Summary

Australia Queensland
C.B.FISHER SCULLING TROPHY 1888 (AD)
Mint: not recorded
Awarded to: Digger, William
Other Details: St George Rowing Club sculling trophy presented by C.B. Fisher & Co. to William Digger on 19 March 1888. St George is small town located in southern Queensland, near the New South Wales border. Capital of the Balonne Shire, it is located on the Balonne River, and has long been known for its water sports. Athletic Queensland: a History of Amateur Rowing... recorded in 1900 that 'The climate of Queensland is one particularly adapted to rowing, and presuming the day's labour to end at 4.30 or 5pm, a man can easily have a good row in either summer or winter...Queensland posseses some magnificent specimens of manhood...' The year after this medal was issued the Queensland Rowing Association was formed, governing amateur rowing in Queensland. Centres for rowing were located in Brisbane, Maryborough and Rockhampton; the 1900 history of rowing fails to mention the rowing activities in the small regional centre of St George.

Obverse Description

Crossed oars on shield with ornate surround

Reverse Description

Inscribed; PRESENTED BY / C.B.FISHER & Co. / >ST.G.R.C.< / ALL COMERS / SCULLING TROPHY / WON BY / William Digger / 19th. March 1888

Significance

William Digger is not listed in the Queensland Pioneers' Index 1829-1889 (births, deaths and marriages), and the Queensland directory for 1888 does not include reference to the St George Rowing Club, although other clubs are listed. However, several other members of the Digger family are buried in the St George cemetery (Cemetery Transcription Library http://www.interment.net/data/aus/qld/balonne/stgeorge/st_george_ad.htm). The St George Rowing Club no longer exists, although a St George Rowing Club was established in New South Wales in 1957. A St George Rowing Club also exists in Auckland, New Zealand. -D. Tout-Smith 18/11/2003.

Athletic Queensland: a History of Amateur Rowing, Boxing and Physical Development, Pedestrianism and Cycling in Queensland (H.J. Diddams, 1900) recorded that 'The climate of Queensland is one particularly adapted to rowing, and presuming the day's labour to end at 4.30 or 5pm, a man can easily have a good row in either summer or winter...Queensland posseses some magnificent specimens of manhood...' The year after this medal was issued the Queensland Rowing Association was formed, governing amateur rowing in Queensland. Centres for rowing were located iin Brisbane, Maryborough and Rockhampton; the 1900 history of rowing fails to mention the rowing activities in the small regional centre of St George. -D. Tout-Smith 30/12/2003.

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