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History of the Queensland GPS Head of the River rowing regatta

1935 QLD GPS Head of the River

The 14th Head of the River was conducted on Saturday 4th May 1935 on the Milton Reach of the Brisbane River. 

According to one reporter from the Maryborough Chronicle, "despite the fact that the races were rowed during the morning, there was a large attendance at the finishing point near Grey Street bridge. Boys from different schools turned out in full force to cheer their comrades to victory near the finish, while others followed the three-quarter mile race along River Road." 

The race for second crews started at 11.20am and Firsts started at 11.40. Both races finished at the Knoll near the Grey Street Bridge having set off at Davies Park jetty.

The Five crews would line up in the following order:

First Crews: No. 1 Brisbane State High School, No. 2 The Southport School, No. 3  Brisbane Grammar School, No.4 Brisbane Boys’ College and No. 5 Church of England Grammar School 

Second Crews: No. 1 Brisbane State High School, No. 2 Brisbane Boys’ College, No. 3 Brisbane Grammar School, No. 4 Church of England Grammar School and No. 5 The Southport School 

It was the first time since 1924 the Brisbane Boys’ College crew won the Head of the River title. 

By securing the double, Brisbane Boys' College had this to say in their 1935 school newsletter:

"We are very proud indeed of our crews for their double victory, an achievement which has been equalled by only two other schools, Southport and B.G.S.. The Head of the River win is the more meritorious when the fact is realised that in the last week of training one of the crew spent two days in hospital to undergo an operation to his heel, and there were grave doubts as to whether he would recover in time to take part in the race." 


 

Organising Committee:

The regatta was conducted by the Queensland Metropolitan Secondary Schools Association.

Known Officials:

Starter: Mr. G. Smoothey 



All Schools' Championship Four

The O'Connor Cup

Distance: 0.75 Mile

Winning Time: 4:43.00

Margins:

1.5 Lengths (1-2)

2 Lengths (2-3)

1st Brisbane Boys’ College - Bow: W. Georgesen 11st 2lbs, 2: W. Arrowsmith 11st, 3: G. L. Wilson 11st 4lbs, Str: S. Hawgood 11st 10lb, Cox: R. Harris, Colours: Black and Green  

2nd Church of England Grammar School - Bow: P. Black, 9st 2lbs 2: M. H. Moray 11st 12lbs, 3: R. G. Meldrum 11st  3lbs, Str: R. L. Roberts 9st 5lbs, Cox: K. H. Buss 6st 7lbs, Colours: blue and grey

3rd The Southport School - Bow: J. J. Norris 9st 12lbs, 2: E. J. Thorpe 11st 3lbs, 3: L. S. Powell 12st 6lbs, Str: P. M. Paull 10st 8lbs, Cox: D. L. MacDonald 7st 1lbs, Colours: Maroon with blue and white facings 

4th Brisbane State High School - Bow: G. Burt 8st 6lbs, 2: G. Bath 9st 12lbs, 3: A. Chippendall, Str: B. Stanley 9st 3lbs, Cox: R. Richardson  7st 2lbs, Colours: Maroon and Royal Blue

5th Brisbane Grammar School - Bow: C. Whale 9st 6lbs, 2: J. Metcale 9st 6lbs, 3: H. Staples 13st, Str: B. Cummings 9st 7lbs, Cox: E. Phillips 7st, Colours: light blue and dark blue

Brisbane Boys' College Winning Crew. 



The Race Described

“Mr Smoothey got the crews away to a perfect start. State High was the first to break the line, followed by Southport rowing roughly and with a terrific rating, and then Boys’ College.

From another excellent start, State High, Southport and B.B.C. crept out to the front in that order. The pace was hot, and B.B.C. were out to gain a lengths lead from the other two crews as early as possible. Rating 38 to Southport’s 40, and State High 34, they soon passed to the front. From then on it was apparent that the B.B.C. crew were an ideal combination and would be difficult to beat.  They rowed like a machine with plenty of length, a fine shoulder life and a good solid finish.

They held the rating at 38 over the whole course, which showed their splendid condition. At the half mile B.B.C. were one and a half lengths ahead of C.E.G.S. also rowing in fine style, though rating much lower than B.B.C. and using a very long reach forward. This seemed to tire them considerably and they were a very exhausted crew at the finish. B.B.C. continued to creep away from the others, and without even a finishing sprint passed the line with two lengths to spare from C.E.G.S., who were one and a half lengths in front of Southport.

The time taken by two watches was 4 mins 43 secs, which we believe is the fastest time recorded on the new course and under slack water conditions.”

Page 84, The Portal, December 1935 Edition via Trove 



All Schools Second Four

Distance: 0.75 Mile

Winning Time: n/a 

Margins: 

A canvas (1-2)

1 length (2-3) 

1st Brisbane Boys’ College - Bow: W. Davies 11st 1lb, 2: A. Eklund, 10st 4lbs 3: J. Sagar 11st 3lbs, Str: J. Newell 9st 8lbs, Cox: J. Debney 7st, Colours: Black and Green

2nd The Southport School - Bow: M. A. Manson 10st 9lbs, 2: B. E. Morgan 10st 3lbs, 3: W. G. Buchanan 10st 9lbs, Str: C. W. Seccombe 10st 8lbs, Cox: R. Ash 7st, Colours: Maroon with blue and white facings

3rd Church of England Grammar School - Bow: H. W. A. Forbes 9st 9lbs, 2: P. A. Tod 9st 4lbs, 3: G. R. Eastman 11st 4lbs, Str: L. J. Richardson 9st, Cox: C. Gore 7st, Colours: blue and grey

4th Brisbane Grammar School - Bow: N. H. Guy 9st 9lbs, 2: N. C. Walsh 10st 6lbs, 3: G. A. Denham 11st 3lbs, Str: G. B. Evans 10st, Cox: O. W. Fox 6st 3lbs Colours: light blue and dark blue

5th Brisbane State High School - Bow: G. Burt 8st 6lbs, 2: G. Bath 9st 12lbs, 3: A. Chippendall, Str: B. Stanley 9st 3lbs, Cox: R. Richardson 7st 2lbs, Colours: maroon and royal blue

Brisbane Boys' College Winning Second IV Crew




The Race Described

“All five crews got away to a perfect start. Southport got away to a perfect start. Southport took the lead early, striking 42, Closely followed by B.B.C rating 40. It was apparent very early in the race that the finish would be fought out by these two crews. About a quarter of a mile from the start B.B.C. came up with Southport and the lead alternated between these crews until the half-mile was passed. 

By this time the C.E.G.S. crew had improved their position to be within a length of leaders. For the last quarter mile, B.B.C. gradually came away from Southport, who were rowing well but tiring fast. With an even swing and good timing, B.B.C. went ahead to win by a canvas from Southport, with C.E.G.S. a length further behind.”

Page 84, The Portal, December 1935 Edition 


Sources

Page 10, The Courier-Mail, Thursday 2nd May 1935 Edition via Trove https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/36766782?searchTerm=School%20rowing

Page 3, The Telegraph, Saturday 4th May  1935 Edition via Trove  https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/19907517

Page 5, Sunday Mail, Sunday 5th May 1935 edition via Trove https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/10196210

Page 6, Truth, Sunday 5th May 1935 edition via Trove https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/206260130?searchTerm=School%20rowing

Page 2, Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser, Monday 6th May 1935 Edition via Trove https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/150066660?searchTerm=School%20rowing

Page 36, The Portal, December 1935 Edition via Trove https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1512058474/view?partId=nla.obj-1512140223#page/n38/mode/1up

Page 84, The Portal, December 1935 Edition via Trove https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1512058474/view?partId=nla.obj-1512140223#page/n86/mode/1up


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