More than 250 members of the Gippsland Grammar rowing community recently gathered at Maffco Brewery in Maffra to celebrate a remarkable season at the school’s annual rowing presentation.
Students, families, coaches, and supporters reflected on a year in which Gippsland Grammar rowers achieved exceptional results at major regattas across Victoria and interstate, including medal-winning performances at the Head of the Schoolgirls, the New South Wales Schoolboy Head of the River, and the Australian Rowing Championships.
The evening welcomed several significant figures connected to the school’s rowing history, including Max Toms and the Reverend Heather McDougal-Toms, former board member and rowing parent Helen Rose, and former principal David Baker with his wife Jane Baker, who served for many years as president of the McColl Club. A highlight of the night was the attendance of Alan and Joan McColl, namesakes of the McColl Club that supports Gippsland Grammar rowing. All four of the McColls’ children are old scholars and former rowers, with eldest son Andrew playing a key role in the revival of the school’s rowing program during the 1980s.
Alan and Joan brought a memorial oar, originally presented to them at the inaugural McColl Club dinner in 1993, arranged by Heather McDougal-Toms, who is also a life member of the club.
The 2026 rowing season has been one of the most successful in the school’s history. More than 100 students represented Gippsland Grammar at major interstate regattas earlier this year, securing nine medals across the Head of the Schoolgirls in Geelong and the New South Wales Schoolboy Head of the River in Sydney. The girls’ Open Division One quad scull crew delivered a standout achievement, claiming a third consecutive title at the Head of the Schoolgirls, reinforcing the school’s reputation as one of Australia’s leading school rowing programs.
The season concluded with further success at the Australian Rowing Championships at Lake Barrington in Tasmania, where Gippsland Grammar crews won two gold medals and a bronze against the nation’s strongest school and club competitors.
Award recipients included Chloe Olijnyk (Best Coxswain) and Grace Frew (Most Improved Coxswain). Jess Gerrand, Emily Henderson, Millie Gilmore, Milla Lazzaro, and cox Jemma Gibbons were recognised as the Most Improved Girls Crew, while the Most Improved Boys Crew went to Will Edgar, Eamon Brady, Andre Wassermann, Ethan McDougall, Ben Reynolds, and cox Jemma Gibbons. Lachlan Harrison and Stuart Ray were also awarded Most Improved Crew.
Most Successful Crew awards were presented to Tara Dihood, Aliesha Turnbull, Maggie Sheridan, Cecilia Anderson, and cox Grace Frew (girls); Lachlan Harrison, Obi Vardy, Coen Cook, Stuart Ray, and cox Mia Del Busso (boys); and Eloise Tavasci, Lily Canfield, Rio Smith, Mia Kantzides, and cox Chloe Olijnyk (overall). Club Person of the Year was awarded to the hardworking Queylyn Turnbull. Other honours included Darcey Fisher (Best Novice Girl), Al Ray (Best Novice Boy), Leo Kantzides (Best Junior), Austin Hasler (Outstanding Performer), and Matt Canfield (Club Ambassador of the Year).
Year 12 students Tara Dihood, Lily Canfield, Sorrel Fraser, Emma Kewish, Catherine Bloomfield, Mia Del Busso, Stuart Ray, Lachlan Harrison, and Gracie Millington were also recognised for their contributions as they concluded their school rowing careers.
The evening celebrated not only the outstanding achievements of the 2026 season but also the strong culture and community that continues to underpin Gippsland Grammar rowing.
