A collection of Australian rowing’s most significant memorabilia, including the Olympic Gold Medals won by Bobby Pearce Jr in 1928 and 1932, is being auctioned on 25th July this year. Rowing Australia, with the support of the Bobby Pearce Foundation and Sport Australia Hall of Fame, is attempting to raise up to $70,000 to secure and display these important items so that they can be enjoyed by future generations of Australian rowing enthusiasts.

The following flyer provides some further details of the project. The information detailed below illustrates the extraordinary achievements of Bobby Pearce Jr - one of Australia’s greatest ever sportsmen,recognised around the world for his ability and sportsmanship.

Rowing Australia has registered this initiative with the Australian Sports Foundation, which enables all donations to be tax deductible. We seek generous donations to ensure that these valuable and significant pieces of Australian rowing history are not lost to the Australian sporting community.

Please note that this appeal is separate to the Bobby Pearce Foundation and that funds donated for one purpose cannot be used for the other.

Bobby Pearce Jr.

Bobby Pearce Jr. is one of Australia’s greatest sportsmen, standing at 188 cm and 95 kg, he gained selection for the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics following his victories in the amateur national sculling championships in 1927 and 1928. He carried the Australian flag at the opening ceremony.

Pearce won all of his races at the Amsterdam Olympic regatta with ease, defeating his first opponent by 12 lengths and his second opponent by 8 lengths. In the quarter final he was easily beating his opponent when a family of ducks strayed into his lane. Pearce momentarily stopped rowing to let the ducks pass but still managed to win by 20 lengths and break the course record. This act of compassion earned Pearce the respect and admiration of the spectators who celebrated him as the embodiment of the Olympic ideal. Pearce would go onto win the Gold Medal, including setting a new Olympic record in the final, some 25 seconds faster than the previous mark.

Pearce defended his Olympic title at the 1932 Los Angeles Games before turning professional, making himself ineligible for further Olympic competition. Pearce was undefeated as a professional sculler, winning 3 World Championships titles including one by an incredible margin of 274 metres over reigning World Champion Ted Phelps of England.

Pearce’s incredible athletic achievements were recognised when he was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1986.
Rowing Australia, the Bobby Pearce foundation and the Sport Australia Hall of Fame would greatly appreciate your donation to help secure the irreplaceable sportin memorabilia  of one of Australia's greatest sportsmen. Without your assitance these important items may forever be lost to the Australian sporting community.

Donations can be pledged by contacting the Rowing Australia office at mtreglown@rowingaustralia.com.au or (02) 6214 7522.
Donations should be in before Saturday 30th June 2012.