Elsie Ellen Hawkins in single scull
Date1927
Object number00036125
NamePhotograph
MediumBlack and white photographic print on paper
DimensionsOverall: 82 x 132 mm
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Zelia Hawkins
DescriptionElsie Ellen Hawkins is shown rowing in wooden scull in this silver gelatin photograph. Hawkins combined a career as a hotel publican and boarding house manager with that of a successful sculler.HistoryElsie Ellen Hawkins nee Hicks emigrated with her husband from England to Australia in 1920. Born in London on October 7 1892, she lived to be 100 years old. Her colourful working life included stints as a hotel publican, boarding house and corner store manageress and brothel keeper. Her large amount of vim and vigour also extended itself to sports and hobbies. Despite never having learned to swim Elsie took up competitive sculling as soon as she arrived in Sydney.
Using her four year old daughter Bonnie as coxswain, Elsie won the New South Wales Women's Heavy Boat Sculling Championship Race in 1925. Her career also included a sculling victory in the 1927 Pittwater Regatta. Her skill and prowess in the sport of heavy boat rowing was unusual considering her diminutive size.SignificanceThis photograph is representative of female sculling and rowing in Australia during the 20th century including Champion sculler Elsie Ellen Hawkins.
