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Albert Bell Club News

from Ad Astra December 2022

by Geelong College

from Ad Astra December 2022, page 62

The Conquerors – a Champions G...

PETER LAWSON (OGC 1990), ABC PRESIDENT

It was wonderful to see the new rowing season kick off with the back to normal routine of both on and off-water training sessions.

However, despite the strong start to the season, we unfortunately faced a new challenge with substantial rainfall events seeing the Barwon River flood significantly for the first time in over a decade. We recorded the highest levels in nearly 30 years, peaking at 3.86 metres!

This saw the College Boat Shed (and others) inundated on two separate occasions and the need to move a number of boats and other equipment to minimise damage.

A very special thanks to our trusty Boatman, Fletch, for his efforts with the big clean-ups!

Sustained flood levels and associated poor water quality resulted in on-water training suspended for the rest of Term 4 - over three weeks. Students were forced to stay on land, doing ergos, strength and conditioning and cardio sessions.

A few on-water sessions were coordinated for senior crews at locations like Carrum and the Grammar School lagoon!

In ‘Still on the Staging News’, a big congratulations to Charlie Batrouney (OGC 2018) and Xavier HallSullivan (OGC 2019) for their representation in the Under 23 Australian team which competed at the World Championships in Varese, Italy in July. Charlie was selected in the Men’s Coxless Four, which finished sixth in the A final. Competition was fierce in the Men’s Quad Scull, with Xavier’s crew finishing fourth in their repechage, with only 0.49 seconds separating the four boats!

Both rowers were recipients of Colin Carstairs Bell Pathway Rowing Bursaries, awarded by the Albert Bell Club (ABC).

During the Valedictory Ceremony in October at Costa Hall, four 2022 Colin Carstairs Bell Pathway Bursaries for school leavers were awarded. Congratulations to the successful applicants: Edie Benson, Charlie Rahdon, Issy Batrouney and Oscar Tyrrell. We wish them well and look forward to hearing about their future rowing endeavours! The Rowing Parent Support Group and Albert Bell Club have been fundraising through the annual wine drive. In addition, this year a Concept2 RowErg, generously donated by Sykes Rowing, was raffled. Congratulations to Sue Mulligan from Deniliquin, who purchased the winning ticket! Sue is an ABC member and Old Collegian, who rowed in The Geelong College crew that won the Head of the River in 1982.

Once again, it is a great pleasure to convey that in discussions with Aron Tremul, Director of Rowing, in preparation for this season, the ABC has co-funded with the school another second-hand racing eight. This is greatly needed this year with a format change seeing more Year 10 girls’ crews rowing in eights.

Thanks to everyone who has supported the ABC and rowing at The Geelong College this year - it is much appreciated and welcomed!