New Zealand Odyssey: Old Union Rowing Club, Avonside, Christchurch

'New Zealand Odyssey', published in 1989 by Heinemann, was authored by me, Don Donovan (who did the text and illustrations) and Euan Sarginson, who did the photography and design. In this series of blog posts, I will publish some of my drawings.

These wonderful buildings stood beside the Avon River near Oxford Terrace in 1987 when I did this drawing. Clearly much loved with fresh paintwork, the one on the right was the Union Rowing Club and the small neighbour belonged to the Naval Association. I was puzzled about the rowing club because the Avon was very shallow but I think the building had been constructed when a weir downstream, later removed, held water back thus raising the level.

Look at those wonderful decorative shingles on the gables. Nobody bothers with such detail  these days.

© DON DONOVAN
donovan@ihug.co.nz
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