Grafton Rowing Club History - 2000 and Beyond

2000 was a big year in Australian sport, with Sydney’s hosting of the Olympic Games.

Grafton Rowing Club became involved as the host for five nations during their training period prior to the Games. The countries were Russia, Ireland, South Africa, Spain and Estonia.

Russian crews prepare their boats for their first outing at Grafton

The visiting crews proved to be a popular attraction with the townspeople as they went about their training, relaxing, shopping and attending the many civic functions arranged for them.

The Russian mens eight about to set off for a long session

The Grafton boatshed looked like Grafton Rowing Club was the richest country club around, with new Ausrowtecs, Empachers, Filipis, Simms, Aylings and Stampfli boats filling the racks:

Masters rowing continued to be strong at Grafton Rowing Club with good successes at masters events and the extremely successful hosting of the 2002 and 2006 NSWRA Masters Championships.

Other masters highlights included a trip to Canada for the World Masters Games:

Following in Percy See’s footsteps –
Grafton rowers in Canada for the World Masters Games:
L-R: John Brien, Greg Thompson, Mountie, Mountie, Tony Gallagher, Ken Maughan

And regular successes at the Pan-Pacific Masters Games:

Standing: L-R: Dennis Darke, John Brien, Tony Gallagher, Carol Brady,
Valda Doman, Don Noble, Ian Parker, Greg Thompson
Kneeling: L-R: Ken Maughan, Ann Collins, Lyndal Burchell, Brenda Schaeffer

2006 Pan-Pac Medal Tally: 17 Gold, 27 Silver, 16 Bronze

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