President’s report
Well, what a fabulous year the 2007/2008 season has been for the Argonauts.
Although there has been much rowing about on the lake and regattas a plenty, we have also been given recognition beyond the rowing community.
Earlier in the year the Melbourne Argonauts were represented at the 2007 Sport and Recreation Awards. We were all thrilled to win Amateurs Achievement Award at this most prestigious gathering of Victorian sporting clubs.
Attainment of this prize was fantastic in that it shows how far our club has progressed in just a few years. Nonetheless, this would certainly not have been possible without the amazing assistance of all of our members. It is truly the input of our members that makes our club what it is today. So, I thank you all for the amount of time and effort that has been given selflessly for the Argonauts. Often have I said that you, the members, are our most treasured possession for without your contributions nothing would be possible.
Furthermore, as the new season approaches, I am hoping that we can continue in the Argo spirit of inclusiveness that has been the hallmark of our club.
Whether we are new to rowing or perhaps a little more experienced, it is essential that all are made to feel welcome within the Argonauts.
Such inclusiveness can give great courage where needed andI am sure that such a trait is one of the strengths of our beloved club.
So, many thanks to all. We now look forward to a stunning 2008/2009 season.
Chris, El Prez d'Argonauts
Treasurer’s report
This is my second and final report as Treasurer. What I learned last year, was that any financial highlights or points of note, also crop up in other portfolios: whether this is because we bought a new (or new-to-us) boat or fundraising initiatives or quite what, invariably the finances facilitate (or hinder!) what goes on in all areas of the club.
So, given that I am writing this before the number crunching is finalised and without wanting to steal anyone else’s thunder from their reports, I will say the following:
* Melbourne Argonauts tries really hard to balance responsible financial management / cost recovery AND community engagement / club member participation.
* We would not have the club that we do without the time, effort and energy of our club members.
* Melbourne Argonauts is a community club. As with any community initiative, more hands make light(er) work (yeah yeah)!
* Get involved. Make new friends. Learn new skills. Polish up old skills. Spend time with old friends.
* Remember that *we* are the club. Melbourne Argonauts is the sum total of its members.
* Nobody is perfect but Melbourne Argonauts is unique: it is a queer club in the rowing community and a rowing club in the queer community.
* Good luck - row hard and have fun!!
Jan – Maree
Regatta report
The 2007-08 regatta season saw a tremendous number of members return to the fray, as well as the debut of eager new club members. Through the season the Argonauts participated in over a dozen regattas across Victoria and, as always, was accompanied by a faithful band of supporters wherever they ventured.
The Head of the Yarra was distinguished for us this year by no collisions! We had a record number of participants in the Wellington Cup, and who could forget Jan-Maree winning a gold at Barwon at the State Champs. Our great (and often successful) showing at regattas was a direct result of the new coaching program that was put in place in 2007. It has had a huge positive impact on the planning and preparation for regattas.
This year was made particularly special by our support of the Outgames Regatta in January. This was a fantastic event that truly embodied the values we hold most dear: participation, health and awareness of the queer community.
The Argonauts held their own Club regatta in February this year, on the Maribyrnong River. We got great feedback from the presiding officials (they love Argo regattas) and competitors on the day, and now we're working with Rowing Victoria and Parks Victoria to plan a regatta to be held on Albert Park Lake in April 2009. Watch this space!
Regattas are made successful by the people who compete, the people who organise, and the people who support. Whichever you are: thanks, and see you next season!
Graeme H
Coaches program
The last year has seen the implementation of the “new” coaching system, based on rowers self-selecting themselves into one of 5 levels based on their rowing goals and the time commitment required to achieve those goals.
- Entry Level (Learn To Row)
- Individual Technical Ability (Post Learn to Row and non-competitive members)
- Moving the Boat (Competitive – Participation focus)
- Maximising Boat Speed (Competitive – Results oriented) and
- Specific Goal – High Achievement (Outgames, Head of Yarra, State Champs)
The implementation of this new “tiered” system has meant that a larger number and broader range of members have had access to regular coaching and many have seen significant improvements in their own skill level, as well as their ability to function as a crew. This has translated into happier rowers and increased participation and success at regattas.
We would particularly like to thank Sandy Mitchell for developing this new system, Stewart Niemann for doing the lion’s share of the coaching and all of you for participating! During the last year we also improved our coaching skills with three members now qualified as level 1 rowing coaches and several more who have commenced that process. In the coming year we expect to see more improvements. We have been approached by an elite coach Ben Shaw who is coaching some of our rowers very cheaply and who is also helping to coach the Argo coaches, thus improving our skills and ultimately improving your rowing experience!
Megan
A very special award
On September 2007 Melbourne Argonauts was nominated for a Victorian Sport and Recreation Award in the category “Amateurs’ Achievement Award” – recognising an outstanding achievement by an amateur sporting club or team. The nomination was based on our club’s achievements overseas at Montreal, as well as in building strong local relationships with Rowing Victoria, Port Phillip Council and of course the GLBTI sporting community. We were informed that we’d been shortlisted for an award and in November our President Chris Thomas attended the famous Long Room at the MCG for the prize-giving ceremony, along with representatives from across the Victorian sporting community. When the Minister for Sport, James Merlino, finally announced that the Argonauts had won first prize in our category the applause was great but the recognition of our club outshone everything else; it was another memorable and proud moment in our club’s history.
Graeme H
Outgames
2008 was certainly a year to celebrate! And party we did as Melbourne hosted a bumper LGBT festival that consisted of Midsumma's 20th Anniversary, Pride March and the inaugural 1st Asia Pacific Outgames.
The 1st Asia Pacific Outgames was a dream come true for many, an idea that was in fact formed by an number of Argos and other sports enthusiasts from Melbourne over a beer during the World Outgames in Montreal back in 2006. Unlike the 'World' events, which the upcoming Copenhagen 2009 event is, the 1st Asia Pacific Outgames was built on the premise of delivering a smaller regional event that would act as a stepping stone to the larger World Outgames and/or Gay Games into the future and develop local club networking.
It was Melbourne's GLBT community that created these games, staged these games and it was all brought together by a group of dedicated volunteers across our broader community. Even its fearless co-president was a proud Argo too, (Peter Sagar). It was, simply put, a whole-of-community celebration of sport, culture and human rights. Over 1190 participants took part in the twelve sports and the two day human rights conference.
And being one very active and well organised bunch, The Melbourne Argonauts hosted the rowing regatta as part of the sports program. Staged on the Yarra River on a gorgeous sultry summer Friday evening, the regatta attracted entrants from Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland who all competed in a time trail 350m sprints in two divisions, open (with set crews) and participation (with crews drawn by race officials). And the somewhat unusual and very refreshing regatta format was masterminded by our very own Mr Mitchell. Let’s hope we get to unleash its ‘uniqueness’ again soon.
The 1st Asia Pacific Outgames provided an opportunity for the Argos to strengthen its relationships with other Melbourne-based sports and community clubs, and importantly provided a catalyst to motivate our brothers at Sydney’s Glebe Rowing Club…with sisters coming soon we hear! The 1st Asia Pacific Outgames made a financial surplus and the Outgames Rowing Regatta made a surplus too (the proceeds of which are with the club). The Argos also benefited financially from the raffle and a big thanks to Sandra and Jono for there contributions there.
A great deal of thanks and appreciation goes to all the Argo's that assisted with organising this special regatta, particularly Corey, Sandy, Brett and David and the many other volunteers too numerous to single out, which certainly included Argos, Mums, Dads, Brothers, Sisters and friends of many.
And now to the future…. there is an opportunity to continue to meet and create special events between GLBT rowers from across Australia as a legacy of this regatta and regional Outgames. Let’s look forward to coming together in Copenhagen 2009 and ensure that we all remain committed to growing rowing in our region so we can play at the 2nd Asia Pacific Outgames somewhere in our own backyard soon.
Graeme L |
