100 Years Of Rowing

The Gisborne Rowing Club celebrates 1975 as its centennial year and to mark the occasion a very successful weekend of functions was held in February. The club is a combination of the two former clubs, the Gisborne Club and the Poverty Bay Club, which amalgamated in 1958, Former rowers from both clubs attended in large numbers, coming for the get-together, the dinner, the mini regatta and the church service.

The Hankey clan have been rowers from way back and to show that they still have the master touch they took to the water at the mini regatta to prove it! From left, Ewan, Jim, Harry jnr, Ted, Robert, Doug, Harry, David and Brian.

Inspecting some of the club's new equipment are former rowers T. Kane, an unidentified observer, C. R. McLernon, R. Hanna, K. Woodward, W. H. Swinnerton, F. and J. Roddick, C. Home, L. Albrecht, D. Barker and M. Whaitiri.

The first function, the get-together and social evening for all rowers (both past and present) in the Archery Club Hall, was a roaring success.

From left, present club president Harry Hankey (who started rowing in 1919) with his son Harry jnr (who rowed in 1940), his brothers Ted (1919-27) and Jim (1935-49), and nephews Brian (1940, 1946-48) and Doug (1946-47).

Brian Hankey can't believe it's himself in this picture of earlier rowing days.

Father and son examine photographs from earlier days. At left Mick Whaitiri (who started rowing in 1920) and son Ernest (1947).

Jim Clough (1950-56), Mac McKenzie (1948-52), Geoff Habgood (1948-51) and Barrie Lewis (1946-49).

Ken Simpson (1947-58), Maurice Young (1946-50), Sam Simpson (1946-50) and Barrie Ellis (1940-49)

Bob Ogilvie (1935-49) and Bob Terry (1934-40) in charge of registrations.

Other rowers at the function included

Ron Stichbury and Bob Hanna.

Frank Roddick (1932-35), Tom Alexander (1932-35, 1938-40), and Allan Gardner (1933-39).

Jack (1946-48) and Tom (1945-50) Kane.

Mick Rofe (1949-52) and Dave Morton (1945-52).

Front, Joe Paine (1934-39) and Arthur Jukes (1932-36) and back, Frank Dearness (1947-55) and Jack Roddick (1925-30).

Recalling the good old days are, from left, Allen Matthews, "Woody" Woodward, John Oxenham, Sam Simpson, Win Ellis (jubilee committee chairman) and Rab Neilson

A pleasant time was had by all at the mini regatta held on the second day of the celebrations. The club's new rowing shed at Anzac Park was inspected and admired by the many older rowers revisiting the city for the reunion.

Mr J. T. Hill, Thompson Street, is typical of the many rowers associated with the sport in the past. He was a member of the old Poverty Bay Rowing Club and a junior rep in 1923-24

Mr Hill's 1923-24 cap. Beside it are L. V. A. badges for the inter-club senior fours' challenge shield. The L. V.A. shield was the top trophy in those days. Mr Hill was a member of the senior 4s for the seasons consecutive from 1928 to 1932.

Typical, also, of the hundreds of old photographs on display at the reunion is this one of junior rep fours of 1923-24. From left, sitting, J. T. Hill (3) and B. I. Stichbury (stroke). At back, J. H. Scott (bow), A. McConell (coach) and F. A. Stichbury (2).

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The Gisborne Photo News

No 249 : March 26, 1975

100 Years Of Rowing