Glance at this plaque. It commemorates Sylvester “Sil” Rohu. This is the Sil Rohu Memorial Clubhouse Plaque. Sil Rohu was a remarkable man. He left an enduring legacy in Sydney.
Sil Rohu was born in Woolloomooloo in 1882. He was a sportsman and a naturalist. Rohu served in the First World War. He enlisted at 33 years old. He was a part of the Australia Imperial Forces. He departed Sydney on the troopship Argyllshire on 11th May 1916.
During the war Sil and his mates created “The Yandoo”. This was the 7th Field Artillery Brigade weekly newspaper. They produced 1200 copies of each issue. The typewriter they used is now in the National War Memorial at Canberra. Sil received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
After the war Sil bought a gunsmith shop. It was first located at 110 Bathurst Street Sydney. Later it moved to 143 Elizabeth Street. He expanded it into fishing and sports. His business became well-known throughout Australia.
In 1923 Sil married Laura May Young. They lived at The Crescent Vaucluse. They had a waterfront house with a boatshed.
Sil’s boatshed became the first clubhouse. It was for the Vaucluse Junior Amateur Association. Later the boats had to be stored elsewhere. The boatshed remained a meeting place.
Sil Rohu founded the Vaucluse Sailing Club in 1932. He saw young boys’ enthusiasm for water sports. He wanted to create a sailing club for those under 18.
During an illness in 1931 Sil planned a sailing boat. It was designed specifically for children and teenagers. He asked Charles Sparrow to design it. The result was the Vaucluse Junior or VJ. It became an icon of Australian sailing.
The VJ was designed for two children. They could learn to sail and race. The boat was unsinkable and easy to right after capsizing. A boy and his father could build it at home. In the 1930s the boat cost 5 pounds. The sails cost 3 pounds.
Sil was also involved in charitable work. He helped start a branch of Legacy in Sydney in 1926. This supported widows and families of World War I soldiers.
Sil Rohu died in 1945. He was 62 years old. He was buried at the Eastern Suburbs Crematorium.
The Sil Rohu Memorial Clubhouse stands as a testament to his vision. It acknowledges his dedication to young people and sailing. The inscription on the Sil Rohu Memorial Clubhouse Plaque reads: “The Sil Rohu Memorial Club House. This club was founded in 1932 by the late Sil Rohu whose untiring energy was devoted to its development and welfare to the time of his passing. 24 3 1945.”
Sil Rohu’s legacy lives on through this clubhouse. It serves as a reminder of his contributions to the community. His passion for sailing and his commitment to young people continue to inspire.