Giving Back - paying forward

Regatta Centre facilities and working with the other schools, with a smaller crew, but still putting in to the local businesses.

Carey Baptist School has 90 personnel on-hand and are based at Buckley Park, at the Nagambie boathouse. Director Dick Bartlett, has been coming to Nagambie for many years with his crews. They have booked out the Waterfront Motel and are having breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Nagambie Rowing Club Hotel.

At this time of year, schools seem to organise their sporting camps and usually take their athletes to alternate locations, and put them through their paces. Director of Rowing at Damascus College, Ballarat, Paul Blanchfield, says the ‘new’ surroundings tend to keep the students on their toes and give them a fresh outlook. You can bang up and down the home paddock all day, but a different scene tends to enthuse everyone, coaches included.

This is the third year that Damascus College have had their rowing camp here. They are not, what I refer to as Wombats, who bring their own eats, make a mess and leave. 32 students and 8 staff, 40, contribute to Nagambie. All staying at the local caravan park in High Street, having dinner at Billy’s one night, the Brewery the next, and a BBQ using IGA ingredients. Don’t forget petrol for vehicles and their several tinnies from the local servo. During the daily breaks they are spending time and money in the town. I asked Paul why they come to Nagambie each year?

“We like it. The people are friendly, we can use the rowing course for set pieces or the river if the wind gets up a touch. There is plenty of space and everything is within easy access”.

Geelong Grammar School are also sharing the

Extra staff have been employed to cover the six day rowing camp. I asked Dick why he brought his crews to Nagambie. “We have a connection to Nagambie and the hotel, which is number one. Proximity to Nagambie from Melbourne comes in at number two.

Being within an hour or so of Melbourne works, if kids get sick or we need to get a piece of equipment etc from the school, which is in Kew. Most other school camps are on the Murray River or down in Gippsland, which adds a couple of hours to your journey.

The measured distance of the 2k rowing course is ‘gold’. Eight aligned lanes allow for multiple crews and racing scenarios, which are invaluable to the athletes. Another bonus is that the Head Of The River Race is held here, so familiarity with the course and conditions is vital. We are shedded on the Yarra River and so don’t have the luxury of a world class rowing venue. It is carnage down there at this time of year. Buckley Park also allows for walking everywhere, which is fantastic logistically. It is also great for the kids to get some exercise and fresh air.

I am biased, but it is great to see our fantastic facilities and businesses being utilised. The word about town is that the kids are polite and respectful, and I’ve even seen them putting their rubbish in the bins, most unusual. Anyhow, if you had been wondering what all the activity was around town, now you know. Cheers.

Pics of Damascus College at the Regatta Centre and Carey at Buckley Park.