Reference Blog #4 featuring the Senior Star Eight at Picton, 2 January 1961 – there was the question of who was the Coxswain? I am pleased to announce we now have an answer. Full marks to Malcolm Bridge who recognised the lad as Gerard Guthrie with 50% to Warwick Armstrong whose powerful memory gave us this: “I’ve just remembered that the cox of our junior eight stroked by Warwick Dent was someone Guthrie.”
The next question is where do we find Gerard to acquaint him of the fact we are about to celebrate the Club’s Anniversary. Indeed, the Organising Committee would be grateful to learn of more Stars that we are not in touch with yet. Tony Hinkley, for example, springs to my mind. Tony’s Dad was a Star rower and official and I can recall that he was an earnest follower of Tony’s rowing around the country.
Do you think it would be an idea to take special steps to name as many as we can of these “lost persons”? If so, any ideas please as to processes we could adopt?
Perusal of Minute Books:
Last week I spent a day at the Alexander Turnbull Library casting my eyes over, in particular, Minute Books, Volumes 2, 3 and 4. covering the period 1878 – 1904. Here are some of my discoveries:
The Minute Books contain many references to the Whaleboats. A number were built by George Norton the Club’s Custodian. More on George later. Permission to take these boats beyond the Harbour were very sparely given by the Committee. Probably the furthest journey was one approved to Pelorus. Another was granted permission but with fishing banned. I have it on oral authority that the boats were also used for training trips to Lake Ferry and back.
The Minutes show that we have been in competition with the Petone Rowing Club, both on and off the water, since the date of its establishment in 1900. We have a Minute which reads:
“Petone Rowing Club. The Secretary was instructed to write to the Petone Rowing Club drawing attention to the fact that the Club had adopted the Star Club colours and suggesting the desirability of having the two Club colours discussed“. The outcome was the Petone Club adopted a uniform consisting of white trousers, a white cap with red buttons, a white singlet with a broad red sash, and a boater hat with a red band. By the 1960’s the uniform had changed to gold singlets and black shorts.
Obituaries: Colin Nelson Harrington Bridge (Bugsy)
I had in mind long before I commenced writing these Blogs, that this guy’s passing should not go unmentioned. Colin will be remembered by members in his time with the Club (Active Rower 1959 -1966) as an outstanding and prolific contributor to all things associated with the Star Boating Club. He possessed a personality that drew people into his world of Rowing and Rugby.
His Rowing Status wins include:
1959-60-Wanganui, Wellington, Picton (National): Junior Eights (2); 1963-64 – Napier, Junior Fours (str); 1964-65 – Picton: Senior Eights (4); 1965-66 – Wairau: Senior Eights (str), Senior Fours (str), Napier: Senior Eights (5).
Brothers, Trevor (1951-52) Picton: Youth Fours (3) and Malcolm (1965-66) Wairau Maiden Eights (str); Lightweight Fours (str), Wairau and Picton: Youth Fours (str) were also “Stars”* Prior to this Malcolm was one of the Club’s most effective Coxswains. Another brother, Max was also a Coxswain in the early 1960’s.
Obituaries: C.N.H Bridge
New Zealand Rugby History:
https://www.rugbyhistory.co.nz/player/colin-nelson-harrington-bridge
What caused you to Row with Star?
I should be delighted to receive your stories about the reasons you took on Rowing with Star. In return I shall publish mine, which started basically to keep fit for Rugby through the Summer season. This however was reversed after one season on the water, with Rowing becoming my number one pursuit. There is more to it too, but I shall keep silent until I have your stories, gossip and perhaps the odd lie or two. Email them or use the comments box at the foot of the Blog. A photograph too would be splendid.
A memorable moment in my Rowing career.
Perhaps it is somewhat immodest of me, but I must get this in there among other memories of the past. This photograph was recovered for me by the Whanganui Regional Museum. It appeared on the back page of the Wanganui Herald in January 1962. The caption reads: STAR CROSS THE LINE AN EASY WINNER in the senior double sculls at the Woolworth Cup regatta on Saturday. The Star crew (Warwick Dent (str) and Bob Vine) walked in from Clifton and Union, not in the picture.”