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Rowing ACT Staffing Update

Rowing ACT is said to announce our Executive Officer, Sarah Davoren has made the decision to resign from her role to pursue a position with the ACT Brumbies as Events and Operations Manager. This is an exciting opportunity for Sarah, and one we are confident she will do well in, after nearly 5 years with Rowing ACT and 3 years since she stepped into the Acting Executive Officer role. Sarah will finish up with Rowing ACT on May 15th 2026.

During her time with Rowing ACT, Sarah has led our operations and strategic goals for the organisation and will leave behind a strong legacy for our community. As Executive Officer, she has successfully petitioned for the upgrades to the regatta course lanes, lead the delivery of the Australian University Championships, lead the delivery of one of the biggest Head of the Lake and Junior Championships regattas since pre-Covid, successfully applied for multiple grants for upgrades to our regatta equipment, managed the procurement and replacement of two umpire boats, supported the delivery of the inaugural Golden Oar regatta, and much more.

Rowing ACT President Kent Peters said “Whilst we are incredibly sad to lose Sarah from our organisation, she leaves the Rowing ACT Community in a far stronger place than when she started. Sarah will leave a large set of shoes to fill and has grown the sport of rowing in the ACT immensely.”

Sarah said of her departure; “Whilst I am incredibly sad to be leaving the wonderful Rowing ACT community, I am very grateful for the support I have received over the past 3 years as Executive Officer. I am extremely proud of what I have achieved in my time with Rowing ACT in conjunction with the board and the community. I know that the ACT community will continue to grow and flourish beyond me and I look forward to seeing what is achieved after I finish.”

Rowing ACT is reviewing the Executive Officer position, however our immediate priority is ensuring the delivery of our Winter Time Trial series and supporting the community through this transition period. In the interim we are seeking expressions of interest from the community to support in the immediate delivery of the Winter Time Trials and other operational work. Interested individuals should email Sarah Davoren at eo@rowingact.org.au

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2026 Australian Rowing Championships Wrap Up

Another Australian Rowing Championships has wrapped up and once again ACT athletes have proven that a small but mighty territory can deliver big results. Across the week, our crews showcased depth, determination and class, returning home with multiple national titles and podium finishes.

Golden Moments

ACT rowers stood on the top step across a range of categories.

Tahlia Turnbull claimed gold in the Under 19 Women’s Single Scull, while Luca Storgato dominated the Under 17 Men’s Single.

In the lightweight ranks, Alexandra Moylan delivered a standout performance to win the Open Lightweight Women’s Single, while Cormac Hayes took gold in the PR3 Men’s Single Scull. Isobel Egan also secured victory in the PR3 Mixed Double Scull.

In the school ranks, Marist College produced a dominant showing, taking out both the Under 17 and Schoolboy Coxed Quadruple Sculls. An impressive display of depth and crew cohesion!

Across the Fleet

SMALL BOATS: ACT’s strength in sculling was evident, with Cormac Kennedy-Leverett in the Open Men’s Single and Garvan Hayes in the U21 Lightweight Men’s Single both claiming bronze, alongside Hannah Tippett in the Open Lightweight Women’s Single.

MIDDLE BOATS: In the doubles, James Robson & Darcy James secured bronze in the Under 23 Men’s, while Emily Shappard & Catherine Khan matched the result in the Open Women’s. Tippett & Moylan also combined effectively for silver in the Open Lightweight Women’s Double.

QUAD STRENGTH: ACT crews continued to shine in the quad sculls, with bronze medals in both the Open Women’s by Anneka Reardon, Tippett, Khan & Moylan and Open Men’s by Hamish Harding, Robson & James.

Schools Leading the Way

ACT schools once again featured strongly across the championships.

Marist College led the charge with two national titles, while Canberra Girls Grammar School added to the medal tally with a bronze in the Schoolgirl Coxed Quadruple Scull and a silver in the Under 17s Schoolgirl’s Coxed Quadruple Scull. Crews from Radford College, Canberra Grammar School and Daramalan College consistently featured in A-finals, highlighting the depth of school rowing in the Territory.

Interstate Wrap

A proud group of ACT athletes donned the blue and gold in the Interstate Regatta to close out the week.

The highlight came from Hayes, who delivered an outstanding performance to secure a silver medal in the Interstate PR3 Men’s Single Scull.

While the broader results did not fully reflect the effort and commitment of the squad, every athlete who represented the ACT did so with pride, determination and a strong sense of team identity.

Final Thoughts

From national champions to emerging school talent, the 2026 Australian Rowing Championships once again demonstrated the strength of rowing in the ACT.

Across clubs, schools and high-performance pathways, ACT athletes continue to punch above their weight on the national stage. These results are a testament not only to the athletes but to the coaches, volunteers, families and supporters who make it all possible.

Rowing ACT congratulates all athletes and thanks everyone involved in making the journey to Nationals another success.

ACT Medal Summary – 2026 Australian Rowing Championships

Gold Medals

  • Luca Storgato (Marist) – Under 17 Men’s Single Scull
  • Tahlia Turnbull (ANU) – Under 19 Women’s Single Scull
  • Alexandra Moylan (ANU) – Open Lightweight Women’s Single Scull
  • Cormac Hayes (CRC) – PR3 Men’s Single Scull
  • Isobel Egan (Radford) & Flynn Wilkinson – PR3 Mixed Double Scull (ACT athlete: Egan)
  • Dashel Spiller, Luca Storgato, Cooper Clark & Jonah McLaughlin (Marist) – Under 17 Men’s Coxed Quadruple Scull
  • Cooper Clark, Luca Storgato, Roland Carter, Mitchell Wadie & Cox: Theodore Campton (Marist) – Schoolboy Coxed Quadruple Scull

Silver Medals

  • Heidi Heap & Ava Wrathall (BMRC) – Under 17 Women’s Double Scull (Wrathall – ACT)
  • Joshua Miller (BMRC) & Julian Le Maitre – Under 23 Lightweight Men’s Double Scull (Miller – ACT)
  • Hannah Tippett & Alexandra Moylan (ANU) – Open Lightweight Women’s Double Scull
  • Sammy Robilliard, Zoe Leeshaa, Matilda Coddington & Ava Wrathall (BMRC Composite) – Under 17 Women’s Coxed Quadruple Scull (Wrathall – ACT)
  • Zoe Tran, Grace Fogarty, Audrey Blacker, Leila Biddington & Cox: Lucia Wildman (CGGS) – Under 17 Schoolgirls’ Coxed Quad Scull
  • Cormac Hayes (ACT) – Interstate PR3 Men’s Single Scull
  • Harrison Braithwaite (CRC) with Mosman Composite Crew – Under 19 Men’s Quadruple Scull (Braithwaite – ACT)
  • Dylan Outram, Jesse Rosin, James Robson & Darcy James (CRC/ANU) – University Men’s Quadruple Scull Sprint

Bronze Medals

  • Ava Wrathall (BMRC) – Under 17 Women’s Single Scull
  • William Fraser (Radford) – Under 17 Men’s Single Scull
  • Cormac Kennedy-Leverett (Sydney/ACT) – Open Men’s Single Scull
  • Garvan Hayes (CRC) – Under 21 Lightweight Men’s Single Scull
  • Hannah Tippett (ANU) – Open Lightweight Women’s Single Scull
  • Camilla Griffin & Khloee Owen (CGGS) – Under 17 Women’s Double Scull
  • James Robson (ANU) & Darcy James (CRC) – Under 23 Men’s Double Scull
  • Emily Shappard & Catherine Khan (ANU/Sydney University) – Open Women’s Double Scull (Khan – ACT)
  • Lily Canfield, Rio Smith, Grace Holton & Charlotte Bowen (CGGS Composite) – Under 19 Women’s Quadruple Scull (Bowen – ACT)
  • Hannah Tippett, Anneka Reardon, Catherine Khan & Alexandra Moylan (ANU) – Open Women’s Quadruple Scull
  • Hamish Harding, Ben Clayton, James Robson & Darcy James (ACT Composite) – Open Men’s Quadruple Scull (Robson, James – ACT)
  • Sophie Murphy, Camilla Griffin, Khloee Owen, Charlotte Bowen & Cox: Rebecca Elischer (CGGS) – Schoolgirl Coxed Quadruple Scull
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2026 ACT Interstate Team Announcement

Rowing ACT would like to congratulate the following crews on their selection into the ACT Interstate Team to compete in the Interstate Regatta at Lake Barrington on Sunday 29th March 2026.

Rowing ACT President Kent Peters commented “It is pleasing to see so many crews selected and that there is many individuals who want to compete for the ACT. Our athletes will do us proud and I look forward to seeing them compete in Tasmania”.

President’s Cup – Men’s Interstate Single

Hamish Harding, coached by Tom Westgarth and Nigel Harding

Nell Slater Trophy – Women’s Interstate Single

Catherine Khan, coached by Tom Westgarth and Nigel Harding

PR3 Men’s Interstate Single

Cormac Hayes, coached by Tom Westgarth

PR3 Women’s Interstate Single

Isobel Egan, coached by Gordon Marcks, Claudia Kendall and Oscar Willink

Noel F Wilkinson Trophy – Youth Men’s Interstate Eight

Harrison Braithwaite

William Fraser

Garvan Hayes

Benjamin Haywood

Campbell Milne

Dylan Outram

Cameron Schmidt

Angus Scott

Cox: Theodore Campton

Coached by Mark Kwiatkowski and Chris Polychinnan

Reserves: Josh Miller and Joshua McGuiness

King’s Cup – Men’s Interstate Eight

Hamish Harding

Cormac Hayes

Darcy James

Max McAlpine

Matthew Rickard

James Robson

Jesse Rosin

Cameron Schmidt

Cox: Jackson Thew

Coached by Mark Kwiatkowski and Chris Polychinnan

Queen’s Cup – Women’s Interstate Eight

Jacinta Essam

Sophie Jerapetritis

Ellora Kelly

Catherine Khan

Brooklyn Leslie

Alexandra Moylan

Tahlia Turnbull

Zara Turner

Cox: Amelia Mukherjee

Coached by Nigel Harding and Dearne Grant

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Vale Evelyn Sommer

Rowing ACT would like to acknowledge the passing of Evelyn Sommer, a Life Member of Black Mountain Rowing Club, and a cherished member of the Rowing ACT Community alongside her husband David Bagnall OAM.

Evelyn was a former Australian and NSW Representative over many years, and is a pioneer of women’s rowing in Australia. Black Mountain Rowing Club posted the following tribute on their website

“Evelyn (Ev) Sommer, Black Mountain Rowing Club (BMRC) life member, passed away peacefully on Saturday 28 February surrounded by family.  

Ev’s, pioneering womens rowing achievements were significant and unique.  Apart from her determination as a competitor she was colourful, loud and extroverted.

Ev took up rowing aged 15 at Sydney Womens Rowing Club (now Abbotsford RC).  

In 1967, aged 17, in year 11 at Burwood Girls High School, Ev won the first of her eight Interstate Rowing Championships in the bow seat of the NSW four.   Ev was frequently the stroke in subsequent Interstate successes.   Indeed, in 1971, aged 21, Evelyn stroked the women’s interstate lightweight (Victoria Cup) and open (ULVA trophy) races to victory on the same day – an unusual achievement shared with fellow crew member Judy Perry who was in the same boats. 

Ev’s rowing prowess was such that she had the distinction of winning all of  the then Interstate events  over her career: lightweight and open sweep crews and the Nell Slatter Trophy for Interstate single sculls Championship.  This was an analogous achievement to that of Peter Antonie in men’s events. 

Ev represented Australia at World Rowing Championships in 1974 and 1978 as well as several Trans Tasman events.   In 1974, the pair of Ev and Lydia Miladinovic raced in the first World Rowing Championships that included women’s races.

Ev moved to Canberra in 1985 and joined BMRC. She won many local events and several Masters Regatta Championships in BMRC colours, with her last being the Australian Masters Rowing Championships in 2013 on Lake Burley Griffin.

Ev rowed in multiple crews at the Head of the Yarra (HoY), and despite her gloried past achievements was still announcing that she wanted to win the HoY.  When the club named its lighter weight 8 the “Evelyn Sommer” she was still dreaming of being a part of a winning BMRC crew notwithstanding her declining health.

We will all miss Evelyn and her significant contribution to BMRC club and crews”

Rowing Australia have also acknowledged Evelyn’s significant contribution over many years, with a post highlighting her contributions to rowing in Australia.

Rowing ACT offers our condolences to Evelyn’s family, and particularly her husband David Bagnall in their time of grief.

Details for Evelyn’s Memorial can be found here

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Commonwealth Avenue Bridge Renewal – Phase 1 Span Closures

With the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge Renewal Project commencing, there will be changes to the Lake Traffic Flows to enable the completion of works. During the period of the bridge works, spans either side of the piers undergoing works will be closed to lake users.

The first phase of the closures will commence from Thursday 29th January and is expected to conclude on the 7th April. During this time, the two most southern spans of Commonwealth Avenue Bridge will be closed to Lake Users. The map below shows the closures as advertised by the National Capital Authority. 

Rowing ACT has developed the following map to assist rowers in navigating through Commonwealth Avenue Bridge. 

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We thank the community for their support during this period, and will continue to advise the community on changes as they occur. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Rowing ACT Executive Officer Sarah Davoren at eo@rowingact.org.au

For more information about the Bridge Renewal Project, please click on the link below

National Capital Authority – Commonwealth Avenue Bridge Renewal Project

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HerCoach – Women’s Coach Development Scholarship Announcement

Rowing ACT is excited to announce through funding from the ACT Government’s Women’s Coaching and Officiating Support Program, we are launching a Coaching Scholarship for Female Rowing Coaches in the ACT.

With 9 scholarships available for all level of coaches, Rowing ACT is excited to see development of our local female coaches over the next 12 months. This scholarships give opportunities for new, developing and performance focused coaches to expand their capabilities and skillsets through an exciting new program. Applications will close Friday 6th February 2026, with the program expected to commence Late February and will run through 2026.

Rowing ACT President Kent Peters said “We are excited to provide a new opportunity for female coaches in the ACT and look forward to seeing the development of coaches within the program”.

Rowing ACT Executive Officer, Sarah Davoren said “The program provides a great opportunity for local female coaches; from developing to performance; to upskill and showcase their abilities. We are incredibly grateful to the ACT Government for their support through the Women’s Coaching and Officiating Support Program Grant”.

To learn more about the program, head to the Women’s Coach Development Scholarship Page or read more here. For a flyer to share with coaches at your club, click here

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Vale Robin Poke

The ACT Rowing Community was saddened to hear of the death on 12 December 2025 of former Rowing ACT member, competitor and Board Member Robin Poke AM. 

Robin’s association with rowing in the ACT commenced in the 1980s when he came to Canberra to pursue opportunities in television journalism.  He quickly immersed himself in a variety of roles in rowing at the State and National level.  

In Canberra Robin is best remembered for leverage of his journalism skills to promote key events in the growth of ACT Rowing.  These included selection of the first World Championship crew from the ACT – the junior pair of Galloway and Thompson coached by Peter Shakespear.  Robin’s media strategy created a sustained lift in the profile of rowing across the board in the ACT and that of representative rowing.  

The ACT crew’s victory in the 1997 Kings Cup provided him with an opportunity he had only dreamt of.  He was able to call the editor of the Canberra Times and say “hold the front page, ACT has won the Kings Cup”.  The publicity and events associated with this success provided a strong stimulus in ACT clubs and schools for increased participation in the National Rowing Championships and Interstate regatta. 

Robin generously lent his expertise to Clubs and the Association for diverse promotional projects including business sponsorships and facility openings. 

In the mid-nineties Robin took on leadership roles as Chairman and then President of the ACT Rowing Association at a time when statehood was the first item on the agenda. Working with proponents David Butt (Chairman) and Leon Bower, Robin contributed to the careful assessment of financial and administrative implications that lead to separation of the administration of ACT and NSW Rowing.  

In 1992 Robin joined Canberra Rowing Club continuing his association with rowing competition that began on the Thames and later the Mosman Rowing Club.  He successfully competed in regattas at the Club, National and International level.   

ACT Rowing will miss Robin’s contribution to so many aspects of the local rowing scene. We thank Robin for his lasting contribution and legacy he leaves behind in the ACT Rowing community.

Article prepared by Patrick Davoren and David Bagnall

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Rowing ACT awarded Minister’s Award for Excellence in Innovation

At the 2025 CBR Sports Awards, Rowing ACT was awarded the Ministers Award for Excellence in Innovation, recognising the ongoing upgrades to our regattas through our digital optimisation project.

Over the past 18 months and moving forward, Rowing ACT has established upgrades to our umpire and regatta capabilities, through WiFi sites at regattas, eReader tablets for our umpires, creating Live Streaming Opportunities, with more to come.

We are incredibly humbled by this recognition and grateful to Minister Berry and ACT Sport and Recreation for this ongoing support through the Industry Partnership Program and other programs.

As noted by Rowing ACT President Kent Peters on the night, these projects expand on the offerings we can provide to our community throughout the regatta season. It is appropriate that as we head towards the regatta weekend, with the biggest entries of the season so far, we celebrate the work we have achieved across a number of years, and celebrate what is to come.

We also acknowledge and celebrate Isobel Egan (Radford-ACTAS) who was named as a finalist in the Rising Star category, and who just missed out on the night.

See ACT Sport and Recreations media release here

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Agenda for the 61st Annual General Meeting of Rowing ACT

The agenda for the 61st Meeting of Rowing ACT Association Incorporated at the CGS Rowing Centre, Alexandrina Drive, Yarralumla on Tuesday 28th October 2025

  1. Apologies
  2. Confirmation of the Minutes of the 2024 Annual General Meeting
  3. Presentation of the Annual Report of Rowing ACT for 2024-25
  4. Presentation of the Audited Statement of Accounts for 2024-25
  5. Election of Directors
  6. Affiliation of the Red Shed Incorporated as a club of Rowing ACT (Vote)
  7. Update on Governance, Membership and Operational Processes
  8. Other Business

The Annual Report for 2024/25 can be found here

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Dragon Boat ACT – Australian Masters Games on the Regatta Course

Dragon Boat ACT will be utilising the regatta course for the Australian Masters Games regatta this weekend. Racing will be from 8am to 6pm Saturday 18th October to Monday 20th October. All clubs are schools are asked to move off the regatta course by 7:45am each day of racing. 

A start platform has been positioned 5m back from lane 1 at 800m to go on the regatta course. Solar lights are attached to the start platform for visibility. Please take care on the regatta course during this period. 

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