History of Ballarat Head of the Lake rowing regatta

1927 Ballarat Head of the Lake

The Head of the Lake was conducted on Saturday 30th April 1927.

Great enthusiasm prevailed at Lake Wendouree today , when the annual head of the Lake boat race was held. Hundreds of motor cars decked in the respective school colors followed the various races from Wendouree parade and enthusiasm ran high. Rivalry between the crews was particularly keen……Conditions were favourable, with a light following breeze…… Age newspaper 2/5/1927.

The conditions suited the lighter St.Patrick’s crew and they narrowly won from Ballarat Grammar School. They were presented with much acclaim, with the Must Cup by Mrs. Phillip Must to retain for the next 12 months. Grammar School triumphed in the Second crews race which was practically a walk over due to the bad steering of the St.Patrick’s crew. The Old Collegian’s race was also won by Grammar School from Ballarat College in second and St.Patrick’s third. The Grammar Old Boys crew were A Ronaldson (bow), J McKay(2), K Taylor(3), J Beattie (str).

Organising Committee and Officials

Organising Committee: Ballarat Public Schools' Association

Sources:

Melbourne Age, 2/5/1927, page 6
Ballarat Courier 100 Years of Head of the Lake

Principal researcher: Kate Elliott

Head of the Lake

Mile course, Lake Wendouree

Time: 6 minutes 12 seconds

Margin: Half a canvas

1st St Patrick's College - Bow: J McNamara, 2: J Dwyer, 3: J Whitehead, Str: J Connelly, Cox: T Mahoney
2nd Ballarat Grammar - Bow: J Smith, 2: A Mewkell, 3: R Mitchell, Str: G Moorehouse, Cox: W Philp, Coach: Mr J B Suffren.
3rd Ballarat College - Bow: A Greenfield, 2: H Greenfield, 3: R Brady, Str: A McLean, Cox: R Dowling, Coach: Mr Mario Commons

A good start was effected and the crews were on fairly even terms for the first 300 yards. St.Patrick’s held a slight advantage and Grammar School made an effort to pull level with St.Patrick’s staying slightly ahead. Coming up to the finishing post Grammar increased their efforts again but in an exciting finish, St.Patrick’s maintained their lead and won by half a canvas.

St Patrick's College winning crew

From 100 Years of the Head of the Lake published by The Courier in 2012

Second Fours

Time:2 min 50secs

Margins: A canvas and 3 lengths

1st Ballarat Grammar - Bow: T Blake, 2: B R Couter, 3: T Crosbie, Str: J Gray, Cox: F Suffren
2nd St Patrick's College - Bow: J O’Reilly, 2: C McDonough, 3: P Kelly, Str: C McPherson, Cox: T Dwyer
3rd Ballarat College - Bow: G Eva, 2: G Hewitt, 3: H Sweetapple, Str: K McLean, Cox: J Bennett

From the start of the race both Grammar and St.Patrick’s drew away steadily from Ballarat College. However St.Patrick’s steered badly and went off course allowing Grammar to go to the lead. Although St.Patrick’s finished very strongly in a sprint to the line Grammar held on to win by a canvas. If St.Patrick’s had steered straight they would have won. Ballarat College were three lengths back in third.

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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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