CHS Rowing - Historical Information Sought

To Past CHS Rowers and Coaches

I am currently researching CHS rowing with the aim of writing a short history. I have reasonable information covering the period from 1974 onward but need more information about the early years.

The CHSAAA (Combined High Schools Amateur Athletics Association) adopted rowing as an official sport in 1964 and appointed Sid Hawkes of Narwee Boys High as convener. The first CHS championship events were conducted as part of the Metropolitan regatta hosted by Sydney Rowing club on 3^rd April 1965. Results of the four CHS events were:
First Four: 1^st Lismore, 2^nd Narwee, 3^rd Richmond River.
Second Four: Ibrox Park, Cleveland St, Sydney Boys.
First Tub Pair: Homebush, Ibrox Park, Cleveland St.
Second Tub Pair: Richmond River, Sydney Boys, Narwee.
(Information provided by Bill Taylor - Gold Coast Masters Rowers)

The 1964 Homebush Boys High Annual Magazine stated: “A CHS pointscore competition is being run, with points being awarded for school events, held in conjunction with metropolitan club regattas, culminating in the 1^st annual CHS Rowing Championships in April next year.”

The 1965 Homebush magazine stated that Homebush had “… won the first ever CHS Rowing Championship, gaining 42 points with Narwee second on 36 points.” “The First IV crew … has been very successful, winning five races during the season.”

When I first became involved in the mid-1970s, the pointscore for CHS Champion School was made up of results at the Championship regatta only. The above facts imply that in the early years, the Champion School pointscore was made up of results from lead-up regattas plus the championship regatta. Later Homebush magazines indicate CHS events at the Mosman, Waratah, Haberfield, Balmain and North Shore regattas.

If you have knowledge of CHS rowing from 1964 to 1974 and can give me any details of the format of the competition, I would love to discuss it with you. I would appreciate any concrete data such as regatta programs showing CHS events, CHS Bulletin reports, newspaper reports and official (even unofficial) results of CHS events [particularly at the CHS Championship regatta] between 1964 and 1974.

Email: bond@mail-safe.org Phone: (02) 49551070 or 0411 713 426.

Yours in Rowing
Peter Bond.