| Creator: |
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| Earliest: |
1859 |
| Latest: |
1859 |
| History : |
The Melbourne University Boat Club (MUBC) is the oldest rowing club in Australia. Situated on Melbourne’s Yarra River it was originally established by Professor Irving (Classics) in 1859, with the objective to ‘raise a crew from the University’ to race against Melbourne’s metropolitan Banks. Since its inception the aim of the club has changed somewhat, to one of enabling members to reach their potential as oarspersons. Its members have and continue to compete in a wide spectrum of events from Victorian Regattas and interstate competitions to Olympic Games, including the Stockholm Olympics (1912), the Beijing Olympics (2008), and the London Olympics (2012).
In 1891, at the instigation of the Oxford University Boat Club, the Old Members of the Oxford and Cambridge University Boat Clubs raised funds by subscription to pay for a perpetual Challenge Cup to be presented to the Universities of Australia for their Annual Competition. The cup was presented to the boat clubs of Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide Universities following the 4 April 1891 Australian University Championships on the Parramatta River Sydney NSW. In the History of Australian Rowing, the author notes: At the dinner after the event, it was announced that Old Blues from Oxford & Cambridge would present a perpetual trophy for this event. It was therefore to be the first contest for the Warre Challenge Cup. The cup was to be so named after Dr Warre, Head Master of Eton College and will be sent out by Mr Halcomb.
Selected reference: http://www.mubc.asn.au/about.html
Sources: Guerin-Foster History of Australian Rowing, https://www.rowingmuseum.org.au/university-championships/1891.php; accessed 30/04/2019 |
| Activities/Occupation: |
Clubs, sporting |
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