Historical information

The 1956 Melbourne Olympics saw the rowing events held on Lake Wendouree Ballarat. This was only set of events held outside Melbourne Region. The Programme, lists the scoreboard abbreviations, the Games Committee, map of the course, Rowing events Committee and Council, Officials, each event, finalists, names position, previous winners, transport services, though did not include Ballarat trams and on the rear cover a simplified programme of events and a map and list of competition venues.

Cover printed by Sands McDougall Pty Ltd Melbourne with text by Alex King & Sons Pty Ltd Ballarat.

Two contestants of interest are Murray Riley and Mervyn Wood who came 3rd in the double sculls. Wood became the NSW police commissioner in 1977 and Riley was a corrupt NSW Policemen and after leaving the police force became highly involved in the Nugan Hand Bank which was highly involved in drug trafficing, and crime syndicates. See reference.

Significance

Yields information about the Rowing Events on Lake Wendouree in 1956. The trams were an important transport service to and from central Ballarat for this event.

Physical description

Book - 20 pages, centre stapled, titled "1956 Olympic Games, Melbourne Official Rowing Programme Lake Wendouree, Ballarat" and printed specifically for Tuesday 27 November 1956.

Inscriptions & markings

All event results have been filled in with the list of countries and their times.