Vale Garth Manton

VALE GARTH MANTON

It is with deep sadness that we advise members of the loss of another great member of Mercs, namely Garth Manton, who died on 1st February.

Garth was one of the great characters of Mercantile at a time when he had much competition for that mantle. His friendship, good humour and wit, and support of rowing will all be missed.

Garth commenced his rowing at Geelong Grammar and raced in their first crew with club member John Rowe in 1948. When he returned to rowing in 1951 after two years in Sydney, he was immediately successful, and by 1954, had won his first King's Cup. Continued success in the five seat of the Club's senior eight and the Victorian Eight followed through to the 1956 Olympic Games where he also raced in the five seat of the Olympic Eight which won bronze.

1956 Olympic eight with Garth in the five seat

Garth was both a proud five man and eight oared rower. He was rarely seen in any other boat class or seat. When introduced to a group of school rowers in later life, his first bold and humorous comment was that he wanted to speak with the five men.

Retirement from rowing beckoned with work and family commitments taking over. However, Garth maintained a strong interest in the sport and Mercantile at many levels and also remained a great supporter of rowing at Geelong Grammar.

As great raconteur he was a keenly sought speaker at rowing functions. As a man with a big personality and great wit, his company was always welcomed. Even when a stroke hit him later in life, he could still command a dinner table, if not a boatshed anymore.

His work for the Angelsea Recreation and Sports Club and their annual regatta in century old fixed seat gigs was legendary, especially his commentary. There was quite a bit of flexibility with the truth  but an enormous amount of humour. Comments such as "Rating 43 on stroke side 39 bow side," "Mind the water hen in the middle of the river - no decapitations allowed," " Flying up the course like a Siberian trotting duck," and  "I am very fond of things I like." There were very few limits.

His full rowing profile can be found at: Manton, Garth - Australian Rowing History (rowinghistory-aus.info)

Sincere condolences to his wife Sue and their four children.