Rowing oars don't look like this anymore!

Charlie Wilson (1971) rowed this blade in Churchie's winning First VIII at the Head of the River that year. Solid timber, no carbon, heavy enough that the equipment tested you almost as much as the race did.

You couldn't just order a new set either. After the win the eight pooled their money and bought the oars they had raced with. Look closely and every name is there on the blade, coach included.

They raced in The Eagle, the first white-painted boat in the event. Same warm-up our crews do now, out of Mowbray Park and up to the start line, except the bank near the Grey Street Bridge was packed with people waiting for the race to begin.

The oar went with Charlie around regional Queensland for five decades before coming back to Brisbane. Now it has a permanent home at the School, handed to Hamish, our Captain of Boats.