April 2020 News
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Above: Mercantile looking quiet APRIL 2020 NEWS News covered this month: • ANZAC Day Commemoration 2020 • Training COVID style • Updated time for 1924 Olympic documentary • 2020 ANZAC Rowing Challenge • Vale Tom Jack and Stan Bulmer • Latest on the lockdown – 21 April • Jess Morrison’s training advice in lockdown • Latest on lockdown – 19 April • Vacant Committee position • Boat and equipment update • 1924 Rowing Olympic Documentary • Interstate Indoor Rowing Regatta • Personal accident insurance • RV Safety plan • Extraordinary Australians – Jess Morrison • Senior high performance coach progress • All events are now cancelled. • World Junior-Under 23-Senior Championships – the event not yet cancelled • Interstate Championships late 2020? • Lock down in progress • Club financials • Sean and Bibi Colgan make a generous donation • Club Foundation progress report • From the vault – 1968 lightweight eight ______________________________________________________________________________ ANZAC Day Commemoration 2020 Published 24th April 2020 Every year, the Club has an ANZAC Day service at the Clubhouse at which we hear about a member who served and we read the names, and acknowledge those members who lost their lives in the service of their country. These members will be remembered but not in the traditional way. Those members who lost their lives in WWI were: • Cumberland, J. W. • Johnston , N. • Lingham, A. R. • Nation, N. C. • Robertson, G. • Robertson, R. J. Those members who lost their lives in WWII were: • Barkley, E.H. • Barnfather, E. R. • Belltowers, W. • Black, P. A. • Braithwaite, K. A. • Brewin, Raymond T. • Cook, D. D. • Davies, G. A. • Fyffe, A. • Hastie, G. T. • Henty, W. M. • Johnson, E. F. • Lind, G. A. • Macrae, S. C. • Major, J. F. • Matheson, W. • McDonald, R. W. • Nethercote, C. R. • Orbuck, L. D. • Roper, L. W. • Scarlett, R. C. • Scholefield, R. B. • Smith, W. H. R. • St. John , H • White, F. N. The following member lost his life in Vietnam: Locke, G. R. They shall not grow old As we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn At the going down of the sun, and in the morning We will remember them. Lest we forget. This year we remember WWI veteran John Wilson McDonald (known as Wilson) 8 April 1896-13 July 1961 Geoffrey Blainey in his book “A Shorter History of Australia”, wrote of the impact of WWI as follows. Perhaps the most drastic effect of the war on Australia would never be enumerated [by soldiers lost]: it was the loss of all those talented people who would have become prime ministers and premiers, judges, divines, engineers, teachers, doctors, poets, inventors and farmers, the mayors of towns and leaders of trade unions, and the fathers of another generation of Australians. It was a war in which those with the gift of leadership, the spark of courage, and the willingness to make sacrifices often took the highest risks. A young nation could not afford to lose such men. This year we highlight a member who survived WWI, albeit with significant injuries and humble beginnings, to become a significant member of society, and whose grandson Andrew and great-granddaughter Bridget, continued the family’s Mercantile rowing tradition. It does not prove Geoffrey Blainey wrong, but highlights his comments. The talent of those gallant leaders who survived, did go on, despite the disabilities of war, to become pillars of our society. This ANZAC Day, we acknowledge both the those who failed to return, and also those who served. Wilson McDonald’s courageous service is recognised today. Wilson McDonald was born in Kilmore Victoria to John and Annie McDonald. Schooled at Kilmore State School, he left at the age of 14 with his standard certificate. He got a job at Harrisons Ramsay, importers at the age of 15 and moved to Melbourne. At the time of his enlistment at 19 years 9 months, he resided in Jolimont Terrace Jolimont. No doubt he started as an office boy or warehouseman and by the time of his enlistment had progressed to being a clerk. By the time of his retirement, he was Chairman of the local Board of the British company Harrison Crossfield. He did not row at school and obviously took up rowing whilst in Melbourne. As a warehouseman, he qualified to join Mercantile which drew members from the merchants and warehousemen of Melbourne, particularly from Flinders Lane. He also occupied himself by having completed 3 years as a cadet attaining the rank of second lieutenant and 2 ½ years in the citizen forces, now known as the Military Reserves, attaining the rank of lieutenant. With the written consent of his parents, he enlisted for WWI in Melbourne on 25th January 1916. Whilst he joined as a private, his past service was quickly recognised and he was promoted to Sergeant within a week of joining. Before departure overseas, he was promoted to second lieutenant and had undertaken range finding and other training. He departed for France in November 1916 with the 37th Battalion. Despite suffering from various ailments, no doubt caught on the journey overseas, he was promoted in the field on 17th January 1917 to Lieutenant. The life expectancy of front-line lieutenants in WWI on the western front in France was short. Fortunately, Wilson McDonald survived, but only after being seriously wounded and thereafter being unfit for duty. On 10th October 1917, he received gunshot wounds to the right shoulder, right knee, and right buttock. The shoulder injury caused him life- long issues and requiring him to change from being a right-handed person to left. He had limited movement in the right-hand side of his body. Clearly it also brought his rowing days to an end. Prior to this unfortunate incident, Wilson McDonald proved himself an excellent soldier being awarded the Military Cross in the field by order dated 13th April 1917. Wilson McDonald after receiving his Military Cross at Buckingham Palace, his injuries are evident. The Commonwealth Gazette No 133 on 21st August 1917 states: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during a raid on the enemy’s trenches. In spite of intense fire he made repeated attempts to enter the enemy’s trenches, and at last succeeded in forcing an entry at another point. He has previously done fine work. The more detailed report states: At Armentieres on the night of 26/27th February 1917, on the occasion of a raid by a composite Battalion of his Brigade on the enemy trenches, Lieut. McDonald was in charge of No 1 Assaulting Party of his Company. When he reached the enemy wire, leading his party, very strong opposition was met with artillery and machine gun fire, and the first party was almost decimated. Notwithstanding the hot fire sustained, Lieut. McDonald made repeated attempts to enter the enemy’s trenches; and at last succeeded in forcing an entry at another point, and leading his men into the enemy’s first line. On the occasion of a previous raid, he had successfully commanded one of the assaulting parties. He returned to Australia on 10th January 1918. Shortly after his return, he was sent by his employer to Calcutta. His fiancé Thelma Gertrude Pie travelled to India to be married on 30 September 1920. They had twin daughters Hazel and Ailsa in India but sadly both twins died there. Because of the horror of losing the twins in India, Thelma travelled to Melbourne to give birth to a daughter Jill in safety, and subsequently brought her back to India, where Wilson was still working. Jill was raised there for a number of years before the family returned to Melbourne. Upon their return to Melbourne to settle, they were to have another daughter and a son, all of whom lived into adulthood. Wilson died in Canada of heart problems in 1961. Thelma McDonald died in Melbourne in 1988, some 27 years after Wilson. He lived a distinguished life. Let us remember Wilson and all the other members who served their country in WWI ______________________________________________________________________________ Training COVID style Published 24th April 2020 Twice a week, all out active athletes do erg sessions together with everyone from Olympians Jess Morrison and Gus Widdicombe to recruits. Interposing these Olympians next to others provides great guidance to the younger rowers. Sadly only 25 can be seen at one time. Plenty of other sessions are being undertaken such as the following technique session of some of the under 21 squad supervised by Dylan Curnow and Phil Tran. Some of the background images are interesting! Technique session supervised by Dylan and Phil ______________________________________________________________________________ Updated time for 1924 Olympic documentary Published 22nd April 2020 Please note that Channel 9 has moved the screening time to 12.00pm on Sunday May 10. Please see below for details. ______________________________________________________________________________ 2020 ANZAC Rowing Challenge 22nd April 2020 As reported today, Rowing Australia, Rowing NZ and two-time Olympic gold medallist, Eric Murray, today announced the 2020 Anzac Day Indoor Rowing Challenge. The event to take place from dawn to dusk on Saturday 25 April will see Australians and New Zealanders unite to record 2504 metres, as many times as possible, at home, on their indoor rowing machines. The number, 2504, signifies the date of Anzac Day, 25.04.2020, with participants encouraged to log their metres online and donate to either RSL Australia’s ANZAC Appeal or the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association. Two-time Olympic gold medallist and eight-time World Champion, New Zealand’s Eric Murray said, “What better way for our rowing communities to acknowledge this year’s Anzac Day, and respect our current lockdown restrictions, than to row at home in honour of all those that have served and continue to serve our countries.