1929 - New shed, new fleet

An article in Melbourne's Leader newspaper, September 7^th 1929, reported the opening of a new YYRC boathouse.

“Last Saturday was a red letter day for the Yarra Yarra club, and there was a good attendance at the river to see the new boat house opened. The opening ceremony was associated with the club’s annual combination race, the Connell Eights, which 18 crews entered. The trophies for the race were cups presented by the club’s patron, Mr J.H. Connell, and were greatly admired by those present, in fact it was the general opinion that they were the finest trophies yet given for a combination race. During the afternoon Mrs G.I. Stevenson and Mrs. D. Bailey christened the boats of the new fleet, those being named being the H. Clark and D. Bailey (practice pairs), G.I. Stevenson (practice eight), J. McDonald and C.E. Kellett (practice fours) and A.H. Enticott (racing four). The club also has two new practice sculling boats, whilst a racing eight (the gift of Mr J.H. Connell) and a racing pair are nearing completion by the builders. It was regretted that the president, Mr A.H. Enticott, was prevented by illness from being present. Amongst those who attended were three members of the club’s famous champion eight of thirty years ago, Messrs J. McDonald, E. Horsburgh and C.W. Horsburgh, but the oldest member present was probably Mr J.S. Gunn, who still carries a medal for a race which he won with Yarra Yarra 48 years ago. Mr Gunn evidently has felt no serious effects from his participation in the sport, as he is still and active man. Others present included Messrs G.I. Stevenson, who has done great work for the club in connection with the new building C.E. Kellett, A.N. Towart, L.P. Hughes, W. Williams, N. McLeod and H.G.R. Johnson. The new boat house is a fine building, and is an acquisition to the head quarters of rowing in the State. It is particularly roomy, and has plenty of accommodation for boats, whilst 150 members could be accommodated without the slightest inconvenience. Three showers are provided adjoining the dressing room, and a feature of the building is excellent natural lighting both in the dressing room and in the boat section. In the evening a smoke social was held at which there was a big attendance, including a representative gathering of oarsmen. In responding to the toast of the kindred clubs, Mr E. Kenny pointed out that probably no club in Australia has started out under such ideal conditions as Yarra Yarra now possess. Everything was new and right up to date. In the early days clubs were housed in hired rooms in the boat builders’ premises, and most of their boats were hired. There was not a club in the State which did not have some indifferent boats amongst its fleet, but with Yarra Yarra every boat was absolutely new and up to date, so that it only rested with the members to show the same enthusiasm as those who had provided these facilities for the club to soon regain its former high place in Victorian rowing. It is hoped that there will be a steady flow of new members into the club, and that before the 1929-30 season passes Yarra Yarra will have recorded several regatta wins. The racing for the Connell trophies was good, and several finishes were close. The winning crew rowed a dead heat in the first round, and in the row-off had only two feet to spare. The steering showed a big improvement on that of the previous Saturday in the Safe Eights, and it is to be hoped that the clubs in future will see that only qualified boys are permitted to steer in this class of racing. The final was won by P. McLennan (Albert Park), A. Simmons (Albert Park), S.W. Morris (South Hawthorn), J. McCullagh (South Melbourne), A. Parr (South Hawthorn), J.E. Campbell (Mercantile), L. Nilsen (South Melbourne), V. Barker-Hayes (Hawthorn), stroke, who defeated crews stroked by H. LaRoche (Essendon) and J. McGrath (Footscray).”

Hundreds of other news articles mentioning YYRC can be found on the National Library of Australia’s newspaper search page.