Sport
An Accomplished Sportsman
Robert McCallum was an athlete of diversity. From his early years a cyclist, a swimmer, a marksman, a sailor and a bowler.
He was also competitive. All his sports involved organized competition of some sort and McCallum delighted in any triumph.
Bike Riding
Enamored of bicycles, McCallum traveled and raced them often. In his earlier years, his beloved “byke” is mentioned frequently, the routes, the distances, the speeds, the spills, and the repairs.
We see the evolution of the bicycle from the larger front wheel “penny-farthing” to the same size wheel called a “safety bike”.
Swimming
McCallum loved the sea. Going to the beach and daily swims were part of his life even in old age.
He most often would swim across the road from his house at Devonport Beach or in local public pools such as Parnell Baths. When abroad he rarely missed an opportunity to swim in local waters including the Dead Sea in Palestine and numerous beaches in Australia, Samoa, Fiji and Tahiti.
Sailing
McCallum had his own boat, a dinghy which he sometimes used to venture out alone, rare times of him seeking solitude and calm.
He taught his son Bruce how to sail, a relatively innocuous father/son event but research indicates that Bruce later on became vice-commodore of the local yacht club.
Most often though he sailed in yachting regattas as a crew member on one of the racing boats of his best friends, Jim, John, Archie and Bob Logan. The Logan Brothers were the region’s pre-eminent boat builders of the time.
Fishing
McCallum was a casual fisherman. He enjoyed the camaraderie and the fresh outdoors that went with it. Occasionally he went big game fishing (caught a 7ft shark). His journal entries noting the size of his catches indicate an abundance of fish at the time and may evoke feelings of envy from fishermen today.
Lawn Bowls
McCallum was a member of the local lawn bowling club, the Devonport Bowling Club. In later years he would play bowls most days a week.
He enjoyed the companionship but took the game seriously and played competitively. We get a sense of his anticipation of the season’s opening day and his excitement of buying new bowls.
He played against members of his own club but also was involved in inter-club play. This required travel to other locations in and around Auckland and the country. Occasionally tournament play took him to overseas competitions in Australia, Tahiti and Fiji.
Tally Of Wins And Losses
McCallum, an obsessive recorder of many things also kept track of his lawn bowl games.
See a sample of his wins & losses during the 1904 bowling season. Besides the result, he also notes other details such as location, name of partner and competitor or whether it was a good or poor game, a single or game of pairs.
Shooting And Hunting
Hunting was a favorite pastime. McCallum would go rifle shooting for pheasant, ducks, rabbit, deer and wild boar.
His brother Monty was an excellent marksmen attaining top ranking in national competitions.
Venues
McCallum notes numerous sporting grounds he visited. Some are famous sports arenas today, others are still operate as sporting clubs while others have been supplanted over time by a different use.
Avondale Horse Races
Carlton Bowling Club
Devonport Bowling Green
Ellerslie Race Course
Epsom Races (England)
Flemington Races (Melbourne Cup)
Grafton Green
Melbourne Cricket Ground
North Shore Races (Takapuna Golf Course)
Ponsonby Green
Potters Park (now Alexandra Racing Park)
Watching Sports
McCallum’s temperament made him more of a participant than a spectator.
However he frequently enjoyed a day out at the horse racing (gallops) where the ability to gamble appeared to be the major motivator. He also loved to listen to cricket matches via the wireless and would occasionally watch rugby games.
Sports Administrator
When not participating, McCallum would frequently volunteer his time for various organizing committees.
In addition, he would regularly offer his building expertise to do odd jobs for the clubs that he was a member e.g. painting, building lockers, steps, and platforms.
Other Pastimes Representative Of The Times
McCallum enjoyed many more activities. He particularly liked board games such as draughts, dominoes, and checkers which he played with friends as well as his wife.
Sample of other activities mentioned in his journals includes association football, athletic sports, billiards & pool, camping, chess, croquet, deck bowls, golf (at the links), ping pong, horse polo, skating, and tennis.