The Newington College Rowing Association held their End of Season Rowing dinner with a more formal format for Season 2016/2017.

Over 290 rowers, parents and guests attended the function held in the Centenary Hall on Thursday 27 April.

The night started with a ceremony to celebrate the christening of two boats, four seat christened – Nick Wainman (ON 1991) and eight seat christened for 1976 Olympian, Stuart Carter (ON 1976), a very special moment for Newington Rowing.

Throughout the night the rowers were presented with awards ranging from Most Valuable Rower through to Most Improved Rower and the inaugural award of Academic Prize for the senior rower who continued to commit to their studies throughout the rowing season.

Alex Nichol, Captain of Boats gave a heart-warming yet raw speech about the pressures and success of being a Newington Rower that left the audience moved.

One of the ongoing Newington traditions is to recognise the rowers that have been a continuous member since commencing the sport in Year 7. The eight Year 12 rowers stood proudly on stage to collect their Continuous Rowing Medal and we look forward to increasing this number in future years as the boys develop the passion for rowing.

The aim of the night was to celebrate the end of the rowing season and the success Newington has had through the Head of the River and the various season regattas. Overall the night was deemed a success with money raised for the boat program through donations being contributed from Year 7 parents through to Old Boys that still have the passion for Rowing.

Thank you to the organising committee of Marty Nichols (ON 1987), Pip Bulbeck and Maria Rossi that brought the rowing community together and will continue the annual dinner in this same format for next season. A special thanks goes to Richard Roach (Director of Rowing) for his highlights of the rowing season and his in depth presentation.