History

Rowing in New South Wales dates as far back as colonisation of Australia. In this time, great events, rowers and memories have been made in the sport. Below is only a small collectio of historical documents. 

If you have any further history you want to share with us, please email it in to office@rowingnsw.asn.au

AAGPS History

Although the date of the first AAGPS rowing championship was 1893, there were several inter-school races before that date. In 1881, Sir Matthew Harris, then Lord Mayor of Sydney, offered up the “Mayor’s Challenge Cup” for the annual competition among schools.

Balmain Working Mens Rowing Club

The Balmain Working Men’s Rowing Club was founded in 1886, subsequently changing its name in 1892 to the Enterprise Rowing Club. It’s 100 years since the tragic loss of this unique rowing club on Iron Cove, a sad day in the history of Sydney rowing. The club house and fleet were totally destroyed in a fierce storm that swept through Sydney on the 19th September 1917

CHS History 

This chronicle gives a history of CHS Rowing covering the fifty one championship regattas conducted between 1965 and 2017.

Laurie Stepto Trust

Laurie Stepto was an accountant by profession and joined the Glebe Rowing Club in 1947. On the 24th. November 1987 the L.E Stepto Trust was established to acknowledge the contribution to rowing in New South Wales by Laurie Stepto

The King's Cup 

The King's Cup is Australia's blue riband annual rowing race for men. Since 1878 it has been contested by state representative senior heavyweight men's coxed eights at the annual Australian Interstate Regatta. Before it was the King's Cup, the event was called the Interstate Eight-Oared Championship.

The Queen's Cup 

The Queen Elizabeth II Trophy, or commonly known as the Queen's Cup, was first presented in 1921. This trophy is now contested for by the Women's Interstate Eight race each year. 

Rowing in the Hunter

Rowing on the Hunter River dates back to the 18th cenury. Peter Bond narrates historical moments of rowing on the Hunter River.

Regatta History

Regatta Boats

Butcher Boat Racing on the Hunter River

History of Maitland's First Rowing Club

History of East Maitland Water Brigade

History of West Maitland Water Brigade

History of West Maitland Floating Baths

History of West Maitland Rowing Club Illustrated

Central Districts Rowing Association

When their 40th anniversary of founding was approaching in June 2021, Peter Bond detailed the history of the Central Districts Rowing Association from 1981 to 2020.