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Moonah resident Glenn Luttrell challenged himself to climb kunanyi / Mount Wellington every day for a week

Glenn’s Movember mountain mission

Mackenzie Archer

DURING Movember, Moonah resident and long-time Metro employee Glenn Luttrell set himself a major challenge: to walk to the top of kunanyi / Mount Wellington every day in the week leading up to the Point to Pinnacle event.

In an effort to raise awareness about men’s mental health, Glenn climbed the mountain seven times - the equivalent of making it to the summit of Mount Everest.

“Over the years I have seen a number of people around me struggle with mental and other health issues and there continues to be a reluctance towards seeking help, especially for men,” he said.

“Movember is a great way to raise awareness of these issues.

“Exercise and being in the natural environment is really important for maintaining physical and mental health and has been really instrumental for my own wellbeing.

“I have a grandson now and I want to set a good example for him and my colleagues and help to break down some of those barriers we are still seeing.”

Glenn has always been a fitness enthusiast and has regularly competed in fun runs and half marathons across the state.

“For many years I have supported men’s mental health but at 62-yearsold this was my biggest challenge yet,” he said.

“Each mountain climb took me about two and half hours and had an elevation of just under 1200m.

“I experienced everything from blizzards and snowfall to sunburn.”

Glenn said Metro is right behind the Movember effort, with 60 buses sporting moustaches last month and Movember message featuring on the destination signage.

“While I was unable to convince any of my colleagues to complete the challenge with me, there were plenty of unsightly moustaches around the depot and office and a number of others completing their own version of Move for Movember,” he said.

50 years with stroke of luck for Glenorchy Rowing Club

THE Glenorchy Rowing Club is celebrating its 50th anniversary this month - but it hasn’t always been smooth sailing for the popular community club.

The club’s origins can be traced back to 1971, when a group of prominent locals formed a steering committee. The group was granted a lease on the old Montrose Bay Yacht Club building, and the new club’s doors were opened in February 1972.

The club flourished at first. But by 1976, with an expiring lease and the impending demolition of the old clubrooms, membership declined.

Without a base, the club was forced to store its boats and equipment in various garages and warehouses across Glenorchy. The future looked bleak, and the club could have easily folded.

After inspecting several potential locations, the club eventually decided to rebuild at Montrose Bay. But planning delays and the need to raise funds meant the new (present) club building wasn’t completed and officially opened until 1985.

At first the club focussed on junior rowing, with crews from many local schools basing themselves at the club. Several rowers went on to enjoy success at state, national and even international level.

The club is currently focussed on adult rowers, accommodating both social rowers who want to maintain fitness and make new friends, and more competitive types who take part in regattas.

In recent years the club has acquired several coastal rowing boats, which are more stable in the Derwent’s often rough conditions - meaning rowers can get out on the water more often.

Members recently competed at the inaugural Australian Coastal and Beach Sprint Championships, winning medals in two categories.

To celebrate reaching the 50th anniversary milestone, the club is holding a morning tea at the clubrooms from 10am-1pm on Saturday 3 December. All current and past members and those previously associated with the club are welcome to attend and encouraged to bring along old photos and mementos to share.

To find out more go to glenorchyrowing.com or email glenorchyrowing@gmail.com

The Glenorchy Rowing Club’s Underage 4 crew wins its race at the 1974 Hobart Regatta

OARSOME EFFORT

STORY ON PAGE 27

Glenorchy Rowing Club members Glenn Keppel, former president Leon Carr, Fran Kline, John Oliver, Margaret Driessen and current president Mike Gallahar prepare to celebrate the club’s 50th anniversary

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