NOVEMBER 2017 NEWS
Above – Kat Werry celebrates with her crew their rower of the year award on 28th October
News covered below:
• Mercs on the pages of World Rowing • Head of the Yarra in review • National Training Centre athletes compete at Head of the Yarra • Invitees announced for December time trial • Great aerial footage of the Men’s Open Eight finish • Vale Richard Crawshay • The masters are everywhere • Melbourne Head Regatta • Mercs athletes added to National Training Centre 2018 Intake • Masters get four eights out on Thursday night • Head of the Yarra entries • Tuesday night ergos • Member Profiles Mercs of the pages of World Rowing
Published 30th November 2017
Mercantile has made the pages of the World Rowing website with the girl’s win in the open eight at the Head of the Yarra. The story was on the regatta but the picture was of our girls.
Above: Winning Mercs Eight taken from the World Rowing website. © Steve McArthur/Rowing Celebration
Head of the Yarra in Review
Published 26th November 2017
Sorry it has taken a day to report on the regatta, but your correspondent takes a day to recover from such a race.
Another good day for Mercantile with eight entries.
The Men’s Open Eight had a great tussle with a “best of the rest” crew – a crew comprising non Mercantile members of the National Training Centre. Alas the “best of the rest” defeated Mercs in a great race. To be fair, our stern four comprised our own National Training Centre athletes as well as David Crawshay coming back for the race.
Steve from Slingard Studios again has provided some terrific aerial shots of the crew – https://youtu.be/8g4WBnQnXq4. To find out more about Steve’s business, go to https://www.facebook.com/slingardstudios/.
Above: Our men’s open eight at Scotch – Photo George Theodossiou
Above: Our men’s open eight at Scotch – Photo George Theodossiou
The Open Women’s Eight was a clear win to Mercs with a crew stroked by Jen Cleary.
Above: Our women’s open eight at Scotch – Photo George Theodossiou
The men’s B eight was a big win, some 1.25 minutes ahead of the field.
Above: Our men’s B eight at Scotch – Photo George Theodossiou
Above: Our men’s B eight at Scotch – Photo George Theodossiou
Our women’s B eight had a great fight with UTS Sydney in a good row but finished second. It was a great row by our young crew.
Above: Our women’s B eight at Scotch – Photo George Theodossiou
Above: Our women’s B eight at Scotch – Photo George Theodossiou
We had four masters crews also. Starting with the composite women’s crew, they finished fifth in a field of 12 crews. They were satisfied with their performance. Next year we hope to recruit enough women to boat a Mercantile crew.
The men’s G crew contained a visitor from New Zealand in Lee Spear. Lee is FISA’s continental Council Member for Oceania and enjoyed his Head of the Yarra experience. The crew was performing well, in front of their division, and going away well. They were a good minute in front when one of the crew members collapsed at St Kevin’s. After receiving medical assistance from Hawthorn and ensuring that he was in good hands, the crew finished the race with seven crew members. Well these things happen when you are a G crew. Our injured crew member is good and no harm was done other than a loss of pride. Despite the rest at St Kevins, and waiting for first aid to arrive and assess our injured crew member, this crew managed to beat 20 crews home! We do not know what these other crews were doing. Above: Our men’s G masters ‘seven’ at Scotch, Lee Spear in the 3 seat – Photo George Theodossiou
Our men’s masters E crew had a creditable row finishing four in a field of 13 crews.
Above: Our men’s master E eight at Scotch – Photo George Theodossiou
Finally our men’s masters F crew also performed well and were happy finishing in the top half of the draw after a limited time together.
Above: Our men’s masters F crew at Scotch – Photo George Theodossiou
National Training Centre athletes race at Head of the Yarra
Published 22nd November 2017
Mercs members at the NTCs will be back racing for the Club at Head of the Yarra. Given that all NTC athletes will be racing, it will be great open men’s and women’s eights. Unlike MUBC, we will be boating all Mercs crews.
Men Robert Black Liam Donald Joshua Dunkley-Smith Angus Widdicombe
Women Addy Dunkley-Smith Katrina Werry
Go Mercs
Invitees announced for December time trial
Published 22nd November 2017
In addition to the NTC athletes, additional athletes are invited to the December time trial at Penrith. Three non-NTC Mercs athletes have been invited:
Amanda Bateman Tom Hunt James Rook
Congratulations to these athletes and Go Mercs.
Above: Amanda working hard in her semi-final at the Nationals
Great aerial footage of the Men’s Open Eight finish
Published 20th November 2017
Steve from slingard studios, shot an aerial video of the Mercantile Open 8 winning the Melbourne Head on Saturday and is available at this link – https://youtu.be/MF4Ox6jlh7I.
Steve was down taking footage of the Banks crews as his daughter coxes at that club. Steve’s business can be found at https://www.facebook.com/slingardstudios/.
PS: The regatta was ably refereed by our own Treasurer Duncan MacKinnon. Congratulations Duncs on such a good regatta. Vale Richard Crawshay
Published 20th November 2017
As mentioned in our review of the Melbourne Head, we were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Richard Crawshay, father of club member David and great friend of the Club. Richard was a fabulous supporter of David’s rowing endeavours and the Club.
The Celebration of the life of Richard will be held on Wednesday 22 November 2017, 2.00pm at Leonda by the Yarra, 2 Wallen Rd Hawthorn.
Above: A happy Richard after David won gold at Beijing
The masters are everywhere
Published 20th November 2017
Hasn’t anyone told these oldies that head racing is for the youngsters? There appears to be plenty of these old bods who have failed to receive the message that the mellow years are for relaxing and drinking beer and wine! The sad thing is that they appear to be enjoying it and are coming back next week to do an 8.6km Head of the Yarra, along with our women masters. Insanity is rife.
Above: Our male masters crews last Saturday – photo George Theodossiou
Melbourne Head Regatta
Published 18th November 2017
The Melbourne Head Regatta was a record entry and is now a major regatta.
Mercs performed excellently with a large entry. The Club wore black arm bands to recognise the death this week of Richard Crawshay, father of David and great friend of Mercantile. He was a fabulous supporter of David’s rowing endeavours and the Club. Above: Crews warm up for racing
The first race on the program was the men’s pair with Mercantile members taking the five placings as follows:
1st Josh Dunkley-Smith and Josh Booth won handsomely. 2nd Callum Nott and Tom Hunt 3rd Patrick Boomer and Alex Wolf 4th Trevor Appier and Angus Moloney 5th Ben Canham and Alex Clarke
Michael McNamara was our best men’s sculler finishing third with James Hoban, Carl Tomczak, Alex Kinsella, Will Legge and Joel Cain following.
Above: the Yarra on race day
In the open women’s pair, Mercs finished 2nd 3rd and 4th.
2nd Sarah Harte and Georgie Gleeson 3rd Michaella Ballas and Kirsten Green 4th Ellie Tomanovits and India Mattocks
Also in the women’s single, we settled for 2nd and 3rd with the others further back in the field: 2nd Amanda Bateman 3rd Madeleine Thomas
Josh Dunkley Smith teamed up with Josh Booth and other to take out the men’s four and then immediately backed up in the men’s eight. He won the sweep hat trick.
Above: The men’s four negotiating Swan Street Bridge works
Meghan Hester finished second in the open double.
In the eights, Mercs had great success.
In the men’s open eights, a weary Josh Dunkley Smith stroked the number crew to victory. Sadly, David Crawshay could not race but this opened up the opportunity for Lachlan Murchie, son of past Mercs rower Andrew, to take the two seat. Above: The winning open men’s eight Str: Josh Dunkley-Smith, 7: Tom Hunt, 6: Callum Nott, 5: Benjamin Canham, 4: Alexander Clarke, 3: Alexander Wolf, 2: Lachlan Murchie, Bow: Angus Maloney and coxed by James Rook
The second men’s open eight finished third.
Above: Second open eight – Str: Trevor Appier, 7: Patrick Boomer, 6: James Hoban, 5: Joel Cain, 4: Mitchell Hooper, 3: Isaac Sanderson, 2: Michael McNamara, Bow: Maximilian Hanna, and coxed by Roy Zhang
The women’s eight raced well but were defeated by a more experience Uni crew.
Above: The Mercs eight. Str: Madeleine Thomas, 7: Olivia Sibillin, 6: Amanda Bateman, 5: Georgia Stewart, 4: Sarah Harte, 3: Kirsten Green, 2: Michaella Ballas, Bow: Georgie Gleeson and coxed by Adelaide Cester
Our youth eight also raced but finished further back in the field.
Above: Mercs No 2 open eight – Str: Skyla Froebel, 7: Meghan Hester, 6: Ellie Tomanovits, 5: Sophie Balson, 4: Jane Perrignon, 3: India Mattocks, 2: Phoebe Wolf, Bow: Bella Logie-Smith, Cox: Ella Jackson
Our men’s quad won their race. This boat contains a few lightweights sweep converts.
Above: Men’s Quad – Str: Carl Tomczak, 3: Alexander Kinsella, 2: Riley Hazard, Bow: William Legge
We also had four masters eights and a double.
Above: Some of our masters group relaxing after their eights race.
Mercs athletes added to National Training Centre 2018 Intake
Published 11th November 2017
Addy Dunkley Smith has been invited to the National Training Centre in Penrith to join Katrina Werry. The old pair partners are reunited!
On the men’s side, Josh Dunkley Smith and Liam Donald join Angus Widdicombe and Red Matthews at the National Training Centre in Canberra. No coxswains have been named at this stage so James Rook remains in Melbourne.
Congratulations to our Mercantile members.
The full list follows.
Hancock Prospecting Women’s National Training Centre, Sydney Intake 1
Name State Club Lucy Stephan VIC Melbourne University Boat Club Molly Goodman SA Adelaide Rowing Club Katrina Werry VIC Mercantile Rowing Club Sarah Hawe TAS Huon Rowing Club Olympia Aldersey SA Adelaide Rowing Club Madeleine Edmunds QLD Commercial Rowing Club Georgia Miansarow NSW Sydney University Boat Club Georgia Nesbitt TAS Huon Rowing Club Alice Arch VIC Melbourne University Boat Club Amy James QLD Toowong Rowing Club Genevieve Horton NSW Sydney University Boat Club Rowena Meredith NSW Sydney University Boat Club Leah Saunders NSW Sydney Rowing Club Caitlin Cronin QLD University of Queensland Boat Club
Intake 2 Name State Club Georgina Gotch NSW Sydney University Boat Club Fiona Ewing NSW Sydney University Boat Club Addy Dunkley-Smith VIC Mercantile Rowing Club Rosemary Popa VIC Banks Rowing Club Ciona Wilson TAS Tamar Rowing Club Hannah Vermeersch WA West Australian Rowing Club Jacinta Edmunds QLD Commercial Rowing Club Annabelle McIntyre WA Freemantle Rowing Club
Reinhold Batschi Men’s National Training Centre Intake 1 Name State Club Alexander Hill SA Adelaide Rowing Club Joshua Hicks WA Sydney Rowing Club Jack Hargreaves NSW Sydney University Boat Club Spencer Turrin NSW Sydney Rowing Club Angus Widdicombe VIC Mercantile Rowing Club Darcy Wruck QLD Commercial Rowing Club
Intake 2 Name State Club Caleb Antill ACT Australian National University BC David Watts WA Swan River Rowing Club Angus Moore NSW Sydney Rowing Club Timothy Masters VIC UTS Rowing Club Alexander Purnell NSW Sydney University Boat Club Luke Letcher ACT Black Mountain Rowing Club Hamish Playfair NSW UTS Rowing Club Campbell Watts NSW Sydney University Boat Club Nathan Bowden SA Sydney Rowing Club Robert Black NSW Mercantile Rowing Club Nicholas Purnell NSW Sydney University Boat Club Simon Keenan VIC Melbourne University Boat Club Benjamin Coombs VIC UTS Rowing Club Liam Donald VIC Mercantile Rowing Club Joshua Booth VIC Melbourne University Boat Club Joshua Dunkley-Smith VIC Mercantile Rowing Club Jack Kelly SA Adelaide Rowing Club Blair Tunevitsch TAS Tamar Rowing Club Redmond Matthews VIC Mercantile Rowing Club
Masters get four eights out on Thursday night
Published 11 November 2017
The popularity of masters rowing is growing at Mercs with four eights boated last Thursday night. The beer and sausages order have had to be increased! Head of the Yarra entries
Updated 11th November 2017
We have our 7 boats entered in the HoY field which is now rapidly filling up. The crews as listed are subject to change of personnel.
Luckily, our Mercs administration were aware of the likelihood of too many entries and got our entries in early. The race entries were over-subscribed and the waiting list has 40 crews on it!
Kirstie Green, Michaella Ballas, Olivia Sibillin, Amanda Bateman, Addy Dunkley FO8+ Smith, Madeleine Thomas, Jennifer Cleary, Katrina Werry, Cox: Sarah Banting, Mercantile Coach: Brigette Carlile MO8+ Callum Nott, Red Matthews, David Crawshay, Benjamin Canham, Angus Mercantile Widdicombe, Tom Hunt, Josh Dunkley-Smith, Liam Donald, Cox: James Rook MB8+ William Legge, Alexander Kinsella, Joel Cain, James Hoban, Alexander Wolf, Trevor Mercantile Appier, Angus Maloney, Carl Tomczak, Cox: Roy Zhang MMG8+ Colin Kimpton, Jeffrey Lawrence, Lee Spear, Roger Allen, Andrew Guerin, Ray (G) Mercantile Dawson, Sean Colgan, Jeffrey Thompson, Cox: Bill Webster MMF8+ Hugh Sarjeant[CGRC], Chris Ratcliffe[MERC], James Garrett[MERC], Brenton Mercantile (F) Rasheed[TOOW], John Manolitsas[MERC], Peter Dempster[MERC], Peter Composite Smith[MERC], Andrew Phillips[MERC], Cox: Ally Legge[MERC] MME8+ James Garrett, Gregory Hansen, Peter De Garis, Hugh McVicker, Geoff Barden, John (E) Mercantile Grant, Hamish Fitzsimmons, Andrew McDonald, Cox: Seb Jenner
Above: Mercantile Victorious Men’s Open Eight in 2016
Go Mercs Tuesday night masters ergo night
Republished 1st November2017 With the masters now doing ergos on Tuesday nights, the gym is getting crowded after 6pm. Every ergo was used on 1st August and there was not even a need for an ambulance.
Tuesday night is ergo night
Thursday Masters Nights
Republished 1st November 2017 Reminder that all masters rowers are welcome for a row on Thursday nights followed by a sausage sizzle and refreshments. Row at 6pm and sausage sizzle at 7.30pm. All welcome. Please call Andrew Guerin on 0417 554799 to get put on the weekly email.
Thursday nights after the row