Club History

NUBC is very proud of its history, stories and people. We hope you find some memories and insights into our club below. They are the stories of some very interesting and lovely people and we are always interested if you have sometime to contribute:

Godfrey Tanner, 13 May 1993:

The Boat Club was founded in 1961 and began operations with one old regulation Four given by Sydney Rowing Club housed in a wharf shed at Raymond Terrace. Its formation began from a speech by Godfrey Tanner at the 1961 Throsby Creek race.

An opportunity came in late 1962 to purchase Richardson & Scully’s 1867 riverfront warehouse in King Street. A University Boat Club Trust was set up consisting of the late George Edwards (afterwards Deputy Chancellor), Godfrey Tanner and the late Tony Enright, a well-known Maitland Solicitor. The property, in a flood area, was acquired for 400 pounds subject to an entrenched ground floor commercial tenancy. The money was provided by Messrs. Edwards, Tanner, Harley Kloster and Frank Williams; Mr Enright performing all legal work gratis.

The kind action of the late Mr Cunningham of Raymond Terrace persuaded our tenant to leave, and Godfrey Tanner then spent 1100 pounds from a legacy on urgent repairs. He ordered a new tub pair and regulation Four at his expense from Sargeant and Burton and the Sports Union ordered another Four also, whilst providing a further 500 pounds for building a thirty-foot long ramp. This was erected to a Tanner design by the Raymond Terrace Coffin Maker Percy Boots and lasted seven years.

Haberfield Club donated an old Eight, a Four and a Pair in 1963. When the University became autonomous the Trustees vested the whole asset in the University of Newcastle.

The [Vice Chancellor’s] Regatta title came about during Professor George’s regime. Originally, return contests were held with North Coast Clubs; but Inter Faculty regattas began after 1966, when the Club attended its first I.V. [Inter Varsity] (in Adelaide). The coming of Medicine in 1975 greatly enhanced Inter Faculty—but the desire of Edwards Hall and the Rugger and Hockey Club to participate led to the name being changed to Vice-Chancellor’s Regatta in 1983.

Newcastle’s first I.V. hosting was for Women’s Rowing in 1968, where the fine local scullers Margaret Clark (then National Champion) and Bev Donald, her partner in double sculls were outstanding. In 1972 Newcastle were hosts to a highly successful Mens and Womens I.V., but we had to use the Manning Course at Taree because the M.S.B. (Maritime Services Board) would not dredge ours at that time.

At the date of foundation [1961] the Club hoped that some College building would soon start and attract interest in rowing competition. But the rejection of an offer from the AUC (Australian Universities Commission) by the Anglican Synod in 1963 meant that Edwards Hall was set up as the sole residence.

[In 1993,] the founding of three new institutions [International House, Evatt House and Barahineban] is already proving an enormous stimulus, as is the establishment of the Central Coast Rowing Association with three other nearby Clubs and the University Club as members.