Captain’s Update for February 2012
Westlakes
The Rowing Club make their annual trip to Adelaide on the 28th January to attend a Regatta at Westlakes. The course and facilities have been improved over the last few years, in part, to hold the 2011 Nationals Championships for Rowing Australia. The course is a little more challenging with a full 1000 and 2000 metre distance for events. While a few 2nd and 3rd placings were achieved, the highlight was our Junior Girls, in Katelyn O’Mahoney and Stella Edmanson, winning in a Double Scull. Well done girls. Composite crews were also put together with Wentworth and Adelaide Rowing Clubs to assist our Masters Women and Men compete.
New Oars
The club has recently purchased some new oars to assist crews on the water. Four pairs of light weight scull oars have been purchased which are mostly suitable for our Juniors and women rowers. This being a growing membership category for the club. The oars have slightly smaller hand grips which juniors and ladies should find more suitable to use.
The other set of new oars are 8 light weight sweep oars which supports crews training in the Eights. At the moment, the Masters Men and Senior Men are training in the Eights Regularly with the senior women looking to get an Eight together for Easter.
New Members
Our membership continues to grow and we would like to welcome the following Junior members, Christian (CJ) Van Aardt, Jacob (JJ) Van Aardt, Ally Dimasi, John Cubit and Social Member Tanya Wild.
New Appointment – Female Vice Captain
With the growth of our membership at the Rowing Club over recent years there are larger groups forming and making significant contributions to the club. One of these groups is our Senior Women Rowers. The Committee would like to announce the appointment of Jacinta Macri as the Female Vice Captain for the Club. Jacinta has been involved with Rowing for many years and has been very active in getting more ladies down to the club to row in crews. Jacinta will be looking to further co-ordinate the Senior Women Rowers at the club and be the contact for the group to help more people to become involved. For ladies looking to enquire on how they become more active in rowing, Jacinta’s contact number is 0409 327 559.
Shepparton Rowing Club.
The Shepparton Rowing Club was formed in 1884 and were active on the Goulburn River until they folded in 1970 due to unsuitable rowing/river conditions. The club has recently been discussing with Rowing Victoria to reform and utilise Victoria Park Lake as their new rowing facility. In early January 2012, David Schier, President SRC, met with our committee and we decided to provide 5 older training boats to SRC to help their club get back on the water. SRC are encouraged by the interest in Rowing from their township and well as support from Rowing Clubs around Victoria for their assistance. SRC are look forward in putting competitive crews together with a view to compete here at Easter in 2013.
One of the boats donated was the Don MacKay, Father to Carmel Mackay, Executive Officer at Mallee Sport Assembly. This boat, name to be retained, has received a new lease on life at a training boat for new rowers at SRC.
Australian Henley on the Yarra
The Senior Men’s Eight have received an invitation to compete in the 98th annual Australian Henley Regatta on the Yarra on the 25th February. This is an exciting event for the blokes who have been training regularly since their Head of the Yarra Event last November. It was possibly back in the 1980’s when the club was last able to field a crew in this Event
Easter 2012
Planning for our Annual Easter Regatta is currently underway with Members working out what events they should be training for and what we need to do to host the event.
Forming Crews – We are encouraging members to let representatives know if they are interested in Rowing at Easter.
· For Masters Men please speak with Dave Carson,
· Masters Women with Rob Ellis,
· Senior Men with Dave Talbott,
· Senior Women with Jacinta Macri,
· Junior Girls and Boys with Michael Wild and Rob Ellis.
Along with rowing, the club will be looking for support to help host the Regatta on Easter Saturday 7th April. We would like to list a few groups to see if they could take care of some areas;
Prepare Rowing course, Broadcast tower and Camping Area – Masters and Senior Men
Lunchtime meal for officials (also drinks and snacks), Evening Dinner – Senior Women
Kiosk – Parents of Junior boys and girls.
Summary of Upcoming Events;
· Australian Henley – Saturday 25th February
· Mini Regatta – Friday night 16th March 6-00pm.
· Easter Saturday – 7th April Mildura
· Easter Sunday – 8th April Wentworth
· Corporate Rowing Regatta – Saturday 12th May
· Training Row to Wentworth – June.
Rob Ellis
Club Captain
Mildura Rowing Club
0418 548 316
