The “Cleopatra” is one of the favourite singles for recreational rowers and people learning to row, the “Black Swan” is in high demand with sweep crews – but how did all the ANA boats get their names? And if they were named after people, who were they? Get the back stories right here!
Pip Alder
Pip transferred to ANA in 1989 after commencing her career at Curtin University Rowing Club. She then competed at the Australian Rowing Championships until 1994, representing WA in the Interstate events and ANA in several Open events. In 1992 Pip won the Nell Slatter Trophy for the women’s single scull, finishing in second in that event in 1993. Pip was part of the Interstate Women’s Four on three occasions, finishing in fourth place each time. Pip later coached crews at both ANA and local schools. Pip was recognised as RWA Oarswoman of the Year in 1988, 1991 and 1992. After retiring from racing Pip took up the position of Head of Rowing at Perth College as well as coaching and mentoring a number of ANA junior rowers who later represented WA and Australia.
Laurie Anderson
Laurie Anderson (the ‘Laurie Anderson’ eight) was made a Life Member of ANA in 2006 for his services to the Club and Rowing WA in various roles, including Club President and coach.
Laurie commenced rowing while a student at Aquinas College where he was the stroke of the winning Head of the River crews in 1969 and 1970. He went on to represent WA in Kings Cup crews from 1972 to 1976, winning in 1973 in Murray Bridge, South Australia.
Laurie was a member of the preliminary squad for the Munich Olympics and competed in the Australian Men’s Coxed Four at the World Championships. After retiring from the sport, he played a key role in Rowing WA, managing the WA Sculling Academy and serving as Regatta Secretary from 2010 to 2019.
The Anderson family’s involvement with ANA continues through the charismatic presence of Coach Louisa, currently overseeing pennant crews and the Rowing Radiance program.
Michelle Blake
Michelle joined ANA in 2001 and commenced racing with the novice women’s novice racing squad. In 2003, she was propelled into the captaincy role at short notice during the 2003 season and continued in that role for the next two seasons, driving the growth and racing performance of the Club. She has won a number of State Championships in Pennant and Master’s events and competed in World Masters events. Throughout her rowing career, she has maintained a strong interest in the administration of ANA, holding various positions on the Committee, including Captain, President and Vice-President. In these roles, Michelle was instrumental in the strategic development of the Club, the recruitment of volunteers and has been a key driver in re-establishing ANA’s junior rowing squad.
Steve Bourne
Steve has been a member at ANA since 1996, four years after ANA moved to its current location. He raced in State Pennants with early success in coxed fours and recruited several new members through his work and social contacts. Steve continued racing, winning numerous State and Masters events in various crews, with a highlight being a silver medal at the 2009 Masters World Games. Off the water, Steve put his engineering skills to use by leading a complete overhaul of the storage racks in 2003 and led the recladding of the shed in 2021.
Alexandra Hayes
The bright yellow Empacher is named after Alex Hayes (pictured below in bow seat), who commenced rowing with ANA as a junior. She achieved success in WA regattas, resulting in her selection as a member of the WA Under 19 eight that won bronze medal at the Australian Rowing Championships in 2006.
She continued performing well at State and National levels, and was selected in the Under 23 Australian lightweight quad scull for the 2010 Under 23 World Championships in Belarus, finishing 4th.
She was then selected in the Australian lightweight quad scull for the 2011 World Rowing Championships in Slovenia, finishing 6th, and again in 2013 for the event in South Korea, finishing 5th.
Glyn Heath
Again, not technically from the past, Glyn Heath is the man behind this popular coxed quad. Glyn has been a member of ANA RC since 1989, when the club shed was located at Canning Bridge. He commenced in the role of Treasurer later that same year and went on to serve as either Captain or Treasurer continuously from 1989 to 2007. During this period, he also held key roles at Rowing WA, where he led the design and construction of the Champion Lakes Rowing Centre boatsheds.
Glyn was instrumental in the relocation of ANA RC from Canning Bridge to its current home in Bayswater. Together with his wife Catherine, he has helped establish the structure for the club’s Learn to Row program and other initiatives that have supported the rebuilding and growth of membership at Bayswater.
On the water, Glyn and his doubles partner Steve Bourne (see September edition) achieved considerable success, winning numerous State and National Masters medals. Their highlights include a silver medal in the coxless quad at the Sydney World Masters Games. Glyn is pictured above with Steve, Chris Marinelli and Brett Dewar.
Kay Jansen
Not technically from the past; however Kay Jansen lends her name to a Sykes double/pair. Kay commenced rowing in 1972 with UWABC where she was a member of the WA Lightweight Four from 1974 to 1976, placing second in 1976.
Kay made the sensible move to ANA RC in 2004 and is now found taking to the water in the ‘F-Troop’ quad, as well as countless times coxing various crews. Kay’s favourite event to cox is the Head of the Yarra, where she has coxed 2 winning crews, tackling the Big Bend like a pro.
Cassandra King
Cassandra has been a member of ANA since 2005 and raced in Masters events at a high level. She has been a driving force in providing pathways for new rowers on completion of the Learn To Row course, leading to the creation of the popular Development Squad. This squad allows members to embed their skills, and get to know other Club members, enabling future crews to be formed.
Geoff Mitchell
The Geoff Mitchell coxless quad is named in honour of Geoff Mitchell. Geoff started rowing at Bunbury Rowing Club before joining ANA RC in 1972, where he was awarded the Most Successful Oarsman in 1973.
He was selected in the WA lightweight four from 1974 to 1977 and won the Australian Open lightweight pair in 1977 and 1978 (with Wayne Simmons).
He was the ANA Rowing Club Club President in 1986, later coached Pip Mitchell to an Australian Championships (single scull) in 1992, and was awarded ANA Rowing Club Life Membership.
Molly Murphy
Molly was recognised as a Life Auxiliary Member in the early 1960s for the extensive fundraising work she had undertaken on the Ladies Committee. At that time, women were ineligible to become full members of ANA, resulting in the Auxiliary membership title. The Ladies Committee was responsible for financing the rebuilding of the ANA shed and boat fleet following the 1961 fire, and Molly remained a driving force on the Committee for years to come. The Ladies Committee’s fundraising efforts contributed approximately one-third of ANA’s income. Molly’s contribution was initially recognised with the naming of a tub pair built by local boatbuilder Bill Ninham and his apprentices. This boat was destroyed in the late 1980’s but her contribution to the Club is so significant that we continue to recognise her.
Mike Quinn
Mike has assisted ANA since 2005, supporting ANA athletes attending the National Rowing Championships when our own volunteer coaches were unable to attend. His efforts led to ANA being a recognised talent pathway club by Rowing WA for the 2006 season, resulting in seven ANA representatives attending the 2006 National Rowing Championships, winning four golds and one bronze medal, with several other crews reaching the finals. His guidance continued in 2007 and 2008 with five members selected to participate in the 2008 Australian Youth Cup Regatta and three members selected to compete in the Australian Youth Olympic Festival.
Mike worked extensively with these rowers as they progressed into Under 23 events and continued to achieve fantastic results. His presence helped increase overall club membership to 196 members. Mike has continued to be generous to ANA with his advice and guidance on boats, boat repairs and coaching since commencing full time employment as Director of Rowing at Hale School.
Catherine van Delft
Catherine began rowing at ANA after completing a Learn to Row course. She continued to row in recreational crews and commenced coordinating and instructing Learn to Row courses for several years.
Catherine has been instrumental in organising and instructing dozens of learner rowers, leading to an increase in Club membership. Her patience and teaching skills was recognised in 2021 with the naming of the Catherine Van Delft lightweight eight.
Denys Warren
Denys Warren (pictured centre) learned to row at Guildford Grammar School before joining ANA in 1981. Through the 1980’s he was a stalwart of ANA crews along with with Craig Ryan (left) and Scott Cavanagh (right).
Denys was part of a dedicated group of Club members who worked to build the Bayswater clubrooms, now used by Oarhouse Cafe.
He also served as the ANA Secretary in 1982-3, President from 1992-3 and held various coaching roles. Denys was made a Life Member of ANA in 1993, and frequently returns to the Club to lend his voice to the commentating of the Learn To Row Regatta.
Our fleet of eights would not be the same without the Denys Warren, which was saved from the scrap heap through the vision of Tim and his trusty assistants. Over several months the group reinvented the eight as one of a few octo sculls in the Perth area.
