Our history

The history of Commercial Rowing Club is an intriguing story of trial and tribulation driven by the perseverance, passion and determination of its members to keep rowing.

Our achievements are a testament to the tireless work of succesive committees since 1877. 

Click on the years below to read more about our colourful history!

1877–1905

Highlights

• Commercial Rowing Club (CRC) is formed.
• CRC works hard to secure rowing premises.
• CRC enjoys success in Champion 4s of Queensland, and later, the Champion 8s; and take seats in the Intercolonial 8+s.
• CRC advocates for a Queensland Rowing Association.
• CRC moves into a new boatshed 6 times!!!

1906–1918

Highlights

• A period of stability in the grand new clubhouse.
• CRC wins the Queensland Championship Men’s 8+ in 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908 1911, 1912 and 1914.
• CRC enjoys other rowing successes in Junior 4s, Maiden 4s, Maiden 8s and Senior 4s and 8s.
• A significant contribution to Queensland 8+s rowing from the O’Connor Boathouse.

1919-1945

Highlights

• CRC rebuilds its membership.
• CRC wins U20 4s, Junior 4s, Maiden 4s, Senior 8+s, the Championship 8+ of Brisbane, and has a world class sculler.
• CRC prepares for the 1927 Jubilee year.
• CRC mourns the death of significant members.

1946–1959

Highlights

• CRC returns to its pre-war success on the water.
• Clubhouse social activities ramp up.
• CRC hosts its Belle of the Ball fundraiser.
• Dances are held for Indigenous folk (when they are allowed to cross the river).

1960–1969

Highlights

• The O’Connor Boathouse is the social centre in town.
• CRC uses proceeds from the O’Connor Boathouse dance floor to raise revenue.
• CRC recovers from disaster!

1970–1979

Highlights

• CRC establishes new rowing premises.
• CRC competes in a lot of local and regional regattas.
• 100th anniversary celebration.
• Lots of pub raffles to raise revenue.
• More women are signing up for membership.

1980–1989

Highlights

• Advice from Rowing Queensland coaching director Alan Roafe falls on fertile ground!
• CRC achieves serious rowing success.
• CRC wins every Queensland Championship Men’s 8+ from 1984–1989.
• CRC wins Queensland Championship Women’s 8+ in 1980, 1981, 1984, 1985 and 1986.
• 20 Australian selections and gold is won on the world stage!
• Still ramping up revenue with pub raffles until illegal parking revenue becomes a thing.
• CRC enjoys a lot of local and regional regattas but is now also attending national regattas.

1990–1999

Highlights

• CRC wins the Queensland Championship Men’s 8+ in 1990, 1991, 1994.
• CRC wins the Queensland Championship Women’s 8+ in 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1995.
• 35 Australian selections and gold on the world stage!
• An era of legendary ‘States after-parties’ begins.
• Revenue from car parking dries up as the Council puts its foot down.
• Scheme after scheme is proposed to raise revenue – new clubhouse, poker machines, parking stations, accommodation — foiled by government at every turn.
• Introduction of the Corporate Regatta saves the day!
• First-ever attendance at the Head of the Yarra and 1 winning crew.
• More mature age rowers signing up as members.

2000–2009

Highlights

• CRC wins the Queensland Championship Women’s 8+ in 2007, 2008, 2009.
• 17 Australian selections.
• 4 Head of the Yarra winning crews.
• CRC is banished from city reach forever.
• 125th anniversary celebration.
• Lucrative Corporate Regatta and ‘Rock the Boat’ challenges continue.

2010-2019

Highlights

• CRC survives a period of low membership and financial downturn.
• Last of the Corporate Regattas – 2012, 2013, 2014.
• 42 Australian selections and gold on the world stage!
• 2 winning Head of the Yarra crews.
• CRC hosts the Men’s Passport Program.
• 140th anniversary celebration.
• CRC gets a clubhouse upgrade.

2020–2025

Highlights

• An unusual time – responding to the Covid epidemic.
• Loss of significant long-term members.
• 6 Australian selections.
• 3 winning Head of Yarra crews.
• CRC builds a successful youth development program.
• CRC enters coastal boat racing.