Welcome to Issue No. 2 of Club News. We had good feedback about the first newsletter and members seem to want information about the Club and its activities. So here's another one!

After what has turned out to be a very strange summer, autumn is almost with us and is the perfect time for rowing. Once again we are planning The Lane Cove River Challenge during these months. (See Peter Bishop's column on reverse.)

I draw your attention to Martin Priestley's article. Martin and your Committee have developed a "Vision" for the future of the Club. The implementation of that Vision has commenced. Part of this Vision will be major structural changes, with professional contractors, but a lot of it will be small increments that can be and will be accomplished via working bees. I hope we can all lend a hand when these working bees are organised.

As a corollary to this, may I introduce the concept of "Zones of Interest"? There are a large number of small things that are crying out for somebody to take under their wing. For the more mechanical amongst us, all our taps need regular inspection and washer replacement Our lights intermittently need replacement, but are awkward to get to.

We have a drawer full of old photos that need placing in a proper album and continuous updating We have a video play for training purposes that is never used. There are many other zones of housekeeping that are in need of attention. If anyone has any interest or knowledge in any small zone pertaining to the Club and would like to look after that zone, please see me or any member of the Committee and we will gladly assign you to it.

David Cay, President

There has been lots of activity over the past few months with several crews racing in Masters, Intermediate, Junior and schoolgirl events. Our Flying Dutchman, Daniel Carriere, has unfortunatley moved on from Sydney to see more of Australia. We wish him much enjoyment relaxing on the Barrier Reef or other resorts but he has been warned to avoid the diving charters!

Steve Blatchford's girls' crews have had considerable success and attended a special week's camp at Taree in January. North Shore's name was continually being called over the loudspeaker system as most of our active crews participated at the Taree Regatta. Congratulations to all participants for their efforts.

Since the last newsletter we have taken possession of the training scull, Club 4. Please remember to dry all the sculls thoroughly to help protect the floor. Sculling clinics are held most Saturday mornings (when no Club regatta is scheduled) at about 7.15 am. Those wanting to join are welcome.

With the mornings starting to get darker, it is time to plan your crews for the State Masters Regatta to be held at Penrith on May 20 & 21 and the Australian Masters Regatta to be held in Bundaberg on June 3 & 4.

Information about these regattas is on the board and we need to know who is planning to go to each one and in which event as soon as possible. The distance to Bundaberg will restrict the number of boats we can transport. Get your plans in early so that your crew is not left out! Put your name on the board. Good rowing!!

John James, Captain

In 2000 we are planning the following social events.

March - cake stall, Lane Cove Plaza

April 30 - BBQ breakfast, Sunday am

May - Trivia night

June 25 - BBQ breakfast, Sunday am

August 27 - BBQ breakfast, Sunday

Sept - cake stall, Lane Cove Plaza

October 29 - BBQ breakfast, Sunday

If you have any suggestions or are able to lend a hand for any of these activities, contact me at (H) 9624-2224 or email: terry_oomens@hilton.com

Terry Oomens

I had the honour of meeting Mr. Spencer Grace, for the first time, last summer.

Having heard many stories and even a documentary on this legendary man, I was keen to seek his opinion on the relationship between the development of technical skills and personal strength and the subsequent development in academic abilities.

He did not hesitate to comment on the importance of maintaining continuity of rowing, particularly near and during school examination times. He further emphasised that being able to focus on the skills of rowing and relaxing the body makes for a very alert mind.

Mrs. Susanne Donnelley
(mother of Sarah, Roseville College)

The Club's Annual Corporate Regatta will be held on Sunday, 7 May.

Over the past two years almost 100 beginner and refresher rowers have taken part, improving their fitness and having a great time. Many of those participants have become Club members, the Club joining fee being waived for these people.

Training will occupy two mornings per week through April and there will be a Regatta Dinner prior to the event at which crews will perfect their psychological tactics.

This is the Club's principal annual fund-raising venture, money raised over the past two years having largely contributed to the new boats that have appeared in the shed. Your support in finding people to help fill places will help the Club.

Please don't be bashful in suggesting to your workmates, spouse, parents, siblings or friends that they take part in this great event. Companies sponsoring whole crews are also most welcome. A flyer and Application Form are enclosed and additional copies are at the Clubhouse.

Peter Bishop

After Christmas break, rowing started again for the girls at Roseville. The highlights of the holidays for many was the chance to go on a rowing camp in January at the Australian Institute of Sport. This was not only a good opportunity to fine tune their rowing skills before the regatta season, but also an opportunity to live and train in what can only be described as the finest training venue in the country (obviously after NSRC!).

The girls trained twice a day on the water, had numerous sessions in the pool and were given talks by nutritionists, biomechanists and coaches from the Institute. Their highlight?? undoubtedly was that the girls ate breakfast in the same dining hall as Michael Klim and Daniel Kowalski! They were also treated to a playful Drew Ginn who burst into a room asking if they had seen the other three members of the Oursome Foursome!

We have taken delivery of the Barbara Gordon, a high tech racing quad, which is bow coxed. This shell, made in New Zealand, will be the senior boat for Roseville.

With 20 girls in the first week of school making the effort to come and see me about rowing, the future of Roseville Rowing looks bright.

Mike Curtin, Rowing Master, Roseville College.

Anyone visiting the Clubhouse since our last update will see progress is being made in relation to our ‘Vision’.

Tracey Nayler coordinated an excellent annual regatta and Terry Oomens organised a most enjoyable Ball. Both events provided much needed financial assistance to our progress as well as helping with the ‘feel’ or ambiance of our Clubhouse.

While money has always to be in our thoughts, rolling up your sleeves and getting things done is equally, if not more important. To this end, Mike Newington coordinated a Working Bee to clean up the shed for the Regatta and Ball while John James single-handedly sanded and polished the Ballroom.

John’s efforts have produced a first class result which will prevent water dripping off boats and damaging the floor timbers. Our hope is to pass through our financial year-end (30/4/2000), with $50,000 in the Bank to ensure we are ‘on track’ to build a fund which will enable redevelopment to take place within the next five years.

It is always difficult to balance the demands of today with our needs of tomorrow. We have continued to improve our fleet throughout the year and will endeavour to provide ongoing enjoyment for Members while saving for the future.

Over the last 12 — 18 months we have re-established the commercial viability of the Club and set ourselves on course for a healthy future. We will continue with the planning and disciplines needed to maintain this approach and as a result I will be recommending a subscription increase for our new financial year to ensure our budget balances and the development fund continues to grow.

Our ‘Vision 2010’ document is available for all Members and input, ideas, assistance and co-ordination of fund raisers will always be welcome.

In those (slightly amended) words of John Kennedy: "ask not what your Club can do for you but what you can do for your Club" Onwards and Upwards.

Martin Priestley, Hon. Treasurer.

Let's take a head start this year by offering a regular opportunity to our less able rowers. They, like us, yearn for companionship, challenge, inclusion and fun. Our Club has seen the precedent demonstrated by Tracey Nayler who has committed herself to partner Tim Stephen in doubles races both at home and interstate over the past year or so (not forgetting weekly training schedules).

North Shore, initially with Spencer's enthusiasm and encouragement, set the scene in May 1993 for the wonderful support Disrow members receive from the Club today. We feel indebted to you all for this and now with Steve Blatchford taking a leading role, his "sturdy attitude of inclusion" enables disabled rowers to feel welcome to "give it a go" at North Shore.

Penny Stephen.

NSW Masters at Penrith 20, 21 May and National Masters, 3 &4 June.

Come to the meeting at the Clubhouse Sunday, 5 March 9.30 am to discuss crews, transport, accommodation, etc.

Editor: Linda Ormerod

Fax. 9416-6753