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‘Given there has been no previous defi nitive history of Australian rowing, the publication of these volumes is especially welcome. The project has been undertaken by long-term oarsman and acclaimed sports historian Robin Poke, for whom undertaking this work has been very much a legacy project. I commend Robin’s achievement to all who have an interest in the fascinating history of rowing in this country (John Coates).’

Subscriber limited edition of 100 copies, individually signed and numbered and with subscribers listed at the front. (To acquire a limited edition copy, subscribers will have to register and pay for the book by 1 August 2019.)

ISBN: 978-1-876718-30-5 Paperback and e-publication – ISBN: 978-1-876718-31-2

Volume 1 publication date: September 2019.Volume 2 will be published in 2020.

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LOOKING BACK, RATING HIGH: A HISTORY OF AUSTRALIAN ROWING

Volume 1

From Early Settlement to pre-War Success

1770–1939

ROBIN POKEwith a Foreword by

JOHN COATES ACPast President Rowing Australia

Foreword • Preface • Endnotes • Bibliography • Index• Lavishly i l lustrated • approx 240 pp.

Bobby Pearce, Olympic champion in 1928 and 1932.

The first volume of this history of Australian rowing describes the first, primitive forms of rowing in the country and the gradual evolution of the sport. From the 1870s Australia produced a succession of world champion professional scullers, which placed the sport high on the national pedestal. The rise of amateur rowing created tensions within the sport and there were endless discussions relating to the issues of class and money. Meanwhile, many clubs were formed, colonial administrations emerged and, by the turn of the century, women became prominent in rowing. Following the Great War an Australian Imperial Force crew competed at England’s Henley and obtained the King’s Cup. Bobby Pearce was an outstanding amateur sculler who won Olympic gold medals in 1928 and 1932 but then chose to live in Canada.

Pearce, who turned professional in 1933, was never beaten. Australia achieved considerable success at the third British Empire Games in Sydney in 1938, winning gold in the sculls and fours and silver in the eights. Eight Sydney oarsmen competed at the Henley Royal Centenary Regatta in July 1939, two months before the start of the Second World War.

A second volume, covering the period 1939 to 2018 will be published in 2020.

Robin Poke AM is a Canberra-based sports historian and journalist. He previously published the widely acclaimed biography, Peter Antonie: Out Of His Shell, in 2007. He hashad a long-time involvement in Australian rowing as oarsman and administrator. He founded the national magazine, Australian Rowing, and was media liaison officer with the Australian team at the Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Olympic Games. He was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2013 ‘For significant service to the sport of rowing and the Olympic movement as an administrator, journalist and author’.

The Victorian eight training for the 1878 intercolonial regatta.

Cassie Woolley won the first women’s interstate rowing competition in 1901.

Australians dominated this gallery of world champions from the 1870s tothe 1920s.