160 years of Ballarat Rowing Club

THE city’s rowing community will mark the one hundred and sixtieth anniversary of Ballarat Rowing Club this month.

Current and former members, and long-time supporters of the broader Wendouree-Ballarat Rowing Club will celebrate BRC at the Ballarat Yacht Club on Sunday, 14 November from 3.30pm to 7pm.

WBRC captain Alicia Ivory said BRC launched on 20 November 1861 at McLaren’s Hotel in Bridge Street, before merging with Wendouree Rowing Club in the 1970s.

Some rowers who were part of Wendouree and Ballarat rowing clubs before and during the amalgamation period are still part of the WBRC community.

“One hundred and sixty years is a very significant milestone for a sporting club in the world, let alone just in Ballarat or Australia,” Ms Ivory said.

“Ballarat Rowing Club is the second oldest rowing club in Australia, and when you compare the age of organised sporting clubs in the world, it would rank as one of the oldest worldwide.”

“The club was set up to deliver regattas, and helped to establish Ballarat as one of Victoria’s premier rowing destinations. The annual Wendouree-Ballarat and Ballarat regattas are the last two main club regattas that continue to this day, from that initial establishment.”

The Ballarat Clarendon College K.D. Baird Boat Shed, next door to WBRC, is the oldest rowing facility on Lake Wendouree, and was Ballarat Rowing Club’s original home.

On Sunday, club memories will be shared, key member achievements will be recognised, historic photos will be displayed, and attendees will see young BCC rowers on the water in training.

“This event is an opportunity to connect after what as been a difficult couple of years during COVID,” Ms Ivory said.

Visit bit.ly/3o6x8HB for tickets to the Sunday event, or bit.ly/3keTXaRto read more about BRC’s history.