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.

1859

Melbourne Grammar’s first recorded competitive boat race occurs Rowing program headquartered at Edwards’ boat sheds on the Yarra River 11 MARCH 1886

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 1905

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

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.

Alfred Deakin (OM 1871) at the opening of the Boat House, 11 March 1886 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

1860 1870

1868

First Head of the River race 1880 1890 1900 1910

1885

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 19 OCTOBER 1905

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’

1919

Lady Annie Fraser proposes, if a suitable site is obtainable, a site be found on the Yarra River for a boat house in her son's memory, after his unexpected passing

1920

Boat house site found and purchased – previously the W.T. Greenland Boat House, named for the father of Walter Greenland (OM 1872), cox of the 1872 First VIII

19 APRIL 1921

Opening of the Simon Fraser Memorial Boat House on Yarra River, a gift to the School from Lady Fraser and her sons, Douglas Fraser (OM1907) and John Fraser (OM 1909), together with the widow of Simon Fraser (OM 1905), Billy (Phyllis) Fraser in memory of Simon Fraser

1920 1930

1928

John Campbell (OM 1918) donates a fund which enables the inscription of the names of all members of the First VIII in the Boat House In giving the keys to the School Council, Lady Fraser wished the boys every success in rowing in the future, or, failing that, hoped that they would always accept defeat in a sporting spirit.

The Melburnian, 1921, Vol 046

15 SEPTEMBER 1951

Simon Fraser Memorial Boat House destroyed by fire with entire contents of the fleet, oars and equipment as well as the Honour Boards, destroyed, cause unknown

DECEMBER 1951

Boats and Oars Fund established to replace the fleet (cost est. 6000 pounds), with committee chaired by Lewis Luxton (OM 1929)

13 NOVEMBER 1953

Opening of the new Simon Fraser Memorial Boat House by Mrs Billy (Phyllis) Fraser, Simon’s widow Designed by Mockridge, Stahle and Mitchell with input from Master in Charge of Rowing (1930 – 1954), Walter Ricketts, the Boat House is regarded as the best and most wellknown architect-designed example of this building type in Victoria

1940 1950

1956

The School relinquishes the permissive occupancy of the School's Boat House site on the western bank of Albert Park Lake 1960

2

3

1- The Simon Fraser Memorial Boathouse (1953 – present day) 2- School Boat House on Albert Park Lake (1892 – 1904) 3- The Simon Fraser Memorial Boat House (1921 – 1951)

About Simon Fraser

The Simon Fraser Memorial Boat House is named for Simon Fraser (OM 1905), an Olympic rower who died from ‘pneumonic influenza’ on 11 May 1919, when he was just 32 years old. His mother, Lady Annie Fraser, together with his brothers, Douglas Fraser (OM 1907) and John Fraser (OM 1909), and his widow, Billy (Phyllis) Fraser, gifted the building to Melbourne Grammar School in his memory. He was the first of four Simon Frasers, each father to the next, to attend Melbourne Grammar. His son Simon John Fraser (OM 1933), grandson Simon Christopher Fraser (OM 1959) and great grandson Simon Richard Fraser (OM 1989) all attended the School after him. Had he lived longer, Simon Fraser would have been the uncle to Australia’s 22nd Prime Minister, Malcolm Fraser (OM 1948). Simon’s connection to Melbourne Grammar began when he entered Wadhurst in 1987. He was a talented athlete excelling in athletics, cricket, football, and rowing when at the School. He was the 1905 Captain of Boats and a member of the premiership football, cricket, and athletics teams in his final year. In 1912 he rowed for Australia at the Stockholm Olympic Games, and he also rowed in the famous race when Australia first won the Grand Challenge Cup at the 1912 Henley Royal Regatta. Simon was an elite footballer, playing for Essendon FC (28 games) and University FC (2 games) in the Victorian Football League (VFL). Simon also played in one of the four founding teams of the Victorian Amateur Ice Hockey Association. Simon graduated with a Bachelor of Mining Engineering from the University of Melbourne in 1911 and, on his return from England after his rowing tour, he became manager of his father’s estate at Nyang. Simon's father was Sir Simon Fraser, a prominent businessman, pastoralist, and politician who died less than three months after his son.