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Kathleen Lewis

Artist Info
Kathleen Lewis1889 - 1945

Kathleen Maude Leah Lewis 'Kitty' and her sister Gertrude were professional Sydney sculling champions in the early 1900s. The sisters raced in both single and double sculls an also excelled at swimming and diving. Their elder brother Reginald Leopold competed in sculling and built rowing boats at Jack Adams boatshed at the Spit, Sydney.

After winning numerous double sculling contests with her sister, Kitty Lewis' career was cut short in 1906 when she was badly injured when a rowlock pierced her thigh whilst racing. Gertrude was Ladies Sculling Champion of Australia six times in succession from 1906-1911 equalling Harry Pearce's record of Australian Championship titles. Like male scullers of the time, Gertie and Kitty chose their own distinctive racing colours - red cap to match their red hair, long navy skirt, white jumper with a red sash, black stockings and shoes. They were coached by Mr Louis James Francis who subsequently married Gertie.

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Fairplay
Gertrude Lewis
1912
Fairplay magazine Vol V No 7
Anna Alice Chapin
16 February 1912
Fairplay magazine Vol. V. No. 11
Gertrude Lewis
15 March 1912
Gertie Lewis
Gertrude Lewis
1906-1911
Good luck letter
Gertrude Lewis
21 February 1907
List of defeated women rowers
Gertrude Lewis
1906-1911