1941 Ballarat Head of the Lake
This race was conducted on Lake Wendouree on Saturday 11th May. The threat of rain failed to reduce the usual large gathering on Saturday afternoon. Many old boys from the three schools returned to Ballarat from great distances to watch the race. Many wore their AIF or RAAF uniforms.
Geoff McKinley, now at Melbourne University, stroked the Old Grammarians crew to complete the day’s double for the Grammar School.
The Third and fourth crews rowed their races on Thursday, May 9. Ballarat College won the Seconds, Thirds and Fourths races.
It was the first time for many years that St. Patrick’s College did not produce a winning crew.
Thank you to Kate Elliott for the research on this page.
Organising Committee and Officials
Organising Committee: Ballarat Public Schools' Association
Ballarat Rowing Association Officials: Starter - Mr Alex Hall; umpire, Mr Charles Bunce; judges, Mr Fritz Marxsen and Ted Edwards; timekeeper, Mr A Marks; clerk of scales, Mr H Riley; despatch steward, Mr Eric Laughton
Head of the Lake
Time:5 min 49 secs
Margin: 3 feet
Distance: 1 mile
1st Grammar School - Bow: D S Cranstoun, 2: A F L Gibbs, 3: D H Gluth, Str: H L Read, Cox: B C Cook
2nd Ballarat College - Bow: L Coburn, 2: N Goon, 3: Jack H Netherway, Str: B McDonald, Cox: G Hirth, Coach: Mr A Heighway
3rd St Patrick’s College - Bow: Brian Scally, 2: Vin Mishkinis, 3: Brian Colbert, Str: Val Knowles, Cox Brendan Scally, Coach,: Mr Fred Luke
“CLOSE FINISH AT BALLARAT”
The most exciting finish in the Ballarat Public Schools boatrace for many years was provided at Lake Wendouree on Saturday when Grammar School, last year’s winners, were pressed to within three feet by Ballarat College. (Weekly Times May17 1941)
“In the main race of the day all the started well together. Over the first half mile it was impossible to pick out which crew was in the lead. Nearing the Point Grammar was about a length ahead, while St. Pat’s and College were on level terms. At the Point Grammar still had the lead but College moved past St. Pats and were challenging for the lead. All crews made a finishing burst and Grammar again moved a length or so in front. Ballarat College finished brilliantly. The College “run” was timed just a few seconds too late to overhaul the leaders and Grammar held on by 3 feet for victory. It was Grammar Schools 16th win since 1913.” (Ballarat Courier, May 13)
The winning Grammar first crew - photo from the Kate Elliott collection
1941 Ballarat College crew - source: 2012 Courier supplement for 100 years of the Head of the Lake
St Patrick's College crew - source: St Patrick's centenary booklet 2012
Second Fours
Time: Not known
Margin: 0.5 length
1st Ballarat College - Bow: M Hodgetts, 2: R McKenzie, 3: N Hewitt, Str: J Higginbotham, Cox: W Humphreys, Coach: Mr N Goon
2nd Grammar School - Bow: J Meredith, 2: D Grant, 3: J Smith, Str: W Nash, Cox: R Wilson, Coach: Mr P E Moon
3rd St. Patrick's - Bow: G Wood, 2: A Vaughan, 3: M Ewing, Str: D O’Meara, Cox: A Davis, Coach Mr A C (Acey) Wilson
The second crews’ race was equally sensational. In a hard fought race, St. Patrick’s were leading by half a length from College and then a canvas back to Grammar when just before the finish line they “caught a crab” bringing their boat almost to a standstill. Ballarat College dashed past followed by Grammar. College won by ½ a length, Grammar was second and St. Patrick's third.
St Patrick's College second crew - from SPCB Annual Third Fours
Times and margins unknown
1st Ballarat College - Bow: Frank Ritchie, 2: C Maconachie, 3: J Morrell, Str: I Tweedie, Cox: F Whiteside, Coach Mr. A Heighway.
2nd St Patrick' s College - Bow: H Hassall, 2: G Ware, 3: J Curtayne, Str: K Whiting, Cox: F Nugent, Coach Mr Warwick Ehms
3rd Grammar School - names not known
Fourth Fours
Times and margins unknown
1st Ballarat College - Bow: C Hobson, 2: J Forsyth, 3: G Thewlis, Str: John Irwin, Cox: F Wells, Coach, Mr B McDonald.
2nd St.Patrick's - Bow: T Coghlan, 2: L Hunt, 3: C Phibbs, Str: W Gallagher, Cox: B O’Sullivan, Coach Mr Warwick Ehms
3rd Grammar School - names not known
Fifth Fours
Times and margins unknown
Results not known
St Patrick's - Bow: L Baker, 2: K Lourey, 3: L Barbeta, Str: J Griffin, Cox: P Farrell
Old Boys Fours
Time unknown, Margin 1.5 lengths
1st Grammar - Bow: C Worral, 2: G Gluth, 3: J Moorhouse, Str: G McKinley, Cox: P McDonald
2nd St Patrick's - Bow: J Donovan, 2: J Flannagan, 3: T Andre, Str: A Jones, Cox: L Scullion
3rd Ballarat College - Bow: H Leckie, 2: R McGregor, 3: R Coutts, Str: P Carne, Cox: W Jenkins
The Ballarat Courier this year supplied the most complete description of the Old Boys race for any year to date. Many Old Boys from all the schools had joined up for World War 2 service and finding enough to fill the crews proved to be difficult.
“Crews were slightly unbalance in this race as “old boys” who participated were chosen at very short notice and were unable to practise beforehand.”
Two of the competitors were members of the RAAF who had come home on leave to watch the racing. They were John Moorhouse who stroked Grammar’s first crew in 19 and R. McGregor ex-Ballarat College.
The Grammar crew led from the start and came in clear winners. St.Pat’s were second and College placed third. The Ballarat College crew, although composed of good rowers were an unbalanced crew and were a long way behind, the lack of practice telling on them. St.Pat’s put on a spirited finishing burst but failed by one and a half lengths to secure the win.Sources:
Ballarat Courier 100 years Head of the Lake SupplementThe Australasian May 31, 1941
Ballarat Courier,
Weekly Times May 17