Evan FischerPrint Page

The plaque commemorates Evan Fischer, who was the world champion sculler from 1953 to 1957. Evan Fischer was a former pupil of Wombah School. 

Fischer was from the Clarence River NSW and defeated Paddon three times, each for a £300 wager. The second race was on 7 August 1954 on the Clarence River where Fischer won in 20m 57.2s. The last race was on 25th May 1957 again on the Clarence River where Fischer won in 20m 46.4s. Fischer retired as the undefeated champion of the world at the age of 26 in 1958 as nobody came forward to challenge him. He still holds the famous professional sculling trophy, the "R C Hagon Cup" in his trophy cabinet at his home. Paddon retired in 1957 after the third defeat.

Fischer's financial backing came from the people of Maclean and surrounding districts and they shared in the prize money he won.

The first race was won by Fischer by two lengths. He was coached by Jack Casey and Snowy Burns. Paddon again immediately announced his retirement after the race and said that "Fischer was just too good for me". However Paddon returned two more times to challenge Fischer for the Championship.

Fischer learned his skills when he and his brother rowed a flat bottomed boat containing their sisters from Chatsworth Island where his parents farm was located to the Wombah school which they attended. This not only developed his skills but also his endurance and strength.

He raced successfully in butchers boat and Gladstone skiffs before progressing to a racing boat. He came from a good rowing family with his father a prominent rowing club member and his grandmother, Mary Anne Carolyn Fischer, a sister of the great Henry Searle. Jack Casey, his father's cousin, was his coach "and a darned good one, too" Fischer claimed.

Fischer hoped to raced Merv Wood, but as Wood was an amateur and he was a professional, it did not occur.

Location

Address:	Middle Street (Iluka Road), Recreation Reserve, Woombah, 2469
State:	NSW
Area:	AUS
GPS Coordinates:	Lat: -29.359692 Long: 153.282043 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate.

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Details

Monument Type:	Plaque
Monument Theme:	People
Sub-Theme:	Sport

Dedication

Source: MA