2019 Highlights

Some of our highlights from 2019

The inaugural QRowunion Lunch had an unashamedly Queensland flavour.Held at the RNA Showgrounds with Queensland food and wine and 620 guests from the Queensland rowing community and our greatest Queensland representatives (Sally Kehoe, Duncan Free & Hannah Every Hall) as guest speakers. On the day 620 people (65% men 402 / 35% women 218) attended the function, providing overwhelmingly positive feedback.

We had Olympic medallists, a couple of current world champions, many national representatives, a lot of proud Queensland representatives, and an army of people who identified as rowers or supporters, some outstanding administrators and Boat race officials – what united us was a love of rowingand on this occasion we worked together to raise the profile of the sport.

One by-product of the function was that the raffle raised funds for a camp to support the Queensland Team competing for the Rowing Australia Cup. This was a positive enthusiastic function to promote rowing – it allowed guests torelive old memories, celebrate the camaraderie of our great sport and remind everyone what a great sport rowing is!

2019 Speakers

Ray Ebert

“The Voice of Rowing” & RA Life Member

Duncan Free

Queensland’s most capped representative – 20 appearances

Hannah Every Hall

RA Board Member & Chair of Athletes Commission

Sally Kehoe

Queensland’s most capped woman – 16 appearances

2019 Speakers

Baskerville, Deb
Beech, Chris
Bliss, John
Brett, Jonathon
Brown, Emma
Brown, Suzanne (Coghlan)
Buchanan, Rob
Carpenter, Sidonie
Cook, Jo
Coomber, David

Cruickshank, Ralph
Dixon, Penny
Doughan, Neville
Ebert, Ray
Elliot, Marion
Evans, Sue
Ford, Toby
Free, Duncan
Funnnell, Sydney
Giles, Rob
Greenland, Bruce

Hogan, Michael
Hobart, Craig
Holzberger, Ian
Howard, Peter
Hutchinson, Jack
Huggett, Peter
Huxley, Chris
Jowett, Michael
Keily, Gavin
Kininmonth, Rachael
Kolbe, Graham

Lang, Rob
Malakellis, Michael
Martin, Peter
Martin, Randall
McGrath, Brendan
Merritt, Gary
Moharich, David
Morton, Di
Ower, Helen (Hesse)
Parr, Nick
Purcell, Darryn

2019 After Parties

El Camino Cantina

BEERHAUS

Paddock bar

Rydges Fortitude Valley

2019 After Parties

El Camino Cantina

BEERHAUS

Paddock bar

Rydges Fortitude Valley

What people said about our last function

That was an incredible gathering. So enjoyed catching up with old friends and in such a warm atmosphere.

Tony Philbrick

The Churchie rowing mums had the BEST time... Well done on organising such a fabulous event. Incredible.

Sally Quayle

Well done, a magnificent effort.

Dr John Drewe

Thanks for bringing us together. What a great idea and ever better that you carried it out so well - congratulations. I was looking forward to it for months....and it did not disappoint! Without doubt the best rowing function I’ve ever attended - in fact I can say it was unique.

Ian Duthie

An Amazing day Friday and something that I will never forget after 18yrs together!! Look foward to more times like this each year too! Thanks again for organising this special day! Speak soon

Blair Hammond

We all owe you a big THANKYOU for making this reunion happen. Everyone I have spoken to has opined that it was a most enjoyable and emotional experience. I am not one for reunions and but for Bob coming to stay with Jan and me and Jan’s strong encouragement I would have stayed away.

Greg Chambers

It was so good to catch up with a lot of people that I hadn't seen in some cases 40 years & we are all off to the races as our table won the major raffle, corporate box at the gee gees.

Michael Jowett

A quick note to let you know the reaction around our boatshed this morning and from a coach from UQBC who stopped me on the river, the success of yesterday’s function has been enormous.

Peter Howard

I love the Rowunion lunch and have attended in the past. Although not rowing these days it’s still a great connection with friends from rowing circles, and on the day of course you run into even older friends not seen in a while so great to catch up, with those you’ve raced against or been in a boat together. Along with the guest speakers it’s a Great luncheon with triumph stories told and it’s not just about rowing, but sportsman's and sport girls lives so it’s of great interest to all. I’m looking forward to the great Lunch in 2026. Many dressed in colourful Blazers not often worn, makes for the special occasion too.

Bradley WalkerPast Grammarian BGRC