Condolences
RIP Shirley Clark Shirley Clark, long time wife of the late Les Clark (former AWRC Patron, Life Member, President and Legendary Wanganui Rowing Personality) sadly passed away and was fare welled last week.
Shirley was connected to, and strongly supported the Aramoho Boating Club, following her marriage to Les in the 1940’s.
Both of Les and Shirley’s sons Ross (Dec) and Glen(Dec) competed under ABC colours in the 1960’s and 1970’s, and Grandson, Kaden Clark has also been a talented oarsman and coach at AWRC.
Our thoughts are with Shirley’s Family. RIP Phyllis Upchurch Sadly, we also record the loss of Phyllis Upchurch who also passed away recently. Phyllis was married to the late Dave Upchurch, a long time rower and supporter of the former Aramoho Boating Club, and was mother to Life Member and current Master Rower, Tony Upchurch.
Events
“This Is Your Life” Peter (Oscar) Smith
On a happier note, 82 people enjoyed the ambience of our refurbished Oarsman Lounge, last Saturday Evening, where we recognised the wonderful attributes of our long standing Life Member and Rowing Coach, Oscar Smith.
Surprisingly, secrecy around this event was maintained from Oscar who coped admirably under the circumstances, as MC Ewen Noble recounted many of Oscars Family, Railways, Rugby and Rowing highlights of this young 86 year old!
Various speakers spoke of the impact that Oscar has had in their lives and a number of written tributes were read out from invitees who were unable to attend. A sumptuous 3 course meal was provided by our In House Caterer, Carolyn Wills, and our bar enjoyed a brisk trade until the wee hours!
Oscar has asked me to thank to all who organised and contributed toward this event, and we would like to particularly note the generous contribution of former ABC Cox and Rower, Dave Corney.
The evening was videoed and if anyone would like to have a copy via disk or memory stick, these can be obtained for a modest cost from Alan Luff. Photo of Oscar and MC Ewen attached. South Island Masters Regattas- Queens Birthday Weekend-Reporter Brocky
Conditions chilly, water pan flat and fast on lake Hayes, about 300 rowers present, 50% up on last year.
Standard very high, especially amongst the younger age groups with several ex internationals treating it as a catch up reunion weekend.
AWRC performed well with 3 gold, 4 silver and a bronze from a contingent of four: Trevor Rush, Colin Wright, Murray Stewart and Richard Brock. A couple of ex club members also turned out in the AWRC colours in the mixed doubles - Chris Johnson and Kelsi Campbell who now reside in the South Island.
South Island Masters was a very well organised weekend, with the after match dinner a sell-out, held at Coronet Peak Ski Field.
The event next year will be held at lake Hood, Ashburton. Congratulations to Reeve Watson Our WHS Novice. Reeve Watson, featured this week in the Chronicle after outstanding successes at the NZ National Open One Dance Championships with dance partner, fellow WHS Student, Jared Sim.
Reeve and Jared were the youngest competitors and came away with 14 First Place Medals, as well as many Second and Third Placings.
Well done Reeve – Racing at rowing for 2000 metres will be a doddle after that! Winter Series 9 of the 34 crews in the 2nd Winter Series held on the Whanganui River last weekend were from AWRC.
Garth Hammond competed for the Whanganui Outrigger Club and was in the crew which finished first with a prognostic time of 89% for the 6k event.
Best AWRC crew were our Masters 4- of Murray Stewart, James Kilminster, Martin Bridger and Colin Wright who finished 5th.
Note- Next Winter Series race has been brought forward a week to Sunday 7 July. Adult Learn To Rowers Our “learn to row” group of adults have now concluded their program.
Pleasingly 10 of the group have elected to continue in our club which will bring the average age of our Masters down considerably!
Welcome to you all! Royal Henley Regatta
AWRC will be represented at Henley on the Thames from 3-7 July when Tom Monaghan, Luke Watts, Hamish Maxwell and Hugh Pawson will contest the Wyfold Mens 4-. This historic Trophy, which was presented in 1874, is competed for by 32 seeded entrants. Plant has been arranged from the Fulham Reach Boat Club.
A farewell function has been arranged at our Oarsman Lounge on Saturday 22nd at 7:30pm. The Bar will be open so please bring cash if you wish to utilise. (Our modern communication system will enable Super 15 Rugby Tragics to view the Quarter Final: Hurricanes vs Bulls) World Rowing Cup II, Poznan, Poland Our NZ crews have disembarked for Europe to contest World Cup II 21-23 June. Included are our own Kerri Gowler (W2-); Jackie Gowler (W8); and Chris Harris (M2X) Hopefully, this regatta will be precursor for high finishes at the later World Rowing Championships this year which will see our crews qualifying for Tokyo Olympics next year.
Other Notes
Club Cleanliness
Observant members will have noted that liquid soap and paper towel dispensers have been placed in the 4 upstairs bathrooms – Thanks to Bruce Osborne and Alan Luff. Jaimee Bridger has kindly updated the Club Cleaning Roster which is on upstairs/downstairs Notice Boards. PLEASE note when your group is expected to discharge their duties to keep our Club up to a high standard of hygiene and cleanliness. Ever Wonder Where Your Subscriptions Go? At our Monthly Committee Meeting last week, accounts totalling $5,800 were approved for payment!
These included monthly Insurance payment ($2331.00), Phone/Internet, Security, Fire Compliance, Fire Alarm Callout (due to two Steamy Rush Ladies), Boat Fuel, Rubbish bags/hand soap, Croker Oars Repairs ($515), erg batteries, miscellaneous gym/boat repair parts, gas and electricity. 2019/2020 Subscriptions Your Committee has recommended the following subs be set for this season for approval at forthcoming AGM (Note: Rowing NZ have maintained the RNZ fee at $92.00 which is included where appropriate): Associate $50 Active Life Member $92 Master $592 Coxswain $292 School/Club $692 Novice $492 Tertiary $592 2nd Family Member $492 Social $200 Members are reminded that active member Subscriptions MUST be paid by 30 November as per our Constitution.
If instalments are intended, these must be fully paid by 30 November.
Many of this years novices and adult LTRs have already paid some fees already. These pre-payments will be deducted from the above total subs.
There is no need to wait for an invoice from our busy Treasurer- payments can be paid directly to the Clubs Westpac Account 03-0791-0543270-00.(As NIKE says: “Just do it”)
Fundraising
Fund Raiser 1- Ergathon To keep our subscriptions as low as possible, we have two fundraising activities planned, the first being a Marathon Ergathon, where AWRC Teams will compete for the honour of being the first across the line over a full marathon distance of 42.195Kms.
Each rower will compete a number of times over a set distance ie A Team of 10 could have 4 series of 1000metres each, or 8 series of 500 metres each = 40km with some concluding the last 2195 metres.
We would look for each rower to seek sponsorship.
The date will be Saturday 30 August which will enable our Masters to take part without burning out, before they head to NZ Rowing Masters Competition a couple of weeks later! 9:00am – 1:00pm at the Clubhouse Fundraiser 2 We are looking to run a 100 Club which will be drawn at the same event. What is a 100 Club? We sell 100 tickets at $100 = $10,000 and return 50% as Prizes. 1st Prize $2500; 2nd $500; 20 prizes of $100 ( so chance of getting money back better than 20%)
AWRC has about 75 members so we are looking for at least one ticket sale per member. Rather than families paying further, this is the chance to tap into wealthy relations and charitable next door neighbours!
More info soon on both events... Contacting Head Coach Jane Jane can be messaged on email at trainwithjane10@gmail.com and on her mobile 02102347255.
It was disappointing today (Sunday 16 June) that 7 anticipated attendees failed to attend which meant Jane had to totally re plan crews. Those who did attend are delayed and all our coaches are inconvenienced.
While attendance is voluntary and many had indicated they were unavailable, it would be courteous to notify the day before if you were scheduled to come to training and can no longer be there on any given day.
Note that Jane resides in the outer reaches of suburbia and cell phone coverage is patchy but messages ultimately get through.
Mondays are also Janes “Day of Rest” currently, as we were finding that the obligation for her to work 7 days a week may be in breach of the Geneva Convention! WHS Rowing Information Meeting Wednesday 26 June at 6:00pm in Oarsman Lounge (at conclusion of training for Tuesday Night Off Water Trainers)
All WHS rowers and parents are requested to attend.
Nibbles provided and bar will be open for those who need to quench thirsts (soft drinks available also) AWRC Prizegiving This is a must for everyone’s social calendars! Saturday 13 July Commences 5:45pm Ceremonies: 6:30pm Kai: Pot Luck Dinner Bar Open/Non Alcoholic beverages available. MC: James Sandston (AKA ‘Simon Cowles of Entertainment’) BE THERE! AWRC AGM Monday 29 July at 7:00pm in our very own Oarsman Lounge. All members are expected to attend. Please support YOUR club!
Final Comments Head Coach Jane wishes it to be known that her NZ driving style is not derived from USA, despite her unique ability to attract the attention of our Traffic Enforcement Agencies!!!!
Cheers,
Grader Howells
Secretary
Aramoho Whanganui Rowing Club
