MARCH 2018 NEWS
Above – Mercs youth eight dominate at State Championships
News covered below:
• More winning photos from the Nationals • Nationals finals medallists on Thursday • Mercs members in Victorian crews • Josh Dunkley Smith retires • Josh Dunkley Smith is new World Champion • Nationals entries • Senior Selection Trial nominees • Moomba Closures • State Championships Results • Older Mercs Members gather for lunch • State Championships Entries • Member Profiles • Thursday Night Social Hour
More winning photos from the Nationals
Published 23rd March 2018
Above: Joel and Mitch
Above: Joel Cain and Mitch Hooper on the podium taking bronze
Above: Under 21 Four cross the line first
Above: Under 21 Four take home gold
Above: Happy Mercantilians after the girls win
Above: Ria Thompson and Amanda Bateman take gold in the Under 23 double
Above: Celebrating a win
Above: Ria and Amanda on the podium
Above: Men’s Under 23 finish fourth
Above Women’s Open Four finish well to medal
Above: Women’s Four on podium
Men’s Four with Mercs members taking Gold
Men’s Four full Mercs crew takes bronze
Mercs members celebrate their podium performances
Smile Patrick, you won
Above: Our Meghan Hester and Teneille Lineham from Corio finished fifth in the lightweight double
Above: Will Legge finished third in the men’s lightweight double with Hugo Berry from Banks
Above: The Mercs composite crew finished with a silver in the lightweight eights
After the race
Above: Podium for the lightweight eights
Nationals finals
Published 22nd March 2018 The first of the finals took place today with some great results. Some of them follow.
Bronze and Silver in the men’s lightweight scull to Michael McNamara and Jayden Grey
Jess Morrison takes Bronze in the Women’s Pair And again
Ben Canham and Alex Clarke take bronze in the under 23 pair Amanda Bateman and Ria Thompson, silver and gold in under 23 scull
Sophie Balson, Georgie Gleeson gold and Kirsten Green, Skyla Froebel bronze in under 21 pair Mercs Members in Victorian crews
Published 22nd March 2018 Congratulations to the many Mercs members in the Victorian crews, including one complete Mercs crew. Go Mercs and Go Victoria
The Kings Cup • Josh Booth • Josh Dunkley-Smith (Mercs) • Ben Coombs • Liam Donald (Mercs) • Thomas Hunt (Mercs) • Simon Keenan • Tim Masters • Angus Widdicombe (Mercs) • Cox – James Rook (Mercs) • Coach – Christian Ryan
The Queens Cup • Alice Arch • Amanda Bateman (Mercs) • Addy Dunkley-Smith (Mercs) • Sarah Hawe • Georgie Howe • Katherine Michelmore • Jess Morrison (Mercs) • Rosy Popa • Lucy Stephan • Katrina Werry (Mercs) • Cox – Sarah Ben-David • Coach – Simon Gadsden (Mercs)
The Presidents Cup • Sam Hookway • Coach: Tim McLaren
The Nell Slater Trophy • Katie Michelmore • Coach – Franz Imfeld
The Penrith Cup • Jayden Grey (Mercs) • Will Legge (Mercs) • Michael McNamara (Mercs) • Carl Tomczak (Mercs) • Coach – Nick Mitchell (soon to be Mercs)
The Victoria Cup • Alice Arch • Meagan Hester (Mercs) • Teneille Linehan • Alice McNamara • Coach – David Ochert
The Wilkinson Cup • Joel Cain (Mercs) • Ned Coleman • James Heath • Mitch Hooper (Mercs) • Nick Lavery • Angus Longden • Joe O’Connell • Tom Page • Cox – Lachlan Goller • Coaches – Franz Imfeld
The Bicentennial Trophy • Michaella Ballas (Mercs) • Sophie Balson (Mercs) • Skyla Froebel (Mercs) • Georgie Gleeson (Mercs) • Kirsti Green (Mercs) • Georgia Lenton-Williams • Mila Marston • Charlotte Wirtz • Cox –Adelaide Cester (Mercs) • Coach – Brigette Carlile (Mercs)
Mens PR3 Single • Aaron Skinner • Coach – Tom Bertrand
Womens PR3 single • Kate Lapthorne • Coach – Andrew O’Brien Josh Dunkley Smith retires
Published 13th March 2018 Sadly Josh Dunkley Smith retired today from international rowing. Josh will still race for Mercs at the National Championships and for Victoria in the King’s Cup.
As various Mercs members have noted, JDS has earned the right to step back and look after the next stage of his life. …. A great role model to young rowers and an inspiration to the rowing community. …. One of the gentlest humans you’ll ever meet. … Huge respect.
We all hope that he may be able to return to the international stage in the future.
Josh, you are a great and much loved Mercantilian.
Above: Josh at Rio in 2016 after taking silver
The following statement was issued today by Josh and Rowing Australia.
Two-time Olympic silver medallist, Joshua Dunkley-Smith, has today announced that he will be no longer pursuing selection for the Australian Rowing Team for 2018 and will be leaving the Reinhold Batschi Men’s National Training Centre to focus on his career and personal life. Dunkley-Smith, who made his senior team debut for Australia in 2009, has released the following statement:
“It is something that I have been considering for a while, as I’ve gotten older things have become more important to me, one of those things is spending time with family and spending time with my partner Candice. We have many plans together for our future and I want us to spend time together and enjoy being a couple in our twenties before our future continues and things change again.
“As I have gotten older, other concerns grow and other aspects of life have to be considered alongside rowing. I know what is required to perform at the level I want to perform at, and achieve what I want to achieve, and I don’t know if I would be capable of that level of commitment if ultimately my heart is in other places.
“I know what is required to deliver for my crew mates, and I am now hesitant to put myself in a boat, when I know I may not be able to uphold my responsibilities, because my head and heart is focused elsewhere.
“On a personal level, it has been challenging for me to be centralised in Canberra, but I think the environment itself is a good one. Spending time there, with the guys, I see that the group is really on the right track and they are set up to have some really good results, with or without me. Moving interstate has maybe made my feelings more acute, but rowing is a sport that regardless of where you train, takes you away for great periods of time.
“I’ve been thinking about stepping away for a while, both last year and this year. Rowing is a sport that take you away from your friends and family, but that is the nature of elite sport and that can’t be changed – it’s not just about going interstate but also about going overseas for long periods of time to pursue your goals.
“I am incredibly grateful for the support I have had as I have made this decision. I have obviously been talking a lot to Candice and my mum (Addy Bucek), both experienced athletes, and with Drew Ginn (three-time Olympic rowing gold medallist, and member of Dunkley-Smith’s silver medal-winning Men’s Four in 2012).
“I am very lucky to have so many people to turn to for advice, and also a lot of people who over the years have coached me and been there for me as a friend, including the likes of Bill Tait, who has been very supportive as I made this decision. In making this decision, I have realised how much people care for myself as an athlete and as a person. It is important when in such a high-pressure environment, that you have friendships that are more than just a sporting relationship.
“I am also extremely grateful for the support that’s been offered to me by Rowing Australia in this time as I’ve made this decision to take this time away from the sport. I am unsure, at the moment, if I am going to retire, that is a big decision to make. Everyone has been encouraging and made it clear that I am always welcome if I do feel that I have made the wrong decision. I believe it’s now about stepping back and refocusing before making such a big decision.”
Dunkley-Smith won Olympic silver medals at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the Men’s Four and also has five Senior World Rowing Championship medals to his name.
On Saturday 10 March 2018, Dunkley-Smith, (subject to verification from Concept2) broke the World Record for 2000m on an indoor rowing machine by setting a time of 5 minutes 35.5 seconds. The 28- year-old’s feat saw him post a time that bettered New Zealand’s Rob Waddell’s 19-year-old record for the 19-29 age category, and Waddell’s 10-year-old record for the 30-39 age category.
“It was probably something that I have been working towards for a quite a while. It is one of those things that has always been there but never a main stated goal, as it’s always more about the racing on the water. However, seeing how long the records had stood for, and having the opportunity to go for it, I was glad I was able to do that before I take some time away,” admitted Dunkley-Smith.
Rowing Australia Performance Director, Bernard Savage said, “We have seen this week the calibre of athlete that Josh is. It is clear that Josh has spent time considering this decision, so while we are obviously disappointed to see Josh step away from the sport, we respect his decision and will do all we can to assist him as he focuses more on life outside the boat.
“He is a superb athlete and has contributed greatly to the Australian Rowing Team over the last 11 years. The combination of both raw athletic ability and experience has made him a wonderful addition to the Reinhold Batschi Men’s National Training Centre this season. He has clearly made an impact on the group in his short time at the NTC. He will definitely be missed but I know the athletes, coaches and staff wish him all the best and genuinely want to see him happy.
“We will continue to engage with Josh and remain in close contact. I have made it very clear that should he wish to return to the sport, we will support and assist him accordingly when the time comes.”
Above: Josh at 1992 Olympic Games with his mother Addy, an Olympic sailor
Above: Josh at 2016 Olympic Games with his mother Addy, an Olympic sailor
Josh Dunkley Smith is new World Champion
Published 10th March 2018 Today at the senior selection trials. JDS hit a new world record and this is what it looks like – under 1:24.0 per 500m. Your correspondent has difficulty getting to 1:23.9.
Great work Josh. We are proud of you and your achievement.
Above: The superb piece of work
Nationals Entries
Published 10th March 2018 Another huge entry from Mercantile.
OW1x Mercantile Madeleine Thomas OW1x Mercantile Fiona Albert OW1x Mercantile Georgia Stewart Georgia Stewart, OW2x Mercantile Olivia Sibillin Eleni Kalimnios, OW2x Huon/Mercantile Madeleine Thomas Fiona Albert, OW4x Mercantile Madeleine Thomas, Amanda Bateman, Ria Thompson Addy Dunkley- OW2- Mercantile Smith, Katrina Werry Eleni Kalimnios, Mercantile Georgia Stewart, OW4- Composite Olivia Sibillin, Madeleine Thomas Gemma Sibillin, Georgia Stewart, OW4- Mercantile Olivia Sibillin, Madeleine Thomas Fiona Albert, Olivia Sibillin, Sophie Balson, Madeleine Thomas, Amanda Bateman, OW8+ Mercantile Jessica Morrison, Addy Dunkley- Smith, Katrina Werry, Adelaide Cester(c) OM1x Mercantile Patrick Boomer OM1x Mercantile Alexander Kinsella Alexander OM2X Mercantile/Banks Kinsella, Angus Thornton Liam Donald, OM2- Mercantile Angus Widdicombe Callum Nott, Tom OM2- Mercantile Hunt Callum Nott, Tom Hunt, Angus OM4- Mercantile Widdicombe, Liam Donald Patrick Boomer, Melbourne Simon Keenan, OM4- University Josh Dunkley- Composite Smith, Joshua Booth OLW1x Mercantile Meghan Hester Phoebe Wolf, Ciara Mercantile Ward, Teneille OLW4x Composite Linehan, Meghan Hester Redmond OLM1x Mercantile Matthews Michael OLM1x Mercantile McNamara OLM1x Mercantile Jayden Grey OLM1x Mercantile William Legge OLM1x Mercantile Carl Tomczak Jayden Grey, OLM2x Mercantile Michael McNamara Carl Tomczak, OLM4x Mercantile Redmond Matthews, Jayden Grey, Michael McNamara Carl Tomczak, Michael OLM4- Mercantile McNamara, Jayden Grey, William Legge Hugo Berry, Carl Tomczak, Oscar McGuinness, Jack Kelly, Michael Mercantile McNamara, OLM8+ Composite Redmond Matthews, Jayden Grey, William Legge, James Rook(c) U23W1x Mercantile Amanda Bateman U23W1x Mercantile Ria Thompson U23W1x Mercantile Gemma Sibillin U23W1x Mercantile Kate Duggan Amanda Bateman, U23W2x Mercantile Ria Thompson Siena Zamin, Annabelle Mercantile U23W4x McIntyre, Amanda Composite Bateman, Ria Thompson Phoebe Wolf, Michaella Ballas, India Mattocks, Ellie Tomanovits, U23W8+ Mercantile Kirsten Green, Skyla Froebel, Sophie Balson, Georgie Gleeson, Adelaide Cester(c) U23M1x Mercantile James Hoban U23M1x Mercantile Alexander Wolf Alexander Wolf, U23M2x Mercantile James Hoban Mitchell Hooper, Joel Cain, U23M4x Mercantile Alexander Wolf, James Hoban Alexander Clarke, U23M2- Mercantile Benjamin Canham Jack Wheeler, U23M2- Banks/Mercantile Angus Maloney Jack Wheeler, Mercantile Benjamin Canham, U23M4- Composite Alexander Clarke, Angus Maloney Ciara Ward, U23LW2x Banks/Mercantile Phoebe Wolf U21W1x Mercantile Michaella Ballas Michaella Ballas, U21W2x Mercantile Ellie Tomanovits Sophie Balson, U21W2- Mercantile Georgie Gleeson Kirsten Green, U21W2- Mercantile Skyla Froebel India Mattocks, U21W2- Mercantile Ellie Tomanovits Kirsten Green, Skyla Froebel, U21W4+ Mercantile Sophie Balson, Georgie Gleeson, Adelaide Cester(c) U21M1x Mercantile Joel Cain U21M1x Mercantile Mitchell Hooper Mitchell Hooper, U21M2x Mercantile Joel Cain U21LW1x Mercantile Phoebe Wolf
Senior selection trial nominees
Published 10th March 2018 The senior selection trials are underway and Mercantile members are involved.
Open Women Amanda Bateman
Addy Dunkley Smith
Katrina Werry
Jess Morrison
Open Men Liam Donald
Josh Dunkley Smith
Angus Widdicombe
Lightweight Men Michael McNamara
Coxswains James Rook
Sadly, Red Matthews has been injured and is not at the National Training Centre.
Moomba Closures
Updated 5th March 2018
Yes, it is that time again, Gloomba has arrived. Full details of closures can be found at: http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/715476/NTRUMoomba2018DRAFTClosur eTimes.pdf. In summary, Monday and Tuesday this week, the river closes from 9.00am to 4.30pm.
From Wednesday 7th March to Monday 12th it is effectively closed upstream.
Vehicle access:
Tuesday 6 March – 12pm Friday 9 March 2018.
• Soft road closure in place. • Vehicle access will be granted to Rowing Club Members to drop-off and pick-up athletes. • Limited parking available on North (river) side of Boathouse Drive – Standard fees apply.
12pm Friday 9 March – Monday 12 March 2018.
• Full road closure in place. • No vehicle access. • No parking.
Tuesday 13 March – Friday 16 March 2017.
• Unrestricted vehicle access. • Parking available on North (river) side of Boathouse Drive – Standard fees apply. State Championships Results
Published 4th March 2018
Some great wins on the weekend from many of our crews. With the nature of the national training centre program, the State Championships relied heavily upon our under 21 and under 23 rowers to take the lead.
Above: our dominating women’s youth eight
Above: On the podium with the President
Above: Men’s Open Eight winners
Above: Keep an eye out for Meghan Hester at the Nationals in the lightweight sculling. Celebrating her lightweight double win above
Above: Jayden Grey continues his good work in the lightweight scull
Above Pat McNamara congratulates Michael McNamara on his win
Above: Our Lightweight scullers show off their trophies
Above: Michael and Jayden battle the difficult conditions off the start in the double
Above: Looks pretty easy at the other end
Above: Our girls also had a good day in the sculling boats. The smiles say it all
Above: Our open women scullers
Men’s Pair winner Callum and Tom
Under 23 winners Benjamin Canham and Alexander Clarke
Above: Mercs takes out gold, silver and bronze in the B single on Sunday
Above: Silver in the Women’s B Pair
Above: Silver in Men’s B Pair
Older Mercantile Members Gather for Luncheon
Published 1st March 2018
A group of distinguished members gathered for lunch at the Sandringham Club recently for luncheon to discuss memories that probably should be forgotten. It was great to see Martin Owen in fine form.
Above: The happy throng at 3pm. From the left, Jim Adams, Steve Mollard, Ian Duthie, Jeff Lawrence, Mark Connolly, John Harry, Martin Owen, Andrew Briggs, Phil Ainsworth, Ken Marshall, Terry Phillips, David Bowen, Joe Joyce, Vicky Connolly, David Pincus, David Palfreyman
Good sense prevailed and no pictures of the end of the luncheon at 7.30pm were taken. State Championships Entries
Published 1st March 2018 Another huge entry from the Club.
Event Crew Athletes MO2- Mercantile Callum Nott, Tom Hunt Alexander Clarke, MU232- Mercantile Benjamin Canham Jack Wheeler, Angus MU232- Banks/Mercantile Maloney MLW1X Mercantile Michael McNamara MLW1X Mercantile Jayden Grey MLW1X Mercantile Carl Tomczak MLW1X Mercantile William Legge MLW1X Mercantile Redmond Matthews MO1X Mercantile Patrick Boomer MO1X Mercantile Alexander Kinsella MU231X Mercantile James Hoban MU231X Mercantile Alexander Wolf MU211X Mercantile Joel Cain MU211X Mercantile Mitchell Hooper MU211X Mercantile Max Parker Sophie Balson, Georgie FU212- Mercantile Gleeson Kirsten Green, Skyla FU212- Mercantile Froebel India Mattocks, Ellie FU212- Mercantile Tomanovits FO1X Mercantile Ria Thompson FO1X Mercantile Olivia Sibillin FO1X Mercantile Madeleine Thomas FO1X Mercantile Georgia Stewart FO1X Mercantile Fiona Albert FU231X Mercantile Amanda Bateman FU231X Mercantile Kate Duggan FU231X Mercantile Gemma Sibillin FU211X Mercantile Michaella Ballas FU211X Mercantile Phoebe Wolf FU211X Mercantile Mimi Tuddenham FLW1X Mercantile Meghan Hester Isaac Sanderson, Max Parker, Joel Cain, MU214+ Mercantile Mitchell Hooper, Jamima Jamieson(c) Redmond Matthews, Carl Tomczak, Angus Maloney, Patrick Boomer, Benjamin MO8+ Mercantile Canham, Alexander Clarke, Tom Hunt, Callum Nott, James Rook(c) Meghan Hester, Kate Duggan, Georgia Stewart, Gemma Sibillin, Amanda FO8+ Mercantile Bateman, Fiona Albert, Olivia Sibillin, Madeleine Thomas, Adelaide Cester(c) Alexander Kinsella, MO2X Mercantile James Hoban Jayden Grey, Michael MLW2X Mercantile McNamara MU212X Mercantile Joel Cain, Max Parker Amanda Bateman, Ria FO2X Mercantile Thompson Fiona Albert, Madeleine FO2X Mercantile Thomas Olivia Sibillin, Gemma FO2X Mercantile Sibillin Mercantile/Corio Meghan Hester, Teneille FLW2X Bay Linehan Phoebe Wolf, Michaella Ballas, India Mattocks, Ellie Tomanovits, Kirsten FU218+ Mercantile Green, Skyla Froebel, Sophie Balson, Georgie Gleeson, Adelaide Cester(c) Redmond Matthews, MO4- Mercantile Patrick Boomer, Tom Hunt, Callum Nott Jack Wheeler, Benjamin Mercantile MO4- Canham, Alexander Composite Clarke, Angus Maloney Carl Tomczak, Michael MLW4- Mercantile McNamara, Jayden Grey, William Legge Fiona Albert, Madeleine FO4X- Mercantile Thomas, Amanda Bateman, Ria Thompson David Crawshay, Patrick MO4X- Mercantile Boomer, Alexander Kinsella, James Hoban Ruby Lewis, Hannah FA2- Mercantile Lewis Alexander Kinsella, MA2X Mercantile James Hoban MB1X Mercantile William Legge MB1X Mercantile Carl Tomczak MB1X Mercantile Alexander Wolf MB1X Mercantile Joel Cain MB1X Mercantile Mitchell Hooper MB1X Mercantile Max Parker Ruby Lewis, Hannah FD2X Mercantile Lewis Alexander Kinsella, James Hoban, Alexander Wolf, Max Parker, Joel MA8+ Mercantile Cain, Mitchell Hooper, William Legge, Carl Tomczak, Jamima Jamieson(c)
Member Profiles
Published 1st February 2018
Each month more profiles are added. Did you read the story on the great George Xouris?
We wish to record profiles of all current and past members so please submit others to [email protected]. Subject to editorial review, they will be published with the author’s name and date. Tuesday night masters ergo night
Republished 1st February 2018
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 February 2018 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