HISTORY AND RECOLLECTIONS
A History of our Boat Houses Boat houses are sometimes described as the beating heart of a rowing club. Beyond the utility of providing storage and training facilities, they serve to provide a place where camaraderie and kinship develops. The history of our boat houses is a fine example of the generosity of spirit and support shown by Old Melburnians and parents throughout the best of times, and the worst. 1905 1859 Melbourne Grammar’s first recorded competitive boat race occurs
11 MARCH 1886
Rowing program headquartered at Edwards’ boat sheds on the Yarra River
First Melbourne Grammar boat house opened on Albert Park Lagoon (now Lake) by Alfred Deakin (OM 1871); positioned on the east side of the north end of the Lake on a block of land granted by the Government
It is to be hoped that [Old Melburnians} who were now skilled oarsmen and yachtsmen would be ready to coach the younger boys, and give them the benefit of their ability and experience.
1892 Rowing program moves to a boat house on the western side of the Lake, near the sheds that are familiar to us today, as eastern position was deemed to be too exposed
Alfred Deakin (OM 1871) at the opening of the Boat House, 11 March 1886
1860
1870
1868 First Head of the River race
30 Melbourne Grammar School
Demolition of existing boat house, and new building erected with funding provided mainly by Old Melburnians and parents, including Sir Simon Fraser, E. Norton Grimwade (OM 1882) and Edwin Flack (OM 1890); architects were William Godfrey (OM 1889) and Harry Spowers (OM 1887), then the School Architects
1880
1890
1900
1885
19 OCTOBER 1905
Decision made to move the rowing program to Albert Park Lake, where a boatshed would be closer to the School and allow more boys to participate in the sport
Opening of new boat house by Oliver Williams (OM 1872), President of the Old Melburnians (1904 – 1905) As Captain of Boats, Simon Fraser (OM 1905) is ‘presented with the keys’
1910
