History of the Tasmanian SATIS Head of the River rowing regatta

1959 SATIS Head of the River

Saturday, April 11 - Derwent River

From 1959, the blue-riband event changed from a four-oared to eight-oared race. This decision was largely due to more categories being introduced into the regatta in recent years, arising from higher levels of participation of the sport across all schools.

Accordingly, the Golden Fleece Cup was now awarded to the winners of the First Eight.

1959 was also the first time the race distance for the top event changed from 1 or 1⅛ miles to 2000 metres.

First Eight:

The Friends' School retained the Golden Fleece Cup by winning the first ever eight-oared race at the Tasmanian Head of the River in 1959.

First Four:

Launceston Church Grammar won the First Four (second-ranked boat) with St. Virgil's finishing 2nd.

Second Four:

Launceston Church Grammar also won the Second Four over St. Virgil's.

Third Four:

St. Virgil's College won the Third Four category with Launceston Church Grammar in second.

Fourth Four:

Launceston Church Grammar won the Fourth Four over Hutchins School.

Fifth Four:

Launceston Church Grammar also won the Fifth Four over Hutchins School.

(There was no Sixth Four that raced from 1959 onwards as a result of the First Eight being introduced)

Organising Committee:

Tasmanian Rowing Association

Officials:

(unknown)

First Eight

Golden Fleece Cup

2000m

Time: 6:52.7

Margins: 2 lengths, 1 length and one canvas

1st The Friends’ School – Bow: Tony Hammond, 2: Harvey Roberts, 3: Ian Taylor, 4: Roger Kirby, 5: Christopher Goulay, 6: Ian Edwards, 7: Robert Hall, Str: David Leich, Cox: Selwyn Burrows

2nd St. Virgil’s College –

3rd Hutchins School – Bow: R. Ford, 2: J. Hood, 3: D. Salter, 4: A. Thiessen, 5: R. Lane, 6: J. Edwards, 7: D. Jones, Str: R. Brodribb, Cox: T. Frankcomb

4th Launceston Church Grammar –

5th Scotch College –

6th St. Patrick’s College –

First Four

½ mile

Time: 3:28.5

Margins: 1/2 canvas, 3/4 length

1st Launceston Church Grammar – Bow: G Dennis, 2: G Parkin, 3: J Walker, Str: R Haddon, Cox: F Henderson

2nd St. Virgil’s College –

3rd The Friends’ School –

4th Scotch College –

5th Hutchins School – Bow: T. Turner, 2: J. Johnson, 3: E. Wilson, Str: P. Anderson, Cox: J. Gay

6th St. Patrick’s College –

Second Four

½ mile

Time: 3:26.5

Margins: 3 lengths, 2 lengths

1st Launceston Church Grammar –

2nd St. Virgil’s College –

3rd Hutchins

Third Four

½ mile

Time: 3:47

Margins: 1 1/4 lengths, 2 1/2 lengths

1st St. Virgil’s College –

2nd Launceston Church Grammar –

3rd Hutchins School – Bow: J. Hamilton, 2: B. McKay, 3: B. Johnson, Str: H. Hale, Cox: R. Game

Fourth Four

½ mile

Time: 3:40

Margins: 2 1/2 lengths, 1 length

1st Launceston Church Grammar –

2nd Hutchins School – Bow: J. Pooley, 2: B. Parker, 3: B. Edwards, Str: M. Hudson, Cox: H. Plaister

3rd St. Virgil’s College –

Fifth Four

½ mile

Time: Time not recorded

Margins: 3 lengths

1st Launceston Church Grammar –

2nd Hutchins School – Bow: B. Button, 2: W. Alexander, 3: R. Clennett, Str: A. Collins, Cox: D. Bennison

3rd St. Virgil’s College –

Sixth Four

Sources

“Sporting Island: A history of sport and recreation in Tasmania” by David Young 2005, Sport and Recreation Tasmania, p.326-337
Hutchins School Magazine, July 1959
The Examiner Monday April 13 1959 Pages 7 and 18

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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
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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.