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Cassie Woolly McRitchie of Albert Park Ladies Rowing Club
Cassie Woolly McRitchie of Albert Park Ladies Rowing Club

Cassie Woolly McRitchie of Albert Park Ladies Rowing Club

Datec 1911
Object number00045595
NamePostcard
MediumPhotographic print on paper
DimensionsOverall: 86 x 139 mm
ClassificationsPosters and postcards
Credit LineANMM Collection
Collections
DescriptionBlack and white photograph of Cassie Woolly McRitchie, founder of the Albert Park Ladies Rowing Club. McRitchie was the first Australian Interstate Women's Rowing Champion, using a skiff lent to her by the Governor of Victoria, Lord Brassey.HistoryRowing was a popular sport in colonial Australia from the early nineteenth century. Informal contests were held between crews of whaling ships and shore stations on Sydney Harbour while the first regatta was held on the Derwent River, Hobart in 1827. Crew rowing at colonial regattas included races for amateurs, 'all comers', young rowers and novelty events. These regattas has a carnival atmospehere and drew large crowds of spectators. Amateur rowing was fostered by colonial and imperial rivalries and was formalised in the 1860s through the formation of clubs. Distinctions between professional and amateur rowers were essentially social. Professionals were paid to train or were former watermaen who developed their skills at work. Amateurs argued that manual labourers had an unfair competative advantage because their work meant they were physically fit. Rowing began as a leisurely pursuit for women in the nineteenth century but competitions and clubs were established by the beginning of the twentieth century. The first exhibition of women's sculling took place on Albert Park Lake in May of 1901 as part of gala celebrations for a royal visit to Melbourne by the Duke and Duchess of York. Albert Park Lake was also home to the Albert Park Model Yacht Club which was formed in 1903. SignificancePart of a collection of rowing and boating picture postcards including rare photographs of women rowers from the Albert Park Ladies Rowing Club as well as a lively series of images showing spectators, pageantry and competition at the Henley-on Yarra Regatta in Melbourne.