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It began with this letter to the Editor of the Ballarat Courier asking the question why there were no opportunities for women to row. It was published on the 25th of February 1971 and was signed “Discontented Shore-bound girls.” It drew attention to the fact the while Ballarat had three rowing clubs, not one ofContinue reading “1971 -The wakeup call! Beginning of women’s rowing in Ballarat.”

As the rowing season 2021- 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the first women’s club in Ballarat and also significantly, the first women’s regatta held on Lake Wendouree in January 1972, it seemed an appropriate time to research further into the Begonia City Ladies Rowing Club history, particularly their struggles to establish the first women’sContinue reading “CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF WOMEN’S ROWING IN BALLARAT”

Ballarat City Rowing Club HONOUR ROLL January 1919 When researching for members who served in World War 1, I discovered an article describing the dedication of the club’s first honour board. It was unveiled at the boatshed on Saturday the 18th of January 1919 by Lt. Colonel Alfred Wilton Bennett who was again elected PresidentContinue reading “Their name liveth forevermore.”

Edward (Teddy) James O’Reilly was born in 1894 in Ararat. His parents were Patrick Henry and Susannah O’Reilly. Teddy was only 10 when his father died in 1906 in a tragic house fire at Meredith near Ballarat and his mother Susannah O’Reilly lived in Ballarat East and was his next of kin. He was educatedContinue reading “Edward (Teddy) James O’Reilly”

William Brazenor was born on 7 April 1888 at Ballarat, son of William Brazenor and Ellen Coogan. On his birth certificate his name is listed William Brazenor Coogan. His father William married Maria Smythe, a widow with four children, in June 1888. It appears that William became part of the Brazenor family. Tragically his motherContinue reading “LIEUTENANT COL.WILLIAM BRAZENOR MiD (3), DSO and Bar”

Jack Inglis Blaikie was born in Ballarat in 1893. His parents were Robert Laidlaw Blaikie and Annie Blaikie (maiden name Brown). He is recorded as having attended Ballarat Junior Technical School which is now Dana Street Primary School. He probably attended from about 1900 until about 1908. From about 1902 when he was approximately 8Continue reading “Jack Inglis Blaikie”

Arthur Treve Marsh was born in 1892 the son of John and Sarah Marsh of Armstrong Street, Ballarat. His father John was the Captain of the Ballarat Fire Brigade for many years and would have worked alongside Harry Bunce who was also a stalwart member of Ballarat City Rowing Club and later the President. HisContinue reading “Arthur Treve Marsh”

George Greenshields was born on the 31/1/1896.  His parents were George James and Annie Greenshields. He was educated at Ballarat High School. He rowed at Ballarat City Rowing Club as a schoolboy in 1913. He entered the Royal Military College, Duntroon on 12 March 1914 in the fourth intake of cadets and graduated on 3Continue reading “Captain George Jerrard Greenshields”

Horace (Horry) Raymond Griffin was born in 1886 in Ballarat. He was the son of John and Elizabeth Griffin of Mair Street, Ballarat. His father was a farrier in Mair Street. He was educated at Christian Brother’s school in Drummond Street. Horry was a popular figure in Ballarat sporting circles; he played football for theContinue reading “Company Sarg. Major, Horace Raymond Griffin”

Reginald Arthur Hind was born in Mentone in 1897. His father was Henry Dalzell Hind and his mother Alice Louisa Hind nee Evans. They moved to Ballarat in about 1894. They lived at 710 Sturt Street Ballarat and his father was a dental surgeon. Alice died in 1908 when Reg was only 10. He hadContinue reading “Sargeant Reginald A. Hind, MM and Bar”