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It certainly has been a busy year for the club with significant achievements in all spheres of our operations-competition, social activities, fundraising, recruiting and fleet upgrades. The racing season commenced at the end of 2013 and Jordan’s squad of school rowers were well placedto outdo last season’s achievements. A strong contingent of junior rowers attendingContinue reading “2014 Victorian Sprint four Championship”

Four outstanding events occurred this season-the first, early in the season, was the boating of an all Ballarat City men’s eight for the first time since the Country Championships of 1995. The second was also racing related with our first women’s eight since 1980’s competing at the last regatta of the season Footscray. This wasContinue reading “2013 Back in the winner’s circle.”

The Annual Report concluded this year with secretary Kate Elliott writing: “I’m on the count down for our 150th Anniversary which is only eight years away-the same length of time that the drought took rowing away from us. While the eight years of drought seemed endless while we were going through it, looking back, eightContinue reading “2012 Racing again!”

Committee 2010-2011 President: Danny Elliott, Secretary: Kate Elliott, Treasurer: Norm Young, Captain of Boats: Ron Young, Committee: Tim Wise, Belinda Bilney,Wayne Lyle, Barry Lyle, Rower: Jordan O’Keefe, Trustee: Mr. Albie McGuire. These were the people who kept the club going during the six long years of drought. They were there at the beginning and theyContinue reading “2011 The slow return”

“For the first time in five long years, I write this report with a positive outlook and with water and activity slowly returning to the Lake and to the club. Thanks to a torrential downpour in September, the State Government stepping in and finally getting a pipeline to pump bore water in and CHW runningContinue reading “2010 Hope at last.”

Water returned over winter but for the fourth year in succession there was insufficient to row or train at all. It was like being in suspended animation. We wanted to row but without enough water we were still unable to operate. The thought of training on ergos no longer had any appeal at all. BecauseContinue reading “2009 History of Ballarat Regatta completed”

The highlight of the season was Jordan O’ Keefe winning the Rowing Victoria Male-B grade rower of the Year. This was an outstanding achievement and one the club is very proud of. To achieve this award,Jordan had to travel to Melbourne every weekend and train and race while working all week in Ballarat. Jordan wonContinue reading “2008 BCRC sole rower wins RV award”

For the first season in 137 years history we did not enter or win a race at a regatta. We could not even train as the Lake completely dried up in December 2006 and remained totally dry until May 2007. Our only form of exercise on the Lake were extensive walks up and down theContinue reading “2007 Where has all the water gone!”

“Our Lake is to Ballarat what our beautiful Harbour is to Sydney. It is our pride and joy and our principal source of recreation. Nothing could compensate us for the loss of that oasis in the desert in the absence of which all the surrounding mansions, villas and smiling lawns and gardens would soon presentContinue reading “2006 The long drought.”

The club had faced three major challenges in its 135 years that could have bought an end to the Ballarat City Rowing Club but none could equal the challenge it now faced. The first major challenge was World War 1 and the dreadful loss of young men who were off fighting, next was World WarContinue reading “2005 Unchartered water-actually no water!”