ERC 2021 AGM

Due to the relentless and pervasive effects of COVID it was decided to hold the ERC AGM electronically. After some discussion, planning with subsequent delay it was eventually held and proved to be success, with quite possibly a record number of attendees!

​The following reports were submitted to members, one being from the President and another from the Club Captain.

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AGM Endeavour Rowing Club
Presidents Report for 2020 - 2021

The past twelve months have been anything but normal in the history of Endeavour or indeed rowing in general. You could say 4 letter words pale into insignificance compared to the new 5 letter one “COVID”

A recap on events as they unfolded 

​August
Rowing recommenced at Hunter Valley and Uni, as well as learn to row for us without Huntley and University Regattas to spur people on.

September/October
Saw increased patronage without any and all regattas. New members eager to learn the art of rowing. Thank goodness for the Grammar mums and dads who wanted to give rowing a go.

November
A ray of sunshine!

CDRA manned up and hosted a regatta working within the many COVID limitations …Perfect weather made the event even more inviting …..most was made of the time by staging an eights race with Uni and to top it off spending time to have Ian and Margaret King christen a new quad in their name. From famine to a real feast.

December
We as a club focused on trying to repair our social calendar with a Sunday BBQs but as if COVID wasn’t enough of a hurdle Mother Nature didn’t help. An bacon n’ egg roll in the pouring rain….GREAT!

January
Everyone and everything took a deep breath and focused on regattas scheduled for February at Berry Park 

February 
Four regattas in good weather all at Berry Park all within the constraints of COVID . A month to remember!

March
We were on a high until yet again weather conditions worsened to the point of cyclonic winds and flooding.

April
The focus was on mop up and mud removal whilst still supporting Sydney competitions where possible.


May/June
Revolved around re grouping from diabolical weather and broken dreams of future regattas.

This is a snap shot of the year that was. But what I would like to leave with you is some insight from my perspective as to how our members reacted.

Without naming names let’s call the first one Peter who went exploring ….how to hold a regatta under such extraordinary circumstances and …SUCCEEDED.

A Roger who took it upon himself to spearhead QR codes and the like so all could continue to enjoy a rowing experience within the letter of the law.

An Allen who never missed a beat in ensuring all was ready boat wise …along with an Owen and Reg keeping our vista at its best …even when rowing was a non event .

I could go on, with many members willingly giving up their time to keep the experience of the Endeavour Rowing Club alive.

It was an extraordinary journey by one and all and it’s not over yet.

So on behalf of the old I wish the new committee the very best.

Roger Young - President 

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Endeavour Rowing Club

Annual General Meeting – Club Captains Report

6 August 2021

We have had another trying year, last year we had bush fires, drought, water restrictions and COVID-19.  This year we started with COVID-19 restrictions, had difficulty accessing the river due to flood and flood debris and finished with COVID-19.
Despite these challenges we have had an increase in both novice and experienced rowers giving the club, I believe an extra boost in both professionalism and enthusiasm.

Around the Club:
- Our social rowers continued to row, with more and more retirees using their retiree hours to best suit them.
- 2021 saw the start of our new rowing strip with newly designed zooties being worn from the first regatta in 2021.
- Our Honour Board was finalised and installed, steps towards our Boathouse showcasing our history.
- We held the Christening of the Ian and Margaret King, by both Ian and Margaret, followed by Champagne and sandwiches and; 
- The inaugural Bowman Cup was held between NUBC and ERC.
- Sensor lights were installed at both the front and rear of the Boathouse making use of the Boathouse much easier for both the early morning rowers and late night meetings.
- We were also able to hold a Bunnings BBQ, juggled between Covid outbreaks.
- Planning and fundamental talks were carried out for Boathouse improvements.
- We also hosted the CDRA AGM this year, inviting Committee Members from Central Districts Rowing Association into our Boathouse.


Regatta News:
The pandemic has created a lot of confusion including changes to our normal regatta schedule with 6 local regattas cancelled.  This left 4 of 5 CDRA Regattas being held at our Hunter River Complex, the Regattas held at our complex were:
*    CDRA Spring Regatta - hosted by CDRA as school restrictions meant NGS were unable to hold their regatta, no schools attended 
*    Lake Macquarie Rowing Club Regatta, 
*    Endeavour Rowing Club Regatta, 
*    CDRA Championships Regatta - due to major renovations at Manning River Rowing Club, this regatta was held at our Hunter River Rowing Complex this year.

All these regattas were run with a different slant abiding government regulations. 

At this point, we had a squad of 15 members training with the goal to attend both State and Australian Masters Championships, Sean Donza was again chosen to represent NSW at the Australian Championships in the Mens Quad and everything was on track when there were further blows – Edward Trickett Regatta was moved to the Nepean River due to a blue-green algae contamination at SIRC, a small contingent attended this Regatta. 

Drummoyne Masters and Iron Cove Masters was also attended with promising results, Sean Donza attended Queensland Masters Championships, then with the blue-green algae still present at SIRC and consequences from the floods NSW Masters was postponed and Australian Masters were moved to Adelaide.
 
NSW Masters Championships was eventually cancelled.
 
Unfortunately a lot of our members were unable to travel to Adelaide which was disappointing with the effort that had been put in and meant Endeavour Rowing Club was represented at Australian Masters Championship by 3 members:  Chris Brennan, Sean Donza and Lindy Nesbitt. 

These members were at the pointy end of every race they entered and the results were proof of their hard work and persistence.

The Championship results are as follows:
Gold: WMLwG 1x - Lindy Nesbitt
Gold: WMG 2x  - Chris Breenan, Lindy Nesbitt
Gold: MMC 4x – Sean Donza + Composite
Silver: WMF 2x – Chris Brennan + Composite
Bronze:  WMG 1x – Chris Brennan
The NSW MMI 4x  (State Quad representing NSW) - Sean Donza ended 5th in a blanket finish

These results were amazing!

I would like to thank CDRA for their proactive attitude and kickstarting our local Regatta season with the new CDRA Spring Regatta, in particular CDRA President Peter Bond and the Clubs that were able to volunteer the smooth running of this Regatta, not withstanding our own club members who, as always, put in 100%.

I would also like to thank the Committee, there is always a lot of hours put in behind the scenes and this is reflected by the achievements of the Club overall.

And of course I would like to thank all the Club Members that make this a Club.
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There are always volunteers when it comes to fundraising, lawn mowing, shed cleaning, course layout, sandwich making, slice making, mud moving, beach improvement – this list goes on – Thank You

Diane McShane Club Captain - August 2021