History

The following is a summary describing the very earliest beginnings of the Bundaberg Rowing Club. As part of the Club’s centenary celebrations in 1981, Mr Ron Harvey compiled and published Bundaberg Rowing Club 100 Years of Rowing.
 
As early as 1875, combined sailing and rowing regattas were held as part of the Empire Day holiday celebrations in May. While initial discussions were held in 1880 to form a Burnett River boating club, records for the establishment of an official rowing organisation are limited. There is general support for the period between 1880 – 1881 since records show a regatta being held in 1881. Long boats which held four seats and carried a Leg-o-Mutton sail (LOM) were used.
 
In June 1888 the Bundaberg Boating Club was formed. Funds were raised by a committee headed by two country oarsmen, Messrs. E. Lambert and J. Callaghan to erect a rowers’ shed on the western bank of Saltwater Creek, close to the existing site of the ‘Town Shed’ used by current rowing crews.
 
Following the Burnett River flood in January 1890, a Bundaberg crew consisting of H. Fortey, H. Mycock, S. Byrne and R. Harvey successfully competed in a borrowed boat in the first Inter-city Regatta held at Maryborough. At the same regatta, Bundaberg rower Jim Johnston won the Queensland Sculling Championship.

Bundaberg Rowing Club, as we know it today, has its beginnings in November 1905, with a public meeting being held and one hundred new members signing-on. The inaugural Office-bearers elected at this meeting were:
Patron: Hon. Angus Gibson, M.L.C.
President: Mr P. E. Turner
Secretary: W. R. Adams (Watty)
Captain: J. H. Saint

Vice Presidents and Committee Members:
W. Wyper
M. Dunn
W. Patterson
H. T. Christsen
S. McCracken
A. Wilmott
J. Redmond
S. Wells
J. White
R. Halpin

​By October 1907, the Bundaberg Rowing Club had twice won the Champion Fours Queensland and were recognised as the Premier Club of Queensland. This winning crew has a respected place in the history of the Club and has inspired many of the Club’s athletes today. Bow: William Moller 2 Seat: ‘Snow’ G. Annable 3 Seat: Jack McCracken Stroke: William ‘Wob’ Wells Coxswain: H. Ryan