Special General Meeting
Members are encouraged to attend the special general meeting at the boathouse on Thursday 21st August 2025 at 6pm to consider the proposal to establish the Club’s Foundation in a long term structure. Due to the generosity of members led by our Patrons, the Foundation has grown to a point where it needs to be managed in an appropriate structure.
Members are reminded that in addition to supporting the proposed renovation/rebuilding that occurs every 21 years, 4% of the Foundations capital is contributed to the Club annually for equipment and athlete support. When the Foundation grows further, coaching support will be added to these objectives.
Foundation
The work of the Foundation’s donors has been superb and to recognise them, a new honour board will be installed in the boathouse. The contribution of these members to the Club is outstanding.
Leander Club athlete swap
Dominic Frederico became the first Mercs athlete to spend time at Leander Club as part the athlete swap championed by Sean Colgan. Dom was able to train and race with Leander for over a month including participating in their annual camp at Banyoles Spain. He finished his time stroking a quad at Henley Royal Regatta after they won at the Metropolitan Regatta. The Patrons sponsored Dom to ensure that this first swap worked well. We look forward to hosting Leander athletes at Mercs.
From the vault
The Club was fortunate to receive this month from Helen Christie of Hamilton Victoria, a bundle of very historic Club photographs from 1889 onwards. They belonged to her grandfather Robert E Dawson who was member of the Club’s first senior championship crew in 1895.
Amongst the photos was an image of a founding member of the Club, Thomas R Gilchrist, who also became one of our first life members in 1889 along with the Club’s founder Arthur Boyd.
Both Gilchrist and Dawson had very interesting stories which can be found in their rower profiles on the Australian Rowing History website. They even went into business together running a well-known Melbourne vineyard.
Andrew Guerin – Patron
Pictures sourced from: Australian Rowing Images