Scotch College

’69 crew celebrates 40th anniversary

Forty years on the winning 1969 1st VIII reunited to discover that their skill and spirit are as strong as ever.

WORDS: MR GRAEME BLANCH (’69)

On Sunday 3 May 2009, the winning 1969 Head of the River crew had a most enjoyable reunion and row from the Scotch boat sheds. The Cardinal Club and its members were gracious hosts, and we discovered that the rhythm and timing was not completely gone even after 40 years. In fact it was a remarkably good row!

The entire crew turned up (it took about 1,000 emails to finally arrange the day) and we toasted our late coach Don Macmillan, who I am sure was there in spirit. Dave Boykett (Crockett) very kindly attended our reunion row, and was clearly disturbed by our zealous enthusiasm on the water. He was looking very worried that cardiac arrests could be imminent! Philip Wright (’69), a great contributor to Scotch rowing, accompanied David Boykett and boatman Bob Lachal in the ‘tinnie’ and commented:

‘Notwithstanding excess weight, lack of fitness, dodgy hips and knee reconstructions it was clear that the crew “had not lost it”.’

The crew had an excellent dinner the night before, followed by the Sunday morning row all the way to the Xavier boat shed and back, and a barbecue lunch at the rotunda at the Cardinal Club boat sheds. The crew members all lead different lives, now spread across different geographical locations, but once together again it seemed as if not even 40 days had passed, let alone 40 years.

Foremost among the discussions was the significant influence that Don Macmillan’s coaching had on the crew and on shaping our lives. We all believed we were very fortunate to be challenged with the goals and discipline of rowing at Scotch and that the lessons learned have helped us enormously in our subsequent careers and varied pathways in life. It was noted, however, that perhaps our divorce rate was above the national average!

Our thanks go to Scotch and the Cardinal Club for hosting the reunion. GS

The 1969 crew: