Bendigo Rowing Club and Girton Grammar School held a traditional naming ceremony for the newest addition to their racing fleet.
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The rowing eight was named in honour of BRC life member Damien Hickey, who has been integral to the success and development of the Girton Rowing Academy at Lake Weeroona.
“It was such a surprise, I didn’t at all expect for the boat to be named after myself,” Hickey said.
Hickey has been coaching rowers from Girton and other schools for the past decade, in addition to around 25 years as a member of the BRC.
Girton director of rowing Libby Paul said Hickey was instrumental in introducing rowing into the school’s sports program.
“His professional background in teaching, coupled with his deep love of rowing and sheer personality, has underpinned the success of the Girton Rowing Academy,” Paul said.
“He has a unique ability to connect with children and to inspire them to achieve their goals. The students love him.”
Former BRC rowing captain David Fogarty helped facilitate the donation from Carey Grammar and assist Girton by storing the boat at the Lake Weeroona pavilion, in addition to providing volunteer coaches.
BRC president Jesse Sherwood said the new racing eight will be the longest and fastest racing shell in Bendigo.
“The great rowing regattas in the world – such as the Henley on Thames in England – are rowed in racing eights. The boats are fast and notoriously difficult to handle,” Sherwood said.
“The decision by Girton to name their racing eight after Damien is a fitting tribute and reflects the strong partnership between the school and the BRC.”
“It’s our aspiration that one day a Girton Crew will compete in the Damien Hickey in iconic races such as the Schools Regatta at Ballarat, perhaps alongside Carey and other great colleges in Victoria.
And that is exactly Hickey’s goal, for the boat to guide the way for future success on the water.
“Girton didn’t have any of their own boats and this marks the start of the school’s fleet,” Hickey said.
“Our next aim is to have the students rowing in the Victorian championships and from there the next step will be the Australian titles.”
One of Hickey’s main passions is working with children to engage them in rowing, a sport he truly loves and has been involved with for a significant part of his life.
“It can be a really challenging sport,” Hickey said.
“But the joys of being out on the lake early in the morning surrounded by nature, the smell of fresh air and a gentle breeze is fantastic.”
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