We have been working on designs for refurbishing the kitchen and bar. We wanted to refurbish these when we did the major renovation in 2014 but simply did not have the budget to do so. Our strong venue hire revenue in the last 3 years has positioned us to be able to do this refurbishment now.
What will change?
Firstly the look of the kitchen and bar area will change.
The kitchen is being extended so that caterers can use the kitchen for most events. This will mean fewer disruptions to rowing when caterers use the gym, classroom or boat bay as food service areas.
The furniture store will be removed and become part of the kitchen. A commercial oven, domestic oven and cooktop, underbench fridge and sinks will be fitted along the back wall. Catering trestles will be purchased for flexible set up of the kitchen. The floors and walls will be stripped and re-finished.
The bar service space will be extended by removing the door into the hall. A new dishwasher / glasswasher, sink and ice maker will be fitted along the back wall. A new bench will be fitted along the front of the bar with underbench refrigeration. The floor and walls will be re-finished.
The kitchen and bar will be joined by a sliding door making access more discrete for caterers and allowing the two rooms to be joined together for larger events.
When will it happen?
We plan to sign off drawings and specifications this week and for builders to provide quotes by mid June. The timing and duration of the works depends on builder availability and we will let you know as soon as we have selected a builder. Our hope is that we can get the works completed during the winter period.
How much will it cost?
It is difficult to give accurate costs until we have quotes from builders. We have worked with the caterers and our building designer to ensure that we are being as cost effective as possible while creating a kitchen and bar that will be workable for both venue hire and club events.
Any questions?
We will provide another update when we have quotes from the builders. If you have other questions before then, please contact Lucy on the [email protected] email address
RRC AGM 11am Sat 29th July
The Annual general meeting for RRC will be held at the boatclub from 11am on Saturday 29th July. This years committee will present the Annual report and financial statements and we invite all members of the Association to attend.
The meeting is also the opportunity to elect new members to the committee and all positions are available for full members of the club to nominate for (must be a member for minimum of two years). If you are interested in contributing to the club and want to know more about what you could do and what the different committee roles entail please feel free to contact me or speak to any of the current committee members about their experiences.
If you do wish to nominate, you are required to complete a nomination form (found on the documents page of our website) and submit it to the secretary at least 14 days prior to the meeting (BEFORE 15th July).
Along with the formal business of the day we will also be performing the official boat naming of the Dennis Beck, our brand new Sykes coxed quad/four which has been a great investment for the club already this year. This will be followed by refreshments in the boathouse so please show your support for the committee and your club by attending the AGM.
[wpfilebase tag=file path=’RRC_Documents/Nomination-for-Office-Bearer-July-2017.pdf’ /]
Fundraising – investing back in you
As we come to the end of our financial year we have been tallying up all our fundraising success of the year, I want to thank everyone who has contributed and let you know about our plans for investing it straight back into the club to hopefully benefit you all.
We’ve run a few great events and thanks to the success of the New Years Eve party and our big annual Trivia Night fundraiser we have generated $14,000 in fundraising this year. The decision has been made to invest that money in two areas:
- A brand new set of men’s sweep oars – so boys you can start Winter training for HoTY as we took delivery of them this week, but please wait for the captain to unwrap and set them up. There’s actually 10 oars in the set so a club pair can get training too 😉
- Refit of the gymnasium – lots of planning has gone into how we can best utilise the space we have in our gym beyond the ergos we currently have. Look out for some new equipment (which will start arriving tomorrow to enable more all round weight and fitness training to suit all strengths. We might need some helpers in getting everything set up and then we’ll try and get everyone trained to be able to safely use the new equipment – please do not use if you don’t know how to and always ask for help if needed. The hope is that while the weather is not so attractive for getting out on the water we can still work on our fitness and strength over Winter.
So maybe when you are at the club this Saturday celebrating the success’ of the season take a peak at some of the new additions that we will all be able to benefit from and maybe purchase an extra celebratory drink at the bar – because all our social/fundraising profit will go towards equipment for our members.
Entertainment Books available now
The Entertainment Book/mobile app is out again for 2017/2018 and is and easy way to help raise some money for the club.
We (Shern & Jon) have had the book for many years saving far more than the $70 than it costs. With 2 for 1 movie tickets, 25% off up to $40 at Transport, PJ OBriens, Hophaus, Bear Brass and Beer Deluxe to name just a few places to eat after rowing. That’s before you hit the town with non rowing people away from the club!
Other vouchers include saving $10 when you spend $50 chemist warehouse- think plasters, deep heat and all other things to put yourself back together after rowing!
5% off Woolworths vouchers which can be used for petrol for those road trips to regattas and lots of bananas.
However here are some other bigger facts –
· The entertainment book has over 800 vouchers / discounts on dining, entertainment, activities, hotel stays etc. etc. across Melbourne and suburbs
These discounts tend to be 20% off meals at top restaurants to 2 for 1 entry to the Melbourne star or even 20%, 25% off puffing billy for the gunzels of you out there. Eureka sky deck 2 for 1 and many more.
· The book or mobile app costs only $70 to purchase – 20% of which will go directly back to the club to make our club better for all of us.
The vouchers are valid to 1st June 2018 so plenty of time to get your $70 back and more.
Any question feel free to ask me
Shern Timmins
Tickets on sale now for RRC Presentation Night 2017
This years RRC Presentation Night is only a few weeks away on Saturday 27th May at 7pm. So pack away the zootie and dress to impress as we celebrate all the achievements of our club members for the last year. We’ve had some cracking races not too mention state club and masters titles. We’ll be honouring all of these along with our Annual awards including rowers and coxswain of the year. Club races and time trial winners will also be announced so make sure you’re there to receive your awards!
Tickets are on sale now at Trybooking. Bring along your partner or friends for what will be a special night at the clubhouse including a three course meal for $45. Drinks will be available to purchase at the bar.
This evening is also the perfect opportunity to thank everyone who has made the year possible including coaches, coxes and volunteers. It’s the ideal time to come together and celebrate all that is great about our special club and the friends we have there.
I can’t wait and I hope to see you all there too!
The passing of Roberto Perillo
Many current and past members of RRC mourn the passing of Roberto Perillo. There has been a reoccurring comment from members that Roberto was ‘a great bloke or guy’. He was much more to many of us than just a great guy.
Roberto joined RRC in 1998, but he was already an accomplished rower. He had rowed in Argentina, his home country, and he told stories of the difference in rowing between Australia and Argentina. The one lasting difference I recall is that in Argentina they have boatmen to launch and collect the boats on behalf of the rowers!
In 2004 Roberto gathered together four women to become a RRC Female Masters crew that he would coach. One of the women was Kathryn Penny who Roberto had meet at a personal development course, and encouraged to do the learn to row course at RRC. Their relationship developed, despite sometimes rowing together, and they married a couple of years later.
I had the privilege of being a part of this crew and benefitted greatly from Roberto’s tireless attention to providing us with dedicated coaching. We also under went extra weight training by having Roberto in the boat as the cox! The crew went on to take out several gold medals including State Masters Championships.
Roberto, Kathryn and Jenny Hall, entered the 2005 World Masters Games in Canada and represented RRC in several rowing crews.
Roberto was a very active RRC member and was always on hand to help out others and provide some knowledge from his years of experience. He served as Captain on the Committee for 5 years from 2003-2008 and was awarded Life Membership for his years of service as a member, a rower, a coach, a cox and Captain. He epitomised the values of our community club, giving back far more than he received.
Roberto was a gentleman, kind, thoughtful and generous and will be missed by many forever.
Anthea Amos
College rowers in April and May
Training for the intercollegiate regatta recommences on Saturday 22nd of April after the Easter break culminating with the regatta day on the 6th of May.
It’s worth noting that whilst some crews are ex-school rowers with plenty of experience many have never rowed before and will be getting a crash course in sweep rowing before competing in that first regatta in two weeks.
This year RRC has leased the Schouten Family and the Jennifer Campbell out to the college crews exclusively along with the timber veneer Croker oars. These boats have now been blocked out for booking until after the 6th of May. We will also loan the Ambush on an ad-hoc basis until that crew’s boat is available at MUBC next week.
It’s worth noting that whilst some crews are ex-school rowers with plenty of experience many have never rowed before and will be getting a crash course in sweep rowing before competing in that first regatta in two weeks.
This year RRC has leased the Schouten Family and the Jennifer Campbell out to the college crews exclusively along with the timber veneer Croker oars. These boats have now been blocked out for booking until after the 6th of May. We will also loan the Ambush on an ad-hoc basis until that crew’s boat is available at MUBC next week.
Crews leasing RRC boats are from University and Queens Colleges and MLC are leasing to Ormond and Trinity. With RRC and MLC leasing fleet to the intercollegiate rowing this year there will be between 50 and 70 odd new faces around the club when you add rowers, coxswains, coaches, reserves and friends. That’s a lot of potential new members so make them feel welcome.
The college crews predominantly train weekday mornings but I suspect they’ll be trying to get a few extra sessions in over the weekend and through to ANZAC day now the enforced Easter break is over. Those using RRC boats have been reminded to use the log book but even RRC’s experienced members forget sometimes so check the boats are all on the racks before you lock the RRC shed up.
More information on the intercollegiate various sports including rowing can be found here:
http://www.sport.unimelb.edu.
The girls from the Victorian Pathway Team eight have also been boating out of the MLC shed over the last week and will be attending Time trials over the next few days in Penrith. RRC wish them luck.
http://www.rowingvictoria.asn.
The college crews predominantly train weekday mornings but I suspect they’ll be trying to get a few extra sessions in over the weekend and through to ANZAC day now the enforced Easter break is over. Those using RRC boats have been reminded to use the log book but even RRC’s experienced members forget sometimes so check the boats are all on the racks before you lock the RRC shed up.
More information on the intercollegiate various sports including rowing can be found here:
http://www.sport.unimelb.edu.
The girls from the Victorian Pathway Team eight have also been boating out of the MLC shed over the last week and will be attending Time trials over the next few days in Penrith. RRC wish them luck.
http://www.rowingvictoria.asn.
Footscray and Henley on the Maribyrnong Regattas
Saturday and it’s overcast with the likelihood of rain, not the best weather for racing but the carpark was already full. 9 o’clock and we’re plenty early for a 10.36 race time.
As usual when the Sullivans tow, the trailer is handy and loaded with other Club’s boats. A big thanks for Shern whose been here since the start of the day to fulfill the clubs BRO duties.
Our first race; Guy, Leigh, Phil and Denis; Race 33, the MM4X+ first and final. The familiar impatient wait at the landing for a space, that odd nervy sense of haste to get the feet set and find a line to move down the transition lane.
On the way down to the line we get to cheer on Andrew as he comfortably takes out a heat of the MD1x. Later in the day after plenty of racing a tired Andrew after recovering from a less than perfect start, performs well in the ensuing final.
Plenty of room down behind the start line for some race starts and a “faster, faster” set. Hitting 52 is a great confidence builder for the first race.
While we’re down behind the line, it’s Gerri and Ainslie’s turn. Appearing to have the other two crews covered they easily win Heat 2 of the FC2X with a boat length and a half margin.
Off before us, it’s Dennis, Andrew, Jon and Allan in the MM4X+ with Stef on the tiller and Corio Bay and Footscray on the line. Despite what the programme says, these are all first and finals. Confessing later to never have got going in the race, the guys finish 3rd – maybe it was the quick turnaround for Andrew, maybe the first race of the day, First races are often a triumph of adrenaline over technique.
Richmond off GO; don’t you love being an E crew! Hawthorn and Rutherglen Lakes/Wahgunyah are both off 3 seconds; we get a great start and enjoy a comfortable win.
Straight after Andrew’s D single final, Dennis, Dave M, Jon and Allan coxed by Stef race down the course in the MD4+. The Wahgunyah crew doesn’t let up and chases them all the way to the line but can’t prevent another Richmond win.
Now to the final of the FC2X; two well-credentialled Essendon crews can’t prevent Gerri and Ainslie racing to the line and taking another win for the Club.
Back in the quad for the X4X+; Jen, Denis, Leigh and Christine. One of those starts that reminds us all to be ready every time; because none of the crews was. Hardly is a line called than we hear Go! Surprisingly, we’re out of the blocks fast and first. Two great crews; Footscray City and Essendon keep the chase on and by the 300 metre mark they’ve drawn alongside. Unbelievably they end up in a dead heat and no, that doesn’t make it a 2nd for us – that would be 3rd.
Race 108; the MM4+ first and final, two Richmond crews (Leigh, Guy, Denis, Phil and, Allan, Jon, Andrew and Dennis) and Rutherglen Lakes/Wahgunyah, a grudge race? No, but plenty of banter at the start line. And what did I say about being an E crew? You gotta love it! Richmond -Sullivan off Go, Rutherglen Lakes off 3 secs and Richmond – Randall off 9 secs.
The chase was on from the start and it’s a great one, two for Richmond with the Sullivan boat holding off the fast finishing Randall crew. Was the margin still 9 seconds? Depends which boat you were in. J
We don’t get to see Race 66; the final of the female C Grade double scull, safe to say Richmond, Goss and Raggatt have a comfortable win over two Essendon crews.
Race 123, the first and final of the FC4X+; Karen, Michelle, Ainslie and Gerri coxed by Shern have a win over a sole Essendon crew.
Late in the day Keith, in his double with Dave M takes out his first win in the B final of the double. There’s nothing more encouraging than your first win. That is what brings you back to the start line time after time.
It’s Sunday and standing high above the river at Essendon you get that great view of the full 350 metres of the course and you know that if you don’t start fast here you don’t win.
We find out that before we even arrive, Anthea has won in the FM4+ composite with a Caulfield and Mercantile crew.
11.36; it’s a much better time to for the first race of the day. The MM4X+ again with Rutherglen Lakes/Wahgunyah off 1 second; 1 second! What sort of start is that? And Barwon/Corio composite off 3 seconds – that’s a bit better.
It’s tricky to get a practice here but with a steady hand and a keen eye Christine takes us through the weird bridge foundations to get a couple of starts in and get the heart rate up.
It must have worked, a really tight finish with Barwon/Corio right in the mix – when it’s that close it’s always hard to know especially when the finish line is angled across the river. Finally it’s confirmed another Richmond win!
Back in the mixed quad and on the line against Barwon and Hamilton and a mighty young crew Hamilton looks. Mixed should be Masters J so we suggest they give us a 22 second start which unobligingly they ignore. A great start for Richmond but Barwon comes off their racing line, oars clash, some have to stop rowing; we get going again and dash for the line, holding off Barwon comfortably. Where is Hamilton – I can only see two boats – gear failure on the line? But no! They win and we’re left wondering – but for the crash – maybe?
Anthea has a win in the Mixed Eight in a combined Caulfield, Mercantile, and Richmond composite over Barwon and Essendon.
In the end a great weekend of racing with a swag of medals for Richmond and best of all for tired rowers, a short drive back to the sheds for a quick boat unloading.
By Dennis Henry
Vic State Champs
I was plied with alcohol when I somehow agreed to write the States blog for Karen, hence its lateness, as I had forgotten all about it by the time we got back from Nagambie for boat unloading!
The early birds scored Richmond some serious bling- Geri and Ainsley a Gold in their C Double and the boys (Laurent, Dave, Jon and Allan), championed by Stef had their Gold stolen by a bow ball in the D Four. Still I think Silver suits them quite well. We love medals but we also love it when everyone gives their best and the girls from “the eight” (Boat one: Shern Timmins, Catherine Dorian, Zoe Maxwell, Gabriella Ibbott, cox Derek Boat two: Yash Vegi, Karin Bouvin, Edwina Griffiths, Jodie Naisbitt, cox Stef) had some fierce competition in the D Fours. All this success before I even rocked up after a blissful sleep in, around 11am, to assume my previously acquired position at States as #1 cheerleader (this year as Toms Tigers ailed crewmate).
Wouldn’t be a complete blog without an interlude about the weather!
It was a far cry from the previous regatta. The wind still blustered away but the sun shone fiercely with no rain to speak of.
The medal trend continued through the afternoon with the successful combination of Geri, Ainsley, Michelle and Karen earning Bronze in the final of the C Quad (coxed by Sue Andrews) and Gold in the 2000m B Quad first and final (coxed by Derek Begg).
The ladies Eight fought hard in their race, alas the competition was fierce with Powerhouse taking the win.
Toms Tigers (Lindsey, Morgan, Lisa and Carolyn, coxed by Derek) plowed through their heat to the hotly contested final, where there’s no doubt they left nothing in the tank making Coach Tom in his flash crew teeshirt pretty proud. The men’s pairs was a fun race to watch with Tim and Jon racing against Nic and Dave. It was a tough race with a pretty happy Tim and Jon getting the Silver. The Men’s Quad championed by double n Dennis had 50% of the original DEMN crew as Martin kindly stepped in to fill Charlie’s seat with Mike C and Andrew. Even Nicole was in the coxswain seat for the heat. They pushed through and collected a Bronze. Perhaps Martin might consider a come back after all!
All in all a pretty successful year at the 2017 Vic State champs for Richmond. Bring on masters season!
Sarah Houghton
Quiz Night Fundraising Success
For those of you not on Facebook you may have missed this comprehensive write up of Saturdays great fundraising quiz night success and I didn’t want anyone to miss out, so find it copied below. Along with this chronical came the daily trivia teasers leading up to the event and all the behind the scenes efforts to make the night a triumph and I wanted to offer my personal thanks to everyone who contributed to keeping the annual RRC fundraiser a fun night not to be missed. Look out for news here on how the funds will be spent to directly benefit the members of the club.
“I lost my virginity again on Saturday night, hosting my first ever trivia night. And even before I got to the first question, we lost the answer sheets and the table round questions (quotable quotes). I swore, as I do in these situations, walked around the room a few times until Dave appeared with a ream of paper. Crisis averted.
It was a nervous start: rules were read and rehearsed jokes fell flat. The warm up served it purpose, pin pointing the location of the drinkers, and those not on facebook. It was a bit long winded and the punters were starting to get restless, they just wanted the trivia.
Round one, Arts and Entertainment. I was told the night before the questions were too easy. After only a few questions, it was obvious this may not be the case. However, by the middle of the round, most teams looked to be answering questions. I relaxed, and we started to hit the groove. That was until I read out the answers at the end of the round.
Question eight, the hecklers started; the team not on facebook (known herein as the minority) . Yes, I stuffed up, most first timers do. They questioned, I defended, they questioned back (with interest), I conceded, they offered to Google, I conceded again, they muttered words and shook heads. Question retracted. They were hear to play.
The highlight was the round was the karaoke. Three great renditions of Valarie, Throw your arms around me and Life on Mars. I was impressed, and so were the punters. Bonus points awarded to the brave.
We broke for the Auction. Derek kicked off the first round superbly, raising over $1K with the five items on offer. Things were looking up.
Round two, Melbourne. After a fairly even first round, teams would falter on their knowledge of Melbourne. If only they were tourists, trawling for background on the city they would soon visit, they would have nailed every question.
The minority skipped away with a solid round. Despite their lead, they continued to heckle and question. Yes, Archer did win the cup twice, but he won the first in 1861 not 1862. If I wanted the year the second Melbourne Cup was run, I would have asked for it.
I hand the keys over the Derek and head to the bar to buy a beer.
Derek took to the floor for round two of the auction. The prizes were bigger this round and so were the bids. The big one was the hall hire. It went for $950. The clubs jewel in the crown became the five bedroom weekender, and as the bids increased, the committee collectively smiled.
Round three, general ignorance. A not so flattering photo of Trump brought a chuckle among the crowd. Several drinks into the night, the crowd was starting to catch up with the lads at the back of the room.
The questions were bastards. The type that sit on the tip of the tongue but you can never spit them them out. What is Donald Trumps personal twitter handle? Where was the Titanic built? Right royal bastards.
The answers were read out, fists pumped and cries of anguish were heard as each way bets proved the difference between right and wrong. The elephant in the room arrived during this round on the back of the Grand Old Party. Two out of seven teams walked away with the bonus points.
The minority were at it again. Neptune is a gaseous planet not terrestrial, according to NASA, and I am guessing they know a bit about these sorts of things. And by the way, when the question asks for four planets, don’t list six to cover all options. Oh dear, the quiz master is having difficulty in adding up their scores correctly. I have always been bad with numbers.
Round three of the Auction and Derek is working the room raising more than he should on items lost on their owners. This is what the auction is all about. By the end of the round he will have raised over $4K for the club. A great nights work.
Round four, sporting glory. The final round starts with a slide of the Australian mens heavy weight four catching a massive crab mid race at Lucerne. We are all human after all.
It’s a fun round with most teams fairing well. However, some responses left me feeling that sporting knowledge is not on the agenda for some people. Perhaps they have given up, and their intention was to make me laugh. It certainly worked. There is no question that Gough Whitlem was a remarkable person, however, I am not sure he managed to kick the goal that put Australia into the 2006 World Cup.
The final answers are given, and for the first time of the night, the minority remain silent.
Dave runs the sit down game and we raise a bit more cash for the club. We complete the night by announcing the minority as the winners by a slender margin of two points. They come forth to claim their prize, winning the tiger and refusing to accept it’s birth certificate. It remains behind the bar.
It’s been a good night for the club. We have raised over $6K for new equipment which helps keep members in new boats and in the medals.
If the truth be told we were all virgins tonight. It’s was also Derek’s fist time as an auctioneer and Dave’s organising the event. Following on from the master Justin was going to be tough, but I think we did alright.
See you all next year.”
Simon Crunden