APRIL 2017 NEWS Above – Success at the National Championships for our under 21 four News covered below: • ANZAC Day Service and President’s Luncheon • Masters win at Albert Park Regatta • Bob Lachal at Gallipoli • Greetings from Noel Donaldson • More 1986 history • Mercantile Spotted at… • Hawthorn Bridge in 1890 • John Carr Member Profile Added • Attention now turns to overseas • James Sprigg Member Profile Added • From the archives – 1986 Men’s Fours • Jenny Williams AM • Masters win at Henley-on-Maribyrnong • Rachel Engel named in US athlete group for under-age trials in June • James Rook announced as coxswain of the Australian eight • Invitations to under-age trials announced • President’s Luncheon 30th April • Day 7 National Championships • Sarah Tait Trophy • Day 6 National Championships • New Mercs tie • Member Profiles ANZAC Day Service and President’s Luncheon Published 30th April 2017 Members and their families commemorated those members who failed to return from service for their country in war. The President Mal Batten led the service and members and their guests heard about Norman Johnson who lost his life in WWI in 1917, one hundred years ago. A member profile of Norman Johnson is published on this website. Members and their guests enjoyed a superb luncheon, an extensive visual presentation from the 2017 National Championships and heard about the Club’s endeavours this year. All those who attended thoroughly enjoyed the day. Above: Some of our senior members and guests Masters win at Albert Park Regatta Published 29th April 2017 Our masters women’s four won their race at Albert Park today in a ding dong battle with Richmond. Our men’s double won their race easily. Above: Hugh McVicker, Joanna Adamson and Greg Hansen displaying their medals. Joanna also wearing medals of fellow crew members Pernette Wijnen and Jenny Williams Bob Lachal at Gallipoli Published 25th April 2017 The following article appeared in The Australian on Monday 24th April 2017 about Club member Bob Lachal. Well done Bob on making this trip. Greetings from Noel Donaldson Published 25th April 2017 Your correspondent had the pleasure of catching up with club member Noel Donaldson on the weekend at the Lake Karapiro New Zealand Training Centre. Noel is the Lead Men’s Sweep coach in New Zealand and is doing a superb job for their team. The New Zealanders have a good set up at Lake Karapiro and Noel is well settled in. With his daughter due to finish high school not long after Tokyo, we might even see him home back in Melbourne not long after. Above: Noel in the training centre at Lake Karapiro More 1986 Nationals History Published 21st April 2017 Such was the reaction to some less important 1986 Nationals photos than those published below and circulated privately, it appears that wider circulation is required. Despite comments to the contrary that Club events are an innovation to the Nationals program, in 1986, club four and eight races were conducted with the eight won by composite Mercs eight. Above the winning 1986 Club eight being more like a masters crew. Of interest is that the Club’s sponsor at the time was Carlton and United Breweries and this had to be obliterated from the back of the rowing gear – see the coxswains back. Also of interest was that that they rowed in the Andrew Guerin, named after one of the crew members. Left to right: Ken Marshall, Peter Philp, Jeff Sykes, Phil Ainsworth, Steve Mollard, Nick Newton, Andrew Guerin, Dick Garrard, George Xouris Mercantile spotted at… Published 21st April 2017 After many months of absence, this segment has been revived by Andrew Phillips. Here seen in Rions near Bordeaux, Mercantile has been spotted cycling through the vineyards and medieval hamlets! Rather than what will the natives think, how privileged they are to see evidence of the great Club. We hope to spot more Mercs gear overseas with Womens’ Henley, Henley Royal Regatta and others regattas such as Holland Beker in coming months. Hawthorn Bridge in 1890 Published 17th April 2017 Your correspondent is always on the look out for historical pictures of the Yarra River and surrounds. His latest purchase is a picture of the Hawthorn Bridge which was opened in 1861 and provided the necessary link between Richmond and the growing suburb of Hawthorn, and the farming areas beyond. It is now best known to rowers as the finish line for the Head of the Yarra. Above: The Hawthorn Bridge in about 1890 John P “Thumbscrew” Carr member profile added Published 17th April 2017 A member profile of John Carr has been added. Whilst not one of our best oarsmen, he was a key member of the Club who brought great frivolity and fun to the Club. He was a strong thread in the fabric of the Club. Above: Tony Cordell, Thumbscrew Carr and Paul Harding in 1980 at the Club’s Centenary Dinner Attention now turns to overseas Published 15th April 2017 With the senior selections settled and the under age selection at the end of the month, a young rowers attention turns to winter rowing pursuits overseas. Beyond those who will gain selection, there is talk of Women’s Henley, Henley Royal, Holland Beker and Head of the Charles. How will this all settle? We will keep you posted. James Sprigg Member Profile Added Published 15th April 2017 For those old enough to remember the great James Sprigg, his profile has been added to member profiles. Above: The Hannaford Portrait Of Jim Sprigg From the archives Published 15th April 2017 Your correspondent was trawling through 1986 photos and came across your President when rowing at the Australian Institute of Sport. He hasn’t changed a bit since winning this coxless four race at the Nationals! With him is fellow Mercantile members Andrew Cooper and Peter Tomanovits. Finishing off the four is James Galloway. Above: Coxless Four Champions in 1986 – left to right: Mal Batten, Andrew Cooper, James Galloway and Peter Tomanovits Above: After the presentation Not to be outdone, the Club won numerous men’s under 23 and open Championships. It was a stellar year for Mercantile at these Championships. Above: Mercantile wins the Coxed Four Championship and James Tomkins catches the trophy to the relief of all. Above: The presentation with trophy – left to right, Mark Doyle, James Tomkins, Stuart Greenbaum, David Doyle, Ian Belot, Brian Richardson, Martin Aitken, Stephen Hinchy Jenny Williams AM Published 12th April 2017 Jenny Williams presented with her Membership of the Order of Australia last Friday. Well done Jenny. Above: Jenny and Colin Kimpton at Government House Masters win at Henley on Maribyrnong Published 12th April 2017 Whilst this news is a little out of date, better late than never. At the Henley on the Maribyrnong Regatta at Essendon on 26 March, some our Mercs masters raced with success. They raced in two races and collected 2 gold medals in 2 composite crews (Mercs, Caulfield, Args, Richmond & Hamilton/Alexandra College). Above: FM4+: Jenny Williams, Pernette Wijnen, Stewart (their tall cox), Val, Anthea Above: X8+: Pernette Wijnen, Anthea, Will, Andrew, Pete, Colin, Jenny Williams, Val Cox: Georgia. Rachel Engel named in US athlete group for under-age trials in June Published 10th April 2017 Rowing Australia published the ‘Initial invite list for US-based athletes for Selection Trial #2’. Club member Rachel Engel has been included on this list. We look forward to Rachel racing again for Australia having been a member of the 2016 Australian under 23 eight. The final invitation list will be refined and released on 5 June with additional Australian based athletes. Above: Rachel as a member of 2016 Australian under 23 eight pointing out Rotterdam, the venue of the 2016 championships James Rook named in the senior team Published 7th May 2017 James Rook has been announced as coxswain of the Australian eight. He will move to Canberra to train out of the Reinhold Batschi National Training Centre. Congratulations to James. He will join Club member Gus Widdicombe who was previously named in this boat. Above: Gus and James as members of the Victorian King’s Cup crew Invitations to Under-age trials announced Published 7th May 2017 Rowing Australia has announced a small list of invitees to the trials later this month showing that they only wanted to trial those with excellent times. Further the trails will not be extensive with these numbers as the number of rotations will be smaller. Disappointing is perhaps the complete absence of lightweight sculling. On analysis undertaken by David “Chipper” Colvin, there is an argument that they should also have been invited. Mercantile has the highest number of athletes invited followed by Queensland University, then Sydney University. For Victoria, it is good to see Melbourne Rowing Club have an invitee but disappointing to see the very low number of Melbourne University members. Congratulations to all our members who have been invited, it is a great achievement: • Kirstie Green – under 21 sweep • Ellie Tomanovits – under 21 sweep • Alexis Hancock – under 21 sweep • Alexander Clarke – under 21 sweep • Benjamin Canham – under 21 sweep • Lachlan May – under 21 sweep • Alexander Wolf – under 21 sweep • Amanda Bateman – under 23 sculling • India Dempsey – under 23 sweep • Liam Donald – under 23 sweep • Rob Black – under 23 sweep Above: Men’s under 21 eight off the start at the Nationals Above: Our women’s eight off the start President’s Luncheon 30th April Published 5th April 2017 The April President’s Luncheon and ANZAC Service will be now held on Sunday 30th April 2017 at noon. Details to follow shortly. Your Captain at work at the Nationals Published 7th April 2017 Above: Bill Webster recovers from a work trip to Germany by spending eight days umpiring at the National – here aligning.