Who’s been in Sydney?… Read on to find out!

Social Gatherings

After an enjoyable row, there is nothing better than socialising with Hawthorn members on the balcony at the Club! Here we have members taking in the beautiful scenery and discussing all things rowing!

The Cheese platter is better than any you’ll see at the MCC!

Watch out for any impromptu gatherings at the Club House!

Vale Maureen Cizevskis

15.1.1940 - 27.12.2025

Maureen joined the club in the early 1990s and made an immediate impact with her ability to bring people together socially. She was an active masters rower in both short course and marathon rowing. Her involvement lead to many joyful and memorable social events held at the Club. Memorable ones include boot scooting dancing, rock and roll band nights, black tie dinners, family roast nights, all enjoying her marvellous catering. Her way of bringing people together of all ages was instrumental in creating a fabulous environment off the water. The Club acknowledged her involvement with a coxed four being named the MAUREEN CIZEVSKIS in her honour. This was an important milestone as she was the first female ever in the history of the Club to be acknowledged this way. She was larger than life , a great person, loved a laugh and will be missed.

Belinda Goglia

J.B’s. Trivia

Q. 1: How many time zones across Russia?

Q: Who was the third wife of Henry VIII?

Q: Which nation’s flag was recently a single colour?

Q: Kookaburra and Duke are kinds of what?

Q: Which planet has the most moons?

A.1: 11 A.2: Jane Seymour A.3: Libya (plain green under Muammar Gaddafi). A.4: Cricket balls. A.5: Saturn (274)

J.B. Stewart.

The Bridge Hotel

supports Hawthorn Rowing Club through it’s loyalty club.

Guy Besley and Catherine Ashley have been recognised this month because both have taken o n a very active role coordinating and performing coxing duties for the recent Ballarat and Nagambie Regattas.

For a crew to perform well, they need to feel confident they are in good hands, and we certainly are when either of them are in the boat. As high level athletes, they both know how to get the best from a crew, lifting performance. The past tew regattas have been thoroughly enjoyable knowing the allocation of coxes for each event, which is no easy task, has been arranged and bow numbers will be collected (that’s an inside joke!).

Thank you Guy and Catherine!

Julie-ann Cotchin

Regatta News

31/1/2026 JG King Homes Wendouree Ballarat Regatta.

What a busy February it has been!

First, to start if off was Wendouree Ballarat. First day we had great weather, however with the second day proved to be difficult with a ‘Windy Wendouree’!

HRC Results:

Saturday
🥈 MClub1x - Davyd
🥇 MLW1X - Adam
🥉 FLW1X - Poppy
🥈 MO2X - Emile & Dan
🥈 MClub2x - Adam & Davyd
🥈 MU192x - Hunter & Luca

Sunday
🥇 MM1X - Shane
🥈FM8+ - Chloe, Natasha, Virginia, Melissa, Julie, Lou, Dom, Ruth, Cox: Guy
🥇MM4X+ - Albert, Bruce, Shane, Warren, Cox: Guy
🥈MM4X+ - Mark, JB, Simon, Bill, Cox: C.Ashley
🥉X4X+ - Ruth, JB, MArk, Julie, Cox: Deb Spring (Powerhouse)
🥉FM4X+ - Julie, Ruth, Lou, Dom, Cox: G.Besley
🥇FB2X - Elea and Lola
🥈X2X - Elea, Pat
(Per club captain)

7/2/2026 2026 Head of the Schoolboys’ Regatta - Lake Wendouree.

Next off was Head of the Schoolboys’ on. Ballarat AGAIN. Great sunny weather this time!

HRC Results:

🥇MSCH2XY101 - Angus and Luca
🥉MSCH1XO1 - Luca

(Per club captain)

14/2-15/2/2026 Nagambie Regatta.

HRC Results:
Sat
🥉MClub1X - Davyd
🥇MLW1X - Adam
🥉MU191X - Angus
🥈MU191x - Luca
🥉MO2X - Emile and Dan
🥈MU212x - Luca and Angus
Sun
🥈MM8+ - Bruce, Bill, JB, Richard B, Simon, Mark, Pete S, Pete W Cox: Catherine
🥉FM4X+ - Sue, Chloe, Robyn, Ruth, Cox: Guy
🥇MU174X+ - Angus, Pat, Luca, Tommy Cox: Guy
🥈FC2X - Chloe and Lola
🥉X4+ - Pete W, Dom, Mark C, Tiff, Cox: Guy
🥈MM4X+ - Simon, Bruce, Bill, Richard B, Cox: Guy
🥇MM2- Shane and Conrad
🥇MU171x - Luca
🥉X8+ - Pete W, Richard J, Richard B, Bill, Sue, Tiff, Virginia, Julie cox: Guy
🥈FM8+ - Lou, Dom, Frances, Ruth, Julie, Jen, Robyn, Natasha, Cox: Catherine
🥇MM4- - Shane and Conrad (composite with Carrum)
🥉MM4+ - Bruce, RIchard B, Bill, JB cox Guy
🥉MB2X - Angus and Luca
🥈X4X+ - Chloe, Albert, Frances, Simon cox: Guy
🥈MM1X - Shane
🥈FM4- - Sue, Chloe, Robyn and Ruth
🥉MA2X - Angus, Tommy
🥉FB2X - Poppy and Brigitte
🥈XM2X - Ruth and Mark

(Per club captain)

21/2/2026 Australian Henley Regatta.

HRC Results:

MMClub8+ A. Purton, R. Blackwell, Heat 2 2nd.

M. Campbell, B. Olayos, P. Sedawie,

S. Watts, P. Wilson, R. James. Co: J. Cotchin

FMClub4X+. R. Oliver, D. Horne, R. Blake, Heat 1 2nd

J. Wheelahan, Cox: C. Ashley

L. Olayos, V. Hamilton, S. Lilley, Semi Final 2nd

E. Williamson, Cox: C. Ashley

MB4X+

R. James, R. Blackwell, B. Olayos, Heat 2 2nd

S. Gaspars, Cox: C. Ashley

MMClub4+

S. O’Connor-Smith, M. Campbell. Semi Final. 2nd

P. Sedawie, S. Watts, Cox: C. Ashley

FM Club8+

R. Oliver, J. Cotchin, Semi Final 2nd

D. Horne, T. Rimmington,

M. Watts, R. Blake,

N. Kinsman, L. Olayos, Cox: A. Shub

just beaten by Melbourne.

27/2/2026 Fri-Sun 2026 RV State Championships Lake Wendouree.

Lovely Ballarat to end the Domestic Grade Season. Friday and Saturday good weather, Sunday baddddd (40km winds with 60km gusts the whole day!)

HRC Results:
Friday
🥉MO1X - Max
🥉MU191X - Luca
🥈MClub1X - Adam
🥈MClub4X- - Adam, Davyd, Luca, Angus
🥇MO2X - Max and Alex (Adelaide Uni)
🥈MU192X - Angus and Luca

Saturday
🥇MSCH2XY101 - Tommy and Angus
🥇MSCH1XY101 - Luca
in the open divisions, we missed on the medal spots by 1 spot and less than 1 second over 2kms for the open double sculls Male (Luca and Angus) and Female (Poppy and Brigitte))

Sunday
🥈MB4X+ - Albert, Davyd, Adam, John, Cox: Melissa W
🥈MU174X+ - Jasper (Albert Park College), Tommy, Luca, Angus, Cox: Sadie (Loreto Ballarat)
🥈MU171X - Angus
🥉MU152X - Rory and Gearoid
🥈MB2X - Tommy and Angus

Unfortunately with 4 races left to go, the regatta was cancelled due to the diminishing conditions.
Congraultions to all!

20 Hawthorn VIC 2.5 GOLD 6.75 SILVER 3 BRONZE 12.25 TOTAL MEDALS

(Per club captain)

Future Regattas

REGATTAS
Please find the regattas for March:

21/3/2026 Footscray Saltwater Regatta Maribynong River, Footscray

23/3/2026 2026 Australian Rowing Championships Lake Barrington, Tasmania

ROWING DEVELOPMENT

Rowing Development is on Tuesday and Thursday, (5:45pm arrival for 6pm on the water) 6pm - 7:30pm.

Make sure you book in prior to 3:30pm on the same day!

Saturday is at 2pm (where there are no regattas) and Sunday is at 9am. Make sure you these done at least the night before.

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.

Tristan

Club Captain.

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!

Max Currie.

Bow Ball goes Head to Head with our young Vice President and rising star – Max Currie.

1. What first drew you to rowing – was it the water, the rhythm or the challenge?

Initially I always wanted to do a sport and make the Olympics. I started in cycling, that was a bit expensive, so I tried kayaking.

This led to me to try rowing and I found that I was drawn to it. We lived in Hawthorn and Dad, who had rowed, took me down to Hawthorn Rowing Club.

So the challenge was that, as I always liked learning, I found rowing to be quite a unique sport.

2. Can you remember the moment when rowing shifted from just another sport to something you wanted to excel in?

I think my ergos were always quite good. I noticed that I was definitely up with the other guys – almost better than some of the older guys. This gave me the bug as I realised that I was good at the sport and I became confident that I could be successful.

3. Were there any key figures-coaches, teammates or family members who shaped the way you think about rowing?

There are hundreds/thousands of key people! My coach Tristan Krstevski is always good at critical thinking while I get emotional about rowing and can be unrealistic. Tristan is a big believer in anyone being able to do it, however to make it, you need to follow the right process.

Making the Olympics is a huge goal. Tristan has been able to break it down for me into small steps so that I can see how to get there. He is athlete-focussed, coaching the individual, not the team and nurturing and guiding the individual to succeed. This empowers me to make the final decision, giving me the confidence to know I am capable of making the right decision for myself. He has provided a training programme which is not forced, this way I have the power to make the decision to take on board the process or not.

My crew member, Will Hexter is very disciplined. He has taught me how to show up to every row, making sure to keep a consistent pace, not chatting too long on the water, keeping focussed on rowing when on the water and not engaging in too much social chitchat - sticking to the goal!

Jane Robinson has been a big supporter. I rowed with her son Archie and we did ‘Learn to Row’ together. Jane has been to three Olympics and has won world championships. She always answers my questions helping me to understand the emotional, physical and political aspects of rowing. Jane is also big on encouraging you to just enjoy the sport, saying “You’re still young” and “just enjoy it!”

More recently, my girlfriend Mia Harrison, has helped me bring the passion back into my rowing. Mia is passionate about every aspect of rowing including training, regattas, club culture and the social aspect of rowing. When I was stuck on the performance side, Mia brought me back to recognising the feeling you get when you are in a good crew and you are reaching a goal together.

My grandfather, my Dad and older brother rowed. Granddad rowed the longest, with Scotch and then MUBC. He has always supported my rowing. Helped me fund my first boat, follows my regatta results, he has always been my biggest supporter!

4. What were your previous rowing clubs (if any) and when did you join HRC?

Dad brought me down to HRC. I have rowed with other clubs in crews for the different experience, but HRC has always been my club.

5. What formal role do you have at the club?

My role at the club is mainly as an athlete. I have been on the committee for the past year and a half and am Vice President. I have made the effort to be part of the committee to provide the younger perspective.

I am also on the club’s social sub-committee but I have a lot of things on and there is a lot of pressure to do other things.

6. What type of rowing do you enjoy most – single scull etc?

I don’t have a preference for either sweep or sculling.

When I feel I am part of a good crew or squad - that is, being part of a squad that has the same goals and mindset and helping bring each other up to perform as well as possible - is what I really enjoy. Whether it is a good eight, or scull, just being around people who want to do the same thing is what helps me enjoy my rowing.

7. What does a typical training week look like for you, how do you maintain motivation through long or early sessions?

Training is pretty full time, close to 30-40 hours per week. That is just the rowing side of things. There are a lot more aspects to consider. I have to stay on top of my nutrition, sleep, making sure that I maintain my relationships and good communication. I do a lot of research and reading to support my rowing. So it looks about a 50 hour week to support my rowing!

On top of that I am doing full time study - Civil Engineering at RMIT. I have completed an advanced diploma which means I am halfway through Year 2 of my Bachelor degree.

I also do other things such as Rovers which is an adult division of scouts. I was involved weekly but have had to cut back, however I am still involved.

I also started a Scout band with mates. I play guitar and picked up the piano recently. I did learn trumpet for a couple of years but that makes a lot of noise in a household!

8. How do you balance the physical demands of rowing with recovery study or social life?

It’s through finding enjoyment of the process. If you are not enjoying the process, it is not worth going for the result. The result is a short brief period of joy and accomplishment, but the process is what you live every day. Taking it step by step, every day at a time, each day poses new challenges. I just attack each day as it comes. Trying to make the Olympics, doing one more day of training isn’t impossible to do.

It is important though to make sure you ask for support when you need it. Trying to do it alone is silly. Keeping my support network close - Mia, my family, Tristan (who is a friend as well as my coach) - and asking for support when I need it, has taken me a while to learn. It is silly to try to do everything alone. No-one who succeeds does it alone.

I think that my gratitude for all of this has come with maturity.

9. You have recently been in NSW for five weeks. Where were you based, what was that for, what did that entail training wise?

Prior to my five weeks in NSW, I was invited to a ten day camp with twelve elite Australian U23 rowers. It was held at Penrith on the Nepean River.

This opportunity allowed me to put myself forward for Australian selection. Part of the programme had a mock selection process and I was happy with my rowing as I didn’t lose a single seat selection.

I also approached Sydney Rowing Club as I wanted to complete their 5 week small boat rowing programme. I organised myself a host in Sydney – in an apartment with a Sydney Harbour Bridge view - stored my boat in the SRC sheds and rowed in singles, pairs and doubles.

I had the opportunity to train with one of the best coaches and scullers in Australia, Franz Imfeld. Franz’s style of coaching is very similar to Tristan’s. He was able to give me a lot of technical advice and useful general knowledge.

I rowed in the bay off the Parramatta River which had more space where it was easier to focus on technique rather than steering or getting run over!

It was a really positive experience, everyone was super welcoming. There were no egos, no hierarchy – everyone was equal. I found it a super positive experience.

At the recent 2026 state level NSW Rowing Championships (20-22 February) I came fifth in the Championship Mens Under 23 Single Scull knowing that I could still row faster.

10. What is your highest achievement so far in rowing, what is your ultimate goal?

My highest achievement is building self-confidence. As someone with ADHD and Autism, at school I felt disempowered and that I wasn’t on the same footing as my peers. I felt my learning style was not supported.

By contrast, rowing is a place where I have always felt successful and welcome – a place where I belong.

Winning medals is a short-lasting accomplishment which doesn’t define who I am. My self-confidence is something that is part of me and makes up who I am. That is why I see it as my highest achievement that I have built my confidence and self-awareness through rowing.

HOTY History

***Head of the Yarra - 28th November 2026.***

Wait a minute! - aka “messing around in boats…”

Kenneth Grahame’s Wind in the Willows nailed it when Ratty said to Mole “there is nothing–absolutely nothing–half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.”

But as all you regatta folks know, messing around in boats is code for “hanging around in boats” – sometimes for quite a while! And the Head of the Yarra is no exception.

From back of the top cupboard in the hallway at HRC there is an exercise book with rowing clippings that appear to date from 1960. A now anonymous club member took it upon himself (for in 1960 it would most likely be a him) to cut and paste rowing records from the local newspapers.

And what does that tell us? With “only 20” entrants in 1960, there was a “traffic problem” on the river at the finish! Oh and a Hawthorn crew won in 30 minutes21.9 seconds.

Stan Jeffery, who was HOTY Regatta Secretary for its first 44 years (yes that is correct – 1957 to 2001!), said in the 1967 AGM report that after 47 crews started in the race, “once entries reach 50, he is going to supervise the start and then head in the opposite direction!” In jest no doubt, however with considerable knowledge of what it takes to make it all work.

As we head towards 300 crews in coming years, please don’t show this to Vic Sibillin, Dom Horne, John Fogarty or Ruth Oliver who do a job at the start and finish well beyond what Stan would have ever imagined. They are as Tina said, “simply the best, better than all the rest,…”

Our new landing (best on the east coast?) certainly helps, but the dedication, experience and professionalism of our team leaders and volunteer crews proves HOTY has the “right stuff” and deserves its place as Australia’s premier head race.

Now back to photos and one provided by Jenny Lefebvre from 2017 of that well known choke point, the Wallen Road Bridge. It is the “hit or miss” point and one where Bill Goodwin has sat for many years on the Fishing Landing trying to “encourage” good behaviour in this no-passing zone. Any luck Bill?

Crew 21: MUBC: A McAtamney, C Hatherly, A Tachimoto, A Wells, G Gane, G Beattie, H Dwyer, E Goldfinch, Cox: C. Lefebvre

To close: pictures are worth 1000 words and I am looking for any historical stuff on HOTY – stories, photos, AGM report (late 60s to mid 1980’s) and any HOTY paraphernalia. Send them to me!!

My next article will be on those relics known as trophies and also some of our soon to be scrapped old boats. We dust and polish the trophies once a year then put them back up above the bar. Old boats simply disappear…It’s time to give them a bit more love.