Skip to main content
Menu

The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

The Gallery’s Acknowledgement of Country, and information on culturally sensitive and restricted content and the use of historic language in the collection can be found here.

The Sculling Match at Sydney for the Championship of the World

1877
an unknown artist and The Australasian Sketcher (publisher)

from the series ‘from the Australasian Sketcher, 4 August 1877’
wood engraving on paper (sheet: 40.5 cm x 28.0 cm)

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.

Purchased 2015

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. Works of art from the collection are reproduced as per the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). The use of images of works from the collection may be restricted under the Act. Requests for a reproduction of a work of art can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

Artist and subject

The Australasian Sketcher

Edward Trickett (age 26 in 1877)

Michael Rush (age 33 in 1877)

Subject professions

Sports and recreation

© National Portrait Gallery 2024
King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia

Phone +61 2 6102 7000
ABN: 54 74 277 1196

The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

This website comprises and contains copyrighted materials and works. Copyright in all materials and/or works comprising or contained within this website remains with the National Portrait Gallery and other copyright owners as specified.

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. The use of images of works of art reproduced on this website and all other content may be restricted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Requests for a reproduction of a work of art or other content can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

The National Portrait Gallery is an Australian Government Agency