Rowing
8 October, 2024
White recognised for service to rowing
Horsham Rowing Club President and Coach Ray White was awarded the Kath Bennett Award for outstanding service to a rowing community at the Rowing Victoria & Hall of Fame Gala Awards held on September 21.
The Kath Bennett Award for Outstanding Service to a Rowing Community in Victoria is planned to capture those who have done outstanding work in a club, regatta committee or region. Life member Kath Bennett is a fine example of such work with reinvigorating women’s rowing in Victoria prior to amalgamation with the men’s association in 1979.
White has been involved in rowing for 20 years and has been at Horsham for the last five years, slowly developing a successful club.
White said he was surprised with the award and highlighted the foundation the club is built on.
"It was unexpected, and I wasn't aware the award existed," White said.
"The week before the function, held at Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club, I got an E-Mail from Rowing Victoria stating I received this award.
"It's good to get something like that, and it's appropriate too. Kath Bennett was a lady who kicked off women's rowing in Victoria in the 70s, and our club is pretty much built on female masters rowing."
"The club is much more inclusive, and all the ladies look out for each other."
White was previously involved with the Essendon Rowing Club before the move to Horsham and said it was a great move he and his wife Sandra made.
"We both retired so we wanted to get out of Melbourne, and we decided to go to Horsham, and it's been a great move."
ROWERS COMMENCE SEASON
Horsham Rowing Club's Allison Driller, Audrey Kottek and Dan Hendrie competed in the Head of Barwon, a 4km time trial on Saturday.
Hendrie came eighth in his class in a time of 18.28.79. The winner was Bill Nugent from Essendon, with a time of 15:44.03.
In the cox four, Kottek and Driller teamed up with Nestles Rowling Club rowers Michelle Downs and Tracy Richardson, with Ray White as the cox. They finished seventh in a time of 18:38.55. Melbourne University was the winner with a time of 16:40.58.