Barbara Hammond becomes an Aramoho Whanganui Rowing Club Life Member!
Barbara Hammond became only the second woman to be awarded Life Membership of the Aramoho Whanganui Rowing Club at the recent 36th Annual General Meeting of the Club.
Barbs contribution and dedication to the Club since she became involved on the Committee in 2004 supporting both daughter Candice and son Ben when they joined the rowing club.
During this time Barb has served as a Committee Member, a role in which she continues to serve, and Vice President.
In her fund-raising capacity Barb has been extremely energised, pursuing various trusts and organising various activities to benefit the Club financially – over the years and working with Annie Pawson these endeavours have yielded a massive amount, without which the Club would have struggled to remain viable.
Barb has also led the Clubs publicity with contacts across our local media and Newsletters.
She has been “Camp Mother” for regattas, and a willing “Kitchen Goddess” for the various functions held at the Club.
The Hammonds have also been prepared to offer beds to “homeless” rowers over the years.
Our Club is indebted to the service Barb has provided over such a long period and the conferring of Life Membership was endorsed at our AGM.
Barb is congratulated by her proud husband Garth and our re-appointed President Tom Monaghan.
Axel Dickinson appointed as AWRC Director of Rowing
Our Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Axel Dickinson to the role of Director of Rowing.
Axel commenced his rowing at the Petone Rowing Club/Hutt Valley High School, progressing into New Zealand crews with distinction.
After retiring from elite rowing after the Rio Olympics Axel has focussed on coaching with successes at Petone Rowing Club, Hinksey Sculling School (Oxford, UK), St Pauls Collegiate, Waikato Rowing Club and most recently Hamilton Girls High School.
We are very fortunate to obtain the services of Axel as our Club endeavours to rebuild following the pandemic frustrations of the past two years.
A big welcome to Axel and his fiancée Georgia, to the delights of Whanganui and our river which has produced so many champions!
August Winter Series
Finally, some racing took place in the Blinkhorne Carroll Winter Series on 14 August with 16 boats and wakas competing over the 6k Course. The strong current resulted in slow times with Horowhenua’s Bruce Tate and Kevin Horan winning with 87.3 % prognostic score in their Masters F2X.
Best finishing AWRC crew were our Womens Club Quad pictured below, of Charlotte Matthews, Brooke Hamilton, Messina Su’a and Nicola Goss who were in 4th place with an elapsed time of 24:41.15 giving them an overall score of 82.23%.
Our Olympians
Thanks to Bruce Osborne, Murray Carey and Uppy, the Clubs 8 Olympians photos now feature on the wall of our Club Lounge.
Pictured from the left are: Ted Johnson (1952), John O’Brien (1952), Colin Johnstone (1952/56), Ben Hammond (2012), Chris Harris (2012/16/20), Kerri Gowler (2016/20), Jackie Gowler 2016/20), Georgia Nugent-O’Leary (2020)
It is also worth noting also that 50 years ago on 3 September 1972, our Wanganui Rowing Club developed athlete Trevor Coker, made history as a member of the NZ Gold Medal Eight at the Munich Olympics. Trevor was “stolen” by the Avon Rowing Club in the 1971/72 rowing season, so was a member of that Club in 1972.
RIP Vic Reu
Vic Reu passed away recently and was a member of the Wanganui Rowing Club in the 1950’s.
He was in the 5 seat of the Maiden Eight which won the NZ Event in 1958 and was the only member from Wanganui Rowing Club to be selected in the Wanganui Association Provincial Eight that year.
Vic was also a prominent rugby player and Life Member of the Kaierau Rugby Club.
Our condolences are extended to his wife Pat and their wider family.
RIP Colin Simonson
Colin passed away recently at the age of 92.
Also known as “Merc”, Colin was a member of the Aramoho Boating Club in the 1944-50’s, featuring in the winning Youth Eight in 1949 at the NZ Championships.
He also was prominent in the Club Races of the day, ie Tesla Fours 1949, and both the Bridges Doubles and Stokes Doubles in 1954.
A brother to Aramoho Boating Club “Red Coat” Des Simonson, Colin was still residing in his home in Aramoho and a frequent spectator at our local regattas on the Whanganui River.
Coming Up
Sunday 11 September – Final Winter Series 6KM Race (After Match hosted by AWRC)
Saturday 17 -Sunday 18 September – NZ Masters Regatta, Lake Karapiro.
Sunday 18 Sunday 25 September – World Rowing Championships (featuring Kerri Williams) Racice, Czech Republic.
Friday 23 and Saturday 24 NZ Universities Regatta – Aramoho. (AWRC are organising Saturday Evening Festivities).
Saturday 1 October – North Island Inter Provincials at Clive, Hawkes Bay.
Quote of the Month
“I refuse to be a member of any club that would have me as a member” Groucho Marx
