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.

Trophy	Club	Crew
Shakespear Cup for the winning eight at the CGS regatta	Canberra Grammar School	Lucas 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 Regatta	Radford College
Scullers Trophy for the Championship Women’s Single Scull	Canberra Rowing Club	Cara Grzeskowiak
Bruce Hick Trophy for the Championship Men’s single Scull	ANU Boat Club	Hamish Harding
Veterans Plate for the Championship Masters Men’s A-M Four	Black Mountain Rowing Club	Henry Bridgewater, Jeff Howell, Stephen McGlynn, Ian Mongan
NCDC Trophy for the Women’s Championship Four	ANU Boat Club	Ellora Kelly, Tahlia Turnbull, Brooklyn Leslie, Hannah Tippett Coach: Nigel Harding
Banjo Cup for the Men Championship Four	Canberra Grammar School	Ethan Murphy, Benjamin McGregor, Cameron Schmidt, Alexander Griffiths Coach: Scott Chesterton
President’s Shovel for the Championship Men’s 2nd Eight	St Ignatius Riverview	Jack 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 Eight	ANU Boat Club	Pip 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 Day	St Ignatius Riverview	Harry 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 Eight	St Ignatius Riverview	Harry 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 Championships	1st – ANU – 150 2nd – CRC – 114 3rd – BMRC – 80
Men’s Championship Pennant	1st – Radford – 175 2nd – Canberra Rowing Club – 169.5 3rd – Marist – 135
Women’s Championship Pennant	1st – ANU – 226 2nd – Radford – 155 3rd – Canberra Rowing Club – 98.5
Overall Championship Pennant	1st – 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:

Award	Recipient	Citation
Peter F Wilkinson Plate for the Most Improvement Oars Person	Alexandra Moylan	This 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 Year	Stuart John	Long 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 Year	Catherine Garrington	Determined 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 Shield	Anne Charlton	The 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.