The Sculling Match at Sydney for the Championship of the World [Edward Trickett] (from the Australasian Sketcher, 4 August 1877)

Edward ‘Ned’ Trickett (1851 – 1916), sculler and hotelier, was the best sculler in New South Wales by 1875. Taken to England by James Punch, an innkeeper from Sydney, he won the world championship on the Thames in June 1876 to become the first Australian world champion in any sport. On his return to Sydney he was greeted by 25 000 people. In June 1877 he retained his championship against Michael Rush, a fellow Australian, on the Parramatta river, before some 50 000 spectators. In all, Trickett amassed more than 150 trophies; his image was reproduced on cigarette cards and his achievements were noted in verse and song. During the time he was licensee of Trickett’s Hotel and the International Hotel on the corner of King and Pitt streets, a keg rolled onto him and crushed his hand. In due course he moved to Rockhampton, where he ran the Oxford Hotel, and returned to Sydney where he worked in low-level government jobs. A Salvationist and a teetotaller of magnificent size and appearance, he had eight sons and three daughters. While visiting one of his sons at Uralla, he died from injuries sustained when a mineshaft fell in on him.

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2015