Our Perpetual Trophy Sponsors

Presented in 1932 by the late Sir James Gosse and his family as a perpetual trophy.

The Gosse Shield was presented for the first time in 1932 by James H Gosse (1876-1952), son of William Christie Gosse, the government-appointed surveyor who documented Uluru (Ayers Rock) in 1873.

James and his brother William Hay Gosse (1875-1918 killed in action an WWI) both rowed at St Peter’s College.

James rowed in the First Four in 1895 and 1896 (before the advent of eight-oared schoolboy crews). He went on to row for South Australia in 1902-05 and was the President of the Adelaide Rowing Club. As well as playing football for the Norwood Football Club as a ruckman (1894-1905), he captained Norwood in 1905 as well as the State Team. He was President of Norwood Football Club from 1920-39 and SANFL President from 1945 until his death in 1952.

Sir James Hay Gosse was knighted in 1947 with acknowledgement to his commerce and philanthropy commitment in South Australia. He was chairman of George Wills, Bank of SA, Adelaide Steamship Company, Executor Trustee & Agency Company. He was President of the Port Adelaide Racing Club, Adelaide Chamber of Commerce, and Royal Zoological Society of SA. His philanthropy extended to being on the State Flora and Fauna Board where he spent considerable time and effort in the development of Flinders Chase on Kangaroo Island. He was also a member of the School of Governors.

His four sons all rowed in the First Eight; Rob C (1925 cox, 1927 (4), and 1928 stroke) and Captain of Boats, James E (1930 bow), EB Ted (1930 & 31 cox, 1934 bow), JG Jock (1935-37 stroke) and Captain of Boats (1937).

James E went on to row in the State Championships for Adelaide University Eight (1931 bow). Ted and Jock both rowed for Cambridge while at Trinity College.

Two of James Gosse’s grandsons (sons of James E), rowed in the St Peter’s College First Eight; Hamish (1958 (2) and 1959 stroke), and Lachlan (1966 stroke).

Five great-grandsons (grandsons of James E) also rowed while at Saints. Jock (son of Hamish) in the First Eight (1987) in the same crew as Nick Wadlow (son of Ann (James E’s daughter)). James E (son of Lachlan) rowed in the First Eight (1992-93 cox) and Vice Captain of Boats (1993). Mark (son of Lachlan) rowed in the Second Eight (1993 cox) and Sam (son of Lachlan) rowed in the Second Eight (1996 bow).

Presented by the late RH Wallman Esq in 1937 as a perpetual trophy.

Presented by Sir Collier Cudmore in 1966 as a perpetual trophy.

Sir Collier Cudmore (1885 - 1971) was a lawyer and politician was born into a South Australian pastoral family. He was educated St Peter’s College, University of Adelaide and Oxford University (Magdalen College).

Collier rowed for all three institutions as well as influencing the development of the Adelaide Rowing Club.

While at Oxford University, Collier rowed in a particularly fast Magdalen College four which represented Britain in the 1908 London Olympics. The crew won, consequently Collier was the first Australian sweep oarsman to win an Olympic Gold medal.

During First World War Collier commanded an Artillery battery in France and was twice seriously wounded.

Collier maintained active interest in School rowing as a coach and was the Chief Judge of the annual Schools’ Head off the River Regatta for several decades.

Collier believed that the Boys Open Four competition should have a trophy to recognise their particular efforts in school rowing and consequently he presented The Cudmore Cup as a perpetual trophy in 1966.

Presented by the Menz family as a perpetual trophy.

Presented in 1969 by the family of the late Douglas Lincoln Chapman in recognition of his contribution to rowing.

Douglas Chapman was extremely interested in the sport of rowing after he left his education at Scotch College, Adelaide. He was very active in the Scotch College Old Collegians and held offices of the Association for a number of years.

Doug became the Scotch College member of the Head of the River Committee. It was his great interest to see school boys and young men take up the sport of rowing. He then became the Secretary of the Head of the River committee and ran the Head of the River event for over twenty years.

The Committee was led by the Headmasters of the schools taking part, and the event was then held on the River Torrens, in the City of Adelaide. Then the participating crews were only boys. The running of the event was in Doug’s hands to stage each year. He was helped by his many rowing friends from the Adelaide Rowing Club and other Clubs. This was a very big job but one that Doug enjoyed more each year.

He became a member of the Adelaide Rowing Club in the late 1920’s, and was Captain of Boats from 1935-37 , and Secretary of the Club from 1931-35 and 1938-39. He kept a very close interest in the club until his untimely death in 1965.

To commemorate Doug’s dedication to schoolboy rowing in South Australia, the Chapman Cup was donated by his family in 1969 to be awarded each year at the Head of the River to the winner of the Boys’ Under 16 Quad Sculls.

Doug’s son, two grandsons , one great-granddaughter and three great-grandsons have all rowed in Head of the River Events. One great grandson James Chapman won the Chapman Cup.

Presented by Norman C Howard in 1972 as a perpetual trophy. Named in honour of Wilfred J Ferguson (Coach of St Peter’s College Lightweight IV).

The Ferguson Family recall Norman C Howard was somewhat of an institution within the school, particularly supporting the Sea Scouts during school holiday periods. Under his stewardship there was the chance to explore South Australia, from kayaking along sections of the River Murray, to sailing his 40 ft sloop 'Southern Myth’ to Port Lincoln and back. Those who had the opportunity to spend time with Norm learned from him many skills; self-reliance, resilience, the art of navigation and sailing, and they carry these lessons in their lives still.

Presented by Unley High School in 2017 in recognition of Roly Dankbaar’s contribution to the formation of the Unley High School Rowing Club.

Roly Dankbaar began a long association with Unley High School in 1978, coaching in the early years of Schoolgirl rowing with crews competing in the SA Head of the River and the Australian National Championships in Tasmania. In 1980 Roly coached Unley's boys First VIII to a third placing at the Head of the River. Continuing with the boys crew in 1980, it was his girls “B" IV (Laura Stein, Robyn Grey-Gardner, Karen Riedel, Jean Jackson and Roz Aylmore) that surprised all by narrowly winning the Schoolgirl State Championship in their first race, again at the Head of the River, and claiming the Women's Junior IV Australian title (the only race then available to Schoolgirls) at the National Championships held in Ballarat.

Roly began his teaching career in Port Pirie, where he coached school crews. In 1984 he was appointed to Unley High School as a music teacher and rowing coordinator. Under his guidance the Unley club grew to number over 100 rowers, their rowing success culminating in the 1987 Head of the River, winning 6 races including both premier events, the Girls First IV and the Boys First VIII. In 1988, girls from the Unley High club approached the SA Equal Opportunity Commissioner for the introduction of a Girls First VIII race at the Head of the River, running a difficult but successful campaign that led to the immediate implementation of a full program of races for girls.

During his time at Unley, Roly was the driving force behind the campaign for an end to junior rowers racing in tub sweep-fours, instead promoting quad sculling in racing shells as a modern healthier approach. South Australia led the change with the introduction of quad sculls for junior rowers in 1990/91, leading to their introduction nationally in 1998.

Until recently, Roly maintained an active role in masters and club rowing.

Presented by Prince Alfred College in 2017 in recognition of the Mclachlan family’s contribution to rowing in South Australia and to Year 8 rowing in the Head of the River Regatta.

Presented by Prince Alfred College in 2017 in recognition for Barbara Fenner’s exceptional, long-standing contribution to rowing in South Australia and Australia.

Presented by Christian Brothers’ College in 2017 in recognition of Jaime Fernandez who competed in the Men’s VIII at the Barcelona, Atlanta and Sydney Olympic Games.

Jaime also competed in five World Rowing Championships and the 1994 Commonwealth Games.