100 years of Henley tradition
The 2023 Henley on Lake Wallace marks 100 years of the event, with a proud history of adapting to change and honouring traditions.
The first Henley on Lake Wallace was hosted on February 5, 1921, and now takes place on the second Saturday of February each year.
Previous to the first official Henley event with foreshore activities, a regatta of boats from Maryvale, Miga Lake, Lemon Springs and Roseneath stations would compete on Lake Wallace.
The tradition of the regatta began in December 1869, however, the ‘Big Dry’ starting in the 1990s caused its demise. The modern Henley on Lake Wallace is a foreshore event, with activities no longer occurring on the water.
The first Henley raised 150 pounds to construct a Soldiers’ Memorial as a tribute to those who fought in World War One.
The second event, in 1922, raised funds for ladies’ and gentlemen’s dressing sheds, the following year a pier, followed by new booths, and then a water chute and diving board in 1925.
Henley on Lake Wallace ceased from 1930 to 1936, likely due to the depression.
From 1937 to 1952 the event occurred sporadically with bouts of polio and World War Two disrupting the social landscape in the 1940s.
Since the 1960s the Australian Women’s
Weekly rolling pin competition has run. Dennis ‘Squashy’ Payne co-ordinated the event for many years.
In 1962, the annual Australian mud wrestling competition started and was attended by AFL footballers Ronnie Andrews and Peter ‘Crackers’ Keenan.
Competitions also included a keg championship, stubby drinking, iron gut and birdman – where entrants would ‘fly’ off the end of the pier.
Henley on Lake Wallace begins with a street procession from the showground, travelling along the main street.
In the 1950s a memorable float called ‘Dolly Varden’ featured Shirley Mahney on top of a Volkswagen dressed as a doll with layers of pink crepe paper on her dress.
Floats often reflect a social issue of the year, with the 1960s featuring the ‘Black and White Minstrels’ and the ‘Bathtub Derby’; 1986 saw the ‘Year of Peace’ and ‘Year of the Outback’ made an appearance in 2002.
Fireworks have often marked the conclusion of the night, with total fire bans, and one year an injury, putting a halt to the tradition.
Despite the lake continuing to dry and fill again, Henley on Lake Wallace has endured to celebrate 100 years of community and fun.