Life Members
The club has eleven life members who have been instrumental in developing the club. Without their support the club would simply not exist today.
Andrew Armstrong – Founding President
Andrew helped found and develop the La Trobe University Rowing Club over the years 1968 to 1971. Andrew held supporting roles in SARA (member of SARA Council and Executive) and ensured LURC was acknowledged as a leading sports club of the University. Through pro-active links within the University Administration, and successful fundraising from the corporate sector Andrew facilitated the rapid growth and standing of the rowing club within the University and wider community. Andrew remained a continuing participant for the period 1969 to 2001 (less a period working overseas with General Motors Corporation in 1974-1975).
Andrew Robertson
Andrew was a founding rower and tireless worker to raise funds for the fledgling club.
Annette Holland
Annette Holland joined the La Trobe University Rowing Club in 1976. Annette participated in four Intervarsity Rowing Competitions between 1976 and 1979 which included being a member of the winning Women’s Lightweight Four at the Queensland Intervarsity Competition in 1979. Annette was twice selected to train with the Victorian Women’s Squad during the mid and late 1970’s. Annette was a tireless worker for the club from the mid 1970’s to 1989 both as a rower, coach and at differing times as club secretary, women’s captain and committee member. During the early 1980’s Annette was also the Rowing Mistress and Head coach of rowing at Melbourne Girls’ Grammar School. In 1979 Annette was awarded a Full Blue in recognition of her rowing achievements and contribution to the club.
Bernadette Taylor (Higgins)
Bernadette Higgins joined the La Trobe University Rowing Club in 1975. Bernadette was a talented coxswain steering many winning club crews along with representing Victoria at the King’s Cup Regatta in Tasmania in 1978 where Bernadette coxed the Victorian Women’s Lightweight Four to victory. Bernadette participated in three Intervarsity competitions from 1975 to 1978 and contributed greatly to the overall success of the club during the mid 1970’s. In 1978 Bernadette was awarded a Full Blue in recognition of her rowing achievements and contribution to the club.
Jamie Robertson
Jamie joined the club in 2001 as a beginner and quickly rose through the ranks to be a member of the senior squad. He competed at AUG in 2002, 2004 and 2006. He is was a pivotal member of the Senior Men’s squad, and coached junior crews extensively. He won State Championship races in 2004 (coach Boys Quad Scull), 2005 (Men’s Light Weight pairs and Men’s C Grade Eight). In 2006 he won at the Australian Masters Championships (men’s Double Sculls). Jamie was president of the club from 2003 – 2005 and in that time modernized many aspects of club organization. He instrumental in instigating, producing and having accepted, a submission to SARA for an extensive overhaul of the club’s fleet. He also started the process for Incorporation of the club. Jamie was Vice President of SARA board from 2004 – 2006.
John Frearson
After rowing at Melbourne High, John joined LURC in 1972 and rowed intervarsity at Mildura (1973) and 1974 (Penrith). John became LURC President in 1973 and held that post until leaving La Trobe in 1978. He was instrumental in the development of LURC women’s rowing and proudly watched the LURC Womens’ team in their very successful inter-varsity in Queensland. John organized many activities involved in building the Club’s depth including annual camps at Lorne, the Annual Dinners and successful regattas on the Yarra and Edwards Lake. John cemented LURC’s financial position by successfully demonstrating the need for equivalency of funding with other SARA clubs using university owned facilities.
Kate Anderson
Kate rowed with the club from 1988 to 1997. She competed at IV in 1988, 1989 and in 1990, coming 2nd in ’88 and ’89. She was Secretary in 1994 and Treasurer in 1996. She was also influential as a committee member from 1990 – 1997.
Meryll Evans
Meryll joined as Novice in 1977 and competed at IV 1977-1980, winning in ‘79 and ’80. She was a member of the Victorian State LW team 1979-1981, winning the Australian Championship in 1980. She won Three State Titles and won Head of the Yarra in 1982 – the first year women were allowed to compete. She was awarded a Full Blue in 1979 and an Outstanding Service Award in 1991. Meryll also coached IV crews continuously from 1981 – 2001 and was a state selector in 1978 and 1979. Meryll also instigated rowing at Camberwell High in 1998 and Masters rowing in 2001. She has held every position on the committee, including several years as Secretary/Treasurer. She has also been extremely active in boat maintenance and general repairs.
Michael Hedger
Michael has been passionately involved with the rowing club since he joined as a beginner in 2001. His enthusiasm and dedication soon had him promoted to the senior crews and he also became involved with the administration of the club. He joined the committee in 2002 and was president for 2003-2006. In 2004 he instigated a submission to SARA for replenishing our out-dated fleet of boats, and with Jamie Robertson, was successful in the purchase 6 new boats in 2006. In 2006 he took on the job of Head Coach in an honorary position. (This had previously been a paid position for 2004-2006). He developed detailed training programmes and instigated many cross training activities. The legacy of these training programmes is still evident in our coaching programs. Michael has been voted Club Member of the year in 2003, 2004 and 2005.
Nancy Robertson
Nancy founded the first mother’s club to raise funds for the club.
Simon Tulloh
After rowing at Melbourne Grammar, Simon joined the infant LURC as the 1970′s unfolded. A force behind LURC’s development, Simon began building its stature within the university, inter-varsity and VRA communities. Along with John Tarrant, Simon began the Club’s fund raising programme with the showing of recent release films in the Agora Cinema. Simon coxed several inter-varsity crews and rowed in the single sculls at the 1976 Ballarat Inter-Varsity, which he organized and ran with great distinction. Moving on from the position of President of LURC, Simon became President of SARA with an array of achievements including the La Trobe swimming pool. He now lives in Canberra and has been active in the Canberra RC.
From the Gallery