Bronze bound: TGC Senior Girls IV podium finish at Nationals

Helena Metzke, Marketing Coordinator

The Geelong College Senior Girls IV crew have made waves on the national stage, securing a bronze medal at the 2025 Australian Rowing Championships. Their achievement, the result of months of hard work and unwavering determination, is a testament to the power of teamwork, discipline, and love for the sport.

On a crisp Sunday morning in March at Lake Barrington, Tasmania, the water shimmered with possibility as

The Geelong College Senior Girls IV crew lined up for the Schoolgirls’ Coxed Four Final of the 2025 Australian Rowing Championships. After four intense days of racing, strategy and sheer determination, the crew surged through the water to claim a coveted bronze medal - a remarkable result on the national stage, and for some, just the

beginning of what’s possible beyond the school rowing season.

Their journey to the podium was no accident. The crew - Year 12 students Mackenzie Pugh, Hannah Dunton, Stella Benson and Ruby-Jane Roberts - showed early promise, winning both their heat and semi-final in commanding form.

With Year 10 coxswain Lexi Kemp at the helm, offering calm, clear direction, the crew found their rhythm early

and maintained it under pressure. From Lane 4, they launched into a beautifully executed race - their oars slicing through the water in perfect synchrony as they powered toward a podium finish.

“It was one of the real highlights of my time coaching,” said coach Pam Westendorf, who has guided the crew with tireless dedication. “They just love the sport and have worked so hard. They went into the final completely

relaxed, with no expectations - and came out with this incredible result. They were over the moon, and I couldn’t be prouder.”

The Australian Rowing Championships draw together the nation’s finest young athletes, making this bronze medal a standout moment for the TGC Boat Club and a source of pride for the broader College community. It reflects not only the crew’s skill and discipline, but also the strength of the team behind them - coaches, families and fellow students.

While the Head of the River Regatta traditionally marks the end of the school rowing season, for the members of this determined Senior Girls IV, Nationals signals a new beginning. Their performance at

Lake Barrington hints at exciting opportunities ahead, whether at club, state or even national level. The grit and passion they’ve shown may well be the first strokes in a much longer rowing journey.

The Geelong College congratulates the crew, their coach Pam Westendorf, and the entire Boat Club team. We are proud of the achievements of all our rowers, and celebrate the ambition and dedication of the Senior Girls IV.