Spring Racing in Full Swing

Cup Day Rowing

**Should we bet on Blue Skies closely followed by Sunshine?** Or should we go with the much-publicised favourites: storm clouds and impending rain? Two eights and a single bet on blue skies and sunshine and struck it lucky on race day.

At push off sunshine and fleeting heat came to the fore, but then the favourite grey, storm clouds, dominated. Coming down the Scotch straight and past the landing, a brief challenge came from spits of rain, but blue skies persevered, trailed by a reluctant Sunshine. However, storm clouds, not to be outdone, re-emerged again strongly. Rain jackets emerged from the pack, slipped back, then came from the pack again.
Despite changes in prevailing conditions, sunglasses and jaunty caps were constants. Outgoing tide provided an advantage. The major hurdle at Wallen Rd, Swan Street bridge was negotiated confidently avoiding an anticipated upset and affording a smooth ride straight to the city. Some minor contenders, (not part of our field), were passed along the way.

Dr Denis Bourke attempted a challenge under Flinders St bridge, but Sue Andrews maintained the lead to the city landing. Brief respite with assorted coffees held the field’s attention momentarily, then it was back to business followed by a long row home and just rewards coming in finally at the Bridge Hotel.

Full credit to chief steward Richard James who wrangled a constantly changing field. Grateful thanks to Women’s 8 cox Jenny Lefebvre, who stayed the whole course, and to the rotating coxes in the Men’s 8. A big shout out to Mario and Di for joining us from Lake Eildon and to all those new members of the club who stayed the distance. Special mention to Gin who went solo. Additional thanks to Alan and Michelle for organising our temporary boat agistment outside Banks and Richmond clubs.
**Robyn Blake.**

A Bridge Not Too Far

A dozen or more members gathered for drinks and dinner at the Bridge Hotel last Friday (31 October). Some of us mastered the app in advance, scoring a 10% discount and burnishing HRC's credentials with a much appreciated sponsor.
We had a cosy little dining room to ourselves, quiet enough to talk and mingle. The vibe was relaxed and comfortable with mostly "masters rowers" in attendance - more youthful energy would be fun.
And did anyone notice Vic talking rowing technique to Alexis, with his usual charm?
At 7.30 Sunday morning, they were spotted together again, going out in a double.
Vic was steering. Alex was learning fast. There's a moral here somewhere, about coming to Hawthorn social functions to enhance your rowing experience.

James Lyon

Boat Naming Ceremony

Hawthorn Rowing Club President, Bill Olayos presided over the Boat Naming Ceremony on Sunday 9th November.

Thank you all for coming today and welcome to Hawthorn Rowing Club on this atypical Melbourne spring day, where the sun is actually shining! We have come together to recognise and indeed honour one of our members for her longstanding and impressive contribution to the club. Dawn Pescod has been Club Secretary, General Committee Member, and current Head of the Yarra Committee member. She has also represented HRC in competition, as part of a winning crew, rowing two 20 km+ legs, in the Royal Flying Doctor Rowathon, where I had the privilege of sitting behind her and Janet in that crew some years ago.

But if one had to describe Dawn, it would have to be as a true "Quiet Achiever". Many unseen things that just "seemed to happen" at the club, happened because of Dawn, generally with the able assistance of her longstanding, nearly inseparable, soulmate, Janet. Those two have been quietly rowing together in a double for as long as I have known them. And in a typical manifestation of her nature, when Dawn was told the Committee had decided to bestow her with this honour, and name a boat after her, she almost immediately said, "Oh no, it has to be Dawn and Janet". So be it!

We give you the Dawn and Janet double, may they row it together for many years to come.

Bill Olayos

President

Hawthorn Rowing Club.

October Member of the Month

**Richard James**

Richard is recognised for his amazing efforts instilling the values of being an all inclusive club. He regularly offers social rows, supports new members, and his passion to get 2 eights on the water for a social row to the city was achieved today. Well done Richard.
Captured here hanging signage for Head of the Yarra 2024 - another talent!
**Julie Cotchin**

Vale

Derek Fern was the oldest active member of the Hawthorn Rowing Club and passed away aged 93 in August this year. Derek enjoyed rowing for 75 years and was associated with Hawthorn Rowing Club for the last 20 years. Rowing brought him an immense pleasure throughout his life - as a competitor, coach, social rower, club volunteer and spectator.

From 1996 until 2010 Derek rowed in many club regattas, also from major Masters level to FISA World Masters regattas, winning 3 bronze, 1 silver and 10 gold medals. His last row was in a quad scull in April 2025 crewed by himself, his two daughters Nicola and Sarah and granddaughter Zoe.

We offer our condolences to Rosemary and her family at this time of loss.

In memory of HRC past president and life member

Chris de Guingand

24 April 1933 — 16 October 2025

“One of nature’s gentlemen”, “larger than life”, Chris was an active and respected member of HRC across several decades.

Chris came to Australia as a ‘ten pound Pom’ in 1952. He soon joined the Melbourne Harlequin Rugby Club, but acknowledged, “I was not really much good”. However, the Harlequins trained out of the Mercantile Rowing Club boatshed, and the rugby captain encouraged members to join Mercantile rowing, and Chris did.

In his own words: “In the spring of 1953, I learned to row. Here I was to meet a number of people who would remain friends for the rest of my life, or became significant influences on my future development. I had the great good fortune to be taught to row by Norm Cairnes, one of Australia’s great coaches who probably taught more young men to row well than any I have met since. … Rowing gave me the opportunity to do something that had up to that time eluded me – be good at a sport. I threw myself whole-heartedly into the club life and training for the sport. The next five years until the late fifties were dominated by rowing, studying to become an accountant and building a career in business. I was Vice Captain of Mercantile, and subsequently was Secretary for one year. In 1954/5 Gael and I rowed in a Junior Eight which swept all before winning the Founder’s Challenge cup at Henley and the Victorian championships.”

Chris and Margaret married in 1960. “It was only when I met Margaret that I realised what I had been looking for. She was (and still is) stunningly beautiful, has a strong personality and I fell madly in love with her.”

They went to England for a couple of years, where Chris rowed in the Thames Rowing Club, and competed in the London Head in early 1963.

With their return to Australia, Chris moved into a significant career in the financial side of the mining industry, and, along with responsibilities of fatherhood of a growing family, was busy, and frequently travelling. For a time, rowing was not a significant part of his life.

So then Chris’s enthusiastic dedication to the life of Hawthorn Rowing Club was really his second rowing career — probably provoked by his boys taking up rowing at school. He became strongly committed, not only to his actual rowing, but to the whole life of the club, and became a very familiar and respected face in every aspect of club life. He served as President from 1995 to 1999. He was instrumental in encouraging younger rowers, and women’s rowing, as well as in the restarting of the Universities Boat Race (between Melbourne and Sydney universities).

Chris and Margie formed good friendships with other club members, and participated with them widely, beyond rowing. “In the 90s and early 2000s we travelled a lot and had developed a very amazing friendship with my rowing friends and in particular Dr Denis Bourke, and Neil and Francis Courtney, and latterly Don and Meg McNeil” — and others including JB Stewart, Peter Landy, Pat Freeland-Small, David Deeble (who succeeded Chris as President in 1999). Chris was instrumental in Bill Minnis joining the club; shared opera and G&S delights with Jim Breen; and the Sydney Olympics with Bill Goodwin. Among some in the HRC community, Chris was known as “The General”.

For many years until very recently, Chris fulfilled a responsibility that some might think more important than President — being the official holder of the club’s liquor licence!

Chris’s health declined in recent years. Even after he could no longer get in a boat, he often came down to the boatshed, especially on Saturday afternoons, to share a drink and cameraderie. After his passing on 16 October, a memorial / celebration of life was held in the (Christ Church Hawthorn) Memorial Hall, on Saturday 8th November. About a dozen past and current HRC members were among the hundred or more who came to honour Chris. We honour a significant past member and President of the club.

Andrew Dircks

Regatta News

From Club Captain - Tristan Krstevski

Bendigo regatta Saturday 18th October (congrats to a LOT of people on their first race)
Bill and Emile towed (thanks to them). All members contributed to BRO. Thanks to Charlie W (Junior Coach), Jamie R and Robyn for taking the bulk of the coxing.

Bendigo Regatta RESULTS

🥉 - MM4X- - M.Campbell, M.Oliver, J.Stewart, R.Blackwell - 1:45.41

🥉 - MM4X+ - A.Smart, P.Wilson, J.Fogarty, B.Olayos, Cox: R.Blake
🥇 - MM4X+ - P.Sedawie, S.Watts, E.O'Flaherty, B.Winnen, Cox: R.Blake
🥉 - FM1X - J.Wheelahan - 1:58.44
🥉 - MAB1X - D.Yudko - 1:39.81
🥈 - MU174X+ - L.Mikus, H.Penman, A.Liu, T.Perronnet, Cox: T. Krstevski - 1:31.10
🥈 - FU151X - L.Page - 2:07.77
🥈 - X4+ - W.Hexter, D.Stute, F.Graham, M.Watts, Cox R.Blake - 1:31.41
🥇 - X4+ - M.Harrison [MERC], E.Stigter [HAWTH], J.Cotchin [HAWTH], M.Currie [HAWTH], Cox: J.Rogers - 1:28.47
🥇 - MM1X - M.Oliver - 1:47.57
🥉 - MM1X - B.Olayos - 2:01.31
🥇 - MAB4X+ - M.Currie, W.Hexter, D.Stute, E.Stigter, Cox: C.Watts - 1:22.93
🥉 - FC4X+ - C.Cheng, J.Wheelahan, L.Loughney, M.Dugandzic, Cox: R.Blake - 1:42.34
🥈 - MU171X - L.Mikus - 1:39.89
🥇 - MC2X - A.Liu, T.Perronnet - 1:36.53
🥉 - MC2X - P.Sedawie, J.Raschke - 2:57.88
🥇 - FM4X+ - J.Cotchin, M.Watts, J.Wheelahan, N.Kinsman, Cox: R.Blake - 1:48.17
🥈 - MM2X - M.Campbell, S.Watts - 1:47.34
🥉 - MM2X - P.Sedawie, B.Winnen - 1:47.63
🥉 - MM2X - J.Fogarty, P.Wilson
🥈 - MM2X - R.Blackwell, B.Olayos - 1:51.74
🥇 - MAB4+ - E.Stigter, D.Stute, W.Hexter, M.Currie, Cox: R.Blake - 1:24.96
🥈 - MC1X - D.Yudko - 1:38.59
🥇 - XM4X+ - R.Oliver, M.Oliver, J.Stewart, J.Cotchin, Cox: R.Blake - 1:36.77
🥈 - X4X+ - F.Graham, C.Cheng, A.Smart, J.Raschke, Cox: R.Blake - 1:33.46
🥈 - X4X+ - D.Stute, W.Hexter, L.Loughney, M.Dugandzic, Cox: C.Watts - 1:32.33
🥇 - X4X+ - M.Currie [HAWTH], L.Mikus [HAWTH], M.Harrison [MERC], P.Page [HAWTH], Cox: T. Krstevski - 1:30.26
🥇 - MM4+ - B.Winnen, J.Stewart, R.Blackwell, P.Sedawie, Cox: R.Blake - 1:49.07
🥈 - MM4+ - P.Wilson, E.O'Flaherty, M.Campbell, J.Fogarty, Cox: B.Olayos - 1:59.65
🥈 - FM2X - J.Wheelahan, C.Cheng - 1:47.96
🥉 - MAB2X - L.Mikus, E.Stigter - 1:28.69
🥇 - MC4X+ - J.Inglis, D.Yudko, J.Raschke, A.Smart, Cox: R.Blake - 1:31.29
🥇 - XM2X - R.Oliver, M.Oliver - 1:48.18
🥉 - XM2X - F.Graham, J.Stewart - 1:54.80
🥉 - XM2X - S.Watts, M.Watts - 1:47.15
🥈 - XM2X - S.O'Connor-Smith [POWR], N.Kinsman [HAWTH] - 1:46.49
🥇 - X2X - M.Currie [HAWTH], M.Harrison [MERC] - 1:27.14

Foot of the Goulburn RESULTS

Great results on Saturday 25th October! Great to see so many new faces racing! Thanks to Peter W for towing and Frances for BROing.

🥇 - MM4X+ - M.Oliver, P.Freeland-Small, J.Stewart, B.Winnen, Cox: G.Besley - 23:01.92
🥉 - MM4X+ - P.Sedawie, P.Wilson, S.Watts, C.Adnams, Cox: A.Watts - 23:50.64
🥇 - FM4X- - R.Oliver, N.Kinsman, J.Cotchin, M.Watts - 24:59.94
🥈 - FM4X+ - F.Taliadoros, S.Whithouse, D.Penman, S.Rogers, Cox: J. Rogers - 32:05.06
🥇 - MC4X+ - D.Yudko, L.Mikus, M. Currie, A.Smart, Cox: P. Page - 20:12.63
5th - MA1X - A.Chang - 23:06.52
🥇 - MA1X - M.Currie - 20:46.32
4th - MSCH1XO1 - L.Mikus - 24:12.51
🥉 - FSCH1XO1 - P.Page - 26:50.79
🥇 - MM1X - S.O'Connor-Smith - 22:48.85
🥇 - MC1X - D.Yudko - 23:50.99
🥇 - X8+ - J.Cotchin, R.Oliver, N.Kinsman, F. Graham, S.Watts, J.Stewart, B.Winnen, P.Sedawie, Cox: G. Besley - 24:05.02

Head of the Barwon RESULTS

Great results on Saturday 4th October with a big HRC outing! Big thank you to Bill for towing and Deanna for umpiring.

🥇 - MA2X - Luca & Hunter - 14:31.17

🥈 - MC2X - Tommy & Angus - 17:01.01

🥈- XM2X - Simon & Melissa - 17:06.05

🥉 - FSCH1XO1 - Poppy - 20:51.84

🥇 - MC4X - Angus, Tommy, Hunter, Luca - 15:12.99

🥈 - MC4X+ - John R, Albert, Richard, Peter S, Cox: Guy - 16:14.82

🥇 - FB4X+ - Kristina, Frances, Poppy, Brigitte, Cox: Myself - 18:46.14

7th - MM4X - Simon, John F, Peter W, Bill - 17:38.05

6th - FM4X - Jen, Julie, Melissa, Catherine - 17:16.41

9th - FM4X+ - Alexis, Virginia, Chloe, Natasha, Cox: Amelie - 19:12.99

Australian Indoor Rowing Championships

HRC have had a very successful Australian Indoor Rowing Championships!
All week a small group of us, ably lead by the king of the erg, Steve Gaspars, myself and Catherine Ashley chipped away for the week getting HRC to the top of the per members leader board (out of 71 clubs) and 5th overall! Indoor rowing ranks in AWP (adjusted work points) akin to a prognostics as an easy explanation, hence the rankings.
We did the most kms per member (averaging over 8km) of course Steve Gaspars being a big part of that doing over 20km himself! Also quite a few non lodged ergs (strategically). We came 4th overall on kms rowed.
We were then joined by Luka and one of my zoom guys on Sunday to “take it home”
In the wash up, 7 gold, 3 silver, 3 bronze.

Standouts.
Steve having a clean sweep. 4 events, 4 gold.
Catherine smashing the dreaded 4 min mark in the 1km, taking bronze in a much bigger field (the winner was a 3.43, not bad for lightweight. She also came third overall events for lightweight, and 5th including the standard weight rowers.
I even snagged a gold ;-) winning the 2km in the first I’ve done since 1986, havnt even been in an eeg since 2021 except the odd warm up.
Luke taking gold in the 500m and the one minute, not bad at all considering he had to lodge all 4 events in one go.

Overall rankings:
Steve did a last minute 2km to just jump ahead of Catherine, but it was his short ergs that did the trick, only a very small margin for him to take the clubs line honours. Although the 2 and 1km still had her in front.
Luka came in and jumped me too. :-) to move into 3rd for HRC members.

An amazing week, we learnt a lot, exciting to have tried this sport! But never again…. That was brutal… physio booked, body is broken…. :-)

I have also just noticed the that Steve came 12th overall and Catherine 13th across all
Lightweights, very impressive guys…

Tristan Krstevski

Regattas

The next regattas are as follows:

REGATTAS
Please find the regattas for November and December.

NOVEMBER
2025 South West Regional Regatta (EMAIL ME IF INTERESTED)

2025 Henley on the Maribyrnong Regatta (EOI DUE 29/11/2025)
https://forms.gle/8w4t7n443HZsz3KC6

ROWING DEVELOPMENT

Due to the increasing interest in Tuesday and Thursday, RD will be back on Tuesdays / Thursdays from (5:45pm arrival for 6pm on the water) 6pm - 7:30pm.

Progress Squad should continue to open up as well with more opportunities for sessions on Sunday once the exam period for the coaches is over.

All progress Squad and RD can be booked via https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule/20b74586/?categories[]=Rowing%20Training.

Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Head of the Yarra - A Call for Volunteers

Volunteers are the backbone of this event which also constitutes as an important fundraiser for the Hawthorn Rowing Club. If you haven’t already signed up then please do so as we desperately need MORE volunteers! It is a fun experience to join the Orange tsunami of volunteers and help our club run the best head race this side of the equator!

You can sign up to volunteer here.

Not for me! (A Head of the Yarra lament)

To the tune of ‘Let it Be.’

When the starter calls your crew to row, it’s 8.6 kms to Bridge Road

You must be bloody joking, not for me.

But now I see it’s 8 kms flat, the shorter course might just suit me, those extra 600 metres, weren’t for me.

The cox calls for a starting piece, of 20 hard, what’s she think-ing, I did not sign up for that, no not me.

At Swan Street Bridge we’re almost cooked, ‘Is it far?’ - we’re all ask-ing and what’s with all the corners, not for me.

Not for me, not for me, not for me, no not for me,

That Yarra Head is far too long, and not for me.

The annoying cox is on again, something about another set, I’ll let the others do it, not for me.

The cox and stroke are urging on, the engine room and pointy end, but I’m not getting blisters, no not me.

When we get to that Big Bend, a left hand turn is quite a treat and some stroke rowers get to drop out, now that’s for me!

That’s for me, that’s for me, that’s for me, yes, that’s for me,

and we’re looking good going up Scotch straight, e-ven me!

That cox is banging on again, about catches and where we will rank, while I’m busy waving at my fans, along the bank.

We get to the final Hawthorn straight, and I’ve conserved some energy because photographers are all around, I presume they will snap me!

Not for me, not for me, not for me, no not for me

The Yarra Head is far too long-it might be good for some, but not for me!

Member - A. Nonymous.

Housekeeping Items

HRC Constitution

Please note that the the revised HRC constitution that was presented at the 2025 AGM is now available on the club’s website under ‘Membership Policies’.

Rowing Kit

A final reminder to members interested in purchasing Canterbury Club Gear. A minimum order will be lodged in the near future. The club will then invoice each person who has confirmed and the item will be available for pickup at HRC. There is some great winter gear available such as hoodies, spray jackets and puffers. Please email Tristan if you have any questions.

Pontoon Sports is supplying HOTY merchandise this year. Refer to the website for details https://pontoonsports.com/collections/head-of-the-yarra-2025?srsltid=AfmBOop9_GJDvbOCnISWvJSoD8A80j5UT9TC5gvC17-U60XfzqZL20Sg

Reporting Boat Damage

General Reminders:

Boat damage reporting. Please notify Tristan ASAP or you could be liable for the full damage of the boat. captain@hawthornrowingclub.com.

Please use the changerooms for storing your personal items. Not the downstairs areas.

BOOK BOOK BOOK. Do not use without booking boats. If you don’t have permission, don’t use it.

Please let the Captain know beforehand if you are making a repair or if you have made one.
Tristan

Spotlight on a member

Alan Purton

‘Purton’s Perspective’ on the World Masters Rowing at Banyoles!

World Masters Rowing on Lake Banyoles, Spain.

Between Sept. 10-14, 4000 competitors from 747 clubs from around the world competed with an average day commencing at 8am and finishing around 6pm! No breaks, with races every 3 minutes, 8 lanes with a distance of 1 kilometre.

Lake Banyoles is beautiful, very clear and you can see lots of fish. Every boat, (there were 5,300) had to have certification that is was disinfected!

Hawthorn Rowing Club was represented by 13 competitors and 2 much appreciated support crew. Attendees: Ruth and Mark Oliver, Robyn Blake, Sue Lilly, JB Stewart, Jen Wheelahan, Julie Ann Cotchin, Fiona Richardson, Louise Olayos, Wendy Cotter (from Nagambie) Henry Briffa, Linda Judge and Alan Purton. Expertly supported by Chris Purton and Bill Olayos.

As there were races every 3 minutes and turn around times short we all pitched in carrying oars, boats, getting bow numbers etc. I did see a priest blessing boats! Unfortunately we had no time for that extra boost of luck!

Wednesday 11 September I was involved in 3 races one of which was the first of the day. Chris and I woke at 5:30am, driving 6kms in the dark with no breakfast! The weather - heavy rain (3 inches), thunder, lightning and all local airports closed! Boat trailers and cars bogged, and on arrival learnt that races were deferred by 2 hours. No breakfast and mosquitoes everywhere!

What I liked most was meeting and talking to rowers from all over the world. It’s like a rowing community. I made a lot of friends. Some keen to come to Australia and look me up for a row in Melbourne. Two want to row with me at Perth Champion Lakes next year. Sue Lilly did a fantastic job arranging boat and oar bookings. Much appreciated.

The next World Masters is at Lake Bled in Slovenia. I have rowed on this beautiful historic lake. Overlooking the lake is a thousand year old castle which is floodlit every night. In the middle of the lake is an island with a 1000 year old church! At the end of the Banyoles event many rowers where making arrangements for Lake Bled.

Finally, I was one of 84 rowers 80+ who received a medal.

Following photos of Banyoles with one of Lake Bled, Slovenia to entice you to consider next year’s World Masters!

Alan Purton