2 minute read
The Albert Bell Club
PETER LAWSON (OGC 1990), ABC PRESIDENT
We had a very promising start to the 2021/2022 season with rowing activities and events. Unfortunately, as the season wore on, the COVID-19 Omicron variant proved challenging for crews, coaches, parents and various events! Well done to everyone for showing agility and resilience to ensure crew competition at the major regattas!
Head of the River day at Nagambie was blessed with spectacular weather and saw some wonderful personal best performances from crews. Four crews won their events; the Girls Year 10 Coxed IV - Divisions 3, 4, 5 and the Year 9 Coxed Quad IV - Division 2. Congratulations to these successful crews and to all competitors for their endeavours throughout the season! In mid-March, the 48th Annual Albert Bell Club Dinner was held on the Friday night of the Head of the Schoolgirls’ Regatta weekend, in the College Dining Hall. It was the first event for some time not needing to be capped to ensure compliance with COVID-19 density limits. The evening was well attended by the ‘02’ decade crews, including representatives from the winning 1982 1st IV, 1992 ‘Muckies’ (2nd VIII) and 2002 Girls 1st VIII. Our guest speaker, Jeff Sykes, was also a decade crew coach and many of the 1982 1st VIII were present. Jeff captivated the audience with stories of Albert Bell the man, coaching, competition rowing and the early days of his boat building career with revolutionary design and changing technology. The AGM was over in a flash, with re-election of the committee and the addition of Andrew Williams (OGC 1988) as Secretary. Thanks to Ben Thompson for his support as outgoing Secretary. The evening concluded with stories shared of rowing days past! The final event of the season saw the College Boat Club hold its end of season presentation in the school grounds. It began with presentation of rowers and awards in the Cloisters, followed by impressive and at times, hilarious, senior crew videos in Morrison Hall! The event was well attended by students, parents and coaches. I had the pleasure of presenting all Year 12 students with their boxed Albert Bell Club pin and Albert Bell medallions to the four Head of the River winning crews. This opportunity allowed me to provide background to the David M. Caithness Award and announce the winners in this, the third year. Congratulations to Year 12 students, Lulu Morgan and Harry Porte! I also took the opportunity to promote the Colin Carstairs Bell Pathway Rowing Bursaries, with applications opening later in 2022.
In ‘still on the staging’ news, a big congratulations to Charlie Batrouney (OGC 2018) and Xavier-Hall Sullivan (OGC 2019) for their selection in the Under 23 rowing team that will represent Australia internationally in late July at the World Championships in Varese, Italy! Charlie was selected in the Men’s Coxless Four and Xavier in the Men’s Quad Scull. Both rowers were former recipients of a Colin Carstairs Bell Pathway Rowing Bursary. We wish them well in their preparation and competition! Thank you to everyone who has supported the ABC over the season, whether it be through attending functions, helping at events, donating to or supporting the TGC rowing program - it is all much appreciated and welcomed!
