Great Scot September 2019 Great Scot 157_September 2019_ONLINE | Page 84

OSCA
Events
THE SCOTCH FAMILY AT THE LUNCH WITH THE KING’S CUP: OLD BOYS, CURRENT PARENTS AND STAFF.
BELOW LEFT: ARCHIVIST PAUL MISHURA WITH THE KING’S CUP. BELOW RIGHT: AMBER HOBSON.
BELOW LEFT: THE MAGNIFICENT DINING SETTING IN
AUSTRALIA HOUSE. BOTTOM LEFT: CHARLIE O'BRYAN
AND PHILIP WRIGHT (’69)
London
THE KING'S CUP
CENTENARY LUNCH
2 July 2019
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Great Scot Number 157 – September 2019
The King’s Cup Centenary Lunch at Australia House, London,
Australia’s magnificent diplomatic mission, commemorated
Australia’s 1919 Royal Henley Peace Regatta victory, and doubled
as OSCA’s 2019 Scotch Family London Branch event.
At least 32 Old Boys, parents and staff attended the lunch,
which was significant to Scotch as two Old Boys were involved
in the victorious 1919 Australian service crew. On 5 July 1919 it
won the last of a series of races at Henley against other Allied
service members’ crews. Harold Clive Disher (born 15 October
1891, SC 1907-11, died 13 March 1976) stroked the crew, which
was coached by Norman Marshall DSO MC and Bar (born 10
February 1886, SC 1898-1901, died 12 September 1942).
Disher received the cup donated by King George V, and, after
two failed requests by Australian rowing associations in 1920 for
it to be given as a perpetual trophy for the interstate eight-oared
championship, Clive signed a letter to the King requesting his
decision on its fate. Through Winston Churchill, Secretary of State
for the Colonies, the King conveyed his wish that the cup be used
in that competition. The King’s Cup, Australia’s premier annual
rowing race for men, has been contested since 1921.
Current Scotch parent and CEO of Rowing Australia, Ian
Robson, was the Master of Ceremonies. Former Australian
rowing representatives in the room were acknowledged, including
Andrew Guerin (’73). Younger Old Boys present were Angus
Emmett (’17) and Harry Gill (’18), members of Scotch’s victorious
2017 Henley crews, while those still able to wear their Scotch
blazers included Andrew Rook (’80) and Philip Wright (’69).