Rowing activity is inextricably tied to the development of Melbourne. As the fledgling city of Melbourne rapidly grew both sides of Birrarung/Yarra, a means to cross the water became a fundamental necessity. In pre-colonial times, waterways travel by raft and bark canoe was common When the settlement straddled both sides of the river, punts were established to transport people and goods, then bridges were built, and all the while boats provided a reliable form of transport.

Boatbuilding expertise had considerable economic value. Competition between boat builders was rife and commercial dominance was contested through rowing races against other boat builders. In the 1850s boat-building sheds clustered in Boathouse Row, along the riverbank. Originally commercial boatbuilders attracted business by offering the rowing clubs space in their boatbuilding sheds.

After 1850, the growing affluence of Melbourne enabled eager amateur rowers to establish rowing clubs which became the third most popular sport in the colony after horse racing and hunting. Established in 1859 the University of Melbourne Rowing Club remains the oldest continuing club in Australia. Rowing club membership was generally based upon occupation, location, or special interests, for example, the Civil Service Rowing Club and the Electric Telegraph Club, the Early Closing Association formed in Ballarat in 1861.

Although the immense popularity of recreational rowing eventually diminished, today Boathouse Row is the rowing premises for the Richmond Rowing Cub (1863), Melbourne Rowing Club (1862), Mercantile Rowing Club (1880), Melbourne Grammar School Boatshed (1868), Banks Rowing Cub (1866), Yarra Yarra Rowing Cub (1871) and the oldest, Melbourne University Boat Club (1859).

Amateur rowing blossomed in Victoria more than in any other state. Early competitive rowing took place between crews of visiting ships. Ships in port usually tested their boats and crews against each other and later led to local rowers challenging the ship crews. Early settlers held the first regatta on the third anniversary of the settlement of Melbourne in 1838 and an amateur river race was held on 2 August 1840. The event was hosted by Melbourne Club and the competitors included squatters, merchants, army officers and others.

Today, the Australian Henley Regatta is a major feature of the Australian rowing landscape. First staged in 1904, the regatta is conducted each summer over one mile on Birrarung/Yarra, through three bridges and around two bends. It is auspiced by Rowing Victoria and organised by the Melbourne Amateur Regatta Association (MARA).

Other aquatic events have been held on the river, such as the Moomba Masters waterskiing competition, Dragon Boat racing, the Great Raft Race and various triathlon competitions.

FURTHER READING

• Australian Henley Regatta, https://www.australianhenley.org/

IMAGE CREDIT
Henley-on-Yarra, 1928, https://www.australianhenley.org/history