A Strong Start to the Season at Mercantile
It has been a busy and exciting period at Mercantile, with plenty to celebrate both internationally and here in Melbourne. From our athletes representing Australia at the 2026 World Rowing Championships, to recognition at the Rowing Victoria Awards and a growing group of athletes back training on the Yarra River, the season is taking shape.

2026 World Rowing Championships
We congratulate our Mercantile athletes who represented Australia at the 2026 World Rowing Championships.
Bronze in Mens 8+ Fergus Hamilton, Austin Reinehr and Jack Robertson represented Australia in the Men’s Eight , continuing Mercantile’s proud history of representation in one of rowing’s great boat classes.
5th Mixed PR3 4+ Congratulations Susannah Lutze for a great international season, with a Gold in the U23 PR3 1X and 5th in the World Championships
8th Women's 2- Congratulations Emmie Frederico for being incredibly consistent during the international campaign, coming 8th in the Womens 2-
7th Women's 8+ Hayley Verbunt and Paige Barr came 7th in the Women's eight.  
To have Mercantile athletes competing across multiple events on the world stage is something of which the whole Club can be incredibly proud. Congratulations to all our athletes, their coaches and the many people who have supported their journey.

Austin second from the left, Jack fourth and Fergus sixth from the left
Photo - Australian Rowing Images/Andrew Guerin

Our National Training Centre athletes have now returned to the NTC's in Penrith and Canberra, where preparations continue for the next stage of their campaigns.

Rowing Victoria Awards
There was also plenty for Mercantile to celebrate at the Rowing Victoria Awards, with the Club and several of our members recognised for their contribution to Victorian rowing.

Mercantile Rowing Club was awarded the 2026 Senior Premiership, recognising another strong season across our racing program.

We were also delighted to see:
David “Chipper” Colvin recognised as Club Person of the Year, acknowledging his enormous contribution to Mercantile and the work he does behind the scenes to support our athletes, coaches and members.
Drew Ginn received the Kath Bennett Award for Outstanding Service to the Rowing Community in Victoria, recognising his contribution through Mercantile Radio. The podcast has now reached more than 50,000 plays, 15,000 listening hours and audiences in more than 90 countries, sharing rowing stories and conversations well beyond the walls of the Club.
Noel Donaldson received the William Waterfield Award for Outstanding Service to Victorian Rowing, recognising his extraordinary and longstanding contribution to rowing, coaching and athlete development.
Sam Wilson received the 2026 Male Grade Rower of the Year- congratulations Sam.

Congratulations to David, Drew, Noel, Sam and the entire club. The recognition reflects the depth of people who continue to give their time, knowledge and energy to Mercantile and the broader rowing community.

David talking about Hayley Verbunt's great rowing career
Photo - Andrew Guerin

The Season Takes Shape
Back at the Club, the new season is gathering momentum, with approximately 80 athletes now training regularly under the guidance of our coaching team:
Head Coach Scott Rowe
Men’s Development Coach Ed Ryan
Women’s Development Coach Rhett Spiller
Director of Coaching  Noel Donaldson
They are ably supported in the day-to-day operation of the Club by David Colvin, whose work ensures that the many moving parts of Mercantile continue to run smoothly.

We are also incredibly grateful for the ongoing support of our Breakfast Crew, who continue the wonderful Mercantile tradition of providing breakfast for athletes and members each Saturday. It is one of those contributions that makes Mercantile much more than simply somewhere to train – it helps make it a Club where people belong.

The Hayley Verbunt OLY
Another special moment was the christening of our newest boat, the Hayley Verbunt OLY, on Saturday 19 September. Naming a boat after Hayley recognises not only her achievements as an Olympian and Australian representative, but also her connection and contribution to Mercantile. It was wonderful to have members of the Mercantile community together to celebrate the occasion and recognise another chapter in the Club’s proud history.

Photo - Andrew Guerin

As we move further into the season, there is a great sense of energy around the sheds. With 80 athletes training, our NTC athletes continuing their national campaigns, a committed coaching team and an extraordinary group of volunteers and supporters, there is plenty to look forward to.
Thank you, as always, to everyone who contributes to Mercantile. Our success on the water is made possible by the community of people behind it.

Thank you for your continued support of our Club.

September has been a busy month of welcoming new members, establishing squad patterns and building base kms in preparation for the season ahead. Two of our athletes Georgia Campbell and Lucy Gillon. fresh back from World Uni Games. participated in the Rowing Australia cross training camp in Kingscliff. 

Our squad continues to grow and improve and as such we are using all the Mercantile can provide, regularly now on a Monday and Wednesday mornings we have in excess of 30 scullers out and on Fridays almost 20 pairs working across 3 squads. 

Photos: Scott Rowe

Carrum continues to be a highlight each week, and it continues to play a vital part in preparing our athletes for racing. We are averaging 30+ athletes each Wednesday morning at Victoria's most underutilised rowing venue.

Saturdays though we come together for big boat mornings and the whole squad gets to mix with our new soon to be school leavers. We are currently boating between 6 & 9 VIIIs heading out to the port to battle away.

We also continue to be a home away from home for visiting Internationals. Logan Ulrich (NZ Paris Silver medallist) dropped by for a paddle with our own Dom Frederico as he begins preparation for the season ahead.

Over the last month the Mercantile Junior Development squad has been training solidly both on and off the water. Steady and consistent land based training on the ergo has yielded a lot of PBs but more importantly a growing confidence of how to execute in a test environment. 

Water based sessions have seen us consolidate the basics. Establishing the correct sequencing and patterns which are helping to build our base. As we come into the September holidays the squad is looking to ramp up sessions and make gains. 

And as one of our coaches reported with some satisfaction, "these kids are seriously into their rowing". Special mention of our coaches Anthony Bergelin, Euan McMinn and Alex Clarke who are doing a great job. We were advised that Euan brings a calm, technical and methodical approach to the young athletes and a lot of energy. We are fortunate to have Euan and such a coaching team.

Junior crews on the Lower Yarra with a full moon rising whilst the sun sets in the other direction. It was also a magic session.

Photos from Anthony Bergelin

Image above is our masters group on Friday 18th September after their morning row.

This large group of masters rowers continue to prepare for the Head of the Yarra with four crews planned for this event. There will no doubt be crews at the Melbourne Head the weekend before. Brown paper bags are being offered to the selectors to gain seats!

Given the birthplace of the Mercs was Young & Jacksons Hotel, and not wanting to curtail the rowers celebrations at the boathouse, the masters will dine at this hotel on the evening the Head of the Yarra. Tickets are strictly limited and interstate crews are already joining us. We welcome all rowers and their partners from all clubs. So book now or miss out - https://events.humanitix.com/mercantile-head-of-the-yarra-dinner

Mercantile Radio is proud to celebrate 1 Year of production.  
All time plays - 50K+
Consumption Hours - 15K+
Listeners- 90+ Countries

Top podcasts  
Episode 23: The Mechanics of Dominance with New Zealand Legend: Eric Murray
Episode 2: The Journet of Australia Most Celebrated Oarsman: James Tomkins
Episode 17- The Naivety to Begin: Cameron McKenzie-McHarg on Beijing Gold and the creation of 776BC
Episode 2: The Gold Standard: Coaching Greatness with Noel Donaldson
Episode 48 : Bobby Thatcher: Building Champions without Chasing Medals

Mercantile Radio has a team of people working behind the scenes, we thank Drew Ginn, Gina Peele, Nick Finster, Angus Boden, Graeme Barns, James Tomkins and Mandy Balla-Kellet in providing their expertise and time to put this podcast together.  Each person bringing their skills to bring each episode to you and our listeners.

Congratulations Drew on being awarded the 2026 Rowing Victoria Bennett Award for outstanding services to a rowing community as part of the annual RV Awards primarily as a result of these podcasts. Your contribution to the sport is being recognised beyond your regular listeners.

So far in September:

Episode 52 - Pam Westendorf: The river is my happy place

Episode 53 - Karsten Forsterling: Never, ever, ever give up.

Episode 54 -  Lauren Henry: The courage to go solo

Episode 55 - Ben Dodwell: The battles you remember

Episode 56 - Mitch Salisbury: Back yourself

Photo - Andrew Guerin

The Club's Foundation is a key part of the Club's activities. It is established to protect the long term interests of the Club whilst providing meaningful annual grants to assist the Club today. The objectives of the Foundation are:

Boathouse
Equipment
Athlete Support
Volunteer Support
Coaching

As these objectives are ambitious and beyond the resources of the Foundation today, focus has been on equipment and support for athletes competing overseas, particularly those selected into Australian under age teams. During September, the Foundation met the changeover cost of the Club's ute in preparation for the trip to Perth for the 2027 Australian Championships.

Whilst the Foundation is well managed, it needs to grow significantly to meet the lofty objectives set. We encourage members to donate to the Foundation, no matter how small an amount. We thank the following donors this month, Andrew Guerin $20,000 and Michael Kelly $10,000. These substantial donations will leave a lasting legacy for the Club.

Do not hesitate to discuss larger donation with the Foundation's Chairman Andrew Guerin on 0417 554799.

Photo of 2026 Wargrave eight from Annabelle Eaton

Mercantile Merchandise

We continue to provide our members with Merchandise.   

Our required Uniform for all active athletes for 2026 includes:

• 776BC Racing Suit
• Mercantile Grey T-shirt (this comes with your membership)
• Mercantile Navy Jumper
• Mercantile Cap or Visor

The shop holds stock of the following garments for order or purchase at the shop:

• 776BC Longsleeve Training or Racing top
• 776BC Shortsleeve Training or Racing Top
• 776BC Training suit ( delivery November 2026)
• 776BC Men's and Women's Training Singlet ( pre-order due in December)
• 776BC Men's and Women's Training Shorts ( pre-order due in December)
• RB Sellars Workshirt ( Mercantile Branded)
• Mercantile Down Puffer Vest and Longsleeve Jacket
• Mercantile Drink Bottle

Shop online Mercantile Shop

Dick Garrard and George Xouris

To commemorate 60 years since their last race at Bled in the 1966 World Championships, Dick and George returned to race there at the World Rowing Masters Championships. As you might imagine, they are well into their eighties and still keen to race. 

This image of Dick in a mixed double scull. Image from the Geelong Advertiser

The Story of Victorian Rowing

Club member Andrew Guerin co-authored a book on the history of Victorian rowing to concide with the 150th anniversary of the formation of Rowing Victoria. Copies are available from Rowing Victory for $50. Mercantile and many of its members of course figures prominently.

Mercantile's 150th

The story above triggers the obvious question of whether the Club should have a 150th history celebration in 2030, less than four years away now. If you are interested in assisting in helping organise these celebrations and preserving our heritage, please call Andrew Guerin on 0417 554799.

• Head of the Barwon - 3 Oct 2026
• Bairnsdale Regatta - 10 Oct 2026
• Gippsland Grammar Head Race Sale - 17 Oct 2026
• Bendigo Sprints, Bendigo - 17 Oct 2026
• Head of the Charles Boston USA - 16-18th Oct 2026
• Foot of the Goulburn. Nagambie - 24 Oct 2026
• Rutherglen Regatta - 31 Oct-1 Nov 2026
• Golden Oar, Canberra ACT - 30-1 Nov 2026
• RA Rower of the Year Awards, Sydney - 4 Nov 2026 (bookings required)
• Foundation Donors' Luncheon - 25th November 2026
• Head of the Yarra - 28 Nov 2026
• Mercs Masters HOTY Post Race Dinner - 28th November 2026

Andrew Guerin
Editor