VOWA's History

King's Cup draped with a Kenny medallion in 2024

The Old Oarsmen's Association

On Thursday, 9 September 1937, at the Amateur Sports Club, a group of 21 former oarsmen, members of Victorian rowing clubs, met at the suggestion of the Victorian Rowing Association committee to form an association similar in character to those which has been in existence several years in two other states. On 14 October 1937, also at the club, an inaugural meeting was held, and a constitution and rules were presented and adopted.

The following gentlemen were elected to office:

Patrons    Sir George Fairbairn and Sir Stephen Morell
President    Mr AL Dobbie
Vice Presidents    Messrs. W Anketell, SF Barnfather, H Bunce, Dr H C Disher, T Gipton, AN Hopkins, A King, H Ross – Soden, A J Shepherd, SC Stewart, Colonel Stevenson, Captain Treacy
Committee    Messrs. S Gebbie, W Glover, HJ Green, E Kenny, L Lazarus, J Nicholaisen, W Podmore, W Scates, B Selletto, WR B Todd
Honorary Secretary    Mr Marcus Burke
Honorary Treasurer    Mr Jack Thompson
 

The objects were ‘to promote, maintain and renew old associations and to enhance the spirit existing amongst those who have participated in the sport of rowing; and to foster, improve and perpetuate the sport of amateur rowing and sculling in all legitimate ways, including the assistance of amateur rowing clubs and all interstate and international crews and scullers.’

The only significant changes to the constitution and rules were made in 1959 when the words ‘of Victoria’ were added to the title of the association, and in 1975 when the annual subscription was raised from 50 cents to $1.00 per annum.

Under the leadership of the president Mr Arch Dobbie, the association flourished in its formative years. When he died, in 1956, Mr Marcus Burke, who until that time had been honorary secretary, succeeded him. Mr Ken Crossley followed Mr Burke as honorary secretary.

After the 1956 Olympic Games rowing events in Ballarat, members of the Old Oarsmen’s Association of Victoria were hosts to international oarsmen and officials at a magnificent farewell function held at the Hotel Manyung in Mornington. With few exceptions, all 25 competing nations were well represented. It was a memorable occasion attended by Mr Gaston Mullegg, president of the International Rowing Federation, and concluded with Dr Walter Wulfinf, of Germany, leading the singing of ‘Waltzing Matilda’ which he had learned during his brief stay in Ballarat. The Victorian Rowing Association contributed 50 pounds towards the total cost of 596 pounds 12 shillings and 6 pence, the success of the function being largely due to the initiative and drive of the then president, Mr Marcus Burke, and honorary secretary Mr Ken Crossley.

In 1959, Mr Crossley resigned, and the office was filled by Mr Tom Rodda. In 1960, Mr Burke died suddenly, and was succeeded by Mr Jack McKeddie.

To promote the interest of members in the King’s Cup Regatta and to give moral support to our Victorian competing oarsmen, the association’s committee gave its blessing to organising transport and accommodation for a group to attend the 1961 King’s Cup Regatta in Adelaide. This initial effort was most satisfactory, and 47 members made the journey by train. It became the forerunner of organised annual excursions to the King’s Cup, and in 1972 a total of 91 members, after having chartered an aircraft, attended the regatta on the Huon River at Franklin, about 32 miles from Hobart.

The year 1962 produced varied activities. The King’s Cup Regatta in March was held at Ballarat, and the association undertook for the first time the arrangement of the traditional King’s Cup Picnic. With the assistance of our Ballarat members, the event was most successful, as have been our subsequent endeavours in this field. On 2 October 1962, a party of 39 left Melbourne for Perth to attend the British Empire and Commonwealth Games. Rowing has not been a sport at Commonwealth Games since that year when, our party witnessed victory by the Australian Eight – all Victorian oarsmen.

In the Bulletin which accompanies the three notices sent to Members during each year, mention has been made of the 2000 Year Group. On 17 October 1958, the late Wally Turnbull, of Mercantile, paid his subscriptions to the year 2000, and, until his death in 1972, he influenced others to follow his example. There are now 70 in the group, two of that number being financial to 2014.

It may not be generally known that the association administers trust funds, three in number at this date. Through the generosity of the late Dr H C Disher, interest from the investment of monies donated by him are paid to the Victorian Rowing Association for purposes specified by the donor.

Interest from investment of the Marcus Burke Fund provides medallions for presentation to the successful in winning the Victorian Four – oared Championship, and interest from the MS Williams Fund is for medallions to the Victorian Champion Schoolboy Eight. Signatories to the investment of these funds, and to investments of general funds of the association, are the trustees, Messrs D Grummet, R Meredith and N Wilkinson, appointed at a special meeting of the association in 1967.

This segment of financial flavour prompts the recording of previous treasurers:

1937 – 1941    J F Thompson
1941 – 1945    W D Thompson
1945 – 1958    Cecil Burke
1958 – 1967    NF Wilkinson
1967 –    F Peters, and assistant treasurer R Richardson

Auditors have been:

1937 – 1959    R L Thwaites
1960 – 1963    J W Bradshaw
1963 –    W T Morrison
 

At the 38th annual meeting held in 1975, the president Mr Jack McKeddie, did not seek re-election to that office, and was succeeded by Mr Tom Rodda. Mr Ted Woolcock was elected honorary secretary. Mr McKeddie joined Dr H C Disher and Mr R W Thursfield as Patrons of the Association. Dr Disher died on March 13 1975.

The association is proud of its achievements in the endeavour to maintain the prestige of the King’s Cup Trophy for the Australian Eight-oared Championship, and of the support it gives to rowing generally in this State.