History of Rowing in the ACT

Celebrating 60 years

5. ADF Rowing/Australian Defence Force Academy Rowing/ Royal Military College

Rowing has a long and decorated history within the Australian Military. From rowers such as Private Thomas Whyte, a South Australia representative rower who rowed ashore in the Gallipoli Landings on 25 April 1915, to Captain Clive Disher who stroked the Australian Clive Disher who stroked the Australian Imperial Force Number 1 Crew to victory in the King’s Cup at the Royal Henley Peace Regatta in 1919, through to the rowers who represent the Australian Defence Force of today in regattas each year.

The ideals of hard work, determination and commitment that underpin rowing share many parallels with the values and characteristics of those who serve in the Australian Defence Force.

EARLY YEARS

At the end of World War I, and in an effort to keep the hundreds of thousands of troops who were in Europe fit, healthy, and engaged until they could be transported home, various sporting events were staged between the allied nations. One of the most legendary was at the Henley Royal Peace Regatta.

Before a return to the regular regatta program at Henley-on- Thames each year, the Stewards sought to create a race that would commemorate the fallen, celebrate the peace, and recognise that the regatta, and the world, had been forever changed. The Royal Henley Peace Regatta of 1919 was the result, the highlight being a race between coxed eights of the allied military crews, competing for the King’s Cup, donated by King George V. In the final race, against Oxford University, the Australian Imperial Force Number 1 crew were victorious.

The King’s Cup won in 1919 is now awarded to the winner of the Interstate Men’s 8+ at the Interstate Regatta during the Australian Rowing Championships each year.

1919 AIF No 1 crew - winners of the King's Cup 1919

THE DISHER CUP

Captain Clive Disher, a doctor in the Australian Imperial Force, stroked the Australian Imperial Force Number 1 crew to victory in 1919. In 1971, he donated the Disher Cup at the inaugural race between the Royal Military College and the Australian National University. When the Australian Defence Force Academy was founded in 1986, they were invited to participate in the Disher Cup, and the three clubs have competed for the trophy each year since.

TODAY

In 2009, the Australian Defence Rowing Association (now, ADF Rowing) was founded and recognised by the ADF Sports Council. Over the last 16 years, ADF Rowing has gone from strength to strength, growing and developing as a truly national rowing club. Symbolic of this, an ADF Rowing crew comprising of rowers based in every state and territory in Australia (except Tasmania) won the Female Composite 8+ at the 2024 Head of the Yarra – the first time an ADF crew had medalled at this iconic event.

Along with ADF Rowing, the rowing clubs of the Australian Defence Force Academy and the Royal Military College – Duntroon also call Lake Burley Griffin home. Like all rowing clubs, ADF Rowing is supported by a committee of volunteers who share a common passion for our sport. While physically located here in Canberra, ADF Rowing has members based across the country who row for their local clubs and come together throughout the year to race and represent the ADF.

ADF Rowing is the custodian of a proud legacy, with strong links to the history of our sport, the Australian Imperial Force and Rowing ACT.

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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
These contents of this history are copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted by the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission. However given that the purpose of the history is to assist rowers and rowing clubs, written permission is not required for non-commercial usage by rowers and rowing clubs provided acknowledgement is made.

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.