**Max Currie receiving his Gold Medal as Australian Champion in the U23 Single Scull at the National Championships held at Lake Barrington, Tasmania. Congratulations Max!**

**Head of School Girls Gold Medallists in the Female Double Scull Open Division 1.**
Poppy Page and Brigitte Tan - a landmark victory for Balwyn High rowing programme and the unique collaboration with Hawthorn Rowing Club which provides the school with coaching (Tristan and Jackson) equipment and a home base on the Yarra! Find out more about our hardworking dedicated Juniors in Spotlight on Juniors/Members!

Head of the Yarra 2026 Sponsors!

The Hawthorn Rowing Club is seeking additional sponsors for the Head of the Yarra 2026 event, to help us build on the success of past events. If Members have direct contact (through work, friendship or some other direct association) with potential HOTY corporate sponsors, please provide contact details to either Simon Watts ( sponsorship@hawthornrowingclub.com) or Rob Perkins (chair@headoftheyarra.com). we would be pleased to talk to any potential sponsors and share our sponsorship document with them.

Simon Watts

HOTY History

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

Put out to pasture….just look up and you can see…

It is inevitable with clubs of the age of Hawthorn that somethings end up put out to pasture.

Three boats that form part of the “roof” of the cage are the Stan Jeffrey, David Deeble and Bill Goodwin. These three represent a collective 100 years of commitment to the Head of the Yarra. They and their boats gave sterling service to the club and their spirit (if not their person Bill!) deserve to live on..

We also have in the clubhouse, also above our heads, in and above the trophy cabinets and on the walls, a lot of silverware and plaques that are given a polish once a year and carefully put back in place. They celebrate the many HRC victories (the earliest being 1880). Many are Head of the Yarra trophies.

They include:

· Walker Stores Fastest Crew – from 1957 to 1967

· KG Luke Trophy Winners 1958

· Mackie Clinic Veteran B crews from 1983

· Foster Cup Fastest Crew from 1986

· Bob Stewart Trophy Fastest Schoolgirls from 1990

· Leonda Schoolboys A and B winners from 1993

· Lloyd Cosgrove Trophy Schoolgirls from 1994

· Stan Jeffrey Universities Challenge from 2004

All of these trophies have been retired over time, but they are important reminders of the evolution of HOTY.

More recently we have introduced:

· Cox of the Course Shortest steered course from 2023

· Trophy oars Fastest women’s and men’s crews from 2025

· Traditional HRC logo medals from 2025

As HOTY continues to evolve, the way in which we celebrate the event, and the performance of the crew will inevitably change. The questions for HOTY and the HRC are whether we go back to a Fosters Cup style of perpetual trophy, and also whether it is timely as we approach our 70th year, that an honour board recognising winners and their times be mounted in our clubhouse. The HOTY committee will give this some thought and bring its recommendations to the HRC committee during 2026.

But as members, what do you think?

Rob Perkins

Chair, Head of the Yarra Committee 2026

rob@perkinsgroup.com.au

tel 0411 402 832

Social, Training and Learning to Row.

Club members are training hard for regattas and some just to improve their rowing skills! Whatever the reason - there is some serious rowing happening on the Hawthorn straight!

Below we have the 9:30 am Tuesday social row, a Ladies Eight, the recent Club races organised by Richard James and the graduating Learn To Row crew.

This month, we welcome Craig Casey to the Club. As you can see there are plenty of opportunities to row at HRC.

J.B’s. Trivia

Q. 1: What is the collective noun for Flamingos?

Q. 2: Which nation calls its Prime Minister the Taoiseach? (Pronounced ‘tee-shock’)

Q. 3: The worlds heaviest insect, the Giant Weta is native to which country?

Q. 4: What co-workers are not allowed to eat the same meal?

Q. 5: What is the only edible natural food that never goes bad?

A.1: A flamboyance. A.2: Ireland. A.3: New Zealand. A.4: Airline pilots and co-pilots. A.5: Honey.

Brought to you by:

J.B. Stewart.

The Bridge Hotel

supports Hawthorn Rowing Club through it’s loyalty club.

President’s W(H)ine.

Well, the "Weekly Whine" has turned into the "Monthly Moan" faster than a speeding bullet.

The messages contained within, however, remain as powerful as a locomotive. But like the author, and this rapidly deteriorating analogy, neither is likely to leap over any tall buildings, no matter how many bounds it takes! Unlike our Vice President with his brand new, Under 23 Single Scull National Title! Congratulations to Max Currie for his achievement, and indeed to the rest of Hawthorn's younger members, competing and achieving at Nationals in Tasmania under the watchful eye of their coach and mentor, our Captain Tristan. I am sure I speak for the entire club when I say we are very proud of all of them.

Turn the clock backward (or forward?) a few decades, and you will find our club's masters rowers, also preparing for competition, as they desperately try to fit boats on to the river, in between seemingly thousands of school age rowers. Shane O'Connor-Smith, having grabbed this particular tiger by the tail, so to speak, is doing a very good job of herding that group of cats. And with the Youth and Junior members largely clear of competition, the senior members are preparing for the Masters State and National Championships in early and late May, respectively.

Even though our Social coordinator has been otherwise engaged (winning championships, and such), this side of the Club's activity has not been neglected, with a small but dedicated group enjoying a showing of Cluedo at the Comedy Club. And Richard James continues his campaign to ensure "Social and Inclusive" rows are regularly advertised. These do represent a very good way for newer members to have a row, who have not settled into or set up their own crews or groups for regular rows. Richard again came to the fore recently, organising Club races and the gathering that followed. Thanks from all of us, RJ!

Thanks also to Dawn and Janet, who did an undercover, unannounced and very thorough clean up around the club. The take home message here is they should never have to. It is our club, and it is therefore our responsibility to look after it. If you use, clean it, replace it, pay for it or put it back where it belongs, as appropriate. And no, I should not have to be saying this, so let's all sharpen our game a bit, shall we? From senior members through to junior, from coaches down to the youth squad, new members to old, it is a shared responsibility.

Finally, let's all try to remember we are a rowing club, and as such, clearly we need boats. And even more clearly, we need to look after our boats. And the boats we need to have and to look after are both expensive and fragile. These two facts seem to have been forgotten somewhere along the way in recent times. We currently have a number of damaged boats, including brand new boats, where the damage almost certainly should not have occurred. Please, bear this in mind at all times when moving, washing, storing, loading on the trailer, unloading from the trailer, and just using the boats on the river - they need to be treated with greater respect and care.

So, on that cautious note, enjoy your rowing in what hopefully will be some settled autumn weather.

Cheers all,

Bill Olayos

HRC
President

In March, Ruth Oliver generously brought her passion and professional expertise in Pilates to HRC, launching a circuit class designed to build core strength, enhance balance and flexibility in order to support rowing-specific performance. Due to limited space, the sessions have been offered to the Women’s regatta crews.

In last Monday’s session, members rotated at times intervals, between Pilates exercise and erg pieces, throughout the workout.

We are incredibly grateful for Ruth’s enthusiasm and generosity in sharing her love of Pilates with the club, enriching our training environment and supporting members to perform at their best. Well done and thank you Ruth!

Julie-ann Cotchin

Regatta News

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

MM4X+

🥉 - B. Winnen, P. Freeland-Small, B. Olayos, A. Purton, Cox: C. Ashley Div 4 3:29.32
🥈 - M. Oliver, S. Watts, P. Sedawie, R. Blackwell, Cox: V. Hamilton Div. 4 3:19.62

FM4+

🥈 - R. Oliver, D. Horne, R. Blake, L. Olayos, Cox: G. Besley Div. 4 3:38.97
🥇 - M. Watts, J. Cotchin, T. Rimmington, N. Kinsman, Cox: C. Ashley Div 2 3:25.11

X4+

🥉 - R.Blackwell, P.Wilson, D.Horne, T.Rimmington, Cox: C.Ashley Final. 3rd. 3:33.43

FM8+
🥇 - R.Oliver, J.Cotchin, D.Horne, R.Blake, M.Watts, N.Kinsman, J.Wheelahan, V.Hamilton, Cox: C.Ashley Div 2 3:14.16

X8+
🥈 - M.Watts, L.Judge, A.White, S.Lilly, S.Watts, P.Sedawie, P.Wilson, R.Blackwell, Cox: C.Ashley Div 1 3:01.09

FM4X+
🥈 - V.Hamilton, J.Wheelahan, T.Rimmington, L.Olayos, Cox: C.Ashley Div 3 3:22.67
🥇 - R.Blake, N.Kinsman, S.Lilly, D.Horne, Cox: G.Besley Div 3 3:19.82

XM4X+
🥉 - J.Wheelahan, L.Olayos, B.Olayos, R.Blackwell, Cox: C.Ashley Div 5 3rd 3:17.97
🥈 - R.Oliver, B.Winnen, J.Cotchin, M.Oliver, Cox: G.Besley Div 5 2nd 3:13.49

MM8+Yarra Yarra/Hawthorn
🥈 - B.Winnen [HAWTH], S.Watts [HAWTH], P.Sedawie [HAWTH], P.Wilson [HAWTH], P.Freeland-Small [HAWTH], A.Purton [HAWTH], B.Olayos [HAWTH], A.de Boer [YARRA], Cox: G.Besley [HAWTH] Div 2 3:16.99

FM2X
🥇 - L.Judge, A.WhiteRace Div 4 3:37.44

MM1X
🥈 - S.O'Connor-Smith Div 2
🥈 - M.Oliver Div 3 2nd

FC8+
🥈 - M.Watts, R.Blake, V.Hamilton, T.Rimmington, D.Horne, N.Kinsman, S.Lilly, J.Wheelahan, Cox: C.Ashley Heat 1 3:02.78

6f032a38-31dd-4e46-b05f-44a44298f42e 2.jpg

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

U23M1x

M.Currie, Coaches: T.Krstevski, J.Forwood Race A Final 1st. Gold Medal
D.Stute, Coaches: T.Krstevski, J.ForwoodRace D Final 7th.
E.Stigter, Coaches: T.Krstevski, J.Forwood D Final 3rd.

U23M2x
C.Hine [SRC], M.Currie [HAWTH] Final 6th

U23M4x
🥉 - L.Schomann [MOSM], T.Elias [MOSM], O.Scheel Gamborg [MOSM], M.Currie [HAWTH], Coaches: T.Krstevski, A.Young, R.Meredith Final

U23LM1x
D.Stute, Coaches: T.Krstevski, J.Forwood A Final 5th

U21LW1x
P.Page, Coaches: J.Morrish, T.Krstevski Heat 1 6th Repechage 1 5th

U21LM1x
A.Chang, Coaches: T.Krstevski, J.Forwood B Final 3rd

U19W1x
P.Page, Coaches: J.Morrish, T.Krstevski Heat 2 7th Repechage 7th

U17M1x
L.Mikus, Coaches: J.Morrish, T.Krstevski Heat 2 2nd Repechage 2 1st Semi-Final 1. 7th B Final 6th
A.Liu, Coaches: J.Morrish, T.Krstevski Heat 3 5th Repechage 1 3rd
T.Perronnet, Coaches: J.Morrish, T.Krstevski Heat 3 6th Repechage 2 6th

U17M2x
L.Mikus, A.Liu, Coaches: J.Morrish, T.Krstevski Heat 2 2nd Semi-Final 1 5th

U17M4x+
T.Perronnet [HAWTH], J.Jones [APC], L.Mikus [HAWTH], A.Liu [HAWTH], Cox: L.Page [HAWTH], Coaches: V.Lee, J.Morrish, T.Krstevski Heat 3 5th Repechage 1 3rd Semi-Final 1 8th

CM2x
A.Chang, D.Yudko, Coaches: T.Krstevski, J.Forwood Heat 1 6th

SG2x
B.Tan, P.Page, Coaches: J.Morrish, T.Krstevski Heat 1 6th C Final 7th

SB2x
T.Perronnet, A.Liu, Coaches: J.Morrish, T.Krstevski Heat 2 4th Semi-Final 1 7th B Final 3rd

Future Regattas

REGATTAS
Please find the regattas for April-May:

11/4/2026 Sat Albert Park Lake Masters Regatta hosted by Rowing Victoria on Albert Park Lake
18/4/2026 Sat Carrum Masters Regatta hosted by Carrum at NWSC Carrum.
2/5/2026 Sat-Sun Masters State Championships by Rowing Victoria at Nagambie Lakes Regatta Centre

Please notify Shane and Bill for selection and entry into the regattas as soon as possible!

ROWING DEVELOPMENT

Rowing Development is on this Tuesday and Thursday, (5:45pm arrival for 6pm on the water) 6pm - 7:30pm. This will return at the ending of Daylight Savings.

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 book these 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 Juniors!

Bow Ball goes head to head with Brigitte and Poppy - our champion Juniors!

Brigitte and Poppy, your recent victory as ‘Gold Medallists’ in the Female Double Scull Open Division 1 event at the 2026 HOSG event, apart from being a personal triumph, is a landmark achievement for the school’s growing rowing program.

1. When you hit the final 500m on the Barwon River, how did you handle the pressure of the ‘Geelong roar’ from the banks?

Hearing the cheers progressively get louder, a wave of support was felt by Brigitte and me. It was a lot knowing that all those people were watching closely but even through the crowds, the voices of our families and friends broke through, giving us an extra push to help secure our win. We were both encouraged the by ‘roar’, giving it our all as we knew it would be over soon.

2. How does it feel to achieve such an historic result for Balwyn High?

Representing a public school, it feels great to have achieved this result, helping to provide exposure to many younger students of the opportunities and success that rowing can provide, especially through Hawthorn. We hope that our win will encourage younger people to give rowing a go and help build a stronger connection between Balwyn and Hawthorn. We are both very proud in representing the school, especially with such a great outcome.

3. The Barwon can be tricky with wind and current. What was your strategy for staying in unison during the final?

Before the race, we both went through our race plan together, placing emphasis on keeping our race internal and sticking to our plan. With some wind slowing us down and a bit of a rough start, we quickly corrected ourselves , maintaining composure and settling into a smooth rhythm. We focussed on what was within our control, keeping heads in the boat and concentrating on our technique. We managed to maintain a solid line, even around the bend of the course, preventing us from slowing down.

Since Balwyn High collaborates with Hawthorn Rowing Club (HRC), your experience is different from traditional school-based programs

4. "What is it like representing Balwyn High while training out of a club like Hawthorn? How has the club's 'Junior Development' culture helped you?"

Training out of a club like Hawthorn, we have been able to develop strong connections with other like-minded rowers who have supported us in our enjoyment of the sport, encouraging us to consistently show up to training. As a club, all of the juniors train-not from pressure to perform, but instead from a pure love for rowing. Training with others who show up with a positive attitude has helped to take way from some of the pressures of racing and instead built a community where we prioritise enjoyment.

5. Your coaches, Tristan and Jackson, are Balwyn High alumni. How has this helped you both? What’s the best piece of advice they gave you leading up to the regatta?"

Having the support of former Balwyn High students, our coaches have always helped us to feel a strong sense of school pride. Tying both school and rowing into our weekly schedules has proven to be overwhelming, yet both Tristan and Jackson have consistently helped us manage our time and effectively prioritise. The best advice we had, especially in the lead up to the final, was to have fun. We both felt great pressure as taking home gold was our biggest goal of schoolgirls rowing and being in Year 12, this was our last HOSG. Their support helped to shift our mindsets, resetting and focussing on making our race count.

6.You’ve been training on the Yarra twice a week plus early morning land sessions. What’s your favourite (or least favourite) erg workout?"

Our favourite erg has been our simple T2 workouts. There is something special about getting into a strong rhythm and maintaining focus. Although long, these sessions definitely feel like we are gaining fitness, supporting us in our progression and helping our overall motivation to improve.

7. In a double scull, timing is everything. How did you two build that 'perfect' rhythm throughout the season?"

Ever since we met through rowing, Brigitte and I have formed a strong friendship. We both had great compatibility that transferred into the boat. Rowing together has always been fun and enjoyable, giving us a sense of unity and a strong rhythm.

8. "Now that you've conquered HOSG, where to next?

As we both navigate our final year of high school, questions have definitely aired about what this will mean for rowing. We have both expressed passion and a genuine love for the sport that has assured us that our rowing journey will continue after school. Having a taste of victory, we both want to put in the work to continue to achieve theses results.

The success of Balwyn High's rowing program is built on a unique collaboration with the Hawthorn Rowing Club (HRC), which provides the school with professional coaching, high-quality equipment, and a home base on the Yarra River.

A cornerstone of the partnership is the involvement of Balwyn High alumni who have stayed with the club. In 2025, the school celebrated alumnus Ned Coleman with a boat christening at HRC, further solidifying the bond between the school's history and the club's future.

Thank you to both Poppy and Brigitte, our HOSG 2026 Female Double Scull Champions!