Peter Kemp - World champion sculler

The sport of sculling was flourishing throughout the world in the latter half of the nineteenth century, particularly in Australia. Australians were dominating the sport and pulling in huge crowds of spectators, particularly along the Parramatta and Hawkesbury River. The professional sport of sculling remained popular until around the onset of World War 1.

Peter Kemp from the Windsor & Richmond Gazette 7 June 1890

Peter Kemp 1853-1921

Peter Kemp was well-known in the sport and was born and bred in the Hawkesbury. Peter was born 15 November 1853, the son of Peter Kemp, a convict who arrived in 1832, and Sophia nee Huxley. As a boy growing up near the mouth of the Colo River, he taught himself to row on both the Colo and Hawkesbury Rivers. His first race was against William Grono, another well-known Hawkesbury family. Kemp became interested and participated in several small events including a race in 1873 with his brother, Thomas. They beat William and Alexander Grono in a double sculls event, the times was thirty-three minutes over the four mile event.

Considered a late starter, his first important race was against George Solomon on the Hawkesbury River, he was then aged thirty-one years old. In 1884 as a virtual unknown, he raced against the superior sculler, Neil Matterson. Kemp led for half the race but then became ill. Following some controversy he attracted the attention of champion Bill Beach (1850-1935) and travelled to England with him as his protégé in 1886. He performed badly and was harshly criticised by the press both here and in England. On his return to Australia he started a training program, and actively exercised. In 1887 he once again met Matheson at a race on the Parramatta River which he won with little effort.

At another event, Bill Beach reigning champion, beat Canadian sculler Edward Hanlan at a race on the Nepean which Beach won. Kemp then challenged Beach however Beach decided to retire and under the rules of rowing, this made Kemp the World Sculling Champion. The sculling world was stunned and the press had a field day claiming the situation was rigged and Kemp was not worthy as the title holder. In 1888 a race was held at Parramatta between Kemp and his rival Hanlan. Huge crowds flocked the riverbanks and large bets were made. Kemp won the race and silenced his critics; he was then hailed as a brilliant oarsman. At his peak in 1888, Kemp's physical measurements were recorded in the newspaper. He was described as a strongly built, muscular man, with a wonderful freedom and dash in his stroke. His height was recorded as 5' 9"  with a chest of 40" and 14" biceps. His rowing weight was recorded as 11 stone 4 pound. The Windsor & Richmond Gazette reported that the Americans were keen for Kemp to travel to their country and organise a race between the American champion John Teemer and Kemp.

Hanlan challenged Kemp again several months later, however Kemp easily won the race and he finally the undisputed World Champion. Following this race, Kemp was challenged by Henry Searle (1866-1889) an unknown sculler who was quickly being recognised as a champion. Searle beat Kemp to become the champion, however he died suddenly in 1889 and under the rowing rules, Kemp then reclaimed the title. After several more wins Kemp was finally beaten by John McLean in 1890.

Peter Kemp was married in 1874 in Windsor to Henrietta Jones, the daughter of William Jones and Catherine Elkin. They had nine children but sadly Henrietta died, following the birth of daughter Bertha in 1891. Kemp married a second time to Bertha Lawler in 1891 and there were two more children born. Peter Kemp passed away on the 1 December 1921 at Summer Hill and is buried at Rookwood. His obituary was published in the Windsor and Richmond Gazette 9 December 1921.

Recreation in the Hawkesbury

Hawkesbury River

The Hawkesbury River has always played an integral role in recreation and water sports in the district. In 1845 the Hawkesbury Regatta Club was formed to encourage aquatic sports on the Hawkesbury River. Races were held for two and four oared boats, sculls and canoes. Regattas were held regularly along the river and the Grono family were first-rate participants. 

Advertisement for the establishment of the Hawkesbury Regatta Club Sydney Morning Herald 11 October 1845

The Hawkesbury Canoe Classic, is an annual race between Windsor and Brooklyn and now raises money for charity. 

Water ski-ing and power-boating are prevalent along the Hawkesbury River since the mid-twentieth century, the Bridge to Bridge Water Ski Classic commences from Dangar Island and continues the length of the Hawkesbury River and finishes at Windsor, 112kms later. The first race was held in 1961.

Early days of ski-ing on the Hawkesbury River.
Taken by Robert 'Bob' Powers, courtesy Hawkesbury Library Service

Sculling 

The sport of sculling was flourishing throughout the world during the latter half of the nineteeth century, particularly in Australia and around the Hawkesbury-Nepean and Parramatta Rivers. Australians dominated the sport with large crowds of spectators. Peter Kemp (1853-1921) a local Hawkesbury sportsman went on and became the World Champion Sculler.

Swimming 

When the district was originally settled by Europeans, many drownings took place as the settlers were not familiar with the river or swimming. Several generations later these families swam in the river for recreation. Swimming featured as a sport from about the 1890s. In 1896 the Mile Championship of Australasia race was held at Windsor with contestants from interstate and New Zealand, the race was won by Percy Cavill. 

In 1896 a meeting of ladies desirous of forming a swimming club in Windsor took place at the School of Arts. About thirty ladies attended the meeting and Mr. F. Collison and Mr. H. R. Buttsworth moved and seconded, on behalf of the ladies,  that a ladies branch of the NSW Swimming Association be formed in Windsor. The following ladies were proposed as a committee: Misses Becke, Linsley, Wood, Brancker,  Walker, Barnett, Dunstan, Cobcroft, Ward, Callaghan and Tebbutt. 

Swimming Clubs were formed to promote and teach the art of swimming. Richmond Pool was opened in 1963 and Windsor in 1971. Swimming in the Hawkesbury, Grose and Colo Rivers has always been a popular past time. Unfortunately swimming has not been promoted in the Hawkesbury River since the late 1980s with the advent of a Blue-Green algae problem. 

Recreation

Hawkesbury residents were proficient at entertaining themselves. Whilst sporting events were popular in some areas, social activities such as theatre, dances and tea parties were exceedingly prevalent in others. 

School of Arts & theatre groups 

Dr John Dunmore Lang opened the Windsor School of Arts building in Thompson Square in 1862 while Sir Henry Parkes opened the Richmond School of Arts in 1866. Each of the original buildings were fitted with a library and hall. Other buildings were established in the smaller townships at later dates. The School of Arts provided locals with lectures, recitals, debates, public meetings, balls etc. Richmond School of Arts is still used for its original purpose and is the home of the Richmond Players, the local drama group which was established in 1952. 

Windsor School of Arts
Courtesy Bowd Collection, Hawkesbury Library Service

Church activities 

Religion played an important role in the Hawkesbury district and the religious beliefs of the various denominations often influenced the lifestyle. Church services gave the inhabitants the opportunity to worship and the chance to interact socially. Denominations in the area included Church of England, Presbyterian, Methodist and Roman Catholic. Related events such as fetes, tea parties, concerts and other activities provided Hawkesbury residents with various forms of recreation. 

Organisations and community groups 

One of the earliest groups commencing in the district was the Hawkesbury Benevolent Society. Established in 1819, it was set up to support the poor, sick and elderly in the district. This group folded in the 1980s when the Western Area Service Scheme was set up. The Hawkesbury District Agricultural Association has been operating since 1879 and providing the regular Hawkesbury Show. Other groups such as the Richmond Rifle Corps, Windsor Ladies Music Club, Sons of Temperance or the Windsor School of Arts Literary and Debating Club have been and gone. 

Parks 

There are many parks in the Hawkesbury district that are used for the pleasure of the community. These range from large areas of land with grass and trees, to smaller portions that are filled with bushland. Some of these parks are also used as sports-grounds, meeting places and for recreation and picnics. The Hawkesbury has about 100 parks and reserves. 

Rotunda at McQuade Park,  1979
Taken by Margaret Chadwick, courtesy of Hawkesbury Library Service

Due to the diversity of the landscape in this district, there are six National Parks included within the Hawkesbury local government boundaries. They are Blue Mountains, Cattai, Dharug, Parr, Scheyville, Wollemi and Yengo National Parks. Other areas include the Mount Tomah Botanical Gardens, Pitt Town Lagoon Nature Reserve, Windsor Downs Nature Reserve & Comleroy State Forest. Renowned bushland landscapes and national parks in the area encourage the pursuit of bushwalking. 

Economy of the Hawkesbury district

The economy in the Hawkesbury district was originally based on agriculture and to a lesser extent, manufacturing. Some local identities demonstrated perceptive insights and commenced ventures that flourished, such as boat building, tanneries, meatworks, breweries, flour mills and wineries. The cultivation of wheat, maize, oats, vegetable & fruit production plus timber, dairying & poultry were important to the development of the district.

Manufacturing commenced early in the Hawkesbury with the processing of crops such as milling. Boatbuilding and brewing were other important industries in the during the 19th century. Settlers involved in the early shipbuilding industry along the Hawkesbury River included James Webb, Andrew Thompson, Jonathan Griffiths, Charles Beasley, William Grono & Alexander Books. With a good supply of timber boats of various sizes were constructed. It was reported in the Sydney Gazette 21st July 1810: On Saturday last came around from Hawkesbury where she was built, the new schooner 'Elizabeth & Mary'. Messrs Griffiths and Thorley owners. She was launched at Richmond Hill about a month since, and brings a cargo of maize. Her burthen is about 80 tons, her keel 48 feet, 18 feet beam; and is considered to be one of the handsomest vessels ever built in the colony.

Up until the late 19th century boats up to 100 tonnes could dock at the Windsor Wharf, however due to the serious silting of the Hawkesbury River as a result of years of flooding, only smaller vessels could reach the wharf. During the 1880s the Hawkesbury Steam Navigation Company was established with smaller vessels working co-operatively conveying goods. The 'S.S. Hawkesbury' was one of the first steam ships trading regularly along the river. During World War II, the river trade emerged as a lifeline to farmers along the river. Produce, passengers and goods were ferried along the Hawkesbury, Colo and Macdonald Rivers.

The tanning industry boomed quickly in the 19th Century in NSW & by the 1830s six tanneries were recorded in Windsor (1) this was 10% of the State's total. By the 1870s this figure had doubled.(2) Bootmakers set up businesses close to the leather supply and both Windsor and Richmond had numerous Shoe and Boot makers.

Mortley Bootmakers in George Street Windsor
Courtesy Hawkesbury Library Service 

Brewing was another significant business in the Hawkesbury. Andrew Thompson, a convict who arrived in 1792, and was given permission to set up a brewery business in 1806. He constructed a large brewery along South Creek which expanded until his untimely death in 1810. Two large establishments were Cadell's Brewery and the business of John O'Dell. Hotels have always been popular in the district, however in the 1840s it was reported there were at least forty public houses in and around Windsor, which is possibly an exaggeration.

In the mid to late nineteenth century, the district was still flourishing, a small, but major country town. The railway line linked Richmond to Sydney in 1864, encouraging growth along the line and the river still played an important role in transporting goods to the markets.

Small businesses developed in the township dotted around the Hawkesbury, however the administration hubs were centred around Windsor and Richmond. The main streets of these towns have for nearly two centuries have been bustling with general stores, blacksmiths, speciality shops, offices, banks and hotels.

On the commercial side there has been growth and fluctuations. Issues such as transport, the river trade and floods have had their affects on the local industries. The Great Fire in 1874 in Windsor's George and Macquarie Streets, destroyed three whole blocks of the town centre. This would had serious repercussions on businesses, as only few individuals had insurance in those days. Although the Hawkesbury had the great distinction of assisting the colony to initially develop, by the late nineteenth century the relevance of the district declined for a number of reasons including the expansion of other major centres in western Sydney.

The local district is still a major supplier of vegetables and fruit to the Sydney markets. Up until about fifty years ago almost a quarter of the State's citrus trees were located in the Hawkesbury.(4) Eventually successions of major floods damaged many of the orchards and market gardens.Turf farms replaced many orchards however in more recent years, market gardens are again flourishing side by side the turf farms on the riverflats. 

Today the district is focused on encouraging sustainable economic and employment growth within the Hawkesbury district. The main features of the Hawkesbury's economy are related to tourism and hospitality, the RAAF Base, small business whilst agriculture and horticulture still contribute significantly. Only a few large of the large manufacturing businesses remain in the area.

Water lifter used at the turn of 20th Century to irrigate farms along the Hawkesbury River
Courtesy Hawkesbury Library Service

Footnotes

1. Returns of manufactories, mills etc., State Records NSW Loc. 4/7267
2. NSW Statistical Registers 1867, p. 107 & 1873 p.119.
3. Steele 1916, Early days of Windsor, p. 13
4. Barkley & Nichols 1994, Hawkesbury 1794-1994, p. 32