Scotch College

‘Robert J Welch’ launched at Cardinal Club AGM

The School’s new quad scull is named in honour of a great contributor to Scotch.

Words: TOM WOODRUFF • DIRECTOR OF COACHING

In a moving ceremony immediately following the Cardinal Club annual general meeting on 16 August, Jane Welch christened a new quad scull the ‘Robert J Welch’.

Jane’s husband Bob Welch (’66) has made a significant contribution to Scotch College, and to rowing in particular, in the 40 years since he finished at Scotch. Bob rowed in the 1966 1st crew which scored a memorable win at the Head of the River, in the first of Don Macmillan’s coaching successes at this level.

The crew has met regularly over 40 years, and, at the conclusion of last year’s Head of the River regatta, showed that they had lost none of their skill in a row past on the course. A number of members of the crew now intend to walk the Kokoda Track with their sons next year.

Bob served three years as President of the Cardinal Club and helped establish strong links with OSCA. As a member of the OSCA Council, he has always represented Cardinal Club views with energy and enthusiasm. He coached a Year 9 quad scull for a number of years. One of his young oarsmen, Angus Tyers, went on stroke the winning 2005 crew and has again been selected to represent Victoria in the Youth Cup competition.

It is fitting that the School chose to put Bob’s name on a boat at Scotch that will serve the young oarsmen of the College for 25 years. It was also delightful to see two of Bob’s ’66 crew members at the function – Rob Garnsworthy and Phil Norman. Bob’s brother, David – a member of the 1967 and 1968 1st crews, was also there as was former Cardinal Club President, Jock McKinlay (’66).

New committee elected

A new club committee headed by Craig Cooper (’73) as president was elected. In accepting his nomination as president, Craig warned of the danger of complacency within the Boat Club. He commented that a number of schools think that the wheel is about to turn, and they are working hard to put a stop to the success of the Scotch crews.

Geoff Bell, as outgoing president, thanked the many Cardinal Club committee members who had contributed to the outstanding success that Scotch has achieved. He particularly noted that hard work that went into making the Scotch Mercantile Regatta a most successful event.

Greg Baker, Chairman of Rowing at Scotch, commented on the continued success and the outstanding contribution that many people make to the program – in particular Tom Woodruff in his first year as Director of Coaching and Tom Bowen as Teacher in Charge of Rowing. He also commented on the challenge of continuing to build a group of first class coaches and thanked Simon Morrison (’86) for his service. Simon has moved to the UK to take up a new position with Honeywell.