Alistair Flower - In the Front Bar

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FRONT BAR

with ALISTAIR FLOWER

MANAGING DIRECTOR OF FLOWER HOTELS

BARNABÁS BENE

PRESIDENT OF THE PORT MACQUARIE ROWING CLUB

Alistair Flower, Managing Director of Flower Hotels chats to wonderful humans within our community. This month he caught up with International Rowing Champion & Port Macquarie Rowing Club president, Barnabás Bene.

Barny, you’re not originally from Port, tell us a bit about yourself?

I am originally from Hungary, I have been here for 2 years now. I came over to visit a friend in Sydney and fell in love with Australia. I moved to Port Macquarie to pursue a job as an Au Pair for a local family.

Recently I’ve been busy training for the Iron Man, that unfortunately was cancelled for the 4th time. I’ve started playing in a local jazz band and am also the President for the Port Macquarie Rowing Club.

Have you always had a passion for rowing? What are your greatest rowing achievements?

My mother was a great rower, and my sister follower her footsteps. I followed my sister to all of her rowing competitions. I started rowing in my last year of high school, I quickly became competitive.

I was the Hungarian National Champion in 2015, in 2019 I won the International Rowing Regatta in Slovenia.

Here in Australia received fi rst place in the National Indoor Rowing Championships in 2019.

Tell us about your role in the Port Macquarie Rowing Club?

I joined the club as a social member, and then found my way onto the committee. After 8 months the long term president stepped down, and I was asked to take on the job. It’s a big job but one I thoroughly enjoy.

I also take on a lot of the teaching, for people that join us with minimal rowing experience.

I love teaching people the skills of rowing, and I enjoy the physical and mental benefi ts. Anyone can start rowing, from 12 yeas of age to 100, no experience necessary!

Find us on Hibbard Drive or reach out to us on Facebook to enquire about joining.

How is the Port Macquarie Rowing Club going?

We have had a tough couple of years, the fl ooding and Covid hasn’t made it easy for us. However, we have seen an increase in our membership and recently we have started our school program up again, which is huge achievement for us. The school program has seen a lot of interest from students and we are excited to be growing our club.

The Port Macquarie Rowing Club has its annual major event coming up ‘3 Rivers Marathon’. What does this event mean to the

I love teaching rowing club? people the skills 3 Rivers Marathon is a of rowing, I enjoy huge annual event for us. It the physical and is our biggest opportunity to mental benefits. promote ourselves and be seen in the community. The 3 Rivers Marathon is an event for all self-propelled water competitors. That includes Surf Skis, Kayaks, Paddle Boards and Canoes. It’s a great day to introduce ourselves to the community, and to raise some funds to keep the club moving forward. All of the details on the event, and how to register, are on our website.

Last of all, what is the best thing about the Port Macquarie Hastings Region?

Absolutely the community. For me, as an outsider from Hungary, the community here is so welcoming and kind. And the surroundings, as a lover of everything outdoors, Port Macquarie is the best place to be.