MAY 2021 NEWS
Provided by your faithful correspondent Trident.
Past News can be found via the links on the right of this page
News covered this month:
• School Holiday Rowing Camps • Coastal Rowing at Mercs #2 • World Cup 3 simulation regatta • Winter Sculling • Lighting requirements for boats • Olympic Qualification Regatta - Lucerne 15-17 May • Congratulations Emmie Frederico and Paige Barr - members of the under 23 Australian team • Congratulations to Emily Sutherland, Sophie Reinehr and Louise Bongrain - members of the Australian under 21 team • Inaugural Australian Coastal Rowing Championsips announced • Interstate Championships in review • Some memories from the National Championships • Images from the 8th April boat namings • Sean Colgan again makes a generous donation to the Club's Foundation • Congratulations to our senior Australian team members • Club rowing takes off • Coastal rowing at Mercs • Changing room lockers are now available for rental • Drink wine to help the Club, now that is an idea • Member profiles
School Holiday Rowing Camps
Published 12th May 2021
School Holiday Rowing Camp Monday June 28th- Thursday July 1st
Keep active this school holidays, and return to the riverbank, with Mercantile Rowing Club’s School Holiday Rowing Camps.
Led by Mercantile Head Coach Mike McKay (Oarsome Foursome, Dual Olympic Gold Medallist) and delivered by national and state team coaches, the camp will help participants improve their technique and skills in a fun and structured program, as well as meet new friends ahead of the upcoming school rowing season.
This four-day program combines on-water sessions with off-water education with a host of expert guest speakers including Drew Ginn (Oarsome Foursome, Triple Olympic Gold Medallist).
The camp includes breakfast daily, and is best suited to students in Year 10 and Year 11 – rowers and coxes - with at least one season of school rowing experience. The camp program includes: - Daily on-water session in crew boats, with Mercantile High Performance Coaches - Off-water activities, including strength and conditioning, team games, and ergos - Specialist education sessions on nutrition, injury prevention, study, study/sport balance - National Sports Museum Tour at the Melbourne Cricket Ground - Mini-regatta, Presentations, and BBQ on the final day of the camp - Breakfast daily - Camp Training T-Shirt
Key Camp Details Dates: Monday June 28th- Thursday July 1st Times: 8:30pm – 3:30pm each camp day. Where: Mercantile Rowing Club, Boathouse Drive, Melbourne Who: Year 10 and Year 11 students – rowers and coxes Cost: $550 per person (includes breakfast daily and camp t-shirt)
To register your interest click here for camp 1. Registrations close on Sunday 20th June unless sold out prior. For camp 2 click here to register.
For all other enquiries, please contact Meghan Hester on [email protected]
Coastal rowing at Mercs #2
Published 23rd May 2021
Ever thought about giving coastal rowing a try? If so email the Secretary and join our come and try days, 9.30am Sunday mornings at Port Melbourne Yacht Club.
We can't guarantee the beautiful weather of the past few weekends but you will enjoy the experience. We are even planning a trip to Williamstown soon.
Safety briefing
The double and quad head out for a session Sunday 23rd May 2021
Alex Clarke and Tom Davidson spotted the camera
World Cup 3 Simulation Regatta
Published 22 May 2021
Our rowers in national teams will compete on 10 – 13 June 2021 in Adelaide at the World Cup 3 simulation regatta. This regatta features the Australian Senior A, Para, Under 23, Under 21 and Under 19 rowing teams.
This is a very important regatta on many levels. It is the last big hit out for our Olympic rowing team who have not been able to compete overseas for competition this year, and is the final regatta for members of the under age teams who also have been unable to compete overseas this year.
The racing at the World Cup 1 and 2 regattas has been very promising for our teams and of an excellent quality.
It is being conducted in Adelaide and not at SIRC due to the water quality following the NSW floods. An image below from April highlights the issues.
Winter Sculling
Published 22nd May 2021
The first event of the series is coming soon on the 5th June. The Club has a number of single sculls which can be used. If you are interested in using one, please speak with Meg Hester.
Remember that you need to register to enter and also you can register for the series.
Information about the Wintersculling series can be found here
https://www.wintersculling.com.au/home/
The Schedule is below
https://www.wintersculling.com.au/events/
Lighting requirements for rowing in the dark
Published 22 May 2021
Bow and Stern lights With the dark mornings now upon us it is crucial that all rowers who are on the water (and coaches on bikes and powerboats) between sunset and sunrise all have adequate lighting for your safety and the safety of others. Rowing boats, in restricted visibility and between sunset and sunrise, are required to exhibit; • Two all-round white lights, one attached to the boat at or near the forward or bow end, and one attached to the boat at or near the stern end. • Bow light - A continuous white light is considered acceptable if it is visible in clear conditions from a distance of 1 kilometre. • Stern light - A flashing white light is considered acceptable if it flashes at least once per second and is visible in clear conditions from a distance of 1 kilometre. • Not withstanding the above, it is considered acceptable for a light to be masked so as not to interfere with the vision of the vessel’s occupants, provided at least one light is visible from any direction (see diagram below)
Olympic Qualification Regatta - Lucerne 15-17 May
Updated 18th May 2021
Congratulations to the women's quad scull who have now qualified for the Olympic Games after wining at the qualification regatta in Lucerne. The quad contained Ria Thompson who raced for Mercantile before heading up to Brisbane. Sadly the Olympic dreams of Red Matthews were put to bed after the men's double scull failed to qualify.
The following story appeared on the Rowing Australia website.
Nine boats now set to represent Australia at the upcoming Olympics
Australia’s Women’s Quadruple Scull today secured a spot for the Australian Olympic Team at the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The crew won their final today (16 May) at the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta in Lucerne, Switzerland to book a ninth berth for the Australia in Tokyo.
Victory for Caitlin Cronin, Harriet Hudson, Rowena Meredith and Ria Thompson (Copyright RA)
Meanwhile, it was not to be for the Men’s Double Scull and the Lightweight Men’s and Women’s Double Sculls who all missed out on qualification despite strong racing in highly competitive finals.
Australia will now compete in the following boat classes in Tokyo – the Men’s and Women’s Pairs, Fours and Eights, along with the Men’s and Women’s Quadruple Sculls and the Women’s Double Sculls. In Switzerland today, Australia’s Women’s Quadruple Scull of Caitlin Cronin, Harriet Hudson, Rowena Meredith and Ria Thompson continued the dominant performance they have shown throughout the regatta, backing up their preliminary race win with a victory in their final to secure a berth for Tokyo.
The crew, coached by Andrew Randell, led their final from start to finish to cross the line in a time of six minutes 29.93 seconds. Post-race, stroke of the boat, Cronin said, “We knew we had a really good chance. It was about executing our plan, doing all the small things right that we do in training. We are looking forward to moving forward to the Olympics. Onwards and upwards!”
The Men’s Double Scull of David Watts and Campbell Watts put in a valiant effort in their final, in a bid to finish top two and qualify for Tokyo. The duo sprinted to the line, closing in on race leaders Russia and the Czech Republic, but the crew ran out of water, finishing in third place, 1.16 seconds behind the Czech Republic.
The Lightweight Women’s Double Scull of Georgia Nesbitt and Sarah Pound needed a top three finish to qualify their boat class for Tokyo. In a challenging final, the crew finished in sixth place, with the qualification spots taken by the United States, Switzerland and China.
Finally, the last race of the day featured Sean Murphy and Hamish Parry in the Lightweight Men’s Double Scull, the crew needed a top two finish in their final to book a berth for Tokyo 2020. The crew, coached by Don McLachlan, took on Canada, China, the Czech Republic, France and Switzerland and, despite a strong middle thousand, it was Canada and the Czech Republic that sprinted to the line to take the two spots for Tokyo.
Rowing Australia Performance Director, Bernard Savage said, “We’re extremely proud of how all of our crews raced in Switzerland this weekend. The Final Olympic Qualification Regatta is an extremely tough event and all our crews made their finals and laid everything on the line in a bid to qualify for Tokyo.
“We’re delighted to see the Women’s Quadruple Scull qualify for the Games, taking our total number of boats to nine. Our four crews faced a tough regatta with racing collapsed into two days, instead of the planned three, due to predicted adverse weather. They have all handled themselves impeccably in what has been a challenging tour. Our athletes and staff will now return to Australia to complete two weeks of quarantine, where will offer them our full support after what has been an intense period of racing.”
Original story for prior to the regatta.
The following crews are scheduled to race tonight ion the Olympic Quaification Regatta in Lucerne.
Australian Rowing Team – 2021 World Rowing Final Olympic Qualification Regatta
Crew Club/SIS-SAS/State Lightweight Women’s Double Scull Georgia Nesbitt Huon Rowing Club/Hancock Prospecting Women’s NTC/ TAS UTS Haberfield Rowing Club/Hancock Prospecting Women’s Sarah Pound NTC/ NSW Women’s Quadruple Scull University of Queensland Boat Club/Queensland Academy of Caitlin Cronin Sport/QLD Sydney Rowing Club /Hancock Prospecting Women’s NTC/ Harriet Hudson NSW Rowena Meredith Sydney University Boat Club/NSW Institute of Sport/NSW University of Queensland Boat Club/Hancock Prospecting Ria Thompson Women’s NTC/VIC Lightweight Men’s Double Scull Sean Murphy Mosman Rowing Club/NSW Institute of Sport/NSW Hamish Parry Toowong Rowing Club/Queensland Academy of Sport/QLD Men’s Double Scull Sydney Rowing Club/Reinhold Batschi Men’s National David Watts Training Centre/WA Sydney University Boat Club/Reinhold Batschi Men’s Campbell Watts National Training Centre/NSW Coaches Andrew Randell Rowing Australia Don McLachlan Sydney University Boat Club
Club member Red Matthews is the reserve for the men's lightweight double scull and needs this boat to qualify to keep his Olympic dreams alive.
Congratulations Emmie Frederico and Paige Barr - members of the under 23 Australian team
Published 15th Mat 2021
Congratulations to Emmie Frederico, Paige Barr and coach Al Matthews on their selection into the Australian under 23 four. They will not travel overseas this year but will race at the World Cup 3 simulation regatta with our members of the Australian team.
Emmie and Paige are teaming up with two girls from South Australia.
Congratulations to Emily Sutherland, Sophie Reinehr and Louise Bongrain - members of the Australian under 21 team Published 15th May 2021
Congratulations to Emily Sutherland, Sophie Reinehr and Louise Bongrain on their selection into the Australian under 21 team. As with the under 23 crews, they will compete at the 2021 World Rowing Cup 3 Simulation Regatta set to be held in Adelaide, South Australia from 10 to 12 June 2021.
Inaugural Australian Coastal Rowing Championsips announced
Published 15th May 2021
The following announcement has been made by Rowing Australia
Noosa Main Beach to host event on 21 and 22 August 2021; Sykes set to provide equipment for all competitors
Rowing Australia (RA) today announced that the inaugural Australian Coastal Rowing and Beach Sprints Championships (ACRBSC) will take place on Noosa Main Beach, Sunshine Coast, Queensland on 21 and 22 August 2021.
Co-hosted by RA and Rowing Queensland (RQ), this new National Championships will comprise two exciting disciplines of the sport of rowing – the endurance category of coastal rowing and the beach sprints that are a head-to-head elimination style of racing that includes on-water slalom style racing with a beach sprint start and finish across the sand.
Additionally, RA is pleased to confirm that Geelong-based boat builder, and long-term supplier to RA, Sykes, has a signed a three-year partnership with the event to provide participants with a fleet of new Coastal boats and oars for the ACRBSC. The event will include racing opportunities for multiple categories, continuing to highlight the inclusive nature of rowing, with opportunities across Open, Youth, Masters, Para and Mixed Gender big boats.
RA Board Director and Chair of RA’s Coastal Rowing Working Group, Sarah Cook, said “We are delighted today to be able to announce, alongside Rowing Queensland, that the 2021 Australian Coastal Rowing and Beach Sprint Championships will take place at Noosa Main Beach West in August this year.
“Rowing continues to develop and diversify as a sport and we know the people of Noosa will welcome the inaugural competition to its shores. Participants will simply have to pack their zooties and be ready to race, with Sykes providing boats and oars for all competitors. We’re excited to launch this new type of championships and are looking forward to working with Rowing Queensland to deliver a fantastic event on the Sunshine Coast.
“As an observer on the World Rowing Coastal Rowing Commission, I can attest that this aspect of our sport is continuing to expand globally with its confirmed inclusion in the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, and consideration being made for its inclusion in the event program for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. I’m looking forward to Australia building a base of highly competitive rowers thanks to these Championships.”
Noosa Main Beach
Additionally, Rowing Queensland have the opportunity to secure the event for a further two years (2022 and 2023) should they obtain further funding support to host the Championships on the Sunshine Coast.
RQ Chair, Nick Parr added, “We are excited to have the opportunity of co-hosting the inaugural Australian Coastal Rowing and Beach Sprint Championships. This area of our sport in Australia is in its infancy and RQ recognises its enormous potential.
“We have the climate, resources, and existing expertise through our Member Club Coastal Rowing & Touring Australia and the Noosa community to ensure that the event is successful. RQ will use the event to grow coastal rowing in Queensland.”
Managing Director of Sykes, Mark Nothnagel commented, “Sykes is a proud Australian based boat builder and we are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Rowing Australia and Rowing Queensland for this event for the next three years.
“Whilst the inaugural event will use new boats sourced internationally from Sykes’ global partners, we are in the process of investing in and expanding our capability so that we can supply locally built boats for the second and third years. “At Sykes we are passionate about contributing to growing the sport of rowing in Australia. Coastal and Beach Sprint racing events like these are competitive, exciting, and fun for athletes and spectators alike. Furthermore, Australia has an extensive coastline including so many bays and estuaries and these are just perfect for Coastal Rowing adventures. We really believe that the success of this event will be the catalyst for further growth throughout Australia, especially when summer returns.”
An RA-RQ Management Committee will be formed shortly to help with the planning and running of the event, with further details to be released in due course.
Key Facts:
What: 2021 Australian Coastal Rowing and Beach Sprints Championships
When: 21 and 22 August 2021
Where: Noosa Main Beach (West), Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Categories: Youth, Open, Masters, Para and Mixed Gender
Boat Classes: Solo, Double and Quad
Entries Open: 1 June 2021
About: The event will comprise the Beach Sprints that will be run from Noosa Main Beach (West), while the Coastal Rowing course will be from Noosa Main Beach (West) heading towards Dolphin Point.
Coastal rowing uses wider hulled boats and takes place on open water and is not dissimilar to a favoured Australian past-time of ‘surf-boat rowing’. The endurance event will include solo, double and quad boat classes across various categories including youth, open, masters, para and also mixed gender big boats.
Beach Sprints is a head-to-head elimination style of racing, with a short sprint along the beach, a 250 metre row, and a 180-degree turn before rowing back to the beach and sprinting to the finish line. Competitions are structured such that athletes who progress further are required to race multiple times within a short time window. This discipline of rowing tests your power and strength, as well as coastal navigation skills and performance under fatigue.
Interstate Championships in review
Published 15th May 2021
Victoria had a good regatta this year with Al Matthews' Queens Cup crew regaining the trophy after a brief stay in NSW and Mike McKay's King's Cup crew returned the trophy back to its rightful owner in a narrow win. Sam Fennessy's women's youth eight finished second behind a strong Western Australian crew and their men's equivalent won. The Victorian results were:
King's Cup - 1st VIC, 2nd NSW, 3rd QLD, 4th WA, 5th SA, 6th TAS
Queen's Cup - 1st VIC, 2nd NSW, 3rd WA, 4th QLD, 5th SA, 6th TAS
President's Cup - 1st SA, 2nd NSW, 3rd ACT, 4th QLD, 5th VIC, 6th WA
Nell Slatter Trophy - 1st NSW, 2nd QLD, 3rd VIC, 4th SA, 5th ACT, 6th WA
Penrith Cup - 1st QLD, 2nd NSW, 3rd VIC, 4th TAS
Victoria Cup - 1st TAS, 2nd QLD, 3rd NSW, 4th WA, 5th VIC, 6th ACT
Wilkinson Cup - 1st VIC, 2nd NSW, 3rd QLD, 4th WA, 5th SA, 6th TAS
Bicentennial Cup - 1st WA, 2nd VIC, 3rd NSW, 4th QLD, 5th TAS, 6th SA, 7th ACT
Men's PR3 Scull - 1st SA, 2nd QLD, 3rd ACT, 4th NSW, 5th VIC, 6th TAS
Women's PR3 Scull - 1st ACT, 2nd VIC, 3rd NSW, 4th QLD
We acknowledge Ann Koch and Phillip Mangelsdorf who have kindly provided the following images.
Final stages of the Queen's Cup
The Queens Cup was never in doubt
Amanda Bateman shares the bubbly around
Final stages of the King's Cup with Gus Widdicombe powering to victory
A happy crew holding the King's Cup
Ria Thompson on the podium for the Nell Slatter Trophy
Dom Frederico in the two seat of the Victorian Penrith Cup Crew
Final stages of the Bicentennial Cup
A dominant performance by the Wilkinson Cup crew
RV CEO Ian Jickell and Victorian coaches enjoy the moment
The rowers appear to enjoy the moment also
Some memories from the National Championships
Published 15th May 2021
Some images from the National Championships care of Ann Koch, Phil Mangelsdorf and Andrew Guerin.
Jess Morrison takes out the Sarah Tait Memorial Trophy again
JRob and Dom in the under 23 lightweight pair where they won silver
Louise Carr playing to the camera
Ruby O'Keefe and Louisa Bongrain take bronze in the under 21 double scull
Presentation on the under 21 double scull
Olivia Sargeant, Paige Barr, Emily Sutherland, Sophie Reinehr, Cox: Hayley Verbunt, win the under 21 coxed four
The medallists look pretty happy with their work
Mimmi Balaam [MERC], Ruby Gioulekas [MERC], Brigid McKeagney-Douglas [MUBC], Emmie Frederico [MERC] take bronze in the Under 23 four
Amanda Bateman [MERC], Tara Rigney [SUBC] take out the open women's double
Jess Morrison in the winning women's four with Katrina Werry in the background
Katrina Werry's crew which finished second in the four
Women's Four Presentation
Ben Canham picks up bronze in the men's four
Ben on the podium
With Jack Robertson finishing in fourth place
In a surprise, Gus Widdicombe's crew finished 5th
Benjamin Whitmee, Thomas Hackett, Jordan Roberts and Dom Frederico pick up silver in the under 23 lightweight four
Mercs takes bronze in the under 23 eight
Under 23 eight presentation
Alexandra Viney takes gold in the PR3 mixed coxed four with Nikki Ayers [CLRC], Thomas Birtwhistle [UTS], James Talbot [SUBC], Cox: Renae Domaschenz [ANU]
Alex Viney looking very happy at the presentation
In a rare miss, Amanda Bateman finishes second in the women's quad
Katrina Werry's crew coxed by Rookie takes the honours over Jess Morrison crew in the eights.
Happy women's eight winners
The lightweights finished with a bronze in the open quad with Red Matthews in the two seat
Ruby O'Keeffe, Anna Morrison, Louise Carr, Louisa Bongrain, take brnze in the under 21 women's quad
Olivia Evans, Demetria Kyriacopoulos in the Club double scull
From around the course
Mercantile and women's rowing - a good mix
Regatta scene around the Mercs boats
Vice-Captain Phil Tran and Charlie Clarke chill out
Al Matthews and his girls
The view from the start
Images from the 8th April boat namings
Published 25th April 2021
The scene of the carnage of the bubbly bottles
Trish Boykett making good work of her bottle of bubbly
Boykett clan joining the fun
The Jen Cleary gets a good soaking
The Cleary Clan also enjoy the moment
A great hit for the Frederico by Karin
The Frederico clan
The delicate cracking the bottle works equally well with the Swann
The Swann family and friends
Susan Owen looks determined before she undertakes her duties
Then the excitement of the moment (or safety first)
Sean Colgan again makes a very generous donation to the Club's Foundation
Republished 11th April 2021
The Club's greatest benefactor Sean Colgan has again amazed us with another very generous donation to the Club's Foundation.
Sean seen here at Henley Royal Regatta with Mercs cap and tie
The Trustees receive such generous donations with both delight and trepidation as they have committed to match any donation that Sean makes. The matching donations are now being collected!
Thank you Sean, you are the greatest.
Congratulations to our senior Australian team members
Republished 11th April 2021
Rowing Australia has just announced the 2021 Australian Rowing Team and there are many Mercantile members. A full list of the team is attached.
From the top. Amanda Bateman has been selected into the already qualified double scull.
Ria Thompson, former member before moving to Queensland for study is in the quad being sent to qualify that boat.
Jessica Morrison, Katrina Werry and James Rook (cox) have been named for the sweep squad. Whilst not named as such, it is clear that Jess Morrison will row the pair and she may also double up in another boat.
Alex Viney has been named in the PR3 Mixed Coxed Four but sadly Alex Vuillermin did not make the cut.
Angus Widdicombe has been named in the eight with Fergus Hamilton and Jack Robertson named as reserves. Sadly Liam Donald and Ben Canham did not make the cut.
Red Matthews was named as reserve for the lightweight double in its qualification attempt in Lucerne.
Congratulations to all involved and speciofically those selected.
Club rowing takes off
Republished 11th April 2021
Meghan Hester and her team are doing a great job getting club rowing working well.
Rob Manning is coaching an exceptional women's club crew stroked by Olympian Jen Cleary and Anthony Bergelin is coaching a large squad of recently retired male high performance athletes.
The masters are regularly getting out in three eights and occasionally also going coastal.
Thursday nights have a great feel to them as these groups enjoy sausages washed down with beer and wine. Thursday nights are back. Please email the Captain if you want to be involved.
Carey legends Chris Drummond and Andrew Rees enjoy a well earned beer after their row on Thursday
Mercantile goes coastal
Republished 11th April 2021
So what is coastal rowing?
Coastal Rowing is the extreme version of rowing, and involves rowing on large lakes and the sea. It is one of the fastest growing communities of rowers with excellent opportunities given that flat water is not required.
Coastal rowing in Europe
The standard boats are singles (solo), doubles and coxed quadruple sculls. Coastal Rowing is comprised of two event formats, one is the endurance event which ranges between 4 –6km around a buoyed course, and the other is the sprint event known as “Beach Sprints”. As the name suggests, the race begins on the beach with a rower running out to the boat to its’ waiting crew and racing a distance of 500m, which can involve a buoyed slalom course, before returning to the beach and running to the finish line.
The pinnacle events on the international Coastal Rowing racing calendar are the club-based endurance style World Rowing Coastal Championships and the nation-based sprint style World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals. Coastal Touring is the recreational or social aspect of the discipline.
The IOC and World Rowing are promoting Coastal Rowing as a future Olympic discipline and exploring its’ potential following its inclusion in the Youth Olympic Games in Senegal, and recently held Europe’s first Coastal Rowing regatta; the European Coastal Rowing Challenge in Livorno, Italy. There is still consideration around whether a potential Olympic discipline will be the Beach (sprint) or Coastal (endurance) format. At the recent FISA Extraordinary Congress the Member Federations supported the proposal put forward by World Rowing to include Coastal Rowing in 2024 Olympic Games.
Mercs goes coastal
Mercantile has acquired a couple of coastal quad sculls and a double scull to encourage the sport. The inaugural row took place on Thursday 19 November with a masters crew.
Mercs enters the water at Port Melbourne
Mercs flying into shore with the wind behind them Bow: Andrew Guerin, 2: Hamish Fitzsimmons, 3: Alex Kinsella, Str: Will Legge, Cox: Bill Webster
A group of masters took to the water during storm conditions to test out their skills. The row was short but exciting - crashing through and over waves. The conclusion was that perhaps a higher level of skill would be required for those conditions.
Anyone who wishes to take up the coastal rowing sport should contact the Secretary. We would like to see Mercs represented at the National Championships in August 2021 and perhaps at the Worlds in Portugal in October 2021.
Changing room lockers are now available for rental
Republished 11th April 2021 Changing room lockers are available for rent for the balance of the season given that things are reopening.
• Large lockers are now $60/a (were $120) • Medium lockers are now $45/a (were $60) • Small remain $30/a
Go to the shop page on this website and rent your locker.
Drink wine to help the Club, now that is an idea
Republished 11th April 2021
Wild Fire Wines is a premium wine producer located near Warburton in the Upper Yarra Valley. One of the owners, and the chief winemaker, is John Harry, a club member. John competed at senior level in the 60s and 70s and was Captain of the Club; he is also a major supporter and Trustee of the Mercs Foundation.
Wild Fire has agreed to provide the Club with a substantial donation for each case of wine purchased by members and their friends and family. Bill Webster and Julie Orr are co- ordinating the recruitment of Mercs athletes to help publicise the sales effort. The Committee believes this program has great potential to assist our fundraising efforts and is keen for all Mercantilians to get behind it.
The Committee has sampled John’s offerings and is confident that members will find the wines of excellent quality, and good value. Wild Fire won two medals at the 2019 Victorian Wine Show (Riesling and Cabernet) on its first try so its future looks promising.
So, how can you help the Club? Grab some wine at www.wildfirewines.com.au and enter the code "MERCANTILE" at checkout. This ensures any sales will be attributed to the Club.
This is an efficient and practical way for members to help the Club - we look forward to the development of the Wild Fire relationship as a solid source of funding for us for many years to come.
Member profiles
Published 12th May 2021
We regularly add new member profiles. This month we add Claude Pender. Claude was perhaps not one of champion oarsmen but he was a good Club member prior to WWII and who served in that conflict. His family have provided the Club with the following images. Both show Claude in the stroke seat.
More profiles will follow during June.
We would welcome contributions on any current or past members. There are now well over 200 profiles of past and present members.