Members will be no doubt be aware of the great work of our donors through the Mercantile Foundation. These donors have enabled the Club to renovate the boathouse twice with the next renovation due again in about 8 years time.
These donors to the Foundation have also enabled a growing income stream to be paid to the Club to fund equipment and support our athletes in international competition. This support will amount to $104,000 this season and is planned to rise to $120,000 next season.
Recent donors to the Foundation include club patrons Sean Colgan and Andrew Guerin, and also the Late Garth Manton and the Late Rosemary Richardson. The Foundation has recently been advised of more members who have named the Club as a beneficiary in their Wills, namely, Tim Frederico and Jeff Lawrence. They now join the Mercantile Forever Angels group. We are most grateful for their generous support of the Club.
Late Rosemary Richardson
Members will recall with sadness of the death of one of our great members Rosemary Richardson in early 2024. Amongst her many rowing contributions, she is perhaps best known for reviving the Australian Henley Regatta in 1990s which grew to a multi-day international regatta which included the first World Cup sculling competition in the southern hemisphere.
Before she died, she wishes to donate an eight and oars for the men’s senior group and also for it to be used to win a King’s Cup for Victoria. She paid a deposit before she died. The oars were delivered in 2024 and were named in honour of her father Ron March, a long term and successful Victorian rowing selector. The eight delivery has been delayed but is now on its way from Germany. Fortunately, her Estate has recognised this as an obligation of it, and the balance of the purchase price of $140,000 has been paid. The boat will be named the Ron & Rosemary Richardson in honour of both her and her great rower husband, the Late Ron Richardson. Thank you Rosemary.
Bibi Colgan
We have advice that Club donor and member Bibi Colgan may be able to join us to row later in the season. Bibi is late convert to rowing but has taken to it as if she has done it all her life. She has successfully represented New Zealand in Coastal Rowing and rows with Leander Club when in the UK and with New Zealand teams when at home. We look forward to welcoming Bibi to Mercs. Sean Colgan is recovering well, albeit slowly, from the severe leg injury incurred whilst training at Mercs prior to the Head of Yarra. He plans to be back competing in the 2025 Head of the Yarra with the Club.
As an aside, Bibi and Sean Colgan are also sponsors of the Leander Club in the UK. The most recent Leander newsletter states what equally applies to Mercs: We are extremely grateful to Sean and to his wife, Dr. Bibi Colgan, for bringing their values and support to the Club. “The goal of Colgan Foundation is lo assist young people to reach their full potential. Excellence in an endeavour like rowing can easily transfer into excellence in other areas of life like business, medicine, etc. Winners are always winners.” Sean Colgan
Reported by: Andrew Guerin
Pictured: Lady and Sir John Young with Rosemary and Ron Richardson at 1992 Australian Henley regatta