We got an email from Michael Dorbeck asking
We talked about the name on an old skiff I have hanging in my shed and you were going to ask around to see if anyone knows who the boat is named after.The boat is a plywood hulled coxed pair, so I am guessing it dates from the 50s, pre fibreglass. It is in great condition and if I had riggers, think it could be easily rowed as it is. The name on the boat is Bruce Rogers. I have asked around at North Shore Rowing Club but no-one seems to know anything about the boat or the person it was named after.I got the boat when Westlake (Boys High School Rowing Club) were moving out of their sheds (I am storing 4 of their historic hulls some of which will go back in the water when I get time). The boat is dated well before WBHS started their rowing crews.Be really appreciated if you would be able to ask around the Masters community and see if they know anything about Bruce Rogers.
And the amazing network of masters rowers swung into action. would you believe me if I said within 24 hours we had an answer?
Stage one…. look out for published histories
And personal memory too
John Parnell rowed at West End in his youth. Now living in Dunedin and featured his boathouse in an earlier article. John wrote back “I remember a Bruce Rogers. I’m sure he went to Mt Albert Grammar.”
We know that Mount Albert Grammar School row out of the West End boathouse, so it was likely he joined the club after his school years.
Mystery solved…. so quick. It’s easy when you know the right folks, eh?