Argonauts celebrate a decade on the water
They have gone from borrowing a boat to owning a fleet of 12 and next month the Melbourne Argonauts Queer Rowing Club celebrates 10 years on the water as one of Victoria’s largest rowing clubs.
The club was formed in 2001 by rowing enthusiasts Chris Lefler, Sandy Mitchell, Anne South and Meredith (Maxi) Williams to offer a GLBT-friendly group for rowers to compete in mainstream rowing regattas.
Current president Tim Hewitson, who joined the club seven years ago, said the Argonauts have come a long way.
“People like Sandy Mitchell spent a lot of time getting accreditation, or acceptance, with Rowing Victoria which happened fairly soon after [establishment],” Hewitson told the Star Observer.
“Back in the early days it was a bit of a surprise for Rowing Victoria to affiliate a predominantly gay club. However, persistence paid off and now the Argonauts are one of the more active clubs in the state.”
Hewitson said he started rowing with the club after seeing a community notice in the gay press, calling for new rowers.
“I moved back to Melbourne from Queensland in 2002 and I live near Albert Park Lake and I was just walking around the lake and see these rowers going back and forth and thought I’d like to try that one day.
“I saw something in the community listings for the Argonauts. I joined the next learn-to-row [session] and the rest, as they say, is history.”
Hewitson said although he’s not so keen on the 5.30am training sessions, he’s now hooked on rowing.
“I never won medals as a kid. I was the bookish type, so probably a real highlight is a sense of validation one gets from a community group with a gay flavour and to feel very much part of a community organisation.”
The Argonauts have around 80 members. One of only three GLBT rowing clubs in the world, it boasts former High Court judge Michael Kirby as its patron.
Hewitson said highlights of the club’s history include competing in international meets, especially the 2006 World Outgames in Montreal and the Copenhagen Outgames in 2009.
“When you come from a background of non-sporting involvement to find yourself rowing on the Olympic rowing base of Montreal, it’s kind of a bit, ‘Wow this is amazing’, ” Hewitson said.
“I found it an incredibly positive experience. It certainly changed my world.”
The Argonauts will celebrate their 10th anniversary on August 13 at the Power House on Albert Park with a special gala event, featuring Kirby as guest speaker. All welcome.
