enabled purchase of many items for the club, including boats, oars, ergos and the new rolling stairs. For our last major effort this season we have been offered the opportunity to run the Big Bunnings Barbeque at Bunnings in Burwood Rd, Hawthorn on Saturday May 2. But we need your help!
Between 8am and 4pm we will need 4 people to man the BBQ, take orders, handle money etc. Hence we need volunteers! We are suggesting blocks of 2 hours so if you can help then please email [email protected]. If you are planning to attend the Albert Park regatta then please consider a pledge of $10 to help us cover the cost of the sausages; again let me know this and it will be added to your overhead/seat fee cost. We also need some eskys to keep food cool, so let me know if you can help with this too. Funds from this event will support the purchase of yet another fleet addition..this time a new pair/double scull, so please come along and help us make it a success!
To steal a line from the Phantom, For those that came in late…..
we announced we would be having a working bee on Sunday 19th of April in the last Easy Oar but most of you have probably forgotten all about it and have exciting plans of being anywhere but at the rowing club in your worst work-wear mucking out the sheds. Well that’s a pity as you will miss out on being in on the kick off of Phase 2 of the RRC renovations.
Members have probably been thinking for a while now we’ve got this shiny new upstairs area but the RRC rowing bay is looking a little worn and dated and could do with a revamp. You’re right and on Sunday 19th of April we take the first steps in scoping out the future layout and configuration of the existing RRC bays and to do this we need bodies armed with measuring tapes and helping hands to carry boats or oars in and out to see if any of the new configuration ideas are going to give to work. In fact if you have an idea for a layout please feel free to make a suggestion.
We’ll also be doing a few of the usual things we do at working bees too. Cleaning out the shed. Throwing out accumulated junk, painting things, sanding oars and filling in dings, making new V-pieces for sculls to go on the trailer. Surveying the boats for any major repairs in the off season and noting worn parts for replacement. So if you’ve ever wanted to know how to fix something yourself now is the time to learn.
Bring your dungarees and old painting gear as it’s likely to be a little messy. We’ll kick off from 9.30am and see how much we can get done by 2pm. Many hands make light work. If you can spare an hour or two around training, or commitments we’d appreciate it.
We’ll need a few extra tools too so if you have spare paint brushes, paint trays or a paint roller and long extension handle or a heat gun and measuring tape at home please bring it and don’t forget your marigolds.
Thanks,
Barry Campbell, RRC Captain
The Banks regatta held on Saturday 11th April kicked off this years masters season. Richmond’s entry list was long and varied highlighting the competitive spirit of the Tigers. It was a perfect day for many of our newest recruits to take to the water in their black and gold for the first time and with the racing followed by a glorious afternoon on the deck with the bar and BBQ fired up Richmond was definitely the place to be.
We certainly had plenty of things to celebrate with a total of 9 wins and 11 runners up. A big congratulations to all those competing for Richmond for the first time especially Lachlan Molesworth who was part of the successful male masters eight. Other highlights included the new combination of Andy Harrison and Shern Timmins in the mixed masters double who also triumphed and Michelle Joy who completed a 100% winning record, crossing the line first in all four of the events she entered. Michelle and Karen FM2X Shern and Andy XM2X
Once again the day was made possible by many people contributing to the regatta/crew planning and I want to thank Justin for being the clubs BRO. The social activities at the club were co-ordinated by another winner on the day, Kathy Macrow and a team of helpers manning the BBQ (Laurent and Charlie) and serving at the bar (Stephan, Dennis, Richard, Aline, Ray, Stefanie and Elaine).
Another very successful day with 9 RRC winning crews all picking up enough wine to start our own club cellar. Full list of winners below: Mixed 4X+ – Michelle Joy, Jodie Naisbitt, Barry Campbell, Michael Gehling, cox Derek Begg Female 4X+ – Michelle Joy, Karen Doggett, Cat Hardie, Carolyn Manning, cox Mike Numa Mens 8+ – Michael Gehling, Michael Calvert, Charlie Burke, Jon Roberts, Matthew Crouch, Lachlan Molesworth, Andy Harrison, Laurent Demay, cox Dennis Beck Female Novice 4+ – Stefanie Dudczig, Elaine Hynes, Sarah McNicol, Karin Bouvin, cox Derek Begg Mixed 2X – Andy Harrison & Shern Timmins Female 2X – Michelle Joy & Karen Doggett Female 1X – Geraldine Goss Female Club 4X+ – Michelle Joy, Karen Doggett, Geraldine Goss, Carolyn Manning, cox Mike Numa Female Novice 4X+ – Kathy Macrow, Stefanie Dudczig, Sarah McNicol, Shern Timmins, cox Derek Begg
For those veteran RRC members Easter weekend has always meant just one thing – Mildura road trip!
Well it’s been many years since RRC made the long trip up the Calder freeway to partake in the Mildura and Wentworth regattas but this year we did. Both the Murray and Darling rivers provided beautiful surrounds and calm waters for rowing (and swimming, as Erin can vouch for completing her swim test at the conclusion of day 1). The rest of us settled for a swim in the motel pool or dip in the spa before a refreshing beverage at the Mildura brewery. Erin’s swim test in the Murray
We may have been few in numbers for the trip but I think we all agreed that the weekend was a great success. The rowing was of a great standard and once that toggle was released at the start there was no letup despite the almost 90 degree turn in the Henley on the Murray course or the bridge crossing the River Darling on Sunday. All those training sessions on the Yarra have taught us well that a bridge is just a marker to push off no matter what river you find yourself on. RRC mixed eight
Bec roared on the mixed eight and some quads while the Lucy Crunden (boat not person) went up and down the river countless times with all combinations of doubles crews pushing for the line. Jodie and Vicki D2X Michael C and Dave D2X Michael G and Jon D2X
The highlight for many had to be Michael Gehling’s Jesus moment though when preparing to race the single. Unfortunately for Michael but to the amusement of onlookers it turns out he can not walk on water 😉 Mixed quad
The RV officials joined in the fun spirit of the weekend and coordinated a new event for the conclusion of each days racing – the pot luck eight. The aim of the event was to get everyone who wanted another row to put their name forward and get representatives from every club out on the water in real eclectic crews covering both sexes and all ages. The races pitched RRC vs RRC aswell as Mildura, Wentworth, Essendon, Nagambie, Rutherglen and Corio Bay. It really was a great fun event with fast and furious eights sprinting down the course in the afternoon sun. There was also some bling to be collected at the end for the lucky ones like Shern Timmins from RRC who claimed victory on both days. Pot luck eights in a battle to the line
Thanks to everyone who made the weekend possible especially Kathy Macrow and Barry Campbell for organising and to all those involved at the two regatta venues who showed great hospitality and in my humble opinion served the best egg and bacon sandwich I’ve ever had at a regatta. What more could one ask for?
We received the sad news this morning that Bob Stanley passed away in the night. Bob was a long time Life Member of Richmond and was President for a number of years. He has always been an active member of the club, still coming down to train on Sunday mornings with Rod Stewart until recently.
I will always remember Bob’s ready smile and happy sparkle in his eyes, always welcoming and always ready to lend a hand.
Our thoughts are with Ivy, Bob’s wife, and we have organised flowers on behalf of RRC members.
Need to strengthen that core and improve your flexibility?
Pilates classes will be held at RRC starting Thursday 30th April (check the RRC events calendar for all dates), every week for 8 weeks. 6.45-7.30am run by Erika (who ran the Pilates classes at MRC last year).
Likely to be $100 for the 8 week course but we do need people to sign up for the whole set so we have viable numbers to run the course. It is open to non RRC members aswell but we want you all to have the first opportunity, so don’t miss out. The classes she ran last year were great. Please contact Jennelle if you want to sign up.
“Japanese!”
“Eh?” responded Justin
“We’ll do Japanese” she insisted
“I think I’d prefer an Indian tonight”, I still missed the point.
“No, hülye, the theme for the quiz this year, we’ll do Japanese this time” And so it came to pass, Katalin, the (largely unseen) creative force for the RRC quiz for the last few years decided our clubhouse would have an oriental flavour on March 14. After Irish, Russian and Roman themes I found myself researching the Honshu Wolf and the films of Kurosawa.
Of course the quiz is only half of the night, this was to be the major club fundraising event of the year and for that to happen you need a good auction and a well stocked bar. Asking Vicki to stock the bar is like asking a panda to grow bamboo but it was still good of her to do it amongst the other things she does for RRC. She has organised the auction in the last few years but this time it was the turn of Lindsey and Emily who put the War of 1812 well and truly behind them to form a powerful North American alliance. No auction is complete without its auctioneer; Simon took the gavel as he has done for the last eight years.
And you need people too, the talented Ainsley produced a fantastic poster to bring in the punters while Shern masterminded the bookings. We have our friends at MRC to thank for lending their tables while Interior designer Laurent probably found himself with his least creative role of lumping their tables into our clubhouse.
So the night began with a record a hundred and ten members and guests packing into the hall, the bar buzzed and the quiz began. Lecturer Matt marked the papers and accountant Jon added the scores. Most teams did well and each round was punctured by productive auctions with our fundraising gauge slowly rising under Nic’s supervision. Of course there were accusations of ‘phone a friend’, allegations of cheating in the origami and twice I wanted to garrotte someone with the microphone lead (a reduction on most years) but the bow balls surged to the line…and two of them finished level.
So there they were, some of the club’s newest members against a couple of the old stagers, the tie-break question the height of Mount Fuji. The prizes sat before them, a dozen chocolate roses, a year with a wombat and of course, eternal glory. The warm March evening turned cold with tension as I read the right answer… 3766 metres, old guard triumphant, DS denied.
Thanks to all that came, especially those that worked behind the bar and of course a very big thanks to all those who generously donated auction prizes. Over $8,000 was raised on the night, exceeding the target, this is being put to immediate good use. The committee’s deliberation wouldn’t have disgraced the World Trade Organisation for detail, producing the question “Could we have the short answer first next time?” at one point. Women’s sweep oars and two new ergos have already been ordered.
Justin Thomas, RRC VP
Some RRC members may be thinking that boats grow on trees given the abundance of new RRC fleet that has appeared at the club over the last season. If only it were true, in reality however the hard work and willingness to part with a dollar by our members, the work of the fundraising sub-committee, generous but less active current members and a surprise anonymous donation has seen four new singles and a coxless quad join the RRC fleet.
Recent fleet purchases and donations:
A 2nd hand Sykes coxless quad
To supplement our coxless fleet and provide a boat better suited to our lighter rowers we announced at the AGM in 2014 the club had purchased the former Ted Woolcock (new name TBA) via fundraising activities from YYRC.
Two 2nd hand Swift 60-70kg Singles
The success of the Christmas Raffle raised the funds for the club to purchase a 2nd hand Swift single from Genazzano and advance function bookings of our fabulous new building enabled the committee to tip in general revenue funds to purchase a second single from Genazzano.
2nd hand Swift 90kg+
Martin Foster had generously allowed members to use his Swift single for the last few years while he and Nicole have been busy developing our next generation of coxswain’s and rowers. The committee has offered to purchase the single from Martin and he has graciously accepted our offer to add this single to our fleet.
New Sykes Initiator 90kg single:
The email from Sykes advising that our new single was ready for delivery and that they were sworn to secrecy on the origins of the order had the committee and the captain amazed by the generosity of you the RRC members thank you whoever you are.
This sudden influx of fleet items has left the committee with a slight dilemma. We need names for our new fleet and as a committee we’ve decided that our amazing and generous membership should be the ones who actually suggest the names. If you have a suggestion for a name, then email [email protected] with your idea or drop your suggestion in the secretary’s box in the gym, before April 2nd 2015. The suggested names will then go to the next committee meeting where we’ll choose from names suggested by the membership.
Thanks, Barry Campbell – RRC Captain Sam testing out the new single
Happy long weekend all! This week there is lots going on at the club so here’s a little round-up and reminder to sign up to help us with organisiation:
Thursday night beer and pizza – following normal Thursday night training we will be opening the bar and ordering some pizzas for anyone who wants to stay around and enjoy some relaxed post-exercise drinks and chat.
Saturday Quiz night – it’s the club’s big annual fundraiser and we’re looking forward to a big night involving mind boggling trivia, games and auction prizes, make sure you contact Shern to book your table/ticket.
Sunday morning Club Races – the fun continues this time on the water with club races. Please sign up and add a comment on sportsplanner if you are able to help out. The plan is to use the infamous sorting hat to select crews and we need people to arrive at 9:30 to get organised and on the water. As usual all this events are open to everyone and the more the merrier! These short sprints will get everyone tuned up and ready to go for sprint racing at Essendon next weekend, or at least we’ll have fun trying. Brunch and prizes for the winners will follow the racing and there will be a small donation for food required (normally $5). Any volunteers to help with races and brunch please contact me, president.
So sign up now on sportsplanner and I look forward to seeing you all at the clubhouse this week.
So the Victorian State Championships for another year are complete. This year we were all excited to head back to Lake Nagambie but with the windy conditions that greeted us on Sunday you would be forgiven for mistaking it for Lake Wendouree at Ballarat. If you think I’m exaggerating you should ask Vicki Brennan and Jodie Naisbitt what it was like just getting to the start line for the WD2X 😉
The morning session saw a few Richmond crews in straight finals with six or seven total crews entered per event. So with no warm up race they took to the water and battled the conditions and the other crews each proudly coming away with bronze medals. There was the hotly contested Female C8+ (Sophia Robinson, Karen Doggett, Ainsley Raggatt, Kate Cooper, Geraldine Goss, Michelle Joy, Rochelle Stokes, Kate Dyball and cox Mike Numa), Male C2- (Sam Morrison and Ben van Biljon) and Male D4+ (David Micallef, Kieran Burke, PJ Eadie, Daniel Meka and cox Roy Zhang) which had some inter as well as intra club competition. WC8+ and MD4+ The medals kept coming in the afternoon session as well with more bronze bling going to the Female C2X (Michelle Joy and Karen Doggett), Male B4+ (Tim foster, Sam Morrison, Ben van Biljon, George Hartley and cox Vanessa van Biljon) and Female D4X+ (Ainsley Raggatt, Catherine Hardie, Lindsey Beck, Caroline Manning and cox Mike Numa). Along with her quad medal Carolyn Manning also braved the conditions in the single finishing an impressive fourth in the C1X final and going one better over the 2km course picking up bronze in the B1X. WC2X and MD4X+ We didn’t just stop at bronze medals though we had some excellent results for the Female D4+ (Emily Dunn, Kate Cooper, Catherine Hardie, Lindsey Beck coxed by Derek Begg), Male D4X+ (Michael Calvert, Michael Gehling, Alan Randall, PJ Eadie and cox Rebecca Lionnet) and Female D8+ (Erin Faulkner, Stephanie Dudczig, Sarah Ryan, Thalia Marshall, Sarah McNicol, Shern Timmins, Karin Bouvin, Elaine Hynes and cox Derek Begg) who all fought their way to silver medals. WD8+ and WD4+
The competition was strong and although we may not have come away champions this year I think the spread of medals, and other great results across so many different competitors in different grades and different classes of boats is a real testament to a great season at RRC. As usual a big thanks to everyone who contributed to the success on the day and in all the training and build up to the event – rowers, coxes, coaches and supporters. A special mention to Tim Evans who towed the trailer and Barry Campbell who completed our BRO duties. WB1X and MB4+
Don’t forget the sprint season isn’t over yet and if you want to attend either the Footscray and Essendon sprint regattas or the Mildura Easter weekend away regatta please contact [email protected] as soon as possible for more information and then there’s Masters Season…. WD4X+
