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
Rowing ACT is aware of the forecasted high temperatures for the upcoming ADF / CGS Masters Regatta on Saturday 31st January, and is actively monitoring conditions.
Rowing ACT operates under the Rowing Australia Extreme Heat Recommendations and will utilise these guidelines on Saturday throughout the regatta. Currently the temperature has a forecasted high of 39 degree Celsius at 3pm, with the regatta expected to conclude at 1:30pm. The regatta draw has been set to provide a minimum of 30 minutes between start times for individual athletes with multiple races. A paramedic will be onsite at Weston Park, as per standard regatta procedures.
Under the Extreme Heat Policy, a Heat Index is determined utilising ambient (air) temperature and humidity. If the heat index as measured by Rowing ACT Officials reaches the thresholds indicated in the policy, Rowing ACT will consider cancelling races for firstly competitors aged Under 16, and secondly all further races if necessary. The Flag System will be utilised as per standard regattas and will a yellow flag will be raised if racing is modified due to weather conditions, including heat. Messages will be sent to club contacts and posted on Rowing ACT Social Media channels around changes to race conditions.
Rowing ACT recommends the following steps to help reduce the risk of heat stress:
- Rehydrate before and after racing
- Carry plenty of water when rowing
- Wear sun smart clothing – sun shirts and / or sleeves should be worn under zooties.
- Wear hats, sunglasses and sunscreen
We will update the community if there are any changes prior to the regatta commencing on Saturday.
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.
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