Newsletter 1, 2018 Established 1962 Union of Oarswomen continues to support schoolgirl rowing The Union sponsors a number of schoolgirl events at the Combined High Schools Championships as well as the Schoolgirl Head of the River regattas. These sponsorships aim to reward schoolgirl achievement as well as recognise past luminaries of womens rowing in NSW, such as Betty Spurling, Rose Evans, Rita Goldie and Merv Perry. The photo above is of the medallists in the Under 16 coxed quad sculls. The event won by Sydney Girls High School, shown here with the Rita Goldie Trophy, which had just been presented by Rita s son. More on the regattas on pages 3-4. North Shore Rowing Club will host our 2018 Friendship Day for a second year. There will be an opportunity for attendees to have a row at 10.00am. Last year we boated an 8+ for a lengthy row up the Lane Cove River. Hopefully we can do the same, or more, this year. There will be a morning tea at around 11.00am, a meeting at 11.30 and lunch at 1.00pm. The address of the North Shore Rowing Club is Aquatic Park, Mary Street, Longueville. Enter through Aquatic Park from Mary St. The club is at the bottom of the stairs at the western end of the car park. To assist with catering please RSVP by 29 May to Wendy Tomlinson : wendy.tomlinson2@gmail.com
2017 AGM Report At the Annual General Meeting 03 December 2017 the following committee was elected for 2018. President: Sue Carew Vice President: Katie Kershaw Secretary: Shirley Stokes Treasurer Helen Ritchie Committee Members: Rose-Marie Hillier, Therese Clancy & Wendy Tomlinson In her report to members the outgoing President Shirley Stokes noted: the Union as an affiliate is covered by RowingNSW insurance the Union held two events for members, its AGM & lunch as well as a Friendship Day incorporating a row, lunch and General Meeting supported schoolgirl and masters womens rowing through sponsorship of events at the Combined High Schools Championship, Schoolgirl Head of the River & NSW masters Championship regattas. with face to face level 1 coaching courses no longer on offer there is an opportunity for the Union to find new areas of sponsorship. The Treasurer, Helen Ritchie, advised that the Union has a healthy balance with $2728.26 in its operating account with Westpac and $4829.94 in a term deposit account with St George Bank. Total funds are $7558.82. Other decisions at the meeting: sponsor para women and support Invictus Games organise Masters women training day, especially for upper age groups (a flyer will be sent shortly about this, scheduled for June 16 at Leichhardt Rowing Club organise tour of National Training Centre at Penrith (undertaken recently and very successful. Report at Friendship Day and in the next Bulletin investigate possibility of Laurie Crowley trophy to be awarded to womens 4+ at Sydney Head of the River investigate giving momentos to winners of Union sponsored events. Sue Carew Elected President of Union of Oarswomen Sue joined Sydney Women s MLC Rowing Club in 2002. Her rowing highlights are being selected for the NSW State Masters Eight in 2006 and 2007, a fantastic rowing experience for her. She has participated in three World Masters Games: Edmonton, Canada, Sydney and Torino, Italy winning a bronze in Sydney in a mixed four. She also rowed in the FISA masters world rowing regatta in Zagreb, Croatia which she describes as a wonderful experience. She has served her club as a committee member, secretary and vice president over the period and been involved with the NSW Union of Oarswomen for 8 years. 2
Combined High Schools Championships Monday 26 February 2018 A soggy start to a day s racing at the Sydney International Regatta Centre (SIRC) did not dampen the enthusiasm of competitors, coaches and devoted parents. For many of the young rowers, it was their first experience competing at the Olympic venue. The Union was represented by Sue Carew our President; Wendy Tomlinson, a Life Member and committee member; Fran Kelleher from the Hunter area and Philip and Margaret Goldie son and daughter in law of the late Rita Goldie. On Sunday 25th a CHS athlete function was held at Sydney Boys High School s Great Hall with a delicious luncheon and a guest speaker Leah Saunders. Leah had rowed for her school Maclean High School and is now currently at the National Women s Rowing Training Centre at Penrith. She spoke to us about endeavours achieved during her career, including gaining a Bachelor in Occupational Therapy and the importance of friendship and family. Sue Carew, our President was seated at the top table and was thus able to discuss our visit to the Training Centre. Fran Kelleher Women s Under15 Coxed Quad Sculls (NSW Union of Oarswomen s Trophy) 1st -Sydney Girls High School 2nd - North Sydney Girls High School 3rd - Sydney Girls High School Women s Under 16 Coxed Quad Sculls - The Rita Goldie Trophy (Trophy presented by Philip Goldie on behalf of his family and the Union). 1st Sydney Girls High School 2nd Sydney Girls High School 3rd North Sydney Girls High School Championship Women s Single Sculls (Merv Perry Trophy) 1st - Schofield Sydney GHS 2nd Maxime Franz Sydney Secondary College 3rd Clara Samms Maclean High School Women s Under 16 Single Scull The NSW Union of Oarswomen 1st Aimee Wagner Blaxland HS 2nd Zoe Reid Sydney Secondary College 3rd Jacquie Ryan Sydney GHS Our member, Fran Kelleher, (pictured opposite) presented a beautiful trophy in memory of her late husband Brian to Sydney Boys HS for the Men s Championship Men s Coxed Four. Sue Carew with medallists in the Championship Single Sculls event. 3
Schoolgirl Head of the River Saturday 3 March 2018 Report by Katie Kershaw & Wendy Tomlinson The regatta at the Sydney International Regatta Centre began with an impressive row by Rosie Tunstall from PLC Sydney in the Schoolgirl Para Single Scull Recreational 500 m. It seems that every year the Schoolgirl Double Scull produces an exceptional race with outstanding winners. This year, the Pymble Ladies crew of Maddison Everingham and Leith Greig-Connor gave an example of near perfect rowing to win easily. The Betty Spurling Golden Scull race was exciting to start with but, eventually, Nicela Martincic from St.Scholastica s showed her class and drew away from the field to win easily with Zoe Hilliar from John Paul College second and Andrea Brushett from Trinity Catholic College third. A wide range of entries made this race particularly interesting with competitors from Barker College, Sydney Secondary College, Northern Secondary College, PLC Sydney and Tara. Note that Martincic (above) also won gold at NSW State and Australian Championships in SG1x as well as a bronze at the State Championships U19 1x representing Glebe. The Schoolgirl First VIII was an exciting, closely contested race until the final 200 metres when the Pymble Ladies crew managed to pull ahead from Queenwood to win by three seconds with Loreto Normanhurst third. The Rose Evans Memorial trophy was presented to enthusiastic cheers from a large group of supporters. The Pymble 8+ also won Gold at the NSW and Australian Championships. (Medallists pictured below). The Union s Vice President Katie Kershaw and Committee Member Wendy Tomlinson attended the regatta on our behalf. Wendy presented the Rose Evans Memorial Trophy and Katie the Betty Spurling Memorial Golden Sculls to the respective winning crews. 4
By becoming a member of our Union you will support women and schoolgirls rowing in NSW. By attending one of our meetings you can help shape our actions to support its goals. The last Annual General Meeting modified the goals of the Union. The revised goals are: To preserve and promote the interests of women in rowing through advocacy and representation To support schoolgirl rowing in New South Wales To promote and support women in rowing, including attaining leadership roles To promote and publicise achievements of women in rowing To assist at the staging of selected regattas. Joining the NSW Union of Oarswomen Inc. If not already a member for 2017-2018 please consider joining the Union. We do a lot with our fees and rely on our members' support. Annual Membership fees: $30 Concession: $20 Schoolgirl: $10 You can pay three ways (see below) by cash, cheque or electronic payment. 1. You may join at the Friendship Day. Please complete the following and bring with you. Name: Address: Post Code : Telephone Mobile Email Club associated with Fee sent (Circle): Full Membership: $30 Concession: $20 Schoolgirl: $10 2. You can complete the above form and post your cheque, payable to NSW Union of Oarswomen Inc. to: Helen Ritchie, 12 Dalton Road, Mosman 2088. OR 3. You can arrange an electronic Transfer to: NSW Union of Oarswomen Inc. Bank: Westpac BSB: 032 197 Account Number: 149998 Identify with your Surname followed by your given name e.g. Smith Mary 5