Sydney Rowing Club
Date1880s - 1960s
Object numberANMS1288
NameArchive series
MediumPaper based material
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Christine Stewart
DescriptionThis collection of Sydney Rowing Club memorabilia includes photographs, certificates, correspondence and news clippings relating to the organisation of the 1912 tour and crew's performance at the Royal Henley Regatta and the Olympic Games in Stockholm. Along with letters of congratulations to the team, the collection also contains a letter of complaint from the Australian Olympic Eight crew to their manager about his performance.HistoryFounded in 1870, Sydney Rowing Club is the oldest rowing club in New South Wales. It was originally situated at East Circular Quay but heavy water traffic necessitated a move to Woolloomooloo in 1889, and then to Abbotsford.
Australia first sent rowers to The Olympics in 1912. The Eights crew won the Grand Challenge Cup at the Henley Regatta en route to the Olympics at Stockholm, Sweden. A change of personnel between Henley and Stockholm resulted in the crew losing some form and they missed a medal, whilst the Leander crew, which finished second at Henley, won the gold medal for Great Britain.SignificanceThis collection of rowing memorabilia is significant in documenting the history of Sydney Rowing Club and its role in sending the Australian Eights crew to participate at the Olympic Games in Stockholm and the Royal Henley Regatta in 1912. The photographs, letters and clippings provide a unique insight into the complexity and triumphs of Australian rowers competing abroad in 1912.
