JULY 2020 NEWS
Provided by your faithful correspondent Trident.
Past News can be found via the links on the right of this page
Above: winter training at Mercs (pre current restrictions)
News covered this month:
• How are members rowing through COVID? • Latest COVID restrictions • Farewell Mitch and Welcome Alistair • New Safety Officers appointed • Past Captain Marty O'Halloran in the news • Member in the news - James Tomkins • Special General Meeting 20th August 2020 • Just a great image • HRR this year • Vale Steve Hinchy • Vale Kevin Wickham • Pandemic measures update • Plenty of action at the Club • New website and how to use • Current pandemic rowing restrictions • Beware of dredging equipment • Member news - Paul Schreier • Member profile – Doug Donoghue, an esteemed member
How are our members rowing through COVID?
Published 24th July 2020
With community sport shut down and severe restrictions in force (see below), our young rowers are still training.
Daily our rowers go out in groups of two to train under the supervision of our coaches. The arrangements are undertaken with military precision to ensure only two people are in the boat storage area.
Training in winter in groups of two scullers is a challenge being met
Coach Dylan Curnow on the right as caught by The Age - photo Simon Schluter
At least there is plenty of personalised coaching
And no issue with river traffic
The latest guidelines released this week have tightened the arrangements yet further. Only professional coaches can take out the scullers. Mercantile is best placed than any club in Victoria to manage this but it is still very restrictive.
Club equipment is placed out with our rowers and ergo tests are being done remotely. Cycling and running competitions augment their training. It is innovative and excellent training.
Congratulations to our rowers and coaches.
Go Mercs.
Latest COVID Restrictions
Published 24th July 2020
The following is the latest restrictions placed upon rowing clubs.
Rowing Clubs within Metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire are advised to remain closed.
Rowing Victoria acknowledges The Victorian Governments statement to again implement Stage 3 restrictions as of 8/7/20 for a 6-week period.
However Rowing Victoria is pleased to announce that through communication with the VicSport/Sports & Recreation Victoria advisory panel, Parks Victoria and Marine Safety Victoria, Rowing may return to Metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire in a limited capacity.
Rowing Victoria is working with the VIS to ensure increased training opportunities for those athletes who have been classified as High-Performance athletes by the VIS and VPP.
Face Coverings
From 11:59pm on Wednesday 22 July, when leaving home people 12 years and older must wear a face covering, unless an exemption applies.
You are not required to wear a face covering whilst rowing. You will be required to wear it until you enter your boat and will need to put it back on when leaving your boat. You will also be required to carry it with you whilst on the water.
For all other rowers in order to be eligible for Marine Safety’s PFD exemption and to be covered by the Australian Rowing National Insurance Program rowers must comply with the following guidelines.
• A professional coach must be present and responsible for no more than 2 rowers.
o VicSport have advised us that in order to receive the ‘personal trainer’ exemption the coach responsible must be a professional (paid) coach and cannot be a volunteer.
• The coach/supervisor/trainer must be able to enact the clubs Safety Management Plan (without access to the club)
• Equipment is not shared, rented or required to be accessed from inside of the club.
• No indoor facilities or shared facilities (except toilets) are used.
• People must be able to keep 1.5 metres distance between each other.
• Each group of two must maintain 100 meters distance from all other people. • If you live in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire, you cannot travel outside of the area to exercise or for outdoor recreation.
Parks Victoria have informed that no landings, jetties or other infrastructure on the Yarra or Maribyrnong will be closed at this time.
Farewll Mitch and Welcome Alistair
Published 23rd July 2020
Once again Mercantile is providing the rowing community with the best coaches on the water.
Our assistant coach Nick Mitchell has taken up the position of head of rowing at Xavier. Mitch finished up at the club at the end of the month.
Mitch is a long time member of the Mercantile family and has represented Victoria as an oarsman and coach. He led our coaching program in 2018 and 2019 and has an exemplary record of success both at club and representative level.
In 2019 he coached Australia's coxed IV to gold at the World Under 23 Rowing Championships in the US. He’s also had another career as a professional cyclist so he brings some serious sports knowledge to his new job.
We look forward to Mitch continuing to play a role in the club and we wish him all the very best at Xavier.
The club is very pleased to announce Mitch’s successor is Alistair Matthews.
Al joins us after a four year stint as Head Coach Rowing at Melbourne Girls Grammar. He’s had a long and successful career as a coach in Australia and South Africa. He’s also coached national crews so he knows what success is and how to achieve it.
Originally from Sydney, Al was Youth Development Coach at Sydney University Boat Club for 2 years during which he was selected to coach the AUS Junior Men's 4X at the 2013 Junior World Championships and on the 2014 AUS U21 Team. Al then ventured to South Africa coaching at Rhodes University and St Andrews College to great success.
"Mercantile RC has such a proud history in rowing not only in Australia but internationally, I'm really excited to be joining such a strong coaching team and help develop the amazing current and future athletes of the club.”
New Safety Officers Appointed
Published 25th July 2020
The Committee has appointed Angus Maloney and Alistair Mattehews as the new Club Safety Officers. They are reviewing the Club's Safety Management Plan and will reissue it shortly.
Thanks Gus and Al for taking on this important responsibility.
Past Captain Marty O'Halloran in the news
Published 23rd july 2020 Congratulations to past Captain Marty O'Halloran who has been appointed Chief Executive of the ad giant DDB Worldwide. He has been in charge of DDB Australia and New Zealand for the past 15 years, based in Auckland New Zealand.
Marty was a good oar winning a King's Cup in 1985 and taking the bow seat of the Austraalia eight that year.
Marty was always innovative. As Captain, Marty and his old mate Billy Canty, solved the Club's financial problems of the time by running Mercantile Galas for young people. Without the benefit of social media, they attracted large crowds and much raucous and fun behaviour. Your correspondent was called into assist and put away his usual risk management assessments for the good of the party.
In his Australia and New Zealand role, he was very innovative with significant investments in data and technology. It is reported that he has been tasked with transforming the worldwide group by exploiting its creative work, alongside data and technology.
Well done Marty and best wishes in your new role.
Go Mercs
Medmber in the news - James Tomkins
Published 24th July 2020
The following article was published on the FISA website this week under the heading "What happened to... James Tomkins"
James Tomkins is Australia’s most-awarded rower ever. He is a seven-time World Champion and a three-time Olympic gold medallist. With a career spanning six Olympic Games and 23 years, Tomkins name is practically synonymous with Australian rowing. World Rowing caught up with him to find out what he is up to now.
Drew and James taking gold in 2004 at Athens
Tomkins currently lives in Melbourne, Australia with his family. He works in financial services for UBS and has maintained his fast-paced life beyond his international rowing career.
“Having come from such a competitive environment and career, I think everyone needs something significant outside of normal life to aim for. Whether to run a marathon, or do a big bike ride, learn a musical instrument or a new language. Something that you’ve actually got to devote some time for. Especially rowers and athletes who have already done that, it’s a natural extension to do that later in life. It’s certainly what I’ve found that I’m doing,” Tomkins says.
He is currently training for a race in Hawaii, that was postponed due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Laughing, he says the rowing world probably won’t like it.
“I’m now kayaking,” he says. “I’m going forward now and I’m doing a big race in Hawaii where you paddle from one Hawaiian Island to another, it’s 54 kilometres.”
Tomkins says he enjoys going forward, and while it’s completely different, it is also fantastic just to be back on the water.
But Tomkins has not drifted too far from the sport of rowing. He serves on the Australian Olympic Committee and is also a member of the International Olympic Committee Athlete Commission. Recently, he has started advising the rowing programme at his daughters’ school.
“I got involved to calm the whole thing down and make it fun again. I really, really enjoy being involved. And just to encourage that it can be fun and you can still go fast,” Tomkins says. And he still does get into a rowing boat every ‘now and again’. Last year he competed at the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston, USA.
“The great thing about going to Boston was to see all the people that used to race, race against, but also just people that were racing around that same time.”
Looking back on his career, Tomkins has a myriad of good memories. He says the reason he kept rowing for so long was a combination of fun, rowing with his best mates, travel and having balance with work.
“When I look back I think wow, what a fantastic time. One, you’re rowing with some of your best mates. Two, you are representing your county and three, you get to travel around the world. It’s all of that that I look back on.”
“That’s what everyone talks about is that balanced life, which then helps with transition. I had already started my career while competing, which made the transition really easy and that’s the reason I competed as long as I did,” Tomkins explains.
But he also recognises that the key component is an understanding coach. While athletes know the importance of balance, coaches are often paid for results, Tomkins explains. “There is a bit of tension between the two. You need an understanding coach,” he says.
Looking to the future, Tomkins does not plan to make many changes, but he does have a bit of advice for the younger generation.
“My advice would be to make sure you’re having fun in whatever you’re doing, at whatever level. If it’s not fun, you’re not going to do it well. Secondly, try and have some balance in life. And third, surround yourself with really good people. And make the most of it, because you’re a long time retired.”
Special General Meeting - 20th August 2020
Published 20th July 2020
Notice of the special general meeting to approve a new constitution has been sent to members. For details, log onto the website and see the details in the Documents tab under constitution.
Just a great image
Published 5th July 2020
Not news really, just a great image of a recent early morning preparation for rowing during COVID-19.
Early morning preparations for rowing at the Club during COVID-19
HRR this year
Published 4th July 2020
Although the Henley Royal Regatta was not conducted this year, at least one member Sean Colgan maintained his annual Irish night dinner this year, albeit a shortened affair. He is lamenting that the usual Mercs dinner will not be taking place.
Love the tie and cap Sean
Vale Steve Hinchy
Published 8th July 2020
Whilst not a Club member, we are deeply saddened by the death today of Rowing Australia great Dr Stephen Hinchy. He was a good friend to many Club members.
Our sincere condolences to his wife Barbara and their daughter.
A profile of Steve's great contribution to the sport can be found at: https://www.rowinghistory-aus.info/rower-profiles/hinchy-stephen.
Vale Kevin Wickham
Published 8th July 2020
Sadly we advise the death of Kevin Wickham who died on 4th July 2020. Whilst he was primarily a Banks member, he spent a season at Mercantile assisting Phil Cayzer with a young junior eight. That crew were greatly improved by his contribution.
We send our sincere condolances to his family and we mourn his passing.
A profile of Kevin's sporting life can be found in our member profiles or through the following link: https://www.rowinghistory-aus.info/rower-profiles/wickham-kevin.
Pandemic measure update
Published 2nd July 2020
The Victorian Government advised that certain “hotspot” suburbs in Melbourne will experience Stage 3 restrictions again. Unfortunately this means that until at least 29th July, if you live in these locations, there will again only be four reasons to be out - shopping for food and supplies, care and caregiving, exercise, and study or work – if you can’t do the latter from home.
Despite exercise being being an approved activity, if you live in these areas, we recommend that you observe the lock down. We do not want a Mercantile cluster.
Go Mercs.
Plenty of action at the Club
Published 1st July 2020
For those who might erroneously think not much is happening at the moment, think again. There is a huge amount of training going on.
For our over 18 year old members, they are restricted to sculling and off water work. There is plenty happening there and one could be forgiven for thinking the Club is the Mercantile cycling and sculling club!
For our 18 and under rowers, there are no on water restrictions. On last Saturday we had numerous eights out on the water as well as scullers. The Club's recruiting campaign and winter training for school aged athletes is in full swing. Well done to our coaches, ably led by Mike McKay.
Even breakfasts are back on again at the Clubhouse with the usual number restrictions imposed upon us. Go Mercs.
New website 1st July 2020
Published 1st July 2020
The Club has implementing a new member management system and associated website on 1st July 2020. Members will be receiving emails to establish their access to the new system.
Why introduce a new system?
• member self service – members can update of their own details and add a photo of themselves. • booking of boats and oars – the purpose being to get more use out of our equipment and to provide wider access to equipment to all members • safety management improvements through boat bookings • member communication system to enable more and better targeted communications with members • e-commerce and payments gateway • a Mercantile on-line shop • if we can overcome some functional changes, members statements and financials all on-line. • calendar function for events at Clubhouse
This is an important step forward in making the Club’s facilities more accessible to members and improving member communications.
As part of the migration to the new system, all member profiles have been migrated to the Australian Rowing History website, all 180 or more of them. The number of profiles grow by the day and will reach 200 shortly. If you want to be recognised on the Australian Rowing History website, send your profile to the Secretary at [email protected].
So what does this mean to me?
• When you receive your login details by email, please set your password and log onto update your details. Also, please add a photo. Your member account is also online. • Membership level - are you on the best membership level for your needs? • If you want to go for a row, book your boat and oars online - high performance squad do not have to book equipment set aside for that group's sole use. • Online shop - go shopping and kit yourself out with Mercs gear. • Have a look around and see what the new website offers.
Boat booking rules.
• Boats and oars not used within 15 minutes of booking time are then available for anyone to use. • Boats and oars not used when booked is not good form given that the equipment cannot be used by others. Disciplinary action may be taken for eglar breaches. • Permission is required to use boats set aside for sole use by the high-performance group. • As others will be using the equipment after you, any breakages need to be remedied immediately. Rob Manning needs to be advised immediatley and also noted on the notice boards set up for that purpose in the boat shed.
Current rules for rowing
Republished 1st July 2020
Rowers 18 years and younger can now row in crew boats. Sadly all other rowers must continue in sculling boats. The next revision of the rules is scheduled for 13th July.
Beware of the dredging equipment
Republished 1st July 2020
Now that the dredging of the staging is completed, the dredge is on the move. Given the vast areas of the river it occupies, it is dangerous.
Member News - Paul Schreier
Published 1st July 2020
Paul raced with the Club back in the 1980s and retained his membership ever since. Last year he assisted our Henley tour by assisting with tickets.
He raced in the Club's successful junior four under the tutelege of Phil Ainsworth in the late 1980s and has been living England for most of his life since. He raced with the likes of Pete Somerville, the Begley brothers and Simon Morrison.
Paul sends his greetings to the Club and has moved house to a country property outside Oxford. Thank you Paul for your continued support of the Club. He exemplifies the motto of once a member always a member.
From the Vaults – Doug Donoghue, an esteemed current member
Published 1st July 2020
Recently Club member Doug Donoghue AM was made a life member of Rowing Australia. He is one of the most understated members of the Australian rowing community. His contribution has been significant and valued. It was his work in 1995 and 1996 which has drawn your correspondent's greatest interest. It was a time when Rowing Australia was saved by the AIS and the AOC and the high performance arm of the sport was taken over by them. The committee of three who ran the high performance arm of the sport comprised Doug Donoghue, John Boultbee and Matthew Draper.
This committee turned around Australia's fortune dramatically from being a lowly rowing nation in 1995 to the most successful rowing nation at the Olympic Games and recording great success in the under age teams. It was a superb effort. Even your correspondent was dragged out of retirement to manage the 1996 Olympic team.
A new rowing profile of Doug is now available in member profiles.
It is very interesting story.
Past News can be found via the links at the top right of this page