It has been another exciting and busy period at Mercantile Rowing Club, with plenty to celebrate both on and off the water. As we continue to build towards another successful season, it is wonderful to see the energy around the Club, the growing number of athletes training each day and the strong sense of community that continues to develop.
Rowing Australia Awards – National Recognition
One of the highlights of recent weeks has been the announcement of the shortlisted nominations for the Hancock Prospecting Rowing Australia Community Awards. I am incredibly proud that Mercantile and members of our Club have been recognised across four categories:
- Club of the Year – Mercantile Rowing Club
- High Performance Club of the Year – Mercantile Rowing Club
- Volunteer of the Year – Drew Ginn and the Mercantile Radio Team
- Official of the Year – Duncan MacKinnon
To be shortlisted across four national award categories is an outstanding achievement and reflects the breadth of what is happening at Mercantile.
The nominations for Club of the Year and High Performance Club of the Year recognise not only the performances of our athletes but also the work being undertaken to strengthen our development pathways, coaching, participation and Club culture.
It is particularly pleasing to see Drew Ginn and the Mercantile Radio Team recognised for their contribution to the rowing community. What began as an idea to share stories and connect people has developed into a remarkable platform, reaching listeners across Australia and internationally. The commitment of the volunteer team to producing engaging conversations and preserving the stories of our sport has been extraordinary.
Likewise, Duncan MacKinnon's nomination for Official of the Year recognises his longstanding contribution to rowing. His commitment to officiating at local, national and international levels, mentoring developing umpires and supporting the successful delivery of regattas is something of which our Club can be extremely proud.
We also congratulate Member Nick Bartlett on his recognition as a shortlisted nominee for Coach of the Year with his superb work at Gippsland Grammar.
Congratulations to all our nominees. Regardless of the final outcomes, these nominations are a wonderful recognition of the people and culture of Mercantile Rowing Club.
Membership and Participation – A Record Year
I am delighted to report that Mercantile has reached a record 466 members, one the highest membership in the Club's history. This is an outstanding milestone and reflects the work being undertaken to create a Club where people want to row, coach, volunteer and remain connected.
We are also seeing approximately 80 athletes training on a daily basis, across our men's and women's programs. This level of activity is fantastic to see and creates a vibrant training environment, with athletes supporting and challenging one another.
Importantly, our growth is not simply about numbers. It is about continuing to develop an environment where athletes at different stages of their rowing journey feel welcome, supported and have opportunities to improve.
Our focus remains on strengthening the pathway from school rowing into Club rowing, supporting athletes with high-performance ambitions and ensuring that Mercantile remains a place where people can enjoy the sport and develop lifelong connections.
Recognising Our Coaches and Staff
Behind every successful rowing club is a committed team of coaches, staff and volunteers who dedicate an enormous amount of time and energy to supporting our athletes.
I would particularly like to acknowledge the leadership and contribution of our coaching and operations team:
- Scott Rowe – Head Coach
- Rhett Spiller – Development Coach
- Ed Ryan – Development Coach
- David Colvin – Operations Manager
- Noel Donaldson – Director of Coaching
- Will Achermann – Performance Coach
Our volunteer coaches are a vital part of our daily operating environment; a huge thank you to Alex Clarke, Anthony Bergelin, Alister Taylor and Roy Zhang.
We are fortunate to have such a committed and knowledgeable group of people supporting our athletes and helping shape the future of the Club.
Thank You to Our Mercantile Committee
As we approach the end of another Club year, I would also like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the Mercantile Committee for their commitment, contribution and support throughout the past 12 months.
Running a Club the size and complexity of Mercantile requires an enormous amount of work behind the scenes. From managing our finances and facilities to supporting our athletes, coaches, members and Club activities, there is a great deal that happens beyond what we see on the water each day.
I am incredibly appreciative of the time, knowledge and energy that our Committee members contribute, often balancing these responsibilities with their own professional and family commitments.
I would particularly like to acknowledge:
- Graeme Barns – Honorary Secretary
- James Tomkins OAM OLY – Vice-President
- Tom Courtney – Performance Director
- Duncan MacKinnon – Honorary Treasurer
- Alexander Clarke – Captain
- Jordan King – Vice-Captain
- Paige Barr OLY – Vice-Captain
- Andrew Phillips – Assistant Treasurer and Membership
- Simon Morrison – Assistant Secretary
- Geoff Barden – Boathouse and Equipment
- Sam Patten OLY – Committee Member
- Jordan Roberts – Committee Member
- Angus Boden – Committee Member
- Brigit Somerville – Committee Member
- Anna Morrison – Committee Member
Each of these individuals brings different skills, experiences and perspectives to the Committee, and collectively they make an enormous contribution to the ongoing success of Mercantile. I particularly value the willingness of our Committee members to challenge ideas, contribute to discussions, make decisions and, importantly, roll up their sleeves to get things done. It is this collective commitment that allows us to continue improving the Club and creating opportunities for our members.
Over the past year, we have continued to strengthen our programs, grow our membership, develop our facilities and equipment, support our athletes and coaches, and build stronger connections across the rowing community. None of this happens without the commitment of our Committee and the many volunteers who work alongside them.
Thank you to each of you for your contribution, your support and the many hours you have given to our Club throughout the year. It is greatly appreciated.
Supporting Our School Leavers
As we approach the end of the school year, I would like to wish all our Year 12 athletes the very best of luck with their upcoming examinations. Balancing the demands of school, study and rowing is not always easy, and we recognise the commitment and discipline that our young athletes have demonstrated throughout the year.
To those finishing school, congratulations on reaching this important milestone. We hope that you can approach your examinations with confidence and look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead.
One of our priorities at Mercantile is to provide a strong pathway for young rowers beyond school. We look forward to welcoming school leavers into our programs and supporting them as they continue their rowing journey, whether that is through competitive rowing, high-performance pathways, coaching or simply remaining connected to the sport.
Thank you to our Committee, coaches, staff, volunteers, athletes, members and supporters for everything you continue to contribute.
There is a great deal of energy and momentum around Mercantile, and I look forward to seeing what we can achieve together over the coming months. | 
