Jim Stanbury Champion Sculler of the World 1896, commemorative scarf

XR 84

fonds

1896

9611894

1 scarf - silk - 840 x 930 cm

James (Jim) Stanbury, born on 25 February 1868 on Mullet Island on the Hawkesbury River, New South Wales, started rowing at a young age and went on to become World Professional Champion.
Stanbury became champion when he defeated John McLean on the Parramatta River on April 28, 1891. He successfully defended his championship both in Australia and England on several occasions in the five years up to his loss to Canadian Jake Gaudaur on the Thames on September 7, 1896.
Following a nine year break from professional sculling, Stanbury returned to defeat George Towns for the title on the Parramatta River on July 22, 1905. Stanbury then retired from professional sculling again not long after losing the title again to George Towns on the Parramatta River on July 28, 1906. 'Big Jim' Stanbury had his last professional race in Wanganui, New Zealand in December 1906 against New Zealander William Webb, as a precursor to Webb's challenge of Towns for the world title in 1907. Stanbury then took a position as the Head Ranger of the Royal National Park south of Sydney, which came with a house and small farm at the entrance to the park at Waterfall.
In 1917, he moved the family back to Ryde where he established an orchard on 10 acres of land growing peaches plums and nectarines. In 1926, Stanbury was invited by the Shoalhaven Rowing Club, together with two other rowing champions, Bill Beach, and George Towns and two other great scullers of their times Chris Nielsen, and Charles Messenger to attend an exhibition regatta on the Shoalhaven River, at Numba. Stanbury continued to farm his orchard in Twin Road, North Ryde, up until his death on December 11, 1945 at Ryde Hospital, aged 77 years. He is buried in the Presbyterian section of the Field of Mars Cemetery North Ryde.
Reference: Stanbury Family Society (accessed 7/09/2022)

A large commemorative scarf, printed on silk. Design features black text, 'Jim Stanbury Champion Sculler of the World 1896' in capital letters below an 'Advance Australia' coat of arms. The scarf is bordered with three intersecting red stripes.

Out of copyright:
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Transferred from R 2372, October 2022