1943 Ballarat Head of the Lake

1st Ballarat College - Bow: F Davies, 2: Frank Ritchie, 3: G Thewlis, Str: John Irwin, Cox: G Hirst, Coach: Mr A Donnelly

2nd Grammar School - Bow: J Meredith, 2: K Allen, 3: J Lewis, Str: A Cook, Cox: N Frost, Coach: Mr Stan Wilton

3rd St. Patrick's College - Bow: K Whiting, 2: M McEvoy, 3: M Ewing, Str: A Vaughan, Cox: B O’Sullivan, Coach: Mr Eric Laughton

The Ballarat Courier reported along these lines. The race was over the mile course, with Ballarat College on the north station, St. Patrick’s centre and Grammar on South. The crews got away well together and remained close for the first ¼ mile. As they approached View Point College appeared to have the race in their keeping but a determined final effort by Grammar saw them rowing stroke for stroke with College as they steadily reduced the margin. College won by a canvas with St Pats a further length back in third place.

The College crews victory was all the more creditable when it is realised that owing to a mishap to their racing boat they were obliged to seek a substitute. The Ballarat City Rowing Club came to their rescue and the victorious crew handled their borrowed boat with the utmost confidence.

The College second crew were coached by Mr. Archie Lynch who rowed in England under the famous Steve Fairbairn who revolutionised English rowing. “Fairbairnism” was now widely known in Australian rowing circles, and the College crew exemplified this style with splendid balance, long reach forward, full swing back and faultless rhythm.

In some really hard-fought racing St.Pat’s managed to win the Seconds and Thirds race by the tightest of margins.

The SPC Chronicle June 1943, reported the race from their perspective:

We were disappointed this year in the Head of the Lake. With three of last year’s crew we expected to do better but had to be content with third place. Ballarat College proved themselves a really good crew and we offer them our congratulations on their success.

Weather conditions for the day were very satisfactory and the three events were witnessed by what was said to be the largest gathering in the long history of the Head of the Lake. The boathouse vantage points were occupied to overcrowding. View Point was liberally availed of and the Lake was fringed with spectators.

In the first crews race the three crews left in a good line and remained in close company for nearly half a mile. Nearing View Point, however, St.Pat’s began to lose ground and Grammar were then about half a length behind College. From this stage Grammar slowly reduced their disadvantage, but College finished well and won by half a canvas with St. Pat’s a length behind Grammar.

1st St. Patrick's College - Bow: T Coghlan, 2: B Leonard, 3: I Crameri, Str: P Raphael, Cox: P Farrell, Coach: Mr A C (Acey) Wilson

2nd Ballarat College - Bow: R.Merrett, 2: A Hyett, 3: A Green, Str: M Thewlis, Cox: F Whiteside, Coach: Mr Archie Lynch

3rd Grammar School - Bow: J Kayes, 2: W Gallagher, 3: K Thompson, Str: J Gunner, Cox: F Webster

In the seconds race Ballarat College had a slight lead throughout the race, and at View Point they were heralded as winners. The St. Pat’s crew responded gamely to the call for a final effort and came in the winners by 2 feet! (SPC Chronicle June 1943)

1st St. Patrick’s - Bow: G Masterson, 2: G Caine, 3: N Stafford, Str: J Molony, Cox: T Locke, Coach: Mr W Donnelly

2nd Ballarat College - Bow: J Prowse, 2: R Curnow, 3: J Longden, Str: I Salmon, Cox: D Lampard, Coach: Mr J Irwin.

3rd Grammar School - Bow: N Stevens. 2: F Bach, 3: K Mair, Str: K Halsall, Cox: K Wilkinson

In the Thirds race St. Pat’s also appeared to be beaten at the Point but from this stage they went on to finish better and wearing down College won by half a canvas.(SPC Chronicle June 1943)

Results not known