2013 annual report · ewart challis, gail davis, geoff brown, heather sneddon, irene brewer, janet...

2013 Annual Report

Canberra Rowing Club Inc

49th Annual General Meeting – 23 July 2013

2013 Annual Report 1

Table of Contents

1. AGENDA FOR THE 49th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING .................................................................. 2

2. MINUTES OF THE 48th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING .................................................................. 3

3. PRESIDENT’S REPORT ................................................................................................................. 7

4. CAPTAIN’S REPORT .................................................................................................................. 11

5. CAPITAL (BOATSHED) FUND ..................................................................................................... 15

6. BOATHOUSE DEVELOPMENT SUBCOMMITTEE: INTERIM REPORT ............................................ 16

7. CORPORATE ROWING .............................................................................................................. 20

8. ACT ROWING ASSOCIATION ..................................................................................................... 21

9. COMMITTEE MEETING ATTENDANCE ....................................................................................... 22

10. TREASURER’S REPORT ........................................................................................................... 22

ATTACHMENT A – AUDITOR’S REPORTS ......................................................................................... 25

ATTACHMENT B – LIST OF MEMBERS .............................................................................................. 43

ATTACHMENT C – LIST OF CRC BOATS ............................................................................................ 46

Canberra Rowing Club – 2013 Annual Report

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1. AGENDA FOR THE 49th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

1. Members Present and Apologies

2. Minutes of the 48th Annual General Meeting

3. Business Arising from the Previous Meeting

4. Presentation of the 2012-13 Annual Report

5. President’s Report

6. Election of Office Bearers for 2012-2013

7. Transaction of any business for which proper notice had been given under the Rules of the Club:

a. Motion for a Special Resolution

That the Canberra Rowing Club Constitution be amended as follows:

replace:

4.1 A person wishing to become a Member of the Club must:

(a) make an application in writing in the form set out in Appendix 1; and

(b) lodge the application with the Secretary;

with

4.1 A person wishing to become a Member of the Club must:

(a) make an application in writing in the form prescribed by the Committee;

and

(b) lodge the application with the Secretary;

remove Appendix 1 from the Constitution; and

as a consequential amendment, replace references to ‘Appendix 2’ (wherever

occurring) with ‘Appendix 1’.

8. Captain’s Report

9. Treasurer’s Report


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2. MINUTES OF THE 48th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Held at the Canberra Girls Grammar School Rowing Shed on 21st June 2011

Present: Alison Chinn, Brendon Prout, John Simson, Pat Davoren, Randal Lawrence, Ron Hibberson, Alan Butorac, Alex Hodges, Alison Creagh, Amanda Brian, Andy Horsburgh, Anita McGlynn, Anita Preiner, Ann Whelan, Anne Charlton, Belinda Beauman, Brian Hewitt, Cameron Colquhoun, Cathy Crozier, Chris Polyichanin, Claudia Bottrill, Damien Pentony, Darrell Ninham, Dennis Dyer, Dermot Balaam, Emy Ayliffe, Ewart Challis, Gail Davis, Geoff Brown, Heather Sneddon, Irene Brewer, Janet Farnan, Janny Corry, Jeff Hart, Jenny Harber, Jill Brown, Jill Small, John Daley, John Southwell, Judi Walsh, Judith Dahl-Taylor, Judy Mann, Kath Wellman, Kathy Finlay, Kerry Collins, Laurence Sandral, Lyndell Wilson, Margaret Pentony, Mark Kwiatkowski, Martin Little, Mike Burgess, Mike Clifford, Nerida Carter, Pamela Hubert, Peter Chivers, Peter Lundy, Peter Wilson, Sally Clear, Sara Wightman, Scott Pagan, Selina Rowland, Steve Mirtschin, Suzanne Goddard, Tom Hayes, Tom Trobe, Tony Wilkes

Apologies: Senator Lundy, John Strapps

Minutes of the previous AGM and minutes of the special general meeting held 27 August 2011

Acceptance was moved by Brendon Prout and seconded by Claudia Bottrill.

Business Arising from either of those meetings – nil

Presentation of the Annual Report for 2011-12

President’s report (Alan Butorac)

Alan Butorac updated his written report with the news that Angus Moore was a part of the bronze medal winning 8 from Australia competing at the World U23 Championships.

Alan congratulated the Marist squad and said they were developing into a very successful program, growing far more rapidly than previously anticipated. He acknowledged there were some growing pains but also noted they were being overcome in a number of ways.

Alan went on the say that CRC was now on a sound financial footing due to the significant increase in fees which is covering ongoing expenses and it means that funds raised through Corporate Rowing are able to be identified for special purposes.

Alan briefly outlined his support for establishing a series of sub committees to support the Committee to achieve some specific tasks around the shed. More information on this will be forthcoming in future editions of the Oaracle.


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Alan then acknowledged the work being undertaken by Geoff Brown and Kath Wellman on the organising committee of the Australian Masters Rowing Championships for 2013 which will be held in Canberra in April 2013.

Neil Smith from Marist thanked CRC for their support over the past two years and noted that they have already had their first ACT Champion this year. He acknowledged the strong support being received from the families of their rowers and explained that the group were trying to have a limited impact on CRC. They are only utilising morning training sessions where coaches are not available in the afternoons and are already looking towards having their own facility within the next 3 – 5 years. They are now receiving support from the senior echelons of the school which will assist this plan. All the Marist rowers are financial members of CRC and as such are contributing to the running costs of the club. Neil explained that Marist have already collected some boats and now have $11,000 toward further equipment. He thanked the members of CRC for their support and explained that they could not have achieved as much as they have without that support from CRC.

Pat Davoren provided a brief update on Corporate Rowing. He acknowledged the impact that budget cuts are having on various Departments but is still hoping to get a good level of support for this event.

Captain’s Report (Chris Polyichanin)

In summarising his written report noted that it has been another really good season and it was good to see Marist exceeding expectations. He explained that the committee are now looking to hold the quality of the fleet around where it currently is and the general strategy for the next few years in regard to spending on boats will be not to exceed depreciation, and to refocus on smaller boats as we have recently been upgrading the large boat fleet. He noted the performance at local regattas of the young crews being coached by Edwin Bien, and also gave recognition to the work of the BROs and the tireless support they provide to the sport of rowing.

CRC this year won the Phere Niki trophy.

When questioned about plans for replacing any of the trailers, Chris advised that they are not in the immediate plan and more thought needs to be given to their upgrade along with the club ergos.

Treasurer’s Report (Sally Clear)

Sally advised that the completed auditors’ statements are included in the annual report. The surplus this year is $51,000 brought about by the introduction of a nomination fee and increased fees in general. The club has also changed banks this year and has established an investment account that has yielded over $1,000 in interest which will continue to grow as the club’s investments grow.


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Savings of approximately $4,500 have also been achieved by changing to the RA endorsed insurance policy. These insurance savings have also been passed on to members who choose to insure their private boats through the club.

The auditor’s only recommendation from the audit is to have the shed re-valued. It was last done in 2000 so the value is somewhat out of date now.

Sally discussed the change to a common fee renewal date for all members and explained that 13 October would be set aside for a club day.

There will also be a change to calculating the trailer levy that is charged for regattas out of Canberra. In future it will be incorporated with seat fees and paid on a usage basis.

Auditors for the new financial year have yet to be appointed. Quotes will be obtained from three providers before appointing one.

Sally thanked Randal Lawrence for the hand over that he provided her at the beginning of the year and for his continued involvement with the twice yearly stocktake.

She further thanked Dennis Dyer and Andy Horsburgh for their support as regatta secretaries.

Acceptance of the treasurer’s report was moved by Sally Clear and seconded by Geoff Brown.

Discussion ensued on the bylaw establishing the ‘sinking fund’ and the displaying of the funds in the balance sheet. Alan Butorac read the bylaw to the meeting and explained that the accounts printed in the annual report were as at the end of the financial year (April 2012) when it was necessary for the club to have $60,000 put aside. There is currently more than that invested.

It was noted that the investment funds will be tracked separately from general club finances and if excess funds are invested they will be subject to the same limitations as the minimum funds invested.

Life Members

The Committee recommended to the membership of the Club that life membership be granted to Mark Kwiatkowski and Edwin Bien.

Pat Davoren introduced Mark Kwiatkowski and outlined his rowing career and association with CRC. Mark commenced as a coxswain in Melbourne and after joining CRC was instrumental in increasing the fortunes of CRC when competing against NSW. He has provided strong coaching support to the club, been vice president for many years and was one of the architects of the corporate rowing program.


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Laurence Sandral introduced Edwin Bien and referred to him as the ‘iphone of the rowing world’. He has been involved in many aspects of rowing in Canberra including the building of the Girls Grammar shed, building now our ‘big trailer’, coaching regularly, officiating at regattas, winter time trials assisting with the fixing of boats and teaching others. Very few have seen Edwin in a rowing boat, and he is always giving to others.

Life membership to both Mark and Edwin was supported unanimously by the members of the club present at the meeting.

Election of Office Bearers

Nomination details were displayed on the club notice board for the required period of time, and from that single nominations were received for the following positions:

Captain Chris Polyichanin Vice Captain Pat Davoren Treasurer Sally Clear Secretary John Southwell

They were therefore elected unopposed.

Nominations were received from

Alan Butorac and Kath Wellman for the position of President

Pam Hubert and John Simson for the position of Vice President

Alison Creagh, Nerida Carter, Sara Wightman, Tony Wilkes, Judy Mann and Tom Trobe nominated for the committee.

A formal vote was conducted for all of these positions with the following results:

President Alan Butorac Vice President John Simson Committee

Tony Wilkes Tom Trobe Nerida Carter

Other Business

While the election was being conducted Laurence Sandral gave a presentation on the introduction to rowing program that he has conducted over the past few summers and urged members to get involved where they can. Further information will be provided via the Oaracle.


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Mark Kwiatkowski said he was humbled to accept the life membership of the club but he asked for greater consultation with members when the committee considers issues such as fee increases.

It was noted that committee minutes are displayed on the notice board and dthis has been appreciated.

Ron Hibberson reminded members that the club will be celebrating its 50th year in 2014.

Geoff Brown provided an update on the Australian Masters Rowing Championships to be held in Canberra in April 2013.

At the conclusion of the meeting Alan Butorac thanked the outgoing Committee for their support and work through the year. He also thanked Laurence Sandral for his work with the Learn to Row program and also thanked Ann Whelan for her years of work as Secretary of the Club.

3. PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Another year closes...another year opens.

And as we move into the 50th year of CRC, a time to reflect not just on the year gone, but on the first 50 years of our Club, and what the next 50 might hold.

How should we develop our Club? What will be its needs for the future? How best should we plan to meet those needs?

What do we need to do to ensure the future of our Club, and our sport? How do we capture and provide for the champions who will become our future Masters, and the beginners who will become our next champions?

Canberra Rowing Club turns 50 on the first of May next year.

A fabulous team of volunteers already has formed, to make sure 2014 is a year of celebration for our Club.

Celebration of our achievements, and of the successes of our many members over half a century.

Celebration of our past, and of our present.

And a heap of fun too! Watch out for notices and information about activities and events. 2014 is going to be a heck of a year!


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ACT Premiership

2012-13 has been a pretty fair year too.

CRC is proud to have clinched the ACT Premiership – top pointscore overall, as well as in both Men’s and Women’s divisions.

A fabulous result for our Club...congratulations to all who participated in ACT regattas and helped bring home the Premiership.

Marist College

A fabulous result too for Marist rowers – fourth in the Men’s Premiership points standings, beating Grammar into fifth spot.

Top job! And an even more outstanding achievement when we consider just how far Marist rowing has progressed in a very short time.

The Marist program really is beginning to mature, and to show the results of a lot of hard work and enthusiasm from the core parent/coaching group.

It’s a tribute also to the support of the wider CRC community who have welcomed the Marist students into our Club.

We look forward to even greater success in the year ahead.

Clubhouse Redevelopment

During the course of 2012-13, we have begun in earnest to look at options for future development of our boatshed.

Two long-standing members – John Daley and Peter Lundy – very kindly agreed to form the Boatshed Redevelopment Subcommittee, and have been busy for several months, exploring a very wide range of options (the Subcommittee’s interim report is incorporated into the Annual Report).

We expect to have many conversations with all CRC members over the coming year, to define how you want our clubhouse to look; what you want it to include; and how we propose to fund the development.

As outlined in the Treasurer’s report, we are well ahead of the target we set with the creation of the Development Fund. But we will soon need to begin to consider a concerted fundraising effort, as well as grant applications, and ultimately a modest level of borrowing, to provide the funds we will need to transform our Boatshed into a Clubhouse.

We will aim to make development of plans and advancement of fundraising a key


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element of our 50th anniversary year.

Masters Rowing

Another sensational year for CRC Masters rowers at all levels of competition, particularly in the highlight of the year...the hugely successful Australian Masters Rowing Championships, held in Canberra in April.

The AMRC regatta attracted more athletes, from more clubs, than any other AMRC regatta ever held in Australia.

The event was an absolute credit to the tireless Organising Committee, including three from CRC in Geoff Brown, Kath Wellman and Brendon Prout. Thanks to all three for so ably representing our Club in such an important task.

Special mention should be made of the extraordinary contributions of Ann Landrigan, chair of the AMRC Organising Committee, and James Hammond, Executive Officer of Rowing ACT, in making this event such a success.

And once again, CRC Master rowers did us proud, topping the medal tally to demonstrate once again we are the best Masters club in the nation.

Intro To Rowing

In 2012, we took a risk with our Intro To Rowing program, and moved the ITR sessions early in the season, alongside Corporate Rowing, and well ahead of our traditional scheduling of ITR in the New Year.

Once again a massive effort from Laurence Sandral, ably assisted by a big team of volunteers. And the experiment, I believe, has been a big success.

Bringing ITR forward provided a full summer for beginners to gain experience, making the transition from ITR to regular membership a significantly more rewarding experience.

It also allowed ITR and Corporate “graduates” to join forces, resulting in a great bunch of new faces around the shed, particularly on Sundays throughout the Summer and Autumn.

Corporate Rowing

Corporate Rowing remains our Club’s most significant annual fundraising activity. The tireless efforts of Pat Davoren ensure the program is a success year after year.

It’s also particularly gratifying to see the number of volunteers who step forward every year to provide the level of support without which Corporate Rowing simply would not


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work.

Thank you all...and please sign on again this year.

And please also encourage new groups to take up the Corporate challenge.

Volunteers

To all of the many members who give their time to ensure another successful year for our Club, and rowing in the ACT...thank you very much.

To those who have not yet experienced the rich rewards that come with volunteering...I strongly encourage you to have a go. Join a CRC Sub-Committee; sign on to help with Corporate Rowing or Intro To Rowing; enlist as a regatta volunteer or BRO.

If you’re not sure how...just approach any member of your CRC Committee.

And finally...my thanks to each member of the Committee for their support and hard work during this past year:

John Simson Vice-President John Southwell Secretary Sally Clear Treasurer Chris Polyichanin Club Captain Pat Davoren Club Vice-Captain Tony Wilkes Committee Nerida Carter Committee Tom Trobe Committee

Each of these people takes on a good deal of responsibility and commitment on behalf of all CRC members.

Without their cheerful contribution, we wouldn’t have the best rowing club in Australia!

To all of the CRC community...good health, and happy rowing.

Alan Butorac President


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4. CAPTAIN’S REPORT

Nothing can be said but well done to the whole Club for the 2013 Season! Across all of our commitments for improvement of rowing across the community several main highlights include:

� Highest uptake of Introduction to Rowing Program (I2R)

� Successful win of both the Men’s and Women’s and Overall Premiership, first time is as long as most can remember!

� Most successful Club at the ACT Championships including wins in the Uriarra Cup (Open Men’s Eight), Open Women’s Eight, Banjo Cup (Open Men’s Fours) and Open Men’s Quad Scull.

� Representation in the Open National Rowing Team and invitations for members to the National Time Trials

� Successfully taking out the Australian Masters Championships as the most successful Club by medal tally and points score

� 2 crews achieving Silver medals and another as Finalists in the Australian National Championships across heavyweight and lightweights men’s categories

� The Marist program acquiring its first racing coxed quad scull and finishing in multiple Finals in the NSW State Championships

� Purchase of 4 new racing single sculls with oars, and a new motor engine

The crew debrief….

Around the Club

The Club Working Bee was well supported again as always across the whole membership with the place coming up looking ready for the pitter patter of footsteps rushing around grabbing boats on regatta days. This year we saw another wall painted which is starting to really brighten up the place, especially ahead of those dark winter mornings.

The Club-house program continued full steam ahead with the appointment of its sub-committee to assess options for the Club, and we managed our Budget well to provide additional funds to the Building Fund.

The Corporate Rowing program was well supported again as always with Pat Davoren leading the charge of recruitment of interested companies/departments as well as migrating interested rowers on finishing from the program in to the membership. This season saw 7 crews entered which represents a solid commitment from the volunteers who make it work too! Every effort should be made to support the initiative in either recruitment or marketing of the program to any corporate entity you might know of or


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in volunteer assistance. A successful Corporate program gives back a lot to the membership!

Membership

This is definitely a different Club to the one inherited 6 seasons ago. In spite of strong competition from other Clubs like Black Mountain and the ANU, the Club has stuck to its committed investments and plans and is seeing the fruits of those labors now. The membership in both Men’s and Women’s ranks is now higher than it’s ever been, grossing 274 across the whole membership! Not bad from a start of 220 some 6 seasons ago. We set out with a plan of targeting 300 members and whilst we’re slightly short its still been a great achievement. I’d like to thank the Committee for its support over the years in supporting the initiatives we’ve implemented to help us grow. I’ve input a little summary below of the membership from the first report I received as Captain in 2008 to where we finished up this Season.

Gender Category 2008 2013

Men

Senior 97 76 Youth 15 73 TOTAL MEN 112 149

Wom

en

Senior 83 82 Youth 25 43 TOTAL WOMEN 108 125 TOTAL CLUB 220 274

The evident benefit is noted in the Club taking out the local Premiership for the first time in many years, with the Grade points attributing more to the score than the Master’s categories in a first for the Club in over 10 years.

Equipment

The season kicked off with the purchase of 4 elite Sykes racing single sculls from the AIS, with brand new Croker oars. This purchase was prioritized with our relationship with Sykes Racing and it’s important to recognize our good relationship that has built over time which now secures us good discounts and priority purchases. The Club’s deliberate plan is to budget equipment spend to only the amount incurred to depreciation and this relationship allows us to meet needs of a growing membership whilst maintaining a healthy budget.

The sizes were 2 x 70kg moulds and 2 x 90+ kg moulds, and were put to good use right away. This compliments the long-term boat plan which deliberately turned attention to small boats after several years of big boat purchases in Eights and Fours.

The season ahead continues this plan to round off our small boat fleet improvements


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with the purchase of 2 brand new Sykes racing double sculls/pairs! Equipped with quick release riggers these 2 new boats will arrive for the start of the 2014 season to stand-down the Bruce Hick and Jennifer Roberts after years of outstanding use. Stay tuned to the Oaracles for more details.

Addition to this the Marist School Program were bequeathed from the McMahon family a generous donation which was used with other fundraisings to purchase their first coxed quad scull. The boat was purchased in consultation with myself, David Bagnall and the Radford College program and we acknowledge the support of Phil Winkworth in assisting the Marist School with the final price.

Turning now to our motor-boats and the Club saw the purchase of another 2 Suzuki 8 horse-power Four stroke engines. This finally rounds out the entire engine fleet to a homogenous straight fuel mix which is more economical to manage, safer from risk of mistaken fuel mixes in the wrong engine, and consistent with expected water craft legislation change due to take effect in the next 2 years.

Noting one of our hulls was lagging in size compared to the new engine bought for it in 2012, the Committee approved for Budget the purchase of a new Qunitrex Hull from Ken’s Marine which will arrive this July.

Competition

It goes without saying the Club has enjoyed a phenomenally competitive season in 2013 across all of its age and gender categories. Before going in to the details it is important to note that without the support of our volunteer coaches these successes would be strained and limited. The Club as a whole thanks Darrell Ninham, Edwin Bien, Mark Kwiatkowski, Pat Davoren, Geoff Brown and the Marist Coaching staff under Simon Dunphy. The successful staging of Weston Park has proved helpful for running regattas with ability for crew swaps across equipment very easily as well as quick migration of equipment between the Club and site.

Elite end

The talents of Angus Moore aren’t limited to just joining the CRC Men’s 8 in winning the local Urriara Cup, but to then gain selection in 2 National Team crews travelling overseas in the Open Men’s Eight and Under 23 Men’s Pairs. We wish Gus all the best as he starts competing at the World Cup regattas in Europe for lead-up to the big events.

nnuaall Report


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Sub-elite base

This year saw Mark Kwiatkowski, Edwin Bien and myself return to the helm of a growing base of men and women who planned and structured a season out early. With a squad training across both small and big boats their presence was noted inside and outside of the Club. Highlights of the season included:

� ACT Champs – winning back the Urriara Cup (OM8+), President’s Shovel (Open Men 2nd 8+), Banjo Cup (OM4-), Open Men’s Quad Scull, Open Men’s Double Scull and 2-4th placings in the Open Men’s Single Sculls. Wins and placings in the C Grade Women’s Single and Double Sculls (1x and 2x)

� Invite to Jo Gubler to the National Time Trials in Sydney in late December 2012

� Silver Medal at the National Championships in the Open Lightweight Men’s Quad Scull (composite with Balmain and Mosman who trained in Canberra over a weekend camp)

� Silver Medal at the National Championships in the Club Men’s Double Scull

� 5th place in the Open Men’s Lightweight Double Sculls, with the first 3 crews coming from Overseas International Competitors in China and Korea.

� Wins in the NSW Sprint Championships and fielding an 8 in the NSW Championships

� Some 23 members travelling to SIRC for the Ed Trickett NSW Grade Championships and finishing in the top 5 for overall Club Points score

Marist School

� As mentioned earlier the Marist School program with generous donations and lots of hard fund-raising purchased its first racing coxed quad scull, christened the Damian McMahon

� Finished 4th overall on the Premiership table, 10 points ahead of CGS

� Raced to 3rd Place in the NSW State Championships Under 17 Coxed Quad Scull

� Competed at the Nationals Regatta held in Sydney for the first time as a Club!

Masters

� Ranked First in both the Masters Men’s and Women’s Local Premiership table

� Ranked First in the Club aggregate medal tally at the Australian Masters Championships, over 55 medals from 146 entries ahead of Melbourne Rowing Club at 44!

� Winner of the Champion of Champion’s race by Sue Linacre


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� Represented the Club in the Melbourne Head of the Yarra (what happens on tour stays on tour!)

� Representation in 4 crews at the Masters State of Origin Clash at the Masters Champs

It’s been a busy season as always and another where I’ve been especially proud to have been your Captain. Many thanks to the Committee as always for its evergreen support and to yourselves for making the Club an enjoyable place to wake up to at 6 in the morning, and to race with on regatta days. Good luck and good racing to you in 2014.

Thanks

Poly Captain

5. CAPITAL (BOATSHED) FUND

During the 2010-11 season, the Committee resolved to establish a capital fund with the dual objectives of accumulating sufficient money for redevelopment of the boatshed and providing a contingency reserve to meet unexpected calls on Club funds.

As we have now completed our fourth year of contributing to the Capital Fund, $95,000 has been committed to Term Deposits (the original commitment was for $20,000 per year to be set aside for the Capital Fund).

Our yearly contributions to the Capital Fund have been:

2010 $20,000 2011 $20,000 2012 $30,000 2013 $25,000


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6. BOATHOUSE DEVELOPMENT SUBCOMMITTEE: INTERIM

REPORT

Background

At the end of 2012 the CRC Committee established a Boathouse Development Subcommittee (BDS), comprising John Daley and Peter Lundy, with the President as ex offico member, to identify future needs and propose alternatives including but not limited to: refurbishment /extension of the existing boathouse; its demolition and replacement on the existing site; and construction of a new shed at another site, replacing or supplementing the existing facility.

The BDS has undertaken due diligence and consulted widely, both with Club members and relevant organisations. Its recommendations will be finalised for the Committee’s consideration later in the year (as intended), though some conclusions about matters that need to be initiated early are outlined here. Members are invited to consider these (and other) boathouse development matters and to convey thoughts and suggestions to the BDS (ideally at [email protected]).

Facility needs

In Oaracle earlier in the year the BDS noted that: “it is pretty clear our bathroom and toilet facilities, particularly for women, are substandard and inadequate; there is a strong demand for a clubroom of some sort, probably with a kitchen facility and incorporating adjacent floor space for stretching and ergometers; and, as with all rowing clubs, there is a demand to accommodate more boats and equipment”. Nobody took exception to this assessment – though several people have suggested that if the “clubroom” space can be amenable to renting out profitably the design should capture that opportunity. Interestingly, discussions with NCA and ACT planning authorities gave encouragement to incorporating a modest café, which might also raise some money. And money is the overriding issue. It is essential to align aspiration and affordability. UTS is spending $8m on a replacement boatshed at Haberfield; CRC, even stretching it, can afford perhaps one tenth of that.

The Club and the Committee must arrive fairly soon at a consensus position on what we need and what we can afford. The answer is probably along the lines noted earlier, with an initial price tag no greater than about $700k and, ideally, able to be undertaken in stages.

Funding the development

The BDS has prepared a financial model for the Club extending out 10 years. This needs to be updated for last year’s data. But the broad parameters would source the funds from: Club provisions, $170k; special fundraising $30k; government capital grants,


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$200k; a bank loan $300k. These figures are feasible and the loan can be sustained under reasonable assumptions, with construction in 2016 and 2017. Assumptions include subscriptions continuing to rise, membership continuing to grow, corporate rowing continuing, and expenditure on equipment continuing to be frugal.

So the Club must appreciate that a development to satisfy affordable needs will require a bank loan – and this has some implications which suggest early action. Lenders do not look as favourably on an incorporated association as on a company; indeed there is the possibility a company structure will be a requirement. Peter Lundy has prepared a report on the corporate structure of CRC commending transition to a company limited by guarantee. This is a straightforward process which also provides opportunity for CRC’s objects to be improved. But it does carry implications for office holders and members which need to be understood and accepted.

Borrowing is a funding approach that is inherently equitable, in that those responsible for interest and debt repayment are the beneficiaries of the improved facilities.

A capital grant is also key to a development of this order. CRC is a community club that has not been a beneficiary of any of these grants since the 1980s – and a good case can be made in this instance. However, work needs to begin on its preparation, notwithstanding the Catch-22 that a grant will only be considered for an approved project. This is the main driver for accelerating the conception of the project and reaching consensus on location and design.

Boatshed sites

Kath Wellman has contributed massively in completing a detailed report on all available and possible boatshed sites around the Lake. Apart from our existing site, there are:

(a) two sites north of CGGS shed on Yarralumla Bay (b) four sites in Grevillea Park, East Basin (c) three sites on Black Mountain Peninsula between the Radford and BMRC sheds (d) three potential sites proposed by us in Nursery Bay (Weston Park), Yarramundi

Inlet (west side of course) and Orana Bay (opposite the AIS),

Our official interlocutors were reluctant to consider these latter potentials given the absence of infrastructure and the location of the new bike path. Their view could be changed by a cogent case - but not in our timeframe. The BDS view of CRC building on the East Basin or Black Mountain sites is that it would split the club, with a new rowing club (or an increasingly distant CRC relative) inevitably establishing itself in Yarralumla Bay. These conclusions need to be agreed.

The sites opposite on Yarralumla Bay are available for lease and are considered suitable for a large rowing facility (with four roller doors). Potential lessees are encouraged to propose a joint facility, perhaps with cyclists or another school, and to


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contemplate multiple usage (gymnasium, café). Parking could be more difficult than at our present location. Also, while tenders have been invited, the government’s lease price expectation is believed to be high. If CRC won the tender we would be expected to surrender our existing lease. On the other hand, construction on a new site could proceed and be completed before surrender, without disrupting normal rowing activity, and building on the new site would be efficient.

Disruption is an important consideration in respect of any development on our existing site. And this prompted discussions with ANU about the site next door. An attractive site for an ANU aquatic centre is the present temporary ferry servicing site behind AIATSIS in Lawson Crescent Acton. NCA believes this to be a heritage area – but it has been alienated for some years and the possibility is not ruled out. The ANU sports association has supported CRC in taking this forward though, again, a realistic timeframe may be too long for CRC. Certainly, access to the facility next door would permit a very manageable and affordable realisation of our various needs.

While that possibility should not be discarded, it seems clear that a baseline planning strategy should centre on our present site which, but for its legacy facilities, their inadequacies, and the inevitability of some disruption to rowing, is generally ideal.

Development on present site

There are several strands of thinking about the development of our existing shed. Much of the advice to the BDS indicates that demolition followed by building anew is likely to be the most economic. The building could be prefabricated concrete rather like the CGGS shed (and the recently re-built Barwon RC shed) or high quality steel frame and cladding. We would build to two levels irrespective and either approach could be designed to satisfy planning approval and local resident standards. The dollar figures mentioned earlier are expected to be adequate – but our rowing activities would be disrupted for several weeks at the very minimum.

We have also had a structural engineer examine the building and provide a scheme to build a second level above the existing shed, entailing larger footings and stronger (and larger) pylons. This is feasible, if probably more costly, and could be undertaken closing off only successive quarters of the boatshed. It would provide a very large upstairs area.

A third approach harks back to 2004 and the plans prepared by CRC members Rodney Moss and Graham Humphries of Cox Architecture for a development on the “triangle” of our block where the boat trailers are parked. This is effectively a separate building comprising an impressive entry, womens and mens bathrooms downstairs and a clubroom with a rooftop view upstairs. These drawings have been revisited recently to provide larger womens facilities and a rooftop walkway to a large rooftop deck overlooking the boat washing area. The building on the triangle (which is a substantial


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size) was costed by a quantity surveyor in 2005 at $550k. The figure would be significantly higher today and higher still with the rooftop deck – but would probably fall within the $700k figure modelled. This option would not significantly affect rowing activities and would free some space (the existing bathrooms) for additional equipment storage.

The BDS intends to develop each of these options in more detail over coming months – and would welcome input from members.

Lease

CRC’s existing lease was negotiated a couple of years ago as a seven year lease replacing our previous year by year extension. This was a marked improvement. However, the new leases on offer on Black Mountain Peninsula involve 25 year terms (renewable after half term) and contain other provisions considerably less restrictive than ours. After discussions with relevant officials the BDS is confident that the same terms could be negotiated for (both sides of) Yarralumla Bay. Work to this end can begin anytime but will need to be concluded before opening discussions about a bank loan or surrendering the lease in favour of another site.

Fundraising

A start should be made immediately on fundraising for the boatshed development. We should make the most of our imminent 50th anniversary. There is a wide range of fundraising approaches, and any with real prospects should be adopted. Particular emphasis should be placed on broadening contributors beyond Club members (who are more equitably canvassed via membership levies). While an outline strategy will be provided by the BDS, it is time to consider establishing a specific purpose fundraising subcommittee. The $30k figure mentioned above is simply a planning figure: the fundraising target should be much more.

Process and priorities

As intimated in this report there is a number of things that can and should be settled and proceeded with as soon as possible, and some which need to be done before progress can be made on others. In the former category are the fundraising subcommittee, the Club’s objects, the constitutional structure, the lease extension a consensus on needs and affordability, and, before too long, a firm commitment to Yarralumla Bay.

Winning the capital grant and securing the bank loan will involve deciding on a building site and activity plan, the project design and progress to building approval. And before locking it all down it will be vital to ensure we have a plan for managing rowing activity while building progresses.

CRC Boathouse Development Subcommittee


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7. CORPORATE ROWING

The Club’s held its 11th Corporate Rowing Program during 2012-13. Participating crews were:

� Server Racks Australia � General Practice Education and Training Limited � Cardiology � Department of Defence A � Department of Defence B � PriceWaterhouse Coopers � Defence Staff College I (based at ADFA boatshed) � Defence Staff College II (based at ADFA boatshed)

The program ended with a successful regatta on Yarramundi Reach on Sunday 18th November 2012. The winning crew for the second successive year was Server Racks Australia coached by Dermot Balaam and Paul Philippa. This was a well-deserved result considering that most of this small company’s staff were in the crew.

The success of this program is based on the willingness of nearly 30 members to severely restrict their own training for a month and dedicate their time to corporate crew preparation. It also reflects the efforts of our members in publicising corporate rowing with their agencies and businesses and recruiting them to the program. This effort should not be underestimated. Particular thanks are due to Ewart Challis , Geoff Brown, David Coles, Mike Body, Kym Fisher and Simon Dunphy for successfully marketing this event.

The number of crews was satisfactory but four training slots went unfilled, with lost potential net income of up to $15,000. Despite the challenging financial environment in 2013-14 for many Commonwealth agencies and local businesses, we must make every effort to redress this situation by vigorously marketing the event through all of our contacts.

Corporate rowing continues to provide an important avenue for recruiting capable new Club members who emerge from the program ready to train and race in Club crews. Ex-corporate rowers are now prominent in the Club both as corporate rowing coaches and as some of our most enthusiastic competitors.

It is important in growing our financial and organisational strength that Corporate Rowing 2013 is a great success. The dates for Corporate Rowing 2013 are:

Introduction Sunday 13 October 2013 Training commences Monday 21 October 2013 Training ends Saturday 16 November 2013 Regatta Sunday 17 November 2013


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8. ACT ROWING ASSOCIATION

As a foundation club of the ACT Rowing Association (Rowing ACT) and the largest affiliated club, Canberra Rowing Club has a particular responsibility to support the Association. We have done this through participation of our members in the Committee of the Association and the Union of Boat Race Officials and by support of many other Association activities.

Two Club members, Pat Davoren (Secretary and Public Officer) and Alan Butorac (Committee Member), serve on the RACT Committee. Edwin Bien, Alan Butorac, Claudia Bottrill, Brendon Prout and Ron Hibberson are all active members of the Union of Boat Race Officials.

Planning and conduct of the Australian Masters Rowing Championships on Yarramundi Reach from 25 to 28 April 2013 was the Association’s main activity for the season. Club members Geoff Brown and Kath Wellman were members of the organising committee for this event. Many others served as volunteer workers for the regatta.

Susan Linacre is a member of the Rowing Australia Masters Commission that advises RA on policy for masters rowing.

John Simpson, along with Alex Leitch of Black Mountain Rowing Club, puts in many hours maintaining the buoyed course on Yarramundi Reach.

Chris Polyichanin, Darrell Ninham, Geoff Brown and Mark Kwiatkowski have contributed to the selection and coaching of ACT Rowing Teams.

The Association is currently engaged in the following major issues that directly affect the Club:

� adoption of effective and cost-effective regatta entry software; � arrangements for the continued operation and funding of the ACT Academy of

Sport Rowing Unit; and � improvement of facilities for competitors and spectators on the Yarramundi

Reach Rowing Course.


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9. COMMITTEE MEETING ATTENDANCE

Nine meetings of the Committee were held during 2011-2012:

Member Position Meetings Attended Alan Butorac President 9 John Simson Vice-President 9 Chris Polyichanin Club Captain 8 Pat Davoren Vice Club-Captain 5 John Southwell Secretary 8 Sally Clear Treasurer 8 Nerida Carter Committee Member 9 Tony Wilkes Committee Member 7 Tom Trobe Committee Member 7

10. TREASURER’S REPORT

In 2013, the Club achieved a surplus of $54,541, with a cash position at the end of the year of $122,571.

Whilst $95,000 has been committed to the Capital Fund, approximately $25,000 has been kept accessible in our Cash Reserve Account to meet operational expenses between April and October. The Cash Reserve Account offers a higher interest rate than the cheque account. Interest earned during the year amounted to $3,350.

During the 2012-13 year, the Committee has maintained the Club’s bank accounts at Westpac. The accounts kept include a cheque account, cash reserve account, term deposit and a Debit Card for the Club Captain to use for general expenses in running the club. The St George Account has remained open as cost effective solution to receiving credit card payments.

Membership Fees of approximately $98,000 were received during the year. Most income was received during October when annual renewals are due. The move to a common renewal date has meant an easier assessment of current membership and an improvement in the administrative load for the committee.

Fundraising from various sources contributed to the Clubs income during 2013:

Corporate Rowing $22,118 Donations via ASF $10,400 Introduction to Rowing Program $5,823 Contribution from sale of chocolates $3,636 Hiring out of tinnies $909 Social BBQs $740


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The Club is always very grateful for the time given by all Members who assist in any way with fundraising or contributing to the maintenance of the club. It is acknowledged that the ‘in kind’ contribution to the Club finances is significant.

The Club’s Australian Sports Foundation Project continued this year. The project’s purpose is the purchase of rowing equipment. The Grants paid to the Club were expensed via the purchase of an NK Mini Cox Box and a second hand 8 with oars, the Bill O’Brien.

Rack Fees for privately owned boats stored in the Club’s shed were introduced from 1 October 2012. Rack Fees raised $2,409.

Nomination Fees received indicate that 52 new members were admitted during the 2012-13 year.

During the year the Club supported an elite rower, Angus Moore, financially.

The Club assists its members who own a boat by arranging bulk insurance under the Rowing Australia arrangement with Willis Insurance.

The Club maintains the following insurance policies: � Building & Contents � Boat Insurance & Liability � Professional Indemnity � Trailer comprehensive and 3rd party for all three trailers

The following fees are paid to RACT on behalf of members:

Registration Fees $65 Senior Members $30 Junior Members $25 Coxswain Members

Affiliation Fees $20 each member

A number of payments have been made to club members. In each case these payments were a reimbursement of expenses paid by those club members on behalf of the Club. They have been fully documented by receipts.

Club assets

Non Current assets include the Boatshed, rowing boats, oars, motorboats, ergometers and miscellaneous items. The Boatshed, and its fixtures and fittings, was re-valued at 30 April 2000 to its replacement costs of $280,000. A current valuation of the Boat Shed by Frank Broderick is underway but was not available prior to the completion of the audit, hence the value of the boat shed is carried at last year’s value.


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The land under the shed is occupied by the Club via a community lease and therefore is not included in the value of assets controlled by the Canberra Rowing Club. The Average UV of the land for rates purposes is $59,000.

Purchases for the fleet during 2012-13: � Second hand 8 and oars from Boys Grammar (Jul 12) � 4 x ex AIS single sculls and oars (Oct 12) � 4 x sweep oars for the Chinn � New Yamaha 8Hp Outboard motor � New NK ‘Mini’ Cox Box

Two boats, the ‘110’ and the ‘Southern Cross’ were scrapped during the year, leading to a loss of $8,070.

Depreciation Rates used are:

Boatshed Nil Boats & Oars 6.66% All other items 10.00%

Club Auditor

Christine Reid and Associates was appointed our auditor for this year. The unqualified audited financial statements are included in this annual report.

Sally Clear Treasurer


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ATTACHMENT A – AUDITOR’S REPORTS


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ATTACHMENT B – LIST OF MEMBERS

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS Danielle Jolly Emma Southcott Simon Tulloh Nicholas Barnier Angus Moore COX MEMBERS Hilary Anderson Emily Antill Renae Domaschenz Kirsty Douglas Rebecca McCallum Shannon Narracott Ourania Stamatis Margie Thomson LIFE MEMBERS - HONORARY Edwin Bien Leon Bower Alison Chinn Pat Davoren Sue Donoghoe Ron Hibberson Mark Kwiatkowski Randal Lawrence John McKenna Brendon Prout John Simson LIFE MEMBERS - PAID David Butt Lynn Cirulis David Coles John Jones Rob Newell Peter Stolz

SENIOR MEMBERS Felicity Antill Emy Ayliffe Belinda Beauman Sarah Beck Susan Bennett Elaine Bissaker Fiona Blackwell Claudia Bottrill Irene Brewer Amanda Brian Jill Brown Debbie Burkevics Nerida Carter Anne Charlton Sally Clark Sally Clear Cate Coddington Gillian Colledge Kerry Collins Narelle Connor Deb Cook Janny Corry Alison Creagh Cathy Crozier Hollie D'Aoust Judith Dahl-Taylor Tracey Davidson Gail Davis Gai Dennett Kathryn DiNicola Cathy Ellerton Amanda Emerton Janet Farnan Adair Ferguson Kathy Finlay Suzanne Goddard Laura Green Jenny Harber Suzanne Hartley

Virginia Hartley Esther Harvey Pamela Hubert Janice Jago Maxine James Raphaela Jarvis Nicola Knackstred Kerry Knowler Karen Laffan Anne Latham Roberta Liddell Susan Linacre Kate Lundy Sharyn Mackay Judy Mann Anita McGlynn Karen McVicker Ann Nicolay Jackie Nielsen Clare O'Neill Louise Parry Margaret Pentony Anita Preiner Julie Reis Rebecca Richardson Elaine Roffe Selina Rowland Jane Russell-Jones Jill Small Kerrie Smyth Heather Snedden Cathy Starling Denise Van Dijk Priscilla Wadham Judi Walsh Kathleen Worboys Kath Wellman Ann Whelan Sara Wightman Lyndell Wilson


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Dave Alden Dermot Balaam David Barbalet John Blackwell Mike Body David Boughton Geoff Brown Matt Buchtmann Mike Burgess Alan Butorac Ewart Challis Peter Chivers Peter Clark Mike Clifford Michael Colledge Cameron Colquhoun John Daley Mike Dennett Barrie Denny Dennis Dyer Kerry Ellis John Eyers Kym Fisher Dale Gazzard Rohan Greenland Angus Harding Jeff Hart Tom Hayes Brian Hewitt Warner Hieatt Alex Hodges Andy Horsburgh Graham Humphries Peter Jones Peter Laidlaw Sebastian Lang Phil Lansdown Nicholas Latimer Martin Little Bernie Lodwick Peter Lundy Steve Mirtschin Rodney Moss

Darrell Ninham Scott Pagan Alan Paton Michael Peedom Damien Pentony Thomas Perry Paul Philippa Robin Poke Chris Polyichanin Laurence Sandral John Southwell John Strapps Tom Trobe Scott Waller Tony Wilkes Tim Willsallen Peter Wilson Bob Wylie SCHOOL STUDENT MEMBERS Caleb Antill Nicholas Lowe Connor McCormack Sarah Parsons STUDENT/JUNIOR MEMBERS Simeon Alden Sophie Harman Jasmine Mingay Briana Wade Bryony Alden Georgia Allen Megan Bourne Matilda Jesiolowske Katarina Hetenyi Maddie Markey Sara Zanetti Sarah Taylor Mercedes Bowers Fergus Stafford Angus Karo

Angus Renwick Jack Steedman Michael Cusack Joseph Gubler Cameron Steer Angus Kenyon Matthew McCormack MARIST MEMBERS Robert Anderson Eric Blamey Chey Bowers Michael Brennan Connor Brice John Bryant Alex Bryant Lachlan Bryant Sam Byrne Brendan Clark Myles Cook Sam Corey Patrick Courtney William Cusack Tim Cusack Charlie Dimoff Nelson Dunphy Patrick Dunphy Stephen Hancock Ethan Hart Lachlan Hart Lee Hynes Erin Hynes Michael Kendrick Callum Keogh Tim Keys Charles Kim Dom Krajina Jack Mahon Michael McCormack Patrick McCulloch Sean McLean Ben McMahon Hugo Mills


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Ruaraidh Mills Ben Mossop Ryan Mulhall Connor Nonas Ben Page Andrew Paton Shaun Philippa Matthew Pollard Jacob Schyvens Jeremiah Smith Sam Smith Lachlan Smith Andrew Stapleton Nathan Stewart Taylor Thomas Sam Watson Hugo Webster

2013 Annual Report 46

ATTACHMENT C – LIST OF CRC BOATS

CRC 65 1x Tachycardia 4- CRC 70 1x Alison Chinn 4- CRC70B 1x Fleuro 4x/- CRC 75 1x John McKenna 4x/- CRC 75B 1x Kerry Knowler 4x/- CRC 75C 1x Megan Still 4x/- CRC 80A 1x Sue Donoghoe 4x/- CRC 80B 1x John Simson 4x/- CRC 85A 1x Nick Macdonald-Crowley 4x/+ CRC 90A 1x David Coles 4x/+ CRC 90B 1x James Galloway 8+ CRC 90C 1x Reg Libbis 8+ CRC 90D 1x Lake Burley Griffin 8+ CRC 95A 1x Craig Jones 8+ CRC 95B 1x Sarah Cook 8+ Wahoo 2x Paul Thompson 8+ Tidbinbilla 2x Bill O'Brien 8+ Orana 2x Motorboat 1 MB Boboyan 2x/- Motorboat 2 MB Bruce Hick 2x/- Motorboat 3 MB Corin 2x/- Motorboat 4 MB Googong 2x/- Motorboat 5 MB Jennifer Roberts 2x/- Motorboat 6 MB Molonglo 2x/- Outboard #1 OB Piccadilly Circus 2x/- Outboard #2 OB Stromlo 2x/- Outboard #3 OB Acacia 2x/- Outboard #4 OB Majura 2x/- Outboard #5 OB

Outboard #6 OB

2013 annual report · ewart challis, gail davis, geoff brown, heather sneddon, irene brewer, janet...

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