games, Aukland New Zealand. Has rowed at Hobart, Melbourne, Ballarat, Lismore, Tweed Heads, Coolangatta and Lake Karapiro, New Zealand. In his nine years with Haberfield has won 59 races in 86 starts.

Elected to the Club Committee at 1942 Annual Meeting, Hon. Treasurer since December, 1944. Holds the record for longest continuous term in office.

Steve Roll and Andrew Guerin
Feb 2018 (Kevyn Webb bio added August 2024)

Sources:

This website
The Haberfield Rowing Club 1925-50 by Kevyn Webb published by Kevyn in 1950.

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.