Head of the River (Australia)

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The Head of the River is a name given to annual Australian rowing regattas held in South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia. The regattas feature competing independent schools, and the winner of the 1st division boys or girls race is crowned the "Head of the River".

The name Head of the River is taken from similar regattas held in other countries, including the Head of the River Race held annually on the Thames in London since 1926.

New South Wales[edit]

AAGPS Head of the River Regatta[edit]

The Head of the River takes place in Penrith, New South Wales, Australia, at the end of the first term (normally in March) at the Sydney International Regatta Centre (SIRC). It is the culmination of the AAGPS (Athletic Association of the Great Public Schools) rowing season and has been held since 1893, initially on the Parramatta River and then from 1936 to 1995 on the Nepean River. On the Nepean, the senior events were the 1st VIII, 2nd VIII, 1st IV, 2nd IV, 3rd IV and 4th IV. The VIIIs rowed over a mile and a half and the IVs over a mile.

In 1996, the regatta was moved to the then preparatory Olympic course and since then raced over 2000 metres. In 2001, a 3rd VIII event and the three-year 10 VIII events were added to the programme.

The competing schools are Sydney Grammar School, The King's School, Newington College, Sydney Boys' High School, The Scots College, St. Joseph's College, Saint Ignatius' College, The Armidale School and Shore School.

NSW Schoolgirl Head of the River Regatta[edit]

The NSW Schoolgirl Head of the River was first raced in 1991.[1] The inaugural Schoolgirl Head of the River Regatta took place in October 1991 on Middle Harbour Creek at Davidson Park, Roseville.[1] The regatta is now usually held at the Sydney International Regatta Centre (SIRC), Penrith on the Saturday following the Schoolboy Head of the River. It is the culmination of the Schoolgirls rowing season that involves crews from Independent Schools, Catholic Colleges and State High Schools.[2]

The NSW Schoolgirl Head of the River is organised by the Combined Independent Schools Sports Council. Schools that are eligible to compete in the NSW Schoolgirl Head of the River are all affiliated schools of the NSW Combined Independent Schools Sports Council (NSWCISSC), NSW Combined High Schools Sports Association (NSWCHSSA) and the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges Sports Association (NSWCCCSA).[3] The regatta is run in accordance with Rowing NSW laws of boat racing.[4]

In 2018, Pymble Ladies' College won the 1st VIII Race and then went on to win the Australian National Championships.

South Australia[edit]

South Australian School's Head of the River Regatta[edit]

The South Australian Head of the River is a collegiate rowing race held between the colleges and schools of Adelaide, Australia. It is the culmination of the Rowing South Australia's schools' season and is the most prestigious event on the calendar. Races are generally hard-fought, close encounters that showcase the very best of junior rowing talent, with the winning 1st VIII crew each year being crowned with the title of 'Head of the River'. Inter and Junior coxed quad crews fight for the same honour in their respective divisions. These title races come with immense pressure, with wins considered significant successes for the victorious schools and their rowing programs. The event draws huge crowds of up to 15,000 (2010) from across the state, generally consisting of school students, parent supporters, and old scholars.

The regatta is currently held at the world standard course at West Lakes International Regatta Centre and involves junior and inter coxed quadruple sculling events over 1,000m and 1,500m respectively, as well as senior coxed four and eight races over 2,000m. The South Australian Head of the River is held on the second-to-last Saturday of the first school term of each year.

The event had its inception on the Torrens Lake in 1922 as the result of a challenge between St. Peters and Adelaide High School. However St. Peters and their traditional rivals Prince Alfred have been racing for the prestigious Blackmore Shield which is to be contested only between the two schools since 1892 as part of their Intercollegiate program. When the Blackmore Shield changes hands, the Captain and Vice-Captain of Boats from the losing school present the shield to their counterparts in front of an assembly of the victorious school. Since 1923 this race has been incorporated into the Boys 1st VIII race at the Head of the River. The trophy presented to the overall winning Schoolboy 1st VIII is the Gosse Shield, which was presented by Sir John Gosse and his family as a perpetual trophy in 1932.

Competing schools are drawn from Adelaide's traditional independent schools and an increasing number of state schools. Since the 1970s the number of girls competing in the regatta has steadily increased; resulting in now larger numbers of female rowers than male competing at the regatta. Seymour College (an all-girls school) gained entry to the regatta in 2006, and Annesley College (an all-girls school) competed for the first time in 2007. Loreto College, Marryatville first competed in 2012 and St Peter's Collegiate Girls' School entered in 2013. Currently 15 schools compete in the regatta: 3 all boys schools, 5 all girls schools and 7 co-educational schools. At the 2019 Head of the River, hosted by Pembroke School, there were a total of 1162 athletes entered into the regatta's 36 events.[5]

Walford Anglican School for Girls has won the Florence Eaton Cup awarded to the winning Schoolgirl 1st VIII crew a record 19 times.

In 2022 Walford's winning time of 6:47.75 was a course record beating the previous record of 6:48.06, held by Walford from 2010.

Until 2005 the Head of the River was officially known as the Public Schools' Regatta.[6] The name has since been changed to the "Schools' Regatta" by the Heads of Rowing Schools Committee, a committee of the Headmasters/Principals of the Head of the River Schools.

Second VIII's[edit]

The Clinker IV event was constituted the Second Crews's Race in 1938 and was rowed in eights from 1957.

Open, Under 16 and Under 15[edit]

These events were rowed on fixed seats until the introduction of slides for Open and Under 16 Fours in 1937, and Under 15 Fours in 1938. In 1932 and 1933 Open Tub Slides were rowed as well as Open Fixed and were won both years by S.P.S.C.

Under 14 Quad Sculls[edit]

Coxed quad sculls replaced sweep oar fours in division A in 1991, division B in 1992, division C in 1993.

Competing schools[edit]

School First Entry Colours Type
Adelaide High School 1922 (as Adelaide Boys High School) Black with White Trim Co-ed
Annesley College 2007
Christian Brothers College 1961 Navy Shorts, White and Purple Top Boys
Loreto College, Marryatville 2012 Saxe Blue with Gold Trim Girls
Norwood Morialta High School Navy with Red and Gold Stripes Co-ed
Pembroke School 1961 (as Kings College) Green, Blue and Gold Co-ed
Prince Alfred College 1922 Maroon with White Trim Boys
Pulteney Grammar School 1961 Navy with Gold and White 'V' Co-ed
Scotch College 1922 Gold with Navy Shorts and Trim Co-ed
Seymour College 2006 Green Top with White 'V' and Navy Shorts Girls
Sacred Heart College 1963 (withdrew 1967)
St Ignatius' College Navy with Red and Gold Trim Co-ed
St Peter's College 1922 Royal Blue with White Trim Boys
St Peter's Collegiate Girls' School 2013 Navy Shorts, Royal Blue and White Top Girls
Unley High School 1978 Blue and Lighter Blue Co-ed
Walford Anglican School 1989 Sky Blue Top with Gold 'V' and Navy Shorts Girls
Wilderness School 1987 Black Shorts, Pale Blue and White Top Girls

South Australian Head of the River – Boys Results[edit]

Boys Open First VIII – for The Gosse Shield

Presented in 1932 by the late Sir James Gosse and his family as a perpetual trophy.

The Gosse Shield was presented for the first time in 1932 by James H Gosse (1876–1952), son of William Christie Gosse, the government-appointed surveyor who documented Uluru (Ayers Rock) in 1873.

James and his brother William Hay Gosse (1875–1918 killed in action an WWI) both rowed at St Peter’s College.

James rowed in the First Four in 1895 and 1896 (before the advent of eight-oared schoolboy crews). He went on to row for South Australia in 1902-05 and was the President of the Adelaide Rowing Club. As well as playing football for the Norwood Football Club as a ruckman (1894–1905), he captained Norwood in 1905 as well as the State Team. He was President of Norwood Football Club from 1920-39 and SANFL President from 1945 until his death in 1952.

Sir James Hay Gosse was knighted in 1947 with acknowledgement to his commerce and philanthropy commitment in South Australia

Year Course Dist Champion Winning Time 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th
1922 Torrens Lake 900m A.H.S.
1923 Torrens Lake 900m S.P.S.C.
1924 Torrens Lake 900m S.P.S.C. (2)
1925 Torrens Lake 900m S.P.S.C. (3)
1926 Torrens Lake 900m A.H.S. (2)
1927 Apr Torrens Lake 900m A.H.S. (3)
1927 Dec Torrens Lake 900m S.P.S.C. (4)
1928 Apr Torrens Lake 900m S.P.S.C. (5)
1928 Dec Torrens Lake 900m Scotch
1929 Apr Torrens Lake 900m S.P.S.C. (6)
1929 Dec Torrens Lake 900m Scotch (2)
1930 Apr Torrens Lake 900m S.P.S.C. (7)
1930 Dec Torrens Lake 900m Scotch (3)
1931 Apr Torrens Lake 900m S.P.S.C. (8)
1931 Dec Torrens Lake 900m S.P.S.C. (9)
1932 Torrens Lake 900m P.A.C. 3min 01.35sec
1933 Torrens Lake 900m P.A.C. (2) 3min 09.50sec Adelaide HS
1934 Torrens Lake 900m S.P.S.C. (10) 3min 01.50sec Scotch
1935 Torrens Lake 900m S.P.S.C. (11) 3min 04.35sec Prince Alfred
1936 Torrens Lake 900m S.P.S.C. (12) 3min 04.50sec Adelaide HS
1937 Torrens Lake 900m P.A.C. (3) 2min 59.25sec
1938 Torrens Lake 900m P.A.C. (4) 3min 08.00sec St Peter's
1939 Torrens Lake 900m Scotch (4) 3min 02.10sec Prince Alfred
1940 Torrens Lake 900m S.P.S.C. (13) /

Scotch (5)

3min 00.50sec
1941 Torrens Lake 900m P.A.C. (5) 3min 02.00sec Adelaide HS
1942 Torrens Lake 900m P.A.C. (6) N.T.T. Adelaide HS
1943 Torrens Lake 900m Scotch (6) N.T.T. Prince Alfred
1944 Torrens Lake 900m Scotch (7) 2min 57.00sec Prince Alfred
1945 Torrens Lake 900m S.P.S.C. (14) 2min 57.50sec Prince Alfred
1946 Torrens Lake 900m S.P.S.C. (15) 2min 59.00sec Adelaide HS
1947 Torrens Lake 900m S.P.S.C. (16) 2min 55.50sec Prince Alfred
1948 Cancelled due to Poliomyelitis Epidemics
1949 Torrens Lake 900m S.P.S.C. (17) 2min 58.00sec Prince Alfred
1950 Cancelled due to Poliomyelitis Epidemics
1951 Torrens Lake 900m S.P.S.C. (18) 2min 58.00sec Adelaide HS
1952 Torrens Lake 900m S.P.S.C. (19) 3min 04.25sec Adelaide HS
1953 Torrens Lake 900m S.P.S.C. (20) 3min 01.00sec Prince Alfred
1954 Torrens Lake 900m Scotch (8) 2min 54.00sec Prince Alfred
1955 Torrens Lake 900m S.P.S.C. (21) 3min 00.50sec Scotch
1956 Torrens Lake 900m S.P.S.C. (22) 2min 55.50sec Scotch
1957 Torrens Lake 900m S.P.S.C. (23) 3min 07.50sec Scotch
1958 Torrens Lake 900m A.H.S. (4) 2min 57.00sec St Peter's
1959 Torrens Lake 900m S.P.S.C. (24) 2min 54.50sec Scotch
1960 Torrens Lake 900m S.P.S.C. (25) 2min 55.35sec Prince Alfred
1961 Torrens Lake 900m Pulteney 2min 57.50sec Prince Alfred
1962 Torrens Lake 900m S.P.S.C. (26) 3min 00.50sec Pulteney
1963 Torrens Lake 900m Kings 2min 58.00sec Scotch
1964 Torrens Lake 900m S.P.S.C. (27) 2min 47.00sec CBC
1965 Torrens Lake 900m S.P.S.C. (28) 2min 50.00sec Pulteney
1966 Torrens Lake 900m Kings (2) 2min 48.00sec St Peter's
1967 Port River Kings (3) 5min 14.00sec Scotch
1968 Torrens Lake 900m Pulteney (2) 2min 46.00sec Prince Alfred
1969 Torrens Lake 900m Pulteney (3) 2min 44.00sec Scotch
1970 Torrens Lake 900m Pulteney (4) 2min 48.50sec Scotch
1971 Torrens Lake 900m Pulteney (5) 2min 45.00sec St Peter's
1972 Torrens Lake 900m S.P.S.C. (29) 3min 00.50sec Pembroke
1973 Torrens Lake 900m S.P.S.C. (30) 2min 53.50sec Pulteney
1974 Torrens Lake 900m S.P.S.C. (31) 2min 47.50sec Scotch Adelaide HS
1975 Torrens Lake 900m S.P.S.C. (32) 2min 46.00sec CBC
1976 Torrens Lake 900m S.P.S.C. (33) 2min 54.50sec Prince Alfred
1977 West Lakes 1500m Pulteney (6) 4min 49.00sec St Peter's
1978 West Lakes 1500m Pulteney (7) 4min 40.00sec CBC
1979 West Lakes 1500m P.A.C. (7) 4min 35.00sec St Peter's
1980 West Lakes 1500m C.B.C. 4min 57.50sec Prince Alfred Pulteney
1981 West Lakes 1500m S.P.S.C. (34) 5min 09.50sec CBC
1982 West Lakes 1500m S.P.S.C. (35) 5min 06.00sec Prince Alfred
1983 West Lakes 1500m Pembroke (4) 4min 50.00sec CBC Scotch
1984 West Lakes 1500m P.A.C. (8) 4min 56.00sec St Peter's Pulteney
1985 West Lakes 1500m S.P.S.C. (36) 4min 36.10sec Pembroke
1986 West Lakes 1500m S.P.S.C. (37) 4min 31.00sec Pembroke
1987 West Lakes 1500m U.H.S. 4min 39.00sec Pembroke St Peter's P.A.C.
1988 West Lakes 1500m Pembroke (5) 4min 31.00sec CBC
1989 West Lakes 1500m C.B.C. (2) 4min 41.60sec St Peter's
1990 West Lakes 2000m S.P.S.C. (38) 6min 04.02sec Pulteney
1991 West Lakes 2000m S.P.S.C. (39) 6min 06.00sec Pembroke
1992 West Lakes 2000m S.P.S.C. (40) 6min 15.00sec Prince Alfred
1993 West Lakes 2000m P.A.C. (9) 6min 09.00sec Scotch
1994 West Lakes 2000m S.P.S.C. (41) 5min 36.50sec Prince Alfred
1995 West Lakes 2000m Scotch (9) Unknown Prince Alfred
1996 West Lakes 2000m S.P.S.C. (42) Unknown Prince Alfred
1997 West Lakes 2000m S.P.S.C. (43) Unknown Prince Alfred
1998 West Lakes 2000m S.P.S.C. (44) Unknown Prince Alfred
1999 West Lakes 2000m P.A.C. (10) 5min 54.40sec St Peter's
2000 West Lakes 2000m S.P.S.C. (45) 6min 01.80sec Scotch
2001 West Lakes 2000m P.A.C. (11) 5min 55.00sec St Peter's
2002 West Lakes 2000m P.A.C. (12) 6min 13.90sec St Peter's
2003 West Lakes 2000m S.P.S.C. (46) 6min 05.00sec
2004 West Lakes 2000m P.A.C. (13) 6min 02.60sec
2005 West Lakes 2000m S.P.S.C. (47) 6min 44.10sec
2006 West Lakes 2000m S.P.S.C. (48) 5min 56.00sec
2007 West Lakes 2000m S.P.S.C. (49) 6min 00.60sec Pembroke Prince Alfred Scotch Pulteney CBC Unley HS Norwood
2008 West Lakes 2000m S.P.S.C. (50) 6min 09.60sec Pembroke Prince Alfred Unley HS Pulteney Scotch CBC Adelaide HS
2009 West Lakes 2000m S.P.S.C. (51) 6min 01.90sec Prince Alfred Pembroke Unley HS Scotch Norwood Pulteney CBC
2010 West Lakes 2000m S.P.S.C. (52) 5min 58.90sec Scotch Prince Alfred Norwood Pembroke Pulteney Unley HS -
2011 West Lakes 2000m S.P.S.C. (53) 6min 54.20sec Prince Alfred Scotch Pembroke CBC Pulteney Unley HS -
2012[7] West Lakes 2000m P.A.C. (14) 6min 07.80sec St Peter's Scotch Pulteney Pembroke CBC Unley HS Adelaide HS
2013 West Lakes 2000m P.A.C. (15) 6min 03.2sec St Peter's Pembroke Scotch Pulteney Unley HS CBC -
2014 West Lakes 2000m P.A.C. (16) 6min 35.6sec St Peter's Pembroke Scotch Pulteney CBC Unley HS -
2015 West Lakes 2000m Scotch (10) 6min 03.9sec Prince Alfred St Peter's Pulteney Unley HS Pembroke Adelaide HS -
2016 West Lakes 2000m S.P.S.C. (54) 6min 01.6sec Prince Alfred Scotch Pulteney Pembroke CBC - -
2017 West Lakes 2000m S.P.S.C. (55) 6min 04.5sec Prince Alfred Scotch CBC Pulteney Pembroke Unley HS -
2018 West Lakes 2000m S.P.S.C. (56) 7min 11.7sec Pembroke Unley HS Scotch Prince Alfred Pulteney CBC -
2019 West Lakes 2000m S.P.S.C. (57) 6min 07.3sec Prince Alfred Pulteney Scotch Unley HS Norwood -
2020 West Lakes 2000m S.P.S.C. (58) 6min 22.7sec Scotch Prince Alfred Pembroke Norwood Unley HS Pulteney -
2021 West Lakes 2000m S.P.S.C. (58) 6min 06.23sec Prince Alfred Scotch Norwood Pembroke Adelaide HS Unley HS St Ignatius
2022 West Lakes 2000m S.P.S.C. (59) 5min 57.81sec Prince Alfred Scotch Norwood Pulteney Pembroke CBC
2023 West Lakes 2000m S.P.S.C. (60) 6min 03.59sec Prince Alfred Scotch Norwood Pembroke CBC Unley HS Adelaide HS
2024 West Lakes 2000m S.P.S.C. (61) 6min 24.30sec Prince Alfred Scotch Unley HS Pembroke Norwood Adelaide HS CBC


Boys Open Second VIII – for The Wallman Trophy

Presented by the late RH Wallman Esq in 1937 as a perpetual trophy.

Year Dist Champion Winning Time 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
Rowed as the Clinker IV's
1934 900m S.P.S.C.
1935 900m A.H.S.
1936 900m S.P.S.C.
1937 900m S.P.S.C.
1938 900m P.A.C.
1939 900m S.P.S.C.
1940 900m A.H.S.
1941 900m A.H.S.
1942 900m A.H.S.
1943 900m Scotch
1944 900m A.H.S.
1945 900m A.H.S.
1946 900m P.A.C.
1947 900m A.H.S.
1948 Cancelled due to Poliomyelitis Epidemics
1949 900m S.P.S.C.
1950 Cancelled due to Poliomyelitis Epidemics
1951 900m S.P.S.C.
1952 900m P.A.C.
1953 900m P.A.C.
1954 900m P.A.C.
1955 900m P.A.C.
1956 900m P.A.C.
Rowed as Second VIII's
1957 900m S.P.S.C.
1958 900m P.A.C.
1959 900m S.P.S.C.
1960 900m P.A.C.
1961 900m S.P.S.C.
1962 900m Pulteney
1963 900m S.P.S.C.
1964 900m S.P.S.C.
1965 900m S.P.S.C.
1966 900m S.P.S.C.
1967 Scotch
1968 900m Pulteney
1969 900m Pulteney
1970 900m S.P.S.C.
1971 900m P.A.C.
1972 900m S.P.S.C.
1973 900m S.P.S.C.
1974 900m S.P.S.C.
1975 900m Scotch
1976 900m S.P.S.C.
1977 1500m Pulteney
1978 1500m S.P.S.C.
1979 1500m
1980 1500m Scotch
1981 1500m S.P.S.C.
1982 1500m S.P.S.C.
1983 1500m Pulteney
1984 1500m Scotch
1985 1500m Pulteney
1986 1500m S.P.S.C.
1987 1500m S.P.S.C.
1988 1500m S.P.S.C.
1989 1500m Pembroke
1990 2000m C.B.C.
1991 2000m S.P.S.C.
1992 2000m P.A.C.
1993 2000m P.A.C.
1993 2000m P.A.C.
1994 2000m S.P.S.C. 5min 56.0sec
1995 2000m
1996 2000m
1997 2000m
1998 2000m
1999 2000m S.P.S.C. 6min 25.4sec
2000 2000m S.P.S.C. 6min 22.8sec
2001 2000m S.P.S.C. 6min 11.0sec
2002 2000m P.A.C. 6min 44.9sec
2003 2000m P.A.C. 6min 20.0sec
2004 2000m S.P.S.C. 6min 30.4sec
2005 2000m S.P.S.C. 7min 11.6sec
2006 2000m S.P.S.C. 6min 05.5sec Prince Alfred Pulteney
2007 2000m S.P.S.C. 6min 25.7sec Prince Alfred Scotch Pulteney -
2008 2000m P.A.C. 6min 37.6sec St Peter's Unley HS - -
2009 2000m S.P.S.C. 6min 17.2sec Prince Alfred Unley HS - -
2010 2000m P.A.C. 6min 23.0sec St Peter's Scotch Norwood -
2011 2000m S.P.S.C. 7min 10.3sec Prince Alfred St Peter's 2 Scotch Pembroke
2012[8] 2000m P.A.C. 6min 16.6sec St Peter's Scotch Pembroke -
2013 2000m S.P.S.C. 6min 22.5sec - - - -
2014 2000m S.P.S.C. 6min 48.3sec Prince Alfred Scotch - -
2015 2000m Scotch 6min 28.8sec St Peter's Prince Alfred - -
2016 2000m P.A.C. 6min 18.1sec Scotch St Peter's Pembroke CBC
2017 2000m S.P.S.C. 6min 24.3sec Pembroke Scotch Prince Alfred
2018 2000m S.P.S.C. 6min 59.9sec Prince Alfred Unley HS
2019 2000m S.P.S.C. 6min 21.8sec St Peter's (3rd VIII) Prince Alfred Scotch St Peter's (4th VIII)
2020 2000m S.P.S.C. 6min 36.2sec Prince Alfred St Peter's (3rd VIII) Scotch Pembroke
2021 2000m S.P.S.C. 6min 21.01sec Prince Alfred Scotch
2022 2000m S.P.S.C. 6min 08.27sec Prince Alfred Scotch St Peter's (4th VIII) St Peter's (3rd VIII)
2023 2000m Prince Alfred 6min 08.27sec S.P.S.C. St Peter's (3rd VIII)


Schoolboy 1st IV – for The Cudmore Cup (2,000m)

Presented by Sir Collier Cudmore in 1966 as a perpetual trophy.

Sir Collier Cudmore (1885–1971) was a lawyer and politician was born into a South Australian pastoral family. He was educated St Peter’s College, University of Adelaide and Oxford University (Magdalen College).

Collier rowed for all three institutions as well as influencing the development of the Adelaide Rowing Club.

While at Oxford University, Collier rowed in a particularly fast Magdalen College four which represented Britain in the 1908 London Olympics. The crew won, consequently Collier was the first Australian sweep oarsman to win an Olympic Gold medal.

During First World War Collier commanded an Artillery battery in France and was twice seriously wounded.

Collier maintained active interest in School rowing as a coach and was the Chief Judge of the annual Schools’ Head off the River Regatta for several decades.

Collier believed that the Boys Open Four competition should have a trophy to recognise their particular efforts in school rowing and consequently he presented The Cudmore Cup as a perpetual trophy in 1966.

Year Champion Winning Time 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th
1978 St Peter's Unknown
1979 St Peter's Unknown
1980 Prince Alfred Unknown
1981 Prince Alfred Unknown
1982 Pulteney Unknown
1983 Unley HS Unknown
1984 Prince Alfred Unknown
1985 St Peter's Unknown
1986 St Peter's Unknown
1987 St Peter's Unknown
1988 St Peter's Unknown
1989 St Peter's Unknown
1990 Prince Alfred Unknown
1991 Prince Alfred Unknown
1992 CBC Unknown
1993 CBC Unknown
1994 Unknown
1995 Unknown
1996 Unknown
1997 Unknown
1998 Unknown
1999 Unknown
2000 Unknown
2001 Unknown
2002 Unknown
2003 Unknown
2004 Unknown
2005 Unknown
2006 Unknown
2007 Unknown
2008 Unknown
2009 Unknown
2010 St Peter's 7min 19.12sec Pembroke CBC Prince Alfred Scotch Prince Alfred 2 Pulteney
2011 Scotch 8min 08.65sec Prince Alfred St Peter's Adelaide HS Norwood Pulteney
2012 Prince Alfred 7min 08.20sec St Peter's Pulteney Norwood Unley HS
2013 St Peter's NTT Prince Alfred Pembroke St Ignatius Adelaide HS Adelaide HS 2 CBC
2014 Scotch 7min 52.74sec Prince Alfred Adelaide HS St Peter's Pembroke Unley HS CBC
2015 Prince Alfred 7min 23.68sec Prince Alfred 2 Unley HS Scotch CBC Pulteney Pembroke St Peter's
2016
2017 Norwood 7min 08.71sec CBC Prince Alfred St Peter's Unley HS Pembroke Prince Alfred 2 St Ignatius
2018 Adelaide HS 8min 14.25sec Prince Alfred St Ignatius St Peter's 2 St Peter's 1 Prince Alfred 2 Norwood Scotch
2019 Pembroke 7min 10.67sec St Peter's CBC Prince Alfred Unley HS Adelaide HS St Ignatius
2020 St Peter's 7min 27.06sec Prince Alfred Scotch Prince Alfred 2 St Peter's 2 Pulteney Unley HS
2021 Prince Alfred 7min 23.10sec St Peter's Pulteney Unley HS Scotch CBC Pembroke Norwood
2022 St Peter's 6min 55.58sec Unley HS Adelaide HS Prince Alfred St Ignatius Norwood Pulteney CBC
2023 St Peter's 7min 06.81sec Prince Alfred Scotch Norwood Unley HS St Ignatius Pulteney


Boys Year 10A Quadruple Sculls - for The Menz Cup (1,500m)

  • Originally rowed as U15 Tub fours, over 750m until ....?
  • Rowed as sweep fours with cox (4+) from 1987 until ?
  • Rowed s Quadruple Sculls with cox (4X+) from / onwards.
Year Champion Winning Time 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th
1978 St Peter's Unknown
1979 St Peter's Unknown
1980 Prince Alfred Unknown
1981 Prince Alfred Unknown
1982 Pulteney Unknown
1983 Unley HS Unknown
1984 Prince Alfred Unknown
1985 St Peter's Unknown
1986 St Peter's Unknown
1987 St Peter's Unknown Scotch
1988 St Peter's Unknown
1989 St Peter's Unknown
1990 Prince Alfred Unknown
1991 Prince Alfred Unknown
1992 CBC Unknown
1993 CBC Unknown
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999 Pembroke 5min 46.3sec
2000 Unley HS 5min 09.1sec
2001 St Peter's College 5min 14.0sec
2002 St Peter's College 5min 38.4sec
2003 Scotch 5min 03.0sec
2004 St Peter's College 5min 13.5sec
2005 Unley HS 6min 06.0sec
2006 St Peter's College 5min 11.0sec
2007 Unley HS 5min 11.0sec
2008 Pembroke 5min 31.0sec
2009 Pembroke 5min 09.6sec
2010 Prince Alfred 5min 06.3sec Pulteney Unley HS CBC St Peter's Pembroke Adelaide HS Scotch
2011 Prince Alfred 5min 49.0sec Pulteney Pembroke St Peter's Norwood Unley HS CBC Adelaide HS
2012 Prince Alfred 5min 10.3sec Unley HS Scotch Pembroke Pulteney St Peter's CBC Adelaide HS
2013 Unley HS 5min 05.1sec Prince Alfred St Peter's Scotch Pulteney Adelaide HS Pembroke Norwood
2014 Prince Alfred 5min 24.7sec Pulteney St Peter's Unley HS Scotch CBC Norwood Pembroke
2015 CBC 5min 19.0sec Unley HS Pulteney Scotch St Peter's Norwood Pembroke Prince Alfred
2016 Unley HS 5min 04.9sec Pembroke Scotch Prince Alfred St Peter's Pulteney St Ignatius Adelaide HS
2017 Pembroke 5min 01.58sec Pulteney Prince Alfred Scotch Unley HS CBC St Peter's Norwood
2018 Scotch 5min 37.83sec Prince Alfred St Peter's Unley HS Pulteney Norwood
2019 Prince Alfred 5min 12.07sec Scotch Unley HS St Peter's Pulteney Pembroke
2020 Race Cancelled due to Covid 19
2021 Prince Alfred 5min 12.23sec St Peter's CBC Scotch Pulteney Unley HS Adelaide HS Norwood
2022 Prince Alfred 5min 01.72sec Scotch St Peter's Unley HS Norwood Pembroke Adelaide HS St Ignatius
2023 Pembroke 5min 03.18sec Prince Alfred Scotch Pulteney Unley HS Adelaide HS St Peter's
  • Boys Year 9A Quadruple Sculls – for The Ferguson Cup (1,000m)
Year Champion Winning Time 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th
2018 Prince Alfred 5min 37.83sec St Peter's Adelaide HS Pembroke Unley HS Scotch
2019 Scotch 3min 26.50sec Prince Alfred St Peter's Unley HS Adelaide HS Norwood Pembroke
2020 Race Cancelled due to Covid 19
2021 Prince Alfred 3min 24.10sec Scotch St Peter's Unley HS Norwood Adelaide HS
2022 Prince Alfred 3min 28.46sec St Peter's Scotch Unley HS Pembroke Pulteney
2023 Prince Alfred 3min 24.10sec Scotch St Peter's Unley HS Norwood Adelaide HS
WINNERS OF BOYS' EVENTS
Year U14D U14C U14B U14A U15D U15C U15B U15A U16B U16A L/Wt IV 1st IV
1978 S.P.S.C. S.P.S.C. S.P.S.C. A.H.S. P.A.C. Pembroke P.A.C.
1979 S.P.S.C. S.P.S.C. S.P.S.C. A.H.S. S.P.S.C. /

Pulteney

P.A.C. Pulteney
1980 P.A.C. P.A.C. Pulteney P.A.C. Pulteney Pulteney S.P.S.C. U.H.S.
1981 C.B.C. P.A.C. Pulteney P.A.C. Pulteney S.P.S.C. Pembroke P.A.C.
1982 C.B.C. Pulteney Pulteney Pulteney S.P.S.C. Scotch Pembroke
1983 Pembroke P.A.C. Pulteney C.B.C. Pulteney Pembroke P.A.C.
1984 Pulteney S.P.S.C. S.P.S.C. P.A.C. Pulteney Pembroke Pembroke
1985 P.A.C. P.A.C. Pulteney S.P.S.C. P.A.C. S.P.S.C. P.A.C.
1986 Scotch S.P.S.C. U.H.S. P.A.C. Pulteney S.P.S.C. S.P.S.C. S.P.S.C. Pembroke
1987 P.A.C. S.P.S.C. P.A.C. Pulteney Pulteney S.P.S.C. S.P.S.C. P.A.C. Pulteney
1988 Pulteney S.P.S.C. S.P.S.C. P.A.C. Pulteney S.P.S.C. S.P.S.C. Pulteney U.H.S.
1989 S.P.S.C. Pulteney S.P.S.C. S.P.S.C. S.P.S.C. Pulteney P.A.C. S.P.S.C. Pulteney Scotch Pulteney
1990 P.A.C. P.A.C. Pembroke P.A.C. S.P.S.C. (1) P.A.C. Pulteney P.A.C. P.A.C. Scotch Pulteney
1991 S.P.S.C. (1) S.P.S.C. S.P.S.C. S.P.S.C. P.A.C. (1) S.P.S.C. P.A.C. P.A.C. P.A.C. Pembroke Scotch
1992 Scotch Scotch P.A.C. S.P.S.C. (1) S.P.S.C. S.P.S.C. C.B.C. Pembroke Pembroke P.A.C.
1993 S.P.S.C. S.P.S.C. Pulteney S.P.S.C. S.P.S.C. (1) S.P.S.C. Pulteney C.B.C. P.A.C. (1) Pembroke A.H.S.

South Australian Head of the River – Girls Results[edit]

Girls Open First VIII – for The Florence Eaton Cup (2,000m)

Year Champion Winning Time 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th
1988 Unley HS 3min 25.00sec
1989 Unley HS 5min 38.00sec
1990 Scotch 7min 03.00sec
1991 Walford 7min 03.00sec
1992 Walford 7min 05.00sec
1993 Walford 7min 04.00sec
1994 Walford 6min 49.00sec
1995 Walford Unknown
1996 Wilderness Unknown
1997 Walford Unknown
1998 Wilderness Unknown
1999 Walford 6min 57.3sec
2000 Scotch 6min 48.9sec
2001 Scotch 6min 49.0sec
2002 Walford 7min 03.2sec
2003 Wilderness 6min 50.0sec
2004 Walford 6min 59.3sec
2005 Pembroke 8min 00.0sec
2006 Wilderness 6min 52.6sec Pembroke Pulteney
2007 Walford 6min 56.4sec Seymour Wilderness
2008 Walford 7min 04.4sec Pembroke Seymour
2009[9] Seymour 6min 49.5sec Walford Wilderness
2010 Walford 6min 48.1sec Scotch Pembroke Seymour Annesley Wilderness Unley HS -
2011 Walford 7min 58.0sec Pembroke Scotch Seymour Wilderness Pulteney Unley HS -
2012 Walford 6min 56.8sec Pembroke Scotch Seymour Wilderness Pulteney Unley HS -
2013 Walford 6min 51.4sec Scotch Wilderness Pembroke Seymour Loreto St Peter's Girls -
2014 Walford 7min 03.0sec Scotch Seymour / Loreto - Wilderness Pembroke St Peter's Girls Unley HS
2015 Scotch College 7min 08.5sec Walford Seymour Loreto Pembroke St Peter's Girls Wilderness -
2016 Seymour 6min 51.7sec Loreto Walford Scotch Pembroke St Peter's Girls Wilderness Pulteney
2017 Walford 6min 48.1sec Scotch Loreto Pembroke St Peter's Girls Pulteney Wilderness Seymour Adelaide HS
2018 Walford 8min 02.4sec Scotch Seymour Wilderness St Peter's Girls Pulteney Pembroke
2019 Scotch College 6min 58.5sec Seymour Walford St Peter's Girls Wilderness Loreto Pembroke Unley HS Norwood
2020 Seymour 7min 14.43sec Walford St Peter's Girls Scotch College Wilderness Pembroke Pulteney Unley HS
2021 Scotch College 7min 05.55sec Wilderness Seymour Walford Pembroke St Peter's Girls Unley HS Adelaide HS
2022 Walford 6min 47.75sec* Seymour Loreto Wilderness Scotch St Peter's Girls Adelaide HS
2023 Seymour 6min 48.48sec Wilderness Scotch Walford Loreto Unley HS Adelaide HS Pembroke Adelaide HS Norwood

Girls Open 2nd VIII – for The Adelaide HS Centenary Cup (2,000m)

Year Champion Winning Time 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th
2010 Walford 7min 20.3sec Pembroke Wilderness
2011 Walford 8min 39.1sec Pembroke Unley HS
2012 Walford 7min 23.9sec Pembroke Wilderness Seymour
2013
2014 Walford 7min 51.4sec Wilderness
2015 Walford 7min 20.5sec Scotch Pembroke Seymour
2016
2017 Scotch 7min 20.1sec Pembroke
2018 Walford 8min 17.6sec Scotch Seymour
2019 Walford 7min 17.7sec Seymour Scotch Wilderness
2020 Walford 7min 38.8sec Scotch Seymour Wilderness Pembroke Unley HS
2021 Seymour 7min 32.6sec Walford Scotch Pembroke Wilderness
2022 Seymour 7min 01.65sec Walford Scotch Wilderness
2023 Scotch 7min 13.0sec Seymour Walford Wilderness Walford (3rd)

Girls Year 10A Quadruple Sculls – for The Denise Collins Cup (1,500m)

Prior to 1993, race was rowed as U15A

Year Champion Winning Time 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th
1978 Unley HS Unknown
1979 Scotch Unknown
1980 Adelaide HS Unknown
1981 Scotch Unknown
1982 Scotch Unknown
1983 Unley HS Unknown
1984 Scotch Unknown
1985 Adelaide HS Unknown
1986 Adelaide HS Unknown
1987 Adelaide HS Unknown
1988 Unley HS Unknown
1989 Unley HS Unknown
1990 Scotch Unknown
1991 Unley HS Unknown
1992 Walford Unknown
1993 Pembroke Unknown
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999 Wilderness 5min 44.7sec
2000 Walford 5min 45.1sec
2001 Walford 5min 48.0sec
2002 Pembroke 6min 22.2sec
2003 Walford 5min 43.0sec
2004 Scotch 5min 51.5sec
2005 Wilderness 7min 15.3sec
2006 Seymour 5min 53.0sec
2007 Wilderness 6min 06.8sec
2008 Scotch College 5min 59.5sec
2009 Seymour 5min 42.3sec
2010 Walford 5min 48.3sec Annesley Pembroke Seymour Wilderness Norwood Scotch Adelaide HS
2011 Wilderness 6min 40.7sec Pembroke Scotch Walford Pulteney Norwood Seymour Unley HS
2012 Walford 5min 57.3sec Wilderness Seymour Scotch Pulteney Norwood Loreto Pembroke
2013 Walford 5min 40.4sec Scotch Pulteney Wilderness Loreto Pembroke Seymour Unley HS
2014 Seymour 6min 03.4sec Walford Wilderness Pembroke Scotch Unley HS Adelaide HS Loreto
2015 Walford 6min 05.3sec Seymour Unley HS Pulteney Norwood Loreto St Peter's Girls -
2016 Loreto 5min 40.9sec Scotch St Peter's Girls Pembroke Pulteney Seymour Adelaide HS Walford
2017 Scotch 5min 42.9sec St Peter's Girls Seymour Walford Unley HS Wilderness Adelaide HS St Ignatius
2018 Walford 6min 35.2sec Scotch Adelaide HS Loreto Seymour Unley HS Wilderness Pembroke
2019 Walford 6min 02.9sec Seymour St Peter's Girls Scotch Pembroke Unley HS Adelaide HS Wilderness
2020 Not Rowed due to Covid 19
2021 Loreto 5min 56.4sec Scotch Walford Seymour Wilderness Norwood
2022 Loreto 5min 39.86sec Seymour Walford Pembroke St Peter's Girls Unley HS
2023 Unley HS 5min 44.81sec Seymour Wilderness Norwood Pembroke Walford St Peter's Girls Adelaide HS
WINNERS OF GIRLS' EVENTS
Year U14B U14A U15B U15A U16 L/Wt IV 2nd IV 1st IV
1978 U.H.S. Scotch
1979 Scotch Scotch
1980 A.H.S. U.H.S. (2)
1981 Scotch Scotch U.H.S. U.H.S. U.H.S.
1982 Scotch Scotch Scotch U.H.S. Pembroke
1983 U.H.S. U.H.S. Scotch Scotch Pembroke
1984 Scotch Scotch Scotch Pembroke Pembroke
1985 A.H.S. A.H.S. Scotch U.H.S. U.H.S.
1986 A.H.S. A.H.S. Pembroke A.H.S. Pembroke
1987 U.H.S. U.H.S. A.H.S. U.H.S. U.H.S. U.H.S.
1988 U.H.S. U.H.S. U.H.S. Pembroke Scotch Scotch
1989 Scotch Wilderness U.H.S. Walford Pembroke Wilderness Wilderness
1990 U.H.S. U.H.S. U.H.S. Scotch Pembroke Walford Wilderness
1991 Pembroke Wilderness U.H.S. U.H.S. Pembroke Pembroke (1) Scotch
1992 Wilderness Wilderness Wilderness Walford Pembroke Pembroke U.H.S.
1993 Wilderness Wilderness Pembroke (1) Pembroke Wilderness Pembroke Walford

Queensland[edit]

Queensland Head of the River Regatta[edit]

The Head of the River for schoolboys is contested between seven of the nine GPS (Great Public Schools) schools in Brisbane, with schools Brisbane Boys College, Brisbane Grammar School, Brisbane State High School, Anglican Church Grammar School, St. Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace, The Southport School and St. Joseph's Nudgee College competing. The GPS Head of the River has been held since 1918, with Southport winning in the inaugural year. The races have been held on the Milton Reach of the Brisbane River, Wivenhoe Dam, Hinze Dam, Lake Kawana and now race at Wyaralong Dam. Crowds of several thousand attend the annual Championship Regatta at Lake Kawana but in earlier years there are reports of both sides of the river being lined with spectators and tens of thousands attending.

Queensland Girls Head of the River Regatta[edit]

On 13 October 1990 the Inaugural Schoolgirls' Head of the River was held on the Milton Reach of the Brisbane River. The seven schools that competed were All Hallows' School, Brisbane State High School, St Aidan's Anglican Girls' School, St Hilda's School, St Margaret's Anglican Girls' School, St Peters Lutheran College and Somerville House. Sixteen events were competed with 118 competitors and 3 entries in the Open 8+. The newly formed Brisbane Schoolgirls Rowing Association conducted the Head of the River with additional competitors from Brisbane Girls' Grammar School, Clayfield College, Indooroopilly State High School, Kelvin Grove State High School and Stuartholme School. By 1992, entries in the Open 8+ had doubled to six, the number of events expanded to 19 and 11 schools competed.

Bundaberg Head of the River Regatta[edit]

A 'Head of the River' competition is also held among Bundaberg schools. It is held on an annual basis and has been for the past 18 years. All Bundaberg secondary schools except for the Bundaberg Christian College participate in the regatta. These schools are Bundaberg North SHS, Bundaberg SHS, Kepnock SHS, St. Luke's Anglican College, Gin Gin SHS and Shalom Catholic College. St Luke's Anglican recently broke Shalom's twenty year winning streak over the other schools for the travel world overall points trophy with a score of 123, to 65.

Victoria[edit]

VIC Head of the River Regatta[edit]

The Victorian race is contested between the 11 Associated Public Schools of Victoria (APS).

The race is usually the last race of the official APS rowing season and has recently been rowed on Lake Nagambie, which is a fully-buoyed international standard course, allowing six boat finals.

VIC Head of the Schoolgirls Regatta[edit]

1984 was the final year that girls from non-APS schools participated in the APS Head of the River. As a result of being barred from further competition in the APS regatta, the principal of Morongo Girls' College initiated a meeting that established the Head of School Girls’ Regatta (HOSG), founded on the principle that any school could compete. The first HOSG was held in 1985, on Lake Wendouree in Ballarat, with seven events, 16 participating schools and 240 competitors. In 1987, the event moved to the Barwon River in Geelong. In 1991, the HOSG Regatta Committee became an incorporated association. In 2013, the HOSG regatta was contested by 35 schools and 1766 competitors.[citation needed]

Western Australia[edit]

WA Head of the River Regatta[edit]

The Perth race held in late summer/early autumn is contested between the 7 Public Schools Association members. The regatta consists of many races with points contributing to the Hamer Cup, and in the final race of the day, the 1st VIII crews from each school compete for the Head of the River trophy. Originally the race was run on the Swan River then Canning River, near Canning Bridge. Since 2009 the event has been held at the purpose built rowing course at Champion Lakes, Kelmscott.[10] Records have tumbled since the venue change with records set in 2009 and 2010. The current record time for the 2000m event is 5 minutes 48.2 seconds set by Trinity College.[10]

WA Head of the Schoolgirls Regatta[edit]

In the winter several private Perth girls schools race for the title.

Tasmania[edit]

The Tasmanian Head of the River is currently held at the Lake Barrington Rowing Course. Held over the full championship distance, the schools associated with SATIS (Sports Association of Tasmanian Independent Schools) from both the north and south of the state compete for the event. The Hutchins School, Launceston Church Grammar, The Friends School, Guilford Young College, Scotch Oakburn College, St Patrick's College and St Brendan-Shaw College all compete in the boys race, while St Michael's Collegiate School, The Friends School, Fahan School, Scotch Oakburn College, St. Patrick's College, St Mary's College and Launceston Church Grammar all compete for the girls trophy.

The Head of the River regatta is often held the Saturday before Easter. However, in 2006 the Head of the River was postponed for the first time in its Tasmanian History with a limited regatta program being amalgamated in to the Tasmanian Masters Regatta. This was able to cater for the main races with Hutchins taking out the boys' Head of the River trophy and St Michael's Collegiate School the girls.

In 2007 Scotch Oakburn won their first Head of the River in a decade in a tight race with just a second between themselves, Launceston Church Grammar and The Hutchins School. The chance for Hutchins to claim their 5th consecutive title was denied. The Friends School came a distant 4th place after much hype. In the girls event the dominant Friends School crew won easily over Launceston Church Grammar with surprise combination coming from Fahan School gaining second place.

In 2008, The Hutchins School regained the title from Scotch Oakburn in a close race, with St Patricks college in third.

The following year, The Hutchins School won after being challenged all season by a strong St Patricks College crew. In third spot was Scotch Oakburn College.

In 2010 The Hutchins School won, having dominant performances throughout the season. Scotch Oakburn collected up second spot and the Friends crew came in third.

The 2011 Tasmanian School Boys Head of the River saw yet another dominant performance from The Hutchins School taking the win by 10 seconds from Scotch Oakburn with Friends placing third. In girls race the victors were Grammar with Scotch Oakburn placing second.

In 2012, the Head of the River Champions were Launceston Church Grammar for the girls and The Hutchins School for the boys.

In 2013, The underdog crew from Scotch Oakburn took out the Head of the River by a margin of 2 lengths to The Hutchins School, who had a dominant season and went into the race as favourites. This prevented Hutchins from a 6th title, and gave Scotch Oakburn their first win in 6 years. Closely in 3rd, The Friends School.

  • First VIII – "Tasmanian School Boys Head of the River"
Year Winner 2nd 3rd Time
2007 Scotch Oakburn College, Tasmania Launceston Church Grammar School The Hutchins School 6.37.97
2008 The Hutchins School Scotch Oakburn College, Tasmania St Patrick's College 6.00.49
2009 The Hutchins School St Patricks College Scotch Oakburn College, Tasmania 6.28.84
2010 The Hutchins School Scotch Oakburn College, Tasmania The Friends School 6.03.13
2011 The Hutchins School Scotch Oakburn College, Tasmania The Friends School 6.06.64
2012 The Hutchins School Scotch Oakburn College, Tasmania Launceston Church Grammar School 6.07.16
2013 Scotch Oakburn College, Tasmania The Hutchins School The Friends School 6.01.91
2017 The Hutchins School Scotch Oakburn College, Tasmania The Friends School 5.54.12
2019 The Hutchins School Scotch Oakburn College, Tasmania Launceston Church Grammar School 6.04.71

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Williams, Daniel (20 December 1991). "Girls steer smooth course from humble start". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 34.
  2. ^ "Rowing NSW – Contact list of Independent Schools". Rowing New South Wales Incorporated. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  3. ^ "NSW Schoolgirl Head of the River Rules" (PDF). CISSC. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 March 2011. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  4. ^ "NSWRA Law of Boat Racing (as revised June 2009)". Rowing New South Wales Incorporated. Archived from the original on 12 September 2017. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  5. ^ Rowing South Australia. "2019 Schools' Head of the River". SA Rowing Manager. Rowing South Australia. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  6. ^ However, the SA Public Schools' Regatta was informally known as, and the Schools Regatta is informally referred to as, "The Head of the River".
  7. ^ http://roms.rowingaustralia.com.au/Rowing/Regattas/Races/RegattaRaceView.aspx?id=4ed4fd5e-a69b-4797-bb6d-e1bc2c270246[permanent dead link]
  8. ^ http://roms.rowingaustralia.com.au/Rowing/Regattas/Races/RegattaRaceView.aspx?id=16d105a0-70b6-46c7-a8c5-1afd4586d94d[permanent dead link]
  9. ^ "2010 HOR Results" (PDF). Retrieved 8 April 2013.
  10. ^ a b "Armadale Redevelopment Authority - Champion Lakes". 2009. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2010.

External links[edit]