1934 Ballarat Head of the Lake
This race was conducted on Lake Wendouree on Saturday April 28. Ballarat College won the Old boys race which was also conducted at this regatta.
On Thursday beforehand, third and fourth crew races were conducted between Grammar and St Patrick's College with Grammar being successful in both races.
The Argus reported on the regatta on Monday 30th April as follows:
Grammar School Wins
The Ballarat public schools held their annual race for the Dowling Cup on Lake Wendouree on Saturday afternoon. There was a fierce shower during the events. The wind was almost across the course and favoured no crews, but as it veered a point or two just before the start and became a head wind, the conditions were against the lighter crew from Ballarat College. St.Patrick’s had the heaviest crew averaging 11stone , 6 1/2 pound. The Grammar School, the winner, averaged 11 stone and Ballarat College, 10 stone, 9 ½ pound.
The early afternoon was bright but cold, but as the crews pulled down to the starting point heavy clouds banked up in the south and during the race a fierce rain storm swept the course almost obscuring the crews. There was keen enthusiasm among St. Patrick’s supporters when it was seen their boys were in the lead, and they maintained it until the half-way mark. Then the storm broke. St. Patrick’s on the south station, felt its effects first and the boys faltered and thenceforth fell back. Ballarat College at that stage was two lengths astern, but rowing with great pluck, and no little skill, its stroke quickened and slowly lessened the gap: but the Grammar School ,rowing strongly, maintained its lead and won handily. The time was far slower than the record made by Grammar School in 1931 but on that occasion the wind was behind the boats (tail wind) and on Saturday it was against the crews(head wind).
Organising Committee and Officials
Regatta Committee: Ballarat Public Schools' Association
Organising Committee: Ballarat Rowing Association
Head of the Lake
Time: 6min 35 secs
Margin: Not known
1st Ballarat Grammar - Bow: R S Holland, 2: W A Johnston, 3: A L Williams, Str: H A Nevett, Cox: E Gribble, Cch: Mr W Clift
2nd Ballarat College - Bow: B F Heriot, 2: I R John, 3: S Leigo, Str: L Jelbart, Cox: G Barrell, Cch: Mr Clarrie Hutchins
3rd St Patrick's College - Bow: J O'Connell, 2: K Flynn, 3: C McLinden, Str: G Hayes, Cox: T. Francisco, Cch: Mr R Pierce
Ballarat Grammar winning crew
The race appears to have been quite interesting. The following account appears in the St Patrick's College annual report. On the day of the race our boys were very confident of victory. We obtained a good start and were on equal terms with Grammar and Ballarat College during the early stages of the race. S.P.C. then began a forward movement, and as the crews passed the S.P.C. boatshed, were actually two lengths in the lead. Shortly afterwards our representatives had the misfortune to encounter a strong gust of wind which affected the timing and general team work or the crew. Notwithstanding the fact that the crew quickly recovered equilibrium, and despite a game response to the call of stroke (G Hayes) for a final burst, Grammar, rowing with admirable precision and power, were first over the line, Ballarat College cutting SPC out of second place. Despite defeat, the supporters of SPC recognized the game fight staged by the crew by according to them a tumultuous reception as they returned to the boatsheds. Nevertheless this opportunity is taken by SPC to congratulate Grammar on their meritorious victory.
Second Fours
Not known
1st Ballarat Grammar - Bow: M W Hill, 2: H M Johnston, 3: N Roddick, Str: S F Fell, Cox: J Nevett, Cch: Mr F Suffren
2nd Ballarat College - Bow: H Berry, 2: B Goon, 3: J Marchant, Str: W Sloss, Cox: R K Heriot, Cch: Mr A Heighway
3rd St. Patrick’s College - Bow: J Meakes, 2: C McKenzie, 3: R Feary, Str: L McLinden, Cox: L Scullion, Cch: Mr A C “Acey” Wilson
The Seconds race was very one sided, the Grammar school boat winning easily by 4 lengths from Ballarat College and with St. Patrick’s College a further 5 lengths away.
Old Collegians Fours
Not known
1st Ballarat College
2nd Grammar School
3rd St. Patrick’s College
Sources:
Ballarat Courier 100 years Head of the Lake Supplement
St Patrick's College annual report 1934-35 page 72
The Argus, Monday 30th April 1934, page 3