A legacy remembered: Stawell Gift champions honoured in Nagambie

Date: 12th April 2025

As Chair of the Stawell Gift Event Management (SGEM) Board, Cr Murray Emerson is no stranger to the rich tapestry of Australian sporting history, but even he was stunned to discover a hidden gem of Stawell Gift heritage during a recent visit to Nagambie, the small Victorian town approximately 320 kilometres northeast of Stawell.

In February Cr Emerson was invited to the Nagambie Rowing Club to join celebrations of the club’s extraordinary rowing achievements. But the event revealed something even more remarkable: the small town of Nagambie has produced not one, but three winners of the historic Stawell Gift.

“It was truly astonishing,” said Cr Emerson. “I had no prior knowledge that Nagambie had this connection to the Stawell Gift.”

The town’s sprinting legacy stretches back more than a century, with P.J. Breen winning in 1894, followed by Cyril Heath in 1933 and Tommy Dean in 1946. Their names, now immortalised in a mural at the rowing club overlooking Lake Nagambie, serve as a powerful reminder of the region’s rich sporting contribution.

Cr Emerson had the honour of unveiling a commemorative plaque in front of a large crowd, coinciding with the town’s major rowing regatta, which drew an estimated 10,000 people to the lakeside.

“I was made to feel incredibly welcome by Pat McNamara, a former Deputy Premier of Victoria, and it was a privilege to speak about the Stawell Gift and unveil the plaque recognising these remarkable athletes.”

On the following day, Cr Emerson visited the Nagambie Historical Society, where he was again impressed by the depth of local knowledge and the extensive display dedicated to the three Stawell Gift winners.

“The Historical Society’s collection is absolutely brilliant. I was amazed by the level of recognition these athletes have received, and rightly so. It’s a part of our history that deserves to be celebrated.”

The visit also provided a moment to reflect on Nagambie’s broader sporting legacy, including the astonishing achievements of its 1938 rowing “fours group,” which competed in 70 events and won them all.

Cr Emerson concluded his visit by inviting Mr McNamara and his wife to Stawell for the 2025 Powercor Stawell Gift, continuing a connection between two proud sporting towns, each with a remarkable story to tell.

 

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