1948 Ballarat Head of the Lake
The 34th Head of the Lake was held on Saturday 10th May 1948 after an absence of 3 years. Some minor races were conducted earlier on 8th May.
Conditions were anything but pleasant for oarsmen and onlookers alike with periodic showery squalls whipping up the surface of the Lake. Just before the first race at 2.30 the Lake could have been mistaken for Port Phillip Bay the whole surface choppy and flecked with white foam.
Fortunately, the squalls abated before the start of racing and all races were conducted in calmer conditions. Only the second fours had to row their race in the rain. Just after the racing concluded and all crews had returned to their boatshed when a severe squall struck.
The miserable weather did not dampen the ardor and barracking of supporters. The numbers of spectators was somewhat down due to the inclement weather.
A large crowd gathered outside the Ballarat Rowing Club shed for the presentation of trophies. The presentation of the Dowling Cup was made to K Wilkinson stroke of the Grammar crew by Mrs Graeme Dowling. Stroke of the Old Boys crew received the Ballarat Rowing Club cup.
Thank you to Kate Elliott for the research on this page.
Index to Results
Ballarat Public Schools Association
Mr N Banks (CEGS), L Jones (BHS), Br. W T O’Malley (SPC) and G Newson (BC)
Officials from the Ballarat Rowing Association
Course laid by Mr J Taylor, Starter, Mr A Hall, assistant starters G McIlvena and E Powell, umpire Mr Clarrie Hutchine, judges Fritz Marxsen, Ted Edwards and Otto Hauser, timekeeper H Marks, clerk of scales G Hager, dispatch steward, Eric Laughton.
Boys' Open Four Division 1
1 mile
Distance: 1 mile
Time: 5 mins 48 secs
Margin: 2.5 lengths
1st Ballarat Grammar - Bow: Hancock, 2: Burgess, 3: Gallagher, Str: Wilkinson, Cox: Ellison, Coach, Mr Otto Hauser
2nd Ballarat College - Bow: K McIver, 2: A Tinney, 3: E Gibson, Str: E Rowland, Cox: M John, Coach: Mr Archie Lynch
3rd St Patrick’s College - Bow: F Ferrie, 2: K Dowsley, 3: H Lourey, Str: R Coleo, Cox: W Hancock, Coach: F Webster
4th High School - Bow: R Bayley, 2: R Stevens, 3: R Jelbart, Str: E Ackroyd, Cox: Cliff Restarick, Coach: Mr Alf Dawson
The Ballarat Courier reported on May 12 as follows. Rowing beautifully from start to finish, Ballarat Church of England Grammar School scored its 18th success in the Head of the Lake on Saturday in only fair rowing conditions. It is the 34th time the Head of the Lake has been decided. Grammar scored decisively by two lengths from Ballarat College and St. Patricks. Last year’s winner, High School, was a bad last.
In the Head of the Lake race, a false start delayed the race some minutes, then the four crews got away evenly. Grammar began to pull in front just after the start. By the first ¼ mile Grammar were rowing strongly with a clear lead over College who were also rowing splendidly. St. Pats remained in touch but were not rowing as smoothly as the leaders. High School continued to fall further back. They were unfortunate in having to make late changes to the crew and this probably cost them any chance of a win.
Boys' Open Four Division 2
Half a mile
Time: Not known
Margins: 3 feet and 1 length
1st St. Patrick’s College - Bow: J Bourke, 2: D Philips, 3: J Hutton, Str: J Cooney, Cox: J Gallagher, Coach: Mr W (Bill) Blackie
2nd Ballarat College - Bow: D Gray-McIntosh, 2: W Peden, 3: John Thomas, Str: F Reeves, Cox: M Oliver, Coach: Mr Robert Lemke
3rd High School - Bow: B Dallas, 2: B Whykes, 3: R Lette, Str: R Harris, Cox: B Gudgeon, Coach: Mr K Quinert
4th Grammar - no names
Boys' Open Four Division 3
Half a mile
Time: Not known
Margins: 3 lengths, one canvas
1st St Patrick’s College - Bow: A Durant, 2: G Dooley, 3: J Mills, Str: R Cook, Cox: K Carter, Coach: Mr B Scally
2nd Grammar School - Bow: J Nice, 2: J.Stowell, 3: A Gibbs, Str: B Newsome, Cox: E Howe, Coach: Mr K Thompson.
3rd Ballarat College - Bow: B Menzies, 2: G Naismith, 3: D Rizzoli, Str: J Dyer, Cox: J Tarrant, Coach: Mr Jack Jopling (jnr)
4th High School - Bow: J McLaren, 2: G Baldwin, 3: F Borrack, Str: G Brown, Cox: G Townsend, Coach: Mr D Myers
Boys' Open Four Division 4
Half a mile
Time: Not known
Margins: Not known
1st St Patrick’s College -
Old Boys' Four
Time: Not known
Margins: 3/4 length and 1/2 length
1st High School - Bow: J McWilliams, 2: R Curnow, 3: R Carroll, Str: K Quinert, Cox: Cliff Restarick
2nd St Patrick's College - Bow: B Scally, 2: J P McCarthy, 3: J J McCarthy, Str: W Blaikie, Cox: W Hancock
3rd Ballarat College - Bow: Jack Netherway, 2: O Coltman, 3: John Irwin, Str: Frank Ritchie, Cox: G Barrell
4th Grammar - no names
Sources
Ballarat Courier May 12 1948
Row Up, High School 2020 by Barry Ryan and Robert Simmonds