July 2026 Bow Ball Bulletin
Hawthorn Rowing Club
Annual General Meeting.
~~The President's Desk ~~
~~The President's Desk ~~
Hawthorn Rowing Club AGM held on Sunday 19th July, 2026.
President’s Report Season 2025/26
I would like to start my annual report this season by thanking my Committee. None of the social events, athletic achievements, club races, on and off water training, social rowing and racing in competition at regattas would be possible without this dedicated group. So, thank you. That is not to say these are the only ones needed for all this to happen - most definitely not, as there is another group of extremely committed and focused volunteers who are responsible for running what is arguably the best regatta in Australia, the Head of The Yarra. For any who do not realise, this is the primary fundraising undertaking for the club for the year. The impact of this event on the club's viability cannot be overemphasised. If ever a group were owed a debt of gratitude by a club, it is these people. So on behalf of the membership, we thank you.
But it doesn't end there, there is a third group in our club. This one is less visible, far subtler, and chronically under-appreciated. This is a group of people who may or may not belong to the other two groups, but their contribution is no less vital. This is the group who fill in the gaps. They are the fixers, the doers, the facilitators, the helpers, the ones who show up to every working bee, the cooks, the cleaners (NOT the paid cleaner, but the ones who clean up after others, who shouldn't have to!), the repairers, the builders, the drivers, the organisers, the coxswains, the coaches. Basically, the people who pitch in without being asked. These members are gold, and I thank you all. If you are not already part of one of these groups, I encourage you to find a way to contribute. Every member has a role to play in helping our club thrive.
This club was founded in 1877, which for the trivia-minded among us, was the same year as the Wimbledon Championships were founded. While the Hawthorn Rowing Club may not have the same international recognition as the other, it nevertheless has a long and proud history, and every member should understand this and be proud of our club as well. And as 2027 will mark the club's 150th Anniversary, we will be looking for people to help with planning and facilitating the celebration of this landmark. Please contact the Club Secretary Frances to register your interest.
It is always useful to look back on the previous year, if for no other reason than to remind ourselves of what we collectively got up to at the club. We rowed, we trained, we raced, we worked, we gathered. Our Club Captain Tristan will provide more detail on the racing, but as a general summary; the club was represented at the winter sculling events, we competed at Junior, U23, Open, Club and Masters regattas through the season, including State and National Championships in various classifications. Members represented the club at the Royal Flying Doctor Rowathon in Wentworth, NSW (my personal favourite!), and in the World Rowing Masters Regatta in Banyoles, Spain.
We continued to honour the Club's connection to ANZAC Day, with a memorial service, club races and a social event. We have a growing membership, courtesy of the Club's Learn to Row Programs, Tristan's Junior Program, and the Club's stellar location and reputation. Consequently, we are also planning to further increase the number of social events, including more informal (but still competitive for some!) club races. We acquired some new boats and disposed of some older boats. We repaired a lot of boats - please treat our fleet with respect. The boats are valuable, expensive to repair, and very inconvenient for many when they are unavailable. We added to our gym equipment. We refurbished our boat trailer, making it safer and significantly more user friendly.
During the year we became aware that Boroondara Council is in the early stages of planning a renovation of the Club House. It is in the very early stages, but a group from our Committee has been involved from the beginning, and our input has been incorporated into the planning. Also, we are developing a five-year plan for the Club, for which we will be looking for input from our members. This document should help guide the Committee and the Club in its future direction.
Committee
This year (2025-2026) we had a committee of ten people including myself:
● Tristan Krvtevski, Club Captain
● Frances Graham, Secretary
● Richard James, Treasurer and Social
● Max Currie, Vice-President and Social
● Mark Oliver, Vice-Club Captain
● James Lyon, Assistant Secretary & Membership
● Steve Gaspars, House
● Jen Wheelahan, Emile Stigter/Jenny Lefebvre General Committee
Emile Stigter joined the committee in a general committee capacity, offering his expertise but
with competing priorities resigned in April 2026. We were fortunate to have Jenny Lefebvre join
the committee from April 2026 onwards.
Finally, I would like to finish where I started, by thanking my Committee, the Head of the Yarra Committee, and that third group of members who continue to quietly contribute and I also encourage every member of our wonderful club to get involved and play a part in our future success.
Thank you.
Bill Olayos
HRC President
Life Membership
〰️
Life Membership 〰️
Life Membership awarded to
Andrew Vogan.
Special Resolution - Life Membership – Andrew Vogan
Proposed by Bill O, President, Hawthorn Rowing Club
It gives me great pleasure, both as President of the Hawthorn Rowing Club and as someone who has had the privilege of working alongside Andrew Vogan for many years, to formally propose Andrew for election as a Life Member of our club.
Life Membership is the highest honour the Hawthorn Rowing Club can bestow. It is reserved for those whose service has been distinguished, sustained and has made a lasting difference to our Club. In my view, Andrew exemplifies these qualities and is an exceptionally worthy recipient of this honour.
Andrew’s contribution to the Hawthorn Rowing Club extends beyond his achievement as a competitive Masters rower. While he has proudly represented our Club at Victorian, Australian and World Masters regattas with distinction, it is his dedication to the Club as a volunteer, leader and mentor that truly sets him apart.
Over many years, Andrew has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the Hawthorn Rowing Club through his willingness to take on leadership roles and undertake the countless tasks that keep our Club operating successfully.
His formal service includes:
· Club Captain (2014-2017), providing leadership both on and off the water and supporting members across all levels of the Club.
· Treasurer (2017-2022), where he managed the Club’s finances with diligence, integrity and sound judgement during a period of significant investment and development.
However, committee positions tell only part of Andrew’s story.
Andrew has always been someone the Club could rely upon. Whether towing trailers to regattas before dawn, organising equipment, assisting with boat maintenance, helping members prepare for competition, mentoring newer rowers or quietly taking on jobs that simply needed doing, he has consistently put the interests of the Club ahead of his own.
One of Andrew’s most significant contributions has been his leadership and commitment to the floating staging project. Over approximately seven years, he worked tirelessly with fellow committee members, contractors and external stakeholders to help plan and deliver an infrastructure project that has transformed the accessibility and safety of our clubhouse facilities. That achievement will continue to benefit the Hawthorn Rowing Club members for decades to come and stands as a lasting legacy of his service.
Andrew has also made an invaluable contribution to the successful delivery of the Head of the Yarra, one of Australia’s premier rowing events. His willingness to assist wherever required has ensured that this important event continues to reflect the professionalism and reputation of the Hawthorn Rowing Club.
Throughout everything he has done, Andrew has demonstrated the qualities that define an outstanding club person – integrity, humility, reliability and generosity. He leads by example rather than by recognition and his quiet commitment has earned the respect and admiration of everyone who has had the opportunity to work with him.
The true value of a volunteer cannot always be measured by titles held or hours recorded. Rather, it is measured by the confidence a club has that, whenever there is work to be done, that person will be there. Andrew has been that person for the Hawthorn Rowing Club for many years.
At the March 2026 meeting of the Hawthorn Rowing Club Committee, Tristan Krstevski formally nominated Andrew Vogan for Life Membership in recognition of his sustained and exceptional contribution to the Club. I was proud to formally propose that nomination, which was seconded by Jen Wheelahan and carried unanimously by the Committee for presentation to members at this Annual General Meeting.
It is therefore both an honour and a privilege to recommend Andrew Vogan for election as a Life Member of the Hawthorn Rowing Club. His sustained leadership, exceptional volunteer service and unwavering commitment have strengthened our Club in countless ways. Few members have contributed so much, over so many years, with such humility and dedication. I commend this nomination to members and respectfully ask that you support the resolution to award Andrew Vogan Life Membership of the Hawthorn Rowing Club.
〰️ Captain's Report
〰️ Captain's Report
Captain’s Report Season 2025/26.
The 2025-2026 season was another strong year for Hawthorn Rowing Club, with excellent performances across junior, senior and masters racing, continued investment in our fleet, and a great deal of work from volunteers behind the scenes. While overall participation was slightly lower than last year, with 209 compared with 226, the quality of the season's results and the commitment shown by members were outstanding.
Season Highlights
The club achieved some exceptional results this season, including six Victorian representatives: Shane O'Connor-Smith and Conrad Tulloch(Men’s Masters Eight - Brian Vear Memorial Trophy), Max Currie, William Hexter and Daniel Stute at the Oceania Teams Rowing Championships in 2025 and Emile Stigter in 2026, and Max Currie in the President’s Cup for the Victorian Senior Team. Max Currie was also selected as an Australian representative in the Under 23 National Team men's quadruple scull (first Hawthorn representative in over 70 years!).
A particularly proud moment was the club's first-ever win at Head of the Schoolgirls in Open Division 1, achieved by Poppy Page and Brigitte Tan. Special thanks go to long-time member Jackson Morrish for his guidance of the crew throughout the season.
The club also recorded its first-ever gold medal at the National Championships in a non-composite crew, Max Currie in the Under 23 Men’s Single Scull, another significant milestone for Hawthorn.
Our master’s squad had a terrific campaign at the Australian Masters Rowing Championships, winning two national titles in the WF8+ (Frances Graham, Julie Cotchin, Ruth Oliver and Robyn Blake) and ME2- (Shane O’Connor-Smith, Conrad Tulloch). The squad also brought home a strong collection of silver and bronze medals, with every competing member returning with a medal.
Fleet And Equipment
The boat replenishment plan developed over the past three years is now largely complete, and the focus can shift toward maintaining, upgrading and using the fleet well. This year we retired Courtney and Parish and added several important boats to support a broader range of crews:
· Dawn and Janet, a lightweight women's double for the 50-65 kg range
· A new women's coxed quad
· Derek Fern, a men's racing single scull
· Toby Turnbull, a women's racing single scull
· A women's middleweight double scull for the 60-75 kg range
· Two new single sculls, covering 60-75 kg and 75-90 kg athletes
With this investment comes a responsibility to look after the equipment. Unreported boat damage remains an area where we need a stronger club culture. Boats are not commodities; they are privileges shared by the whole club, and care for them needs to be part of how every member rows.
Thank you to Vic Sibillin, Bruce Winnen, Jen Wheelahan and Greg Sullings for their help with repairs, fittings, plant and boat-related work throughout the year.
Coaching And Development
Rowing Development moved to a joint venture led by Max Currie and Emile Stigter, and the structure has worked well. Progress Squad has also been setup and has been running well by Tessa Plant. Participation has reduced significantly, so one priority for the year ahead is to rebuild consistency and consider a more fixed schedule for squad development training.
I would also like to thank Shane O'Connor-Smith for his help with selection throughout the season.
Volunteers And Club Culture
Membership briefly rose above 200 during the year, which is a positive sign for the club's energy and reach. As always, the club relies heavily on volunteers to make the season possible.
Thank you to everyone who towed boats, organised regattas, helped at events, supported crews, volunteered as parents or members, and contributed in the many small ways that keep Hawthorn running. The sport depends on this work, and the club is stronger because of it.
Looking Ahead
Next season, the focus should be on building from this year's results, improving how we care for our boats, strengthening development squad participation, and aiming for further club recognition at the Rowing Victoria awards. The results show what is possible when our athletes, coaches and volunteers are aligned.
Club Awards
· Most Successful Male Rower: Max Currie, Shane O'Connor-Smith, John B Stewart (11 medals)
· Most Successful Female Regatta Rower: Julie Cotchin (16 medals)
· Most Successful Junior Male Rower: Luca Mikus (7 medals)
· Most Successful Junior Female Rower: Poppy Page (3 medals)
· Most Successful Coxswain: Robyn Blake (9 medals)
· Most Improved Senior Rower: Albert Smart
· Most Improved Junior Rower: Angus Liu
Member Win Tally
16 - Julie Cotchin
13 - Ruth Oliver
11 - John Stewart, Max Currie, Shane O'Connor-Smith
10 - Mark Oliver
9 - Melissa Watts
7 - Conrad Tulloch, Frances Graham, Luca Mikus, Natasha Kinsman
6 - Dom Horne, Dan Stute, Simon Watts
5 - Angus Liu, Emile Stigter, Richard Blackwell, Robyn Blake, William Olayos
4 - Thomas Perronnet, Peter Sedawie, John Raschke, Albert Smart
3 - Daniel Stute, Davyd Yudko, Louise Olayos, Poppy Page, Patrick Freeland-Small
2 - Adam Chang, Brigitte Tan, Dominique Horne, Elea Diallo, Hunter Penman, Kristina Uruci, Samuel Butler, Tiffany Rimmington, William Hexter
1 - Alexandra White, Emmet O'Flaherty, James Inglis, Linda Judge, Lola Page, Patrick Burke, Susan Lilly, Virginia Hamilton, Warren Howlett
Coxswain Win Tally
9 - Robyn Blake
5 - Catherine Ashley, Guy Besley
1 - Tessa Plant, Tristan Krstevski, Natasha Kinsman, Alexis Shub, Poppy Page
National Medallists
🥇 Gold
🥇 – MU231x – Max Currie🥇 – ME2- – Shane O'Connor-Smith, Conrad Tulloch🥇 – WF8+ – Robyn Blake, Ruth Oliver, Julie Cotchin, Frances Graham with Carrum RC
🥈 Silver
🥈 – MC4- – Shane O’Connor-Smith🥈 – MD2x – Shane O’Connor-Smith🥈 – ME1x – Shane O’Connor-Smith
🥉 Bronze
🥉 – MU234x – Max Currie🥉 – MD4x – Shane O’Connor-Smith🥉 – WF4+ – Ruth Oliver, Julie Cotchin, Robyn Blake, Frances Graham, Cox: Natasha Kinsman🥉 – WG8+ – Ruth Oliver, Julie Cotchin, Robyn Blake, Frances Graham with Carrum RC🥉 – MG4+ – Mark Campbell🥉 – MixG4X- – Mark Oliver, Ruth Oliver, Julie Cotchin, John B Stewart
State Medallists
🥇 Gold
🥇 – XMFK4X- – M.Oliver, R.Oliver, J.Cotchin, J.Stewart🥇 – FMF4X- – F.Graham, J.Cotchin, R.Oliver, M.Watts🥇 – FMClub4X+ – M.Watts, J.Cotchin, R.Oliver, F.Graham, Cox: G.Besley🥇 – FME4+ – M.Watts, T.Rimmington, N.Kinsman, J.Cotchin, Cox: C.Ashley🥇 – MO2X – M.Currie🥇 – MSCH2XY101 – T.Perronnet, A.Liu🥇 – MSCH1XY101 – L.Mikus
🥈 Silver
🥈 – MMG4X- – M.Campbell, J.Stewart, M.Oliver, S.Watts🥈 – FMF4X- – J.Wheelahan, S.Andrews with Nagambie RC🥈 – FMF1X – J.Wheelahan🥈 – MME1X – S.O'Connor-Smith🥈 – MMGK2X – M.Oliver, J.Stewart🥈 – MMF1X – M.Oliver🥈 – MClub1X – A.Chang🥈 – MClub4X- – A.Chang, D.Yudko, L.Mikus, A.Liu🥈 – MU192X – A.Liu, L.Mikus🥈 – MB4X+ – A.Smart, D.Yudko, A.Chang, J.Raschke, Cox: M.Watts🥈 – MU174X+ – T.Perronnet, Luca, Angus🥈 – MU171X – A.Liu🥈 – MB2X – T.Perronnet, A.Liu
🥉 Bronze
🥉 – MMAD8+ – C.Tulloch, S.O'Connor-Smith🥉 – MME4X- – P.Freeland-Small, E.Anstee, S.Watts, J.Lake🥉 – FMC4+ – E.Williamson, L.Judge, A.Shub, F.Richardson🥉 – MM4- – C.Tulloch, S.O'Connor-Smith🥉 – MMD2- – C.Tulloch, S.O'Connor-Smith🥉 – MMGK4+ – P.Freeland-Small, J.Stewart, S.Watts, B.Olayos, Cox: C.Ashley🥉 – MMF4+ – M.Campbell, J.Lake, R.Blackwell, E.Anstee, Cox: C.Ashley🥉 – MMClub4- – P.Freeland-Small, R.Blackwell, S.Watts, B.Olayos🥉 – XMF2X – M.Oliver, R.Oliver🥉 – FME4X- – N.Kinsman, M.Watts, J.Cotchin, F.Graham🥉 – MMF4X- – E.Anstee, M.Campbell, M.Oliver, P.Wilson🥉 – MO1X – M.Currie🥉 – MU191X – L.Mikus🥉 – MU152X – R.Davies, G.Lynch
Tristan Krstevski
Club Captain.
Rowers with other interests….
Can you match the car to it’s owner?
Scroll through Bow Ball to find out!
〰️ Member of the Month
〰️ Member of the Month
Congratulations to Dominique Horne, Hawthorn Rowing Club’s Member of the Month for July.
Over recent weeks, Dominique has quietly made a significant contribution to our club by creating more opportunities for members to get out on the water together. In particular, she has taken the initiative to coordinate Thursday Women’s Eights, bringing crews together through boat bookings, organising coxes, and setting up polls so members can easily join in.
For many rowers, especially those who aren’t single scullers, one of the biggest challenges is simply finding opportunities to row with like-minded people in compatible crews. Dominique’s willingness to invest her time and effort into making this happen has been greatly appreciated by many members.
Her initiative has not only helped fill boats but has also strengthened connections within our club, encouraged participation, and made it easier for members to enjoy the camaraderie that makes Hawthorn Rowing Club such a special community.
Thank you, Dominique for your generosity, enthusiasm, and commitment. Your efforts have made a real difference, and we are delighted to recognise you as our July Member of the Month!
Brought to you by,
Julie Cotchin
〰️ HOTY HISTORY 〰️ HOTY HISTORY
〰️ HOTY HISTORY 〰️ HOTY HISTORY
HOTY History
Head of the Yarra - 28th November 2026.
Head of the Yarra History – last 70 and next 30
Next time you are in the clubhouse, pause a while and look around. What do you see?
Ergos, lost clothing and a sometimes-neat kitchen. But there is more - the walls and the cabinet above the kitchen are adorned with memorabilia, rowing memorabilia!
Photos, trophies, honour boards and more. I covered some of the Head of the Yarra history in the March Bow Ball.
As our club approaches its 150th Anniversary on 26 September 2027, we will also be celebrating the 70th year of Head of the Yarra in 2027. The minutes of that foundation HRC meeting are stored in the Hawthorn Library and available to all to see - when you have a spare hour or two!
Boroondara Rowing Club – later to be renamed Hawthorn Rowing Club
Minutes of the very first meeting
These significant milestones deserve celebration, and for HOTY we will be doing that in 2027 – plans for those celebrations will be announced on the eve of HOTY 2026, this November.
Whilst we have a history of HRC on our website we don’t have a record of the history of HOTY. However, we are going to fix that for 2027, and also look forward with plans that should stand us in good stead to reach the HOTY centenary in 2057.
Looking back
The last almost 70 years have seen HOTY grow from an 11-boat field in 1957, to one with 300 boats on the water in coming years. For a volunteer member-driven event, this is challenging to state the obvious! Stan Jeffery, who headed HOTY for 44 years from its inception to 2001, once said “when we get more than 50 boats I am happy to start it but then head the other way!” I think Vic Sibilin is also of a similar view about growth beyond a certain number.
The major questions for our club regarding HOTY are ones of growth, resourcing and competition.
Over time we have seen an evolution with the addition of female crews (from the early 1980’s) through to the dominance of masters crews in the last decade or more. We have also seen schools gradually move away and now even compete with their own regattas on the same date in November. New Zealand crew participation has grown and is now a significant presence at HOTY.
Looking forward
As with all good organisations (HRC included) there needs to be a consideration of the future – do we just let it happen, or be more conscious in determining our future direction?
The HOTY Committee has set itself the aim of producing a forward plan. It has five key objectives:
1. Grow the event both in terms of the quality and diversity of competition, the number of participants and profitability.
2. Strengthen and build the HOTY event brand as one of the pre-eminent head races in the world.
3. Maintain and protect Hawthorn Rowing Club’s rights and ownership of the HOTY event, whilst also preserving and enhancing the event’s reputation.
4. Support the Club’s vision of promoting the sport of rowing to the wider community.
5. Retain the volunteer driven nature of HOTY.
Our Committee will continue to work on this plan during 2026 with the view to agreeing and adopting the forward plan from 2027. There are many challenges, some of which will require some hard decisions about future events. However, if we maintain our focus on our key objectives, I am confident that HOTY has an even brighter future and will remain not only as a cornerstone of HRC but a central part of the rowing program in Australia for decades to come.
Rob Perkins
Chair, Head of the Yarra Committee 2026
rob@perkinsgroup.com.au
tel 0411 402 832
HOTY Merchandise
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HOTY Merchandise 〰️
Head of the Yarra Merchandise!
Click on the image below to take you to Pontoon Sports where you will find more HOTY merchandise.
2026 Head of the Yarra Sponsors
Click the sponsorship panel below to go to HOTY sponsor’s websites.
〰️ Latest Socials
〰️ Latest Socials
Social, Training, Learning and Returning to Row!
There are many opportunities to row at HRC. Social rows currently on Monday, Wednesday evenings from 5pm-6pm with Richard James in charge. Check the WhatsApp chats to see these offerings, reply to the calendar invite and you can enjoy a row to at least MacRob Bridge and back.
Training rows, coached Learn to Rows are a regular occurrence on Saturdays, in particular the social row at 2pm with Richard.
This month our Club Races were held before the AGM - and what a race it was!!
A word from our Sponsor - Bendigo Bank
As a long standing sponsor of our Club, Bendigo Bank’s Kate Bellamy, attended our Club Races and AGM on July 19th. Standing beside Richard James, above, Kate is ensuring all the figures are correct!
There are special opportunities offered to HRC - read below.
‘We are proud of the partnerships we have with so many local community organisations just like the long-term partnership we have with Hawthorn Rowing Club. One of the things we’re really focused on, is making sure our support goes beyond just signage and equipment and delivers genuine value back to your members and the club itself. Community Bank Inner East owns and operates four Bendigo Bank branches, Ashburton, Balwyn, Canterbury, and Surrey Hills. We proudly reinvest 60% of our profits back to our local community through our community investment program, which in the past financial year equates to $1.4 million.
With interest rates and everyday household costs continuing to put pressure on families, we’re encouraging Hawthorn Rowing Club members to take advantage to check in on their current home loan package with Kate Bellamy, Community Engagement Advisor, to ensure they’re on the best available rates. It’s a simple, no-obligation review that helps people understand whether they could save money or access better value on their current home, business, or investment loan arrangements through Bendigo Bank. Importantly for your members, Kate can secure additional discounts and pricing benefits beyond advertised rates for the Hawthorn Rowing Club community as one of our partnered organisations.
There’s also a direct benefit back to your club. When members, supporters, family or friends choose to bank with us and nominate Hawthorn Rowing Club when settling or refinancing a home loan, we provide additional sponsorship funding back to the club. This additional sponsorship has enabled many clubs like Hawthorn to bring special projects and programs to life.
The home loan check in, is quick and straightforward and can generally be completed in just a few minutes using the following information:
Loan type: Owner occupied, investment, construction, or business
Repayment type: Principal & Interest or Interest Only
Current interest rate
Current loan amount
Property address & estimated property value
Once we have this information our lending team will provide indicative pricing and talk through any potential savings or benefits available through Bendigo Bank. We hope you can help us help you!
Kate Bellamy.
RFDS Rowathon
〰️
RFDS Rowathon 〰️
Royal Flying Doctor Service Rowathon
held September 12th.
For more than 90 years, the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) has supported the healthcare needs of rural and remote communities located right across Australia. From its roots as an aeromedical organisation providing emergency services across the Outback, RFDS has always been dedicated to lessening the barrier of distance associated with accessing quality healthcare in the most remote corners of our country.
Today, this not-for-profit organisation has evolved to become an innovative advocate for rural health outcomes, connecting communities with primary healthcare services and mental health programs.
In Victoria, the Flying Doctor works in partnership with a number of community health organisations across the state to improve the health and wellbeing of our rural communities. This rowathon provides important donations to support the RFDS.
At HRC, training for the Royal Flying Doctor Service Rowathon has been ongoing since May. This annual marathon rowing event, hosted by the Wentworth Rowing Club is held on the Darling and Murray Rivers. At present we know the official length of the Rowathon is approximately 73 kms! Leg 1 is 26kms; Leg 2 is 21kms; Leg 3 is 26kms.
Please contact Dom Horne at dhornehrc@gmail.com or 0411026128 if you are interested in participating or want more information. She would love to hear from you!
So far we have Dominique Horn, John Fogarty, John Lake, Mark Campbell, Simon Watts, Melissa Watts, Vic Sibillin, Peter Sedawie, Chloe Cheng, Albert Smart, Cathy Frawley, Grace Li, Jenny Lefebvre, Mike Lefebvre, James Thomas, Kate Maddock, Meredith Thornton and Eve Williamson.
If you would like to donate to this worthy cause please click on the RFDS photo below to take you to the fundraising site. You will find the names of those who have registered there!
The 2025 HRC rowathon squad.
Plenty of rowing opportunities at HRC each week.
〰️ Trivia
〰️ Trivia
J.B’s. Trivia
Q. 1. What is the only country in the world with a non rectangular flag?
Q. 2. What is the only country in the world with no words in their national anthem?
Q. 3. What is a quiver?
Q. 4. In sport, what are kookaburras and dukes?
Q. 5. What rank was James Cook when he mapped the east coast of Australia?
A. 1. Nepal. A. 2. Spain. A. 3. Bag for carrying arrows (traditionally carried wth an over the shoulder strap). A. 4. Cricket Balls. (Kookaburras are Australian, Dukes are English). A. 5. Lieutenant. (Pronounced Leftenant).
Brought to you by:
J.B. Stewart.
Members with their Cars!
〰️ The Bridge Hotel
〰️ The Bridge Hotel
The Bridge Hotel
supports Hawthorn Rowing Club through it’s loyalty club.
〰️ Regatta News
〰️ Regatta News
Regatta News
Brrr……Winter Sculling.
Winter Sculling Results
〰️
Winter Sculling Results 〰️
Saturday 6th June Albert Park Grand Prix: Winner Women’s Novice Boat: Susan Rogers HRC.
Handicap Series: Those named came first in their race in that round!
Round 1 Saturday 20 June: Round 2 Saturday 27th June:
MNB - Christopher Adnams MBB - Pat Freeland-Small
WBB First - Poppy Page. MBB - Alan Purton
MBB - Dan Stute
MBB - Luca Mikus
Round 3 Saturday 4th July: Round 4 Saturday 11th July:
WNB - Miho Yoneyama MBB - Andrew Vogan
MBB - Vic Sibillin MBB - Dan Stute
MBB -Oliver Beadle MBB - Oliver Beadle
MBB - William Olayos MBB -Pat Freeland-Small
Round 5 Saturday 18th July:
WNB - Miho Yoneyama
MBB - Pat Freeland-Small
MBB - Oliver Beadle
Handicap Series Round 6 - Final Round Winners.
Dennis Cup 800m Men Christopher Adnams, Hawthorn RC.
Ramsbottom Trophy 800m Women Miho Yoneyama, Hawthorn RC.
ROWING DEVELOPMENT
Rowing Development - Saturday is at 2pm (when there are no regattas) and Sunday is at 9am. Make sure you book these at least the night before.
Rowing Development will return on Tuesdays and Thursdays, (5:45pm arrival for 6pm on the water) 6pm - 7:30pm with the return of Daylight Saving.
Make sure you book in prior to 3:30pm on the same day!
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 Krstevski.
Club Captain.
Youth News
〰️
Youth News 〰️
Youth News
Hawthorn’s very own U23 Australian representative,
Max Currie.
Hawthorn’s very own u23 Australia representative, Max Currie, finished racing in Duisberg Germany at the u23 World Rowing Championships last weekend. The Aussie quad finished 7th in the world winning the B final in a time of 5 minutes and 50 seconds, which is a 1:27.5 average split over 2k in a quad scull! Here are a few words from Max:
The final on Saturday bought a close to a very long season. Thanks for all the supportive messages, photos of you watching back home. We are very happy with how we rowed and adapted to this level of competition. It may not have been the result we had been aiming for, but it was still an exceptional effort for a crew of our experience level, exceeding the expectations of many of the team at Rowing Australia. It was also an honour to be a part of the most successful u23 cohort in 13 years.
Thank you for all the support you have given me throughout the season. It has been a wild journey, and I appreciate you sticking with me through it all. It was a team effort to get the result we did and I’m not just talking about who was in the boat.
Cheers
Max
Junior Rowing
Tristan Krstevski has led the Hawthorn junior development program over the last five years. Tristan has stepped down as the JDP head coach but will remain involved in the youth program as a coach, mentor and will provide a national level training program. Over this five years Tristan has developed a program unlike any other in Victoria providing a space for young athletes from non-rowing schools to row and compete. Over this time Hawthorn athletes have represented Australia (Max!), represented Victoria, and have competed in the national championships for Hawthorn Rowing Club in u17, u19, school, u21, and u23. Thankyou Tristan for your dedication and support to junior and youth rowing at Hawthorn Rowing Club.
The youth and junior rowers welcome Mia Harrison as the new head coach of the JDP, working alongside familiar faces in the junior coaching team. Junior rowing hasn’t slowed down with Balwyn High School (Jackson and Tristans old school) starting there to learn to row and the current juniors taking on winter sculling alongside Hawthorns Master’s rowers. Shoutout to Luka Mikus who achieved a PB 2k sculling time of 7:46!
The Juniors are continuing to train over winter on Tuesdays and Thursdays evenings from 4:00 to 6:15 in preparation for the 2027 season.
by,
Archie Critchell
HRC Youth Member.
〰️ Membership policies
〰️ Membership policies
Ouch, bumped again!
Boat damage reporting. Please notify Tristan ASAP or you could be liable for the full damage of the boat. captain@hawthornrowingclub.com.
Please be careful when you carry boats and equipment to and from the shed, move the racks gently and walk slowly.
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 Krstevski.
〰️ Spotlight
〰️ Spotlight
Spotlight on a member.
Brian Tyler
I believe much of life is a series of fortunate accidents.
I had first experienced rowing on the Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park London when I was teenager. But it was one of those accidents that had me stepping through the hallowed doors of the Furnival Sculling Club on the banks of the Thames, just upstream of Hammersmith Bridge.
Before I knew it I was sitting bow side in a coxed quad being pushed onto the river. To be honest the next two years were a blur, and add that to school rowing, there wasn’t much time left over for mischief. However, I do remember being on a sinking boat when a couple of speedboats put up a large wash and being quite wet before realizing we were going down and the cox couldn’t swim. Nobody could really swim in those days, but we dog paddled back to the side, emptied the boat and continued on our way.
The boats were clinker construction and probably built pre war, ( they weren’t going to let us near shells), the oars were wooden and round where they went through the gate, non of this helpful stuff like 2 flat sides to assist in feathering and square blade, needless to say it was all pretty hit and miss.
The Thames is a working river and still very tidal at Hammersmith, so you had to be very aware to stay out of the way of larger craft - plenty to keep you on your toes!
Then my family moved out of London, and rowing took a back seat for the next 55 years. Yes - there were dugout canoes, there were kayaks, and there were sail boats - but no slide rowing.
I have to thank David Attenborough for the next fork in the road.
I was given the opportunity to go to PNG for 2 years or stay in the UK and work my way up the commercial ladder, it wasn’t so much a choice as a door opening to freedom, and the rest is history as they say. I ended up staying in Australia.
And so we jump forward 48 fabulous years, a marriage, a daughter, a business and then a small health glitch which had me going to the gym a couple of times a week. I loathed it! I had worked and played outdoors for the whole of my life, and here I was imprisoned in a space doing pointless things on machinery, while being forced to listen to music I didn’t enjoy, surrounded by people I didn’t relate to - life had definitely taken a downturn.
My savior turned up in the form of a chat over coffee and an invitation to join a crew who rowed out of Studley Park. After grappling with two oars for a couple of sessions, and some encouragement from the crew, I settled down to rowing once a week and coffee and a chat afterwards, a great way to start a Friday.
Several years later I joined Hawthorn for extra rowing sessions. Walking into the boat shed at Hawthorn immediately transported me back to rowing in London, the smell, the boats lined up, the purposeful movement about the shed, and the final cherry on the cake, being on the river! For an hour and a half, three times a week I step out of my regular life to being in the moment one stroke at a time, nothing else matters except the next stroke, correcting the balance, and the feel of the acceleration as you pull through.
Brian Tyler
HRC Member.
〰️ Roaming Rowers
〰️ Roaming Rowers
Our Roaming Rowers.
Chloe Cheng, Albert Smart and Frances.
Albert, Frances and myself (Chloe) went to Singapore for just under a week to visit family. We thought it would be nice to explore the rowing scene, especially given we were staying next to one of Singapore's reservoirs.
We got in touch with the president of Easter Rowing Club, based at Pandan Reservoir, who kindly reached out to his club members to see who was available to row with me.
One of the Easter Rowing Club members, also a Singaporean national rower, Shervis Teng, was kind enough to take me out twice, once in a double and then a quad.
We rowed from 7-830am to minimise sun exposure given the heat and humidity.
The water was immaculate, and the conditions fair. The reservoir has marked lanes and is about 1.8-1.9km.
We met other rowers including national athletes who also trained at the same venue. We learnt that Singapore rowing does not get much funding, and that coaches, facilities, racing opportunities were reliant on the goodwill of the rowing community.
I rowed in a double with Shervis on the first day. She was kind enough to row at a zone 2 pace which probably was zone 3 for me.
The second row in a quad was more relaxed including Jason, an experienced rower, Karthik a new rower who finished LTR just recently. We did some drills including cutting the cake, square blades and feet out.
Albert and Frances were observing and spotted a monitor lizard.
Chloe Cheng.
HRC Member.
〰️ 150 Years of HRC 2027
〰️ 150 Years of HRC 2027
Tales of Y’Oar.
Some rowing history from Monash University.
Monash University Publishing invites you to read the history of the Monash University Rowing Club called Against the Odds. which is to be published on 18th August, 2026.
A Snapshot:
Monash University was founded in 1958 and by 1962 students were enquiring about the purchase of a rowing boat from the Melbourne University Boat Club. Despite concerns about the possible distracting effect on study and Clayton being ‘well-removed from any suitable sheet of water’, the male-only Monash University Rowing Club (MURC) was formed the following year. Its swift achievements matched those of the growing university, seeing it soon acclaimed as Victoria’s premier rowing club, and joined by the Monash University Women’s Rowing Club in 1973. Today, all Monash oarspeople row together under the MURC banner.
William P. Gurry, who as a young law student was a member of the rowing club from 1967 to 1972, including four years as Captain of Boats, here tells the full history of MURC for the first time. He writes of the number of challenges faced by the club – and of its sustained success across the decades. He writes of the victories and losses, the obstacles encountered and what happened after, of the Olympians, the future captains of industry and the many successful careers of the MURC men and women. Most of all, in this beautifully designed and illustrated volume, he writes about what it means to compete ‘against the odds’.
What's on next month.
〰️
What's on next month. 〰️
Monthly Roundup
Next month….
Regattas: Aug/Sept.
Winter Sculling:
1/8/26 Sat. Head of the Maribyrnong.
8/8/26 Sat. GRA Scullers Head of the Barwon.
15/08/26 Sat. Scullers Head of the Yarra
3/9/2026 Thu-Sun 2026 Australian Beach Sprints Championships hosted by Rowing Australia at North Kirra Beach, QLD. Beach Sprints.
5/9/2026 Sat 2026 Saltwater Challenge hosted by Essendon on the Maribyrnong River, Essendon Head Race.
12/9/2026 Sat RFDS RowathonWentworthMurray River, Mildura.