Its been another busy month for our coaches, athletes and committee. We celebrated  members - Alex Clarke, Anthony Johnson, Graeme Barns, Leeanne and Andrew Ambrose, Tom Courtney, John Leeming and Claire Clarke with a boat christening.  These members have given to Mercantile Rowing Club over many years, and we are grateful for their contributions. We appreciate the Mercantile Foundation and key donors Sean and Bibi Colgan that made it possible.

We are excited to announce the Mercantile Henley Royal Regatta Crews: 

• Thames Challenge Cup (Club Open Eight) - Cox: Sara Chapman, Str: Matisse Kerr, 7: Charlie Mackintosh, 6: Joe Lee-Conway, 5: Myles Laburn, 4: James Simpson, 3: Jake Polkinghorne, 2: Sam Chin, Bow: Harry Pollock
• Wargrave Challenge Cup (Club Women’s Eight) - Cox: Rachel Carton, Str: Gabi Price, 7: Georgia (Gee) Campbell, 6: Laura Chancellor, 5: Anna Morrison, 4: Lucy Gillon, 3: Mackenzie Pugh, 2: Yve Sadler, Bow: Ruby Ivers
• Wyfold Challenge Cup (Club Open Coxless Four) - Str: Fletcher Douglas, 3: Oscar Tyrrell, 2: Jordan Roberts, Bow: Alex Tomanovits

We also congratulate our latest Australian Team members announced by Rowing Australia:

• Australian A Team - Scott Rowe, Men's Coach
• Australian Universities team - Mackenzie Kopke-Veldhuis in W2x, Lucy Gillon and Georgia Campbell in the W4-.

One of the focuses of May has been on the junior programs and school leaver rowing. These are important not only for the rowers by additional coaching and training, but also for the Club. They provide an introduction to Club life and as a result, it makes the transition from school to club rowing in future years far easier. This transition period is one where we lose far too many rowers to the sport.

Thank you to the coaches who make these programs work - Susie Franklin (coordinator), Angus Boden, Ben Whitmee, Brigit Somerville, Cate McNeil, Ethan Collier, Hamish Nicol, Jess Rawolle, Sophie Williams, Jack Finlay, Gabby Simcox, Millie Whitehead, Milandra Nel and Jordan King.

This year 9 to 11 high performing rowers group now numbers an amazing 95.

Our season pivots now from domestic into national teams and overseas and interstate tour focuses. 

We began the month finalising our Henley boats, after a competitive trialling process we have selected 3 boats (Wargrave and Thames VIII and a Wyfold IV) congratulations to all athletes selected.  We have also appointed Annabelle Eaton as the coach of the Wargrave boat.

Our Oceania athletes returned from a windy and hectic weekend in Queensland with the Victorian team coming away with 3rd place at the regatta.  Congratulations to Ed Ryan who made his Victorian debut as head men's coach of this team.

Winter is all about making technical gains as well as strength and power lifts. Both Ed Ryan and Rhett Spiller are working across improving our technical base with the winter squads whilst also introducing our new school leavers into the squads with big boat Saturdays and Ed's Friday night School leaver paddles.

Jordan Nolan our strength and conditioning coach is working overtime in the gym setting a really focussed program designed to improve power and strength outcomes for each of our athletes. This program is showing results already and is being well attended across all squads. 

Planning for the next season continues with our camp dates being finalised for January 3^rd to 10^th in Bairnsdale.  Nationals next season is also worth date claiming as it will be in Perth at Champion Lakes from 13^th to 21^st of March.

The masters group competed at the Victorian Masters Championships and came home with two golds in the Mixed Eight and the Mens' D Pair. Also another gold in a composite crew, a silver and couple of bronze medal placing as well. Not bad for a small contingent on day 1 of the event. Duncan MacKinnon was an umpire for both days.

Drew Ginn and Michael Kelly winners in the D Pair

The masters men row regularly in the mornings and are getting good quality rowing under their belts. 

Hosted by Olympic legend and proud Mercantilian Drew Ginn OAM, this series dives into the people, passion, and pursuit of excellence that make our club one of Australia’s most iconic. This month we listened to:

• Episode 33 - More Than the Erg: Building Robust Athletes with Kemble Edelsten
• Episode 34 - Breaking the 87 Year Drought - Queensland's Historic King's Cup Victory with Randall Martin and John Bowes
• Episode 35 - Stay in Your Lane: How Olaf Tufte Built Two Olympic Golds
• Episode 36 - The "Melbourne Cup on Water" -  The Row to the Henley Royal Regatta with rowers Gabi Price, Georgie “G” Campbell, and Jake Polkinghorne.

They are all compelling listening and the link can be found on Spotify, ApplePodcast, iHeartradio.

Because the Club was in desperate need of much more equipment this year than the Foundation budget allowed, part of the Foundation's 2026-27 equipment budget was used to achieve a good result. The boat naming of seven boats is testament to this investment. Your Foundation is now critical to the success and security of the Club.

Despite this splurge on equipment, the Foundation was also able to provide some $12,500 this month to the Henley campaign and also $3,000 to Australian Universities athletes. 

On the income side, we were again blessed with another substantial donation from Sean and Bibi Colgan this month. Thank you Sean and Bibi for your generosity, you have been the cornerstone of the Foundation. Furthermore, past Club secretary Steve Macek has been added to the Bequestors list. Thank you Steve. Our Foundation honour board is filling up fast.

We encourage all friends of Mercantile to contribute to the Foundation, no matter how small. All donations are capitalised and continue to work for the Club in perpetuity. Tas deductable donations to the Foundation can be made through the Australian Sports Foundation website. If you have any questions, please call Andrew Guerin on 0417 554799. 

Sean Colgan in the back row at 2025 HRR

Henley Royal Regatta

As with past years, Sean and Bibi Colgan has again offered to host a cocktail party at Leander Club for Mercantile crews with their parents and other Mercs members present on Thursday 2nd June. Given the large contingent, advance notice of likely attendees is required. Please advise Jenny Fraumano on 0438 324307 if you are attending. As Sean says, Mercs needs a good party to show the world the importance of Mercs. Thank you Sean for your continuing and kind generosity.

Mercantile Shop

The Mercantile Shop has launched the new seasons stock and have a new batch of Mercantile 776BC Racing Suits delivered .  Please visit us on Saturdays as advertised through MS Teams or Order online. The Shop will be open on Saturday 30 May from 8:00 - 9:30am.  Please pop into the sheds to collect your new season merchandise.

Duncan MacKinnon to umpire at WC3

Our diminishing number of international umpires is now down to two, Duncan MacKinnon and Bill Webster. Andrew Guerin aged out in 2025. Duncan will umpire at World Cup 3 in Lucerne this year at which many Mercantile members will race. Well done Duncs.

Member Profiles

Last month we added the profile of Douglas Cook, a WWII member died in the Battle of Milne Bay in New Guinea - Cook, Douglas D - Australian Rowing History. This month John Leeming has had his profile added. This interesting member has been a cox, coach, mentor and staunch member of the breakfast team. Others have championship wins in their highlight reels, John has helpful chats with rowers at critical times in their rowing careers. To find out more about him go to Leeming, John - Australian Rowing History.

Scott Rowe coaches Australia A men team

Head coach Scott Rowe has again been given the Australia A men's squad to coach this winnter along with his Mercantile duties. His Australia A squad will race at the Holland Beker Cup in Amsterdam and World Cup III in Lucerne.

Vale Paul Guest KC OAM

Paul was a giant of the sport in Victoria and sadly left us in April after having been unwell for a while. Whilst Paul was a true Banks Rowing Club man, he did race for Mercantile at the end of his rowing career, coached a Mercantile lightweight crew in 1977, and held our Club very close to his heart. His father raced for Mercantile also. His celebration of life in May brought forward many good stories of his full and productive life. His contribution to his club, Rowing Victoria and Rowing Australia was immense. Thank you to member John Harry who was a key organiser of the very large event and one of those who provided a tribute, and also to Andrew Guerin and Mal Batten who also provided tributes.

• World Cup 1 - Seville ESP - 29-31 May 2026
• Henley Royal Gala - Sat 30 May 2026, 6pm
• Holland Beker Cup in Amsterdam - 20–21 June 2026
• World Cup 2 - Plovdiv, BUL - 12-14 June 2026
• World Cup 3 - Lucerne SUI - 26-28 June 2026
• Henley Royal Regatta - 30 Jun - 5 July 2026