Isabelle Sijan, Author at Richmond Rowing Club

What a year! If you’re wondering how it’s possible that it’s already May and Winter Sculling is just around the corner, you’re not alone. This season has absolutely flown by! We’ve had floods, cancellations, scorching hot regattas and, of course, triumphs. So what better way to celebrate than at Presentation Night!? For those who missed out on this most auspicious evening…you really missed out! It was fantastic night recognising the efforts and achievements of all club members. So let’s continue that theme and recap the night that was!

The food: delicious; the drink: free-flowing…Presentation Night had all the hallmarks of a great evening. None of this would’ve been possible without the hard work of RRC’s dedicated committee and members – so thank you Helen, Ally, Jack, Richie, Lily, Anthea, John, Gerry and many many more.

With the stage set, it was time to get into the celebration. In case you didn’t already know: here at Richmond we have a competitive streak – good sportsmanship above all else, but a competitive streak nonetheless. And this competitive spirit was primed and ready to go with the host of awards being doled out on Presentation Night.

Congratulations to all members who received an award!

The President’s Award: Phil Munson
Captain’s Award: Ally Dejeagher & Isaac Balemi
Best and Furriest: Emily Bourke
The Eye of The Tiger: The Men’s Squad (good one boys)
John Sawyer Award (Female Rower of the Year): Kate Dyball
Mal Scott Award (Male Rower of the Year): Ben Wardle
Don Edwards Award (Coxswain of the Year): Ally Dejeagher & Derek Begg
Masters Rower of the Year (Female): Geraldine Goss
Masters Rower of the Year (Male): Jack Hellerstedt
Novice Rower of the Year: James Merrett

And, of course, the most coveted award of the night: Regatta Dog of the Year was awarded to Daphne and Zeppy (with Nyxie as a close runner up).

A massive congratulations to all rowers, coxswains, coaches, volunteers and participants (and regatta dogs)!

Season 2022/23 has been incredible for everyone throughout RRC. We’ve achieved great feats as a club and as individual athletes: PBs were broken, new skills unlocked, and enduring friendships formed. Thanks to each and every one of you for making this season what it was. Enjoy the off-season, rest up, recharge and get ready for a massive Season 2023/24.

Let’s go Richmond!

Happy Easter everyone! Here’s hoping you all stuffed your faces with copious amounts of chocolate, devoured those hot cross buns, and thoroughly enjoyed the long weekend. For a small group of Tigers, these goals were achieved during a fantastic road trip to Mildura to compete at the Wentworth Mildura Easter Regatta.

Congratulations to all competitors – it was a wonderful weekend of racing! For those of you who missed out on this weekend of fun, here’s the 411 to catch you up…

The 7 hours’ drive to Mildura was…a challenge. The backseat snack patrol has never been more important! But in amongst the endlessly straight roads and the multiple loops over the same Spotify playlists, we managed a few stops along to way to take in the sights – silo art, anyone?

Racing took place over Saturday and Sunday, with 1000m and 500m races respectively. As a club, we raced in 18 events – pretty impressive for a small contingent! We took home the gold for:

Female Masters Coxed Four (1000m)
Male C Grade Single (1000m)
Female C Grade Coxed Four (1000m)
Male Masters Single Scull – Division 2 (1000m)
Female C Grade Coxed Quad Scull (500m)
Female Masters Coxed Quad Scull (500m)
Male Masters Single Scull – Division 1 (500m)

And while the jingle jangle of medals around our necks was a nice touch, this weekend was all about having fun at a wholesome country regatta. So in that spirit, I wanted to call out a few of the highlights…

A massive congratulations is in order for Yennie – she competed in a single for the first time, representing Richmond in the Female Under 17 Single Scull. She looked fierce taking out second place in the heat and dealt with the curvy course like a pro!

In a first for many in the boat, we competed in a Mixed Quad and came third – not to toot our own horn, but I’d say this is quite impressive for a scratch crew. And what’s more impressive is that we all managed to keep up with Emil, setting a cracking rate of 500…ok ok it was only 38, but still!

Other highlights included Phil repping Richmond in a race against the Phils, i.e. the Div. 3 Male Masters Single Scull that was surreally populated with 90% Phils. And Charlotte absolutely loved her time in the cox’s seat for the Female Coxed Quad Scull – she walked away bone dry after ensuring that we definitely stayed in our lane.

All in all, this was an incredibly successful and fun weekend. We can’t thank Wentworth and Mildura Rowing Clubs enough for their hospitality and for hosting a fantastic weekend of rowing.

But none of this would’ve been possible without all the behind-the-scenes work. Thanks to Leigh and Chris for towing the trailer all the way to Mildura! And thanks to Sarah and Chris for organizing and submitting entries.

So that’s a wrap on the 100^th Easter Regatta in Mildura! I say we get an even bigger group of Tigers together for the 101^st…who’s with me!?

Author: Isabelle Sijan

2023 Wentworth Mildura Easter Regatta