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Call for Nominations of Elected Directors

Rowing ACT is calling for nominations for the two elected positions listed below. Please note that at this point, both Directors have indicated their intention to stand for re-election.

  • President – currently held by Kent Peters (1 term of eligibility remaining)
  • Elected Director – currently held by Peter Wright (originally appointed as casual vacancy, with 2 terms of eligibility remaining)

As part of our commitment to strong governance and strategic leadership, we are seeking candidates with demonstrated board experience in two or more of the following areas:

  • Risk Management
  • Legal and Regulatory Compliance
  • Government Relations
  • Commercial and Marketing

These skills are critical to supporting the Board in its oversight responsibilities and in guiding the organisation through a dynamic and evolving environment. Interested individuals are encouraged to contact Vice-President Tobias Wehr-Candler to discuss the roles (President & Elected Director) and expectations of Board membership – vp@rowingact.org.au.

Nominations must be submitted by completing the form linked below and emailing the signed form to Sarah Davoren at eo@rowingact.org.au by COB Tuesday 21st October 2025, as per Rule 19 of the Rowing ACT Constitution. Please note that the secretary email is no longer in use, and forms emailed to this address will not be received.

Elected Director Nomination Form

To view current board members or understand more about the Rowing ACT Board, head to the About / Governance Tab on the Rowing ACT website or click the following link

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Update to Individual Member Category Definitions

On behalf of the Rowing ACT Board please see below an update to the definitions of the Individual Member categories of Rowing ACT. These definitions have been endorsed by the Rowing ACT board and will be applicable to individual members from the 2025/26 Rowing ACT season.

These definitions have been revised to ensure clarity in the member categories, as well as ensuring Rowing ACT has accurate records of all individual members. Please note that where individual members are not actively registered within the Rowing ACT database, they may not be eligible for the benefits of Rowing ACT membership, inclusive of Personal Accident Insurance.

In addition, commencing with the 2025/26 season, it is expected that athletes competing in the Winter Time Trial series and events such as the Col Panton should be competitive members. Individuals registered as recreational members will not be able to participate in the 2026 Winter Time Trial series and will be required to upgrade their membership. 

To ensure we can identify all members, we are asking that ALL registered members are listed in the Rowing ACT membership database, within four weeks of first registering with their club or school, or within 6 months of their annual membership expiring. Individual Members who are not registered within the time periods specified may not be eligible for the benefits of membership with Rowing ACT (some of which are listed below).

Athletes may be registered with one ACT Club and / or one ACT school in the system and can only hold one type of membership in the system. The club or school of whom the athlete is considered the “primary” member of will be charged the affiliation and registration fees at the end of the season.

General Definition of an Individual Member

An individual registered with a Rowing ACT affiliated club or school, who receives benefits from membership with Rowing ACT AND is currently listed in Rowing ACT’s designated membership database OR have been listed as active member in the last 6 months within the designated database.

When a rower registers with a club for the first time, they should be registered with the Rowing ACT membership database within 4 weeks of commencing with their club to be eligible for benefits associated with Rowing ACT membership, including insurance coverage.

Individuals who have been recognised as a life member of Rowing ACT will not be charged Registration / Membership of Rowing ACT; however, life members must still be registered with Rowing ACT if actively engaging with the community. Competitive life members will not be charged registration/membership fees, however, may incur an affiliation fee.

Individual Member Categories Definitions

Senior Competitive Member:

Individuals who race in ANY ACT, Interstate or National regatta or event, and who are 19 or over. Athletes must pay the registration fee for a competitive member if they compete during Rowing ACT’s membership year.

Junior Competitive Member

Individuals who race in ANY ACT, Interstate or National regatta or event, and who are under 19 during the relevant calendar year. Athletes must pay the registration fee for a competitive member if they compete during Rowing ACT’s membership year.

Competitive Coxswain:

An individual who competes only as a coxswain in any regatta and may not compete as a rower.

Recreational Member

Individuals who do not compete in ANY Rowing ACT regattas, or at the end of the membership year have not competed in ANY regattas. Recreational members are registered members of a local club or school. Includes non-competitive coxswains.

Associate Member:

Officials, committee members, board members, and other non-rowing club members.

Supporter:

Parents and friends of rowers who wish to receive information from Rowing ACT. Individuals registered as supporters do not receive coverage under the Personal Accident Insurance Program.

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ACT Athletes at HRR

Congratulations to all ACT athletes who competed in the 2025 Henley Royal Regatta! It was wonderful to see some familiar faces make their way down the traditional course on the Thames.


Marist College Canberra and Canberra Girls Grammar School both moved into the coxless boats to contest the Junior Quads in the Fawley Challenge Cup and Diamond Jubilee Cup respectively after a successful Australian Season but were knocked out in the heats.


CGGS also sent their Junior double across, who despite fantastic racing missed out on qualifying by one place.


ACT Academy of Sport athlete Alexander Wolf gave the Diamond Challenge Sculls a strong effort but was up against some strong competition and was knocked out in the heats.


It was however a former ACT and ANU Boat Club athlete in Olenka Moran who shone bright with the Rutgers University crew in the Island Challenge, setting a new record in the final and heading back to the US with a very shiny trophy.


We also want to give a shoutout to our friends at the Rowing Australia Reinhold Batschi National Training Centre, with the Men’s Eight taking out the Grand Challenge Cup and equalling the record.

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Rowing ACT End of Season Presentation

On June 28th, Rowing ACT welcomed our community to the 2024/25 End of Season Presentation at the Jetty on the lake. We were able to present and acknowledge our trophy winners for the season, and also acknowledge individuals within the community who have been presented with notable awards.

TrophyClubCrew
Shakespear Cup for the winning eight at the CGS regatta Canberra Grammar SchoolLucas Maclean, Marcus Tremopoulos, Nicolaas Van Der Walt, Magnus Dafter, Ethan Murphy, Benjamin McGregor, Cameron Schmidt, Alexander Griffiths, Cox: Timothy Robson
Steve Fairbairn Cup for Overall Point Score Winner at the ANU RegattaRadford College
Scullers Trophy for the Championship Women’s Single ScullCanberra Rowing ClubCara Grzeskowiak
Bruce Hick Trophy for the Championship Men’s single ScullANU Boat ClubHamish Harding
Veterans Plate for the Championship Masters Men’s A-M FourBlack Mountain Rowing ClubHenry Bridgewater, Jeff Howell, Stephen McGlynn, Ian Mongan
NCDC Trophy for the Women’s Championship Four ANU Boat ClubEllora Kelly, Tahlia Turnbull, Brooklyn Leslie, Hannah Tippett
Coach: Nigel Harding
Banjo Cup for the Men Championship FourCanberra Grammar School Ethan Murphy, Benjamin McGregor, Cameron Schmidt, Alexander Griffiths
Coach: Scott Chesterton
President’s Shovel for the Championship Men’s 2nd EightSt Ignatius RiverviewJack Haire, William Erwin, Jack Ward, Alexander Forlico, Willem Van Rijswijk, Samuel O’Brien, Hamish Walker, Thomas McClintock, Cox: Ryan McNulty
Coach: Hugh Courts
Golden Jubilee Trophy for the Championship Women’s EightANU Boat ClubPip Gray, Jacqueline Williams, Ellora Kelly, Brianna Murray, Brooklyn Leslie, Tahlia Turnbull, Sophie Jerapetritis, Alexandra Moylan, Cox: Luella Blackwood
Coach: Nigel Harding
Ron Starr Bucket for the winning Men’s eight closest to Canberra DaySt Ignatius RiverviewHarry Kelly, George Field, Angus McGrath, William Bryant, Montague Hyles, Julian Carr, Zachary Hyde, Harrison Davis, Cox: Henry Burton
Coach: Matthew Curtin
Uriarra Cup for the Men’s Championship EightSt Ignatius RiverviewHarry Kelly, George Field, Angus McGrath, William Bryant, Montague Hyles, Julian Carr, Zachary Hyde, Harrison Davis, Cox: Henry Burton
Coach: Matthew Curtin
Phere Niki Trophy for the Championship Club at ACT Championships1st – ANU – 150
2nd – CRC – 114
3rd – BMRC – 80
Men’s Championship Pennant1st – Radford – 175
2nd – Canberra Rowing Club – 169.5
3rd – Marist – 135
Women’s Championship Pennant1st – ANU – 226
2nd – Radford – 155
3rd – Canberra Rowing Club – 98.5
Overall Championship Pennant1st – Radford – 330
2nd – ANUBC – 318
3rd – Canberra Rowing Club – 268

We were also able to present our individual awards, with these awards being decided on individual merits and achievements:

AwardRecipientCitation
Peter F Wilkinson Plate for the Most Improvement Oars PersonAlexandra MoylanThis award is determined by the person who has made the biggest percentage improvement to their individual grade score this season. This year Alex Moylan made a 49% improvement to her score, something that only occurs when an athlete consistently wins events across the season.
Volunteer of the YearStuart JohnLong after finishing his employment with Rowing ACT, Stuart John consistently gives back to the community. He can often be found behind the commentary microphone for hours at a time during a regatta, is consistently striving to increase the Para representation and support in the community, will give his time to emcee events and support to Rowing ACT in all areas.
BRO of the YearCatherine GarringtonDetermined by Senior Officials, the BRO of the Year was this year given to Catherine Garrington in her first year as Chief BRO. In her first year, she has strived to continue the legacy left by Geoff Northam and make constant improvements to BRO standards, both on the water and off. She has lead from the front and made small but significant changes to BRO operations
Cliff Hill ShieldAnne CharltonThe Shield is awarded to an individual for long service and dedication to Rowing ACT. Anne Charlton has been an umpire for many years, and is often working hard behind the scenes to ensure the smooth and seamless flow of regattas. Anne is consistently umpiring at regattas and winter time trials and is constantly supporting Rowing ACT from behind the scenes.

Finally, at the presentation this year, RACT was able to award Nicholas Neales with his Interstate Blazer, awarded for winning the 2022 PR3 Men’s Interstate Single, as well as acknowledge awards and accolades presented to individuals throughout the season.

  • Dr David Bagnall on receiving an Order of Australia Medal for services to the Rowing community and in particular his dedication to the ACT rowing community. David has been a previous president of Rowing ACT, has been a coach for more than a few members of the ACT community, including many of our para athletes. He has been a constant supporter, commentator, cheerleader, friend and someone who has been an enormous part of the foundations of Rowing ACT as we know it today.
  • Nick Hunter OAM on being inducted as a Life Member of Rowing Australia. Whilst already a life member of Rowing ACT and an associate member of the ACT Sport’s Hall of Fame, it was well deserving and appropriate that Nick was nominated to Rowing Australia’s Life Member ranks at the most recent AGM. Nick is nearly synonymous with Rowing in Australia and definitely in the ACT. He is a state, national and international umpire, has coached more than a few athletes in the ACT and has been instrumental in developing the sport of Rowing in the ACT, Australia and internationally.
  • Geoff Northam was named Boat Race Official of the Year at the 2024 Australian Rower of the Year, for his long standing efforts, dedication and commitment to many
  • Isobel Egan burst onto the Para rowing scene this year, claiming gold in every Para event she has entered. Her rise to Para rowing success has lead to a place on the U23 World Championships Team in the PR3 single scull next month, and we look forward to seeing her firstly in the Australian team colours, but more importantly in ACT colours at next years nationals.
  • Catherine Khan has been quietly chipping away at her skill over many years, and has this year found her talent in beach sprints. I’m not sure there was too many people who expected the next beach sprinter to come from the cold waters of Lake Burley Griffin, but Catherine has been selected into the Australian team for the World Championships later this year.
  • We would also like to acknowledge Nick Hunter OAM and Geoff Northam who are officiating at the World University Games next month, as well as Stuart John who is pulling on the commentators headset at the World Rowing Championships in Shanghai.
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Rowing ACT Congratulates Dr David Bagnall on his OAM

Rowing ACT would like to congratulate Dr David Bagnall on being awarded an Order of Australia Medal, announced on the King’s Birthday long weekend.

David has a long history of supporting Rowing in the ACT, as a coach, board member and president, administrator, commentator and more. David was elected to Life Membership of Rowing ACT at the 56th Annual General Meeting on 28 September 2020, recognising his service as an administrator and rowing coach. David joined the Australian National University Boat Club upon arriving in Canberra during the 1974-75 season and soon became the Boat Club’s delegate to the ACT Rowing Association. Thus began a long record of service to the Association as an Executive Committee member, Senior Vice President (1976-77) and President (1985-88 and 2010-19). Over this time, he also contributed to the development of several clubs, notably Narrabundah (Black Mountain) Rowing Club, where he was a veteran of the lengthy battle to secure a grant of a boatshed site on Black Mountain Peninsula.

David is one the ACT’s most successful rowing coaches, whose efforts have greatly advanced the fortunes of his athletes and the reputation of rowing in the ACT. In the late 1970s he settled on a successful formula for recruiting and instructing lightweight women rowers at ANUBC. This involved recruitment of athletic students and training scheduled to fit in with study commitments and avoid cold winter mornings. This approach saw early success at State and National level and later contributed to international medals.

In his second term as President, David dealt with important developments on the Yarramundi Reach Course such as relocation of the spectator area from Lady Denman Drive to a sustainable site on Weston Park. This was followed by approvals for installation of landing pontoons. He was active in removing the threat of closure of Lake Burley Griffin to rowing following algal blooms by securing “secondary contact status” for the sport.

David has made a strong contribution to interstate competition as a selector and coach for the ACT and, prior to ACT rowing statehood, for New South Wales. He has facilitated staging of regattas at local, state and national level in his role as a well-informed commentator.

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RACT congratulates Nick Hunter OAM on Rowing Australia Life Membership

Rowing ACT extends its congratulations to Nick Hunter OAM, who was added to the Rowing Australia list of Life Members. This is one of the highest honours in Australian rowing, and recognises the significant and enduring service and dedication that Nick Hunter has given to the sport of Rowing.

At the Club, State, National and International levels there is very little that Nick Hunter has not given to the sport of rowing. He is synonymous with rowing in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), being a long time Club President of the Australian National University (ANU) Boat Club, a former Rowing ACT Board Member and current Life Member. In addition to his roles as an Australian and World Rowing Umpire, a former ACT and Australian rowing coach, and long-time Australian Sports Commission (ASC) administrator, Nick was crucial in the procurement of funding for what was then the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Rowing Centre.

Nick has represented umpires on the Rowing Australia and World Rowing Umpires Commissions. He was also the first Australian to be appointed to World Rowing Umpires Commission. 

Nick’s dedication to rowing is matched by very few. His knowledge of rowing history is truly incredible, with encyclopaedic recall and enjoyment in sharing the stories of athletes, equipment and events. Sharing his knowledge, Nick has supported the development of Rowing ACT staff through many changes and new faces, spending time with each to help guide each through the administrative side of rowing. 

Coach and Athlete

Nick represented Australia at the 1986 Edinburgh Commonwealth Games, as well as the 1984, 1986, 1987 and 1990 World Championships.

Nick began his coaching career in 1988, going on to become the Head Coach of the ACT Academy of Sport (ACTAS) rowing program from 1994-2000, and continuing in a coaching role until 2003. During that time, seven ACTAS athletes were selected for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, and five for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Between 1989 and 2000 Nick ran talent identification programs in the ACT, with 14 athletes subsequently selected to represent Australia and three becoming Olympians. Nick was an Australian team coach between 1990 and 2002, including for the 1990 World Championships, the 1999 and 2000 World Junior Championships, the 2001 and 2002 World Junior Championships, and as Assistant Team Coach for the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Nick continues to coach at the ANU Boat Club on a regular basis. 

Umpire

Nick is a World Rowing, Rowing Australia and ACT umpire. He regularly assists in the development of new umpires at all levels in education and assessment. Nick has been a part of the teams that lead the development of rowing umpiring as it currently stands, including the usage of zonal umpiring and the development of Australia’s umpires in Coastal and Beach Sprint Rowing.

Nick has been on Rowing Australia juries as an umpire on multiple occasions since 2006, including seven Australian Rowing Championships. He was President of the Jury at the first Coastal Rowing and Beach Sprint National Championships. 

On the world stage, Nick has been on World Rowing juries multiple times. In 2022, Nick served as President of the Jury for the World Rowing Under 19 and Under 23 Championships.

Development and Administration

Nick constantly aims to develop individuals, roles and responsibilities to further the sport of rowing. At an Australian level, he currently sits on the Rowing Australia Umpires Commission, the Coastal Rowing Working Group and the Rowing in Australian Working Group. Internationally, Nick is a member of the World Rowing Umpires Commission, the first Australian to be appointed to this Commission.

During Nick’s time as a member of the Australia Sports Commission, he was an integral part of the business case and development of the $2.2million expansion of Rowing Australia House and AIS Rowing Centre in Yarralumla, now the Men’s National Training Centre.

In 2016, Nick was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his service to the rowing community. Nick has said he keeps showing up because of what rowing has given to him, and there is no denying his dedication to the sport of rowing.

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Nationals Round Up

Another nationals been and gone, with some incredible results coming from our ACT contingent in Lake Barrington. Every year, our small but mighty ACT team puts some incredible results on the board

Small Boats: Kicking off the week strong, we saw some fantastic efforts in the singles and pairs. ANU-ACT Academy of Sport athletes, Hamish Harding and Catherine Khan showed their class with bronze medals respectively in the Open singles. For both athletes, this has lead to an Australian Rowing Team trials invitation later this month.

Alexandra Moylan returned to the lightweight boat class this year, and made a statement, with a silver medal in the Open Lightweight Single. In the Men’s U21 Lightweight Single Garvan Hayes followed in the footsteps of older brother Cormac and found his way onto the podium with a bronze medal.

Canberra Grammar’s Cameron Schmidt continued his form with a bronze medal in the School Boy Single, whilst Radford College’s Isobel Egan shone in the PR3 singles events taking out the PR3 Women’s Single and the PR3 Women’s Sprint in her first year as a classified athlete. Isobel’s incredible run from NSW Championships into Nationals resulted in an invitation to the Australian Rowing Team Trials.

In the Middle: Moving to the doubles and fours, the ACT’s flourish continued. Canberra Rowing Club’s Jesse Rosin and Darcy James finished a strong season with a bronze medal in the U21 Double Scull whilst ANU’s women’s program proved mighty with Catherine Khan taking a gold in the open women’s double. She was joined on the podium by fellow ANU athletes Ellora Kelly and Hannah Tippett, who took home the bronze. Hamish Harding made bronze his colour, with in the Open Double Scull.

Over in the lightweight division, Black Mountain’s Rowing Club’s Abbyghail Richards join the fun with a bronze medal in the Open Lightweight Women’s Double. Alex Moylan continued her silver spectacular with the Open Lightweight women’s Double.

In the U19 Men’s Coxless Fours, Canberra Grammar showed their skill, taking home the bronze with a classy finish. Meanwhile, ANU joined in the sweep action, taking another bronze in the Club Women’s Four.

Quad Style: Our ACT crews showed off in the quads, with medals abound. Sprinting home, ANU took out the Open Women’s Quad Sprint, and in the 2km variants, Hamish Harding added another bronze in the Open Men’s Quad. It was ANU’s powerhouse women of Catherine Khan, Alex Moylan, Hannah Tippett and Ellora Kelly who took out a silver behind a strong NTC women’s quad.

Black Mountain/Daramalan’s Ronja Staerker-Ashby and ANU’s Ruby Gray joined forces for the U23 Women’s Lightweight Quad to claim silver, and BMRC’s Abbyghail Richard shone brightly with her gold in the Open Women’s Lightweight quad.

But the stars of the quad show was undoubtably the School Girl and School Boy Quads. In a 10 minute window that had all ACT fans screaming hoarse, Canberra Girls Grammar charged home for a gold in the School Girl Quad, capping off an undefeated season in the ‘big and mighty green machine’, whilst their neighbours in Yarralumla Bay, Marist College made the School Boy Quad their own after last years Bronze medal efforts. We think ACT commentator Stuart John might still be recovering after calling those two across the line!

Big Boat Energy: It was the lightweights that showed the excitement of eight’s racing, with the Women’s Lightweight eight making its way onto the nationals scene for the first time, and ACT athletes featuring in the gold and silver medal crews – Alex Moylan made the ACT Lightweight crown her own with another gold to her bag whilst Ronja Staerker-Ashby joined a strong silver medal winning crew.

Interstate Fun: There were 19 ACT athletes donning the yellow and blue zootie for the final races of the week. Hamish Harding made his president’s cup debut with a bronze medal to top off his week, whilst Catherine Khan was just pipped for a medal in the Nell Slater in her debut single effort. The Victoria’s Cup crew pushed hard but were pipped by NSW to finish in 6th whilst the Men’s Lightweight four rowed a strong race to finish in 7th. For the first time since 2022, we had a Men’s Youth Eight on the course with all 9 athletes in the boat making their ACT debut. It was a race of 2 halves, with the Youth eight sitting back in the first 1000m but charging through Tasmania in the second half, and very nearly pushing onto South Australia to finish 6th.

Final Thoughts: There was not shortage of ACT athletes showing their pride throughout the week of Nationals. 98 athletes from 7 ACT clubs and schools made the trip across, and all of them showed why the ACT is a force to be reckoned with. Rowing ACT would also like to acknowledge the coaches, staff, supporters, umpires, volunteers and more who joined the rowers in Tasmania. It is not a small trip to make and the number of competitors who did compete is testimony to the dedication of many.

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ACT Masters Interstate Selection

Please see the selection policy and nominations form for the 2025 ACT Masters Interstate Regatta.

Selection Policy

Athletes should submit a full crew for consideration for the event, with a relevant time from the 2024/25 season. Only one entry per nominated crew is required. Nominations close 5pm Friday 9th May 2025

Nomination Form

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ACT Interstate Team 2025

Rowing ACT is very pleased to announce our ACT Interstate Team to compete at Lake Barrington in Tasmania at the Australian Rowing Championships.

These crews will represent the ACT in distinction, and join the ACT’s rich history of interstate representatives. In Tasmania, our debutants will join the likes of Sarah Cook OLY, Kathryn Ross, Nikki Ayers PLY, Caleb Antill, Jaime Fernandez OLY, Tom Westgarth and Luke Letcher, and so many others that have represented the ACT with great pride and distinction.

When these athletes take to the water in Tasmania, they will be wearing the ACT crest with great pride. We encourage all our ACT representatives, past and present to wear the crest with pride. To take pride in yourselves, your crews and your state.

Our crews for the Interstate Regatta are:

Presidents Cup for the Men’s Single – Hamish Harding #299

Nell Slater Trophy for the Women’s Single – Catherine Khan #363

Penrith Cup for the Lightweight Men’s Four – Matthew Rickard (#365), Oliver Manning (#371), George Bowditch (#372), Garvan Hayes (#373) Alex Tomanovits (Reserve)

Victoria’s Cup for the Lightweight Women’s Quad – Alexandra Moylan (#325), Ruby Gray (#368), Ronja Staerker-Ashby (#369), Abbyghail Richards (#370)

Noel Wilkinson Cup for the Men’s Youth Eight – Jesse Rosin (#374), Darcy James (#375), James Robson (#376), Max McAlpine (#377), Dylan Outram (#378), Cameron Schmidt (#379), Harrison Braithwaite (#380), Benjamin Haywood (#381) and Moira Geraghty (#382), Angus Scott and Campbell Milne (Reverses)

Good luck to all!

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Rowing ACT congratulates Nikki Ayers on her Australia Day honours

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Following a phenomenal 2024, Nikki Ayers PLY and doubles partner Jed Altschwager have been named on the Australia Day Honours list, for services to sport.

Nikki and Jed have both been awarded Order of Australia Medals (OAM) in recognition of their efforts at the Paris Paralympics, becoming the first Australian crew to win a gold medal in rowing at the Paralympics. Their efforts over the past cycle to become the Paralympic champions in the PR3 Mixed Double scull, especially in its first iteration at the Paralympics has been nothing short of incredible and something that Rowing ACT is incredibly proud to have been a part of in the journey to gold.

Congratulations Nikki Ayers OAM PLY!

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