All members are looking forward to hosting the Rydges-sponsored 26km event, which starts from Dennis Bridge, Telegraph Point, on Sunday.

At the club’s annual general meeting, new office bearers include Liz Levido (president), Tony Jonas (vice president), Bob Mowlem (captain), Jim Young (vice captain) and Geraldine Clarke (treasurer).

Presentations were also made to this season’s winners, the first of which was to Levido.

After an outstanding rowing year taking in State Masters and various regattas, culminating with the recent Masters Nationals at Perth, she received the overall women’s pointscore champion.

Despite a shoulder injury, which prevented him competing at the Masters Nationals, Young has also had a successful season and was awarded overall men’s pointscore champion.

Kim Chilton was named clubperson of the year.

She is a keen rower, participating with great success at the State Masters and National Masters at Perth with Rob Hopley and Levido.

Chilton also takes on the daunting role of secretary for the club.

The awards were well-deserved as all rowers have shown dedication, participating in many regattas over the season, and training to an elite level to improve at every opportunity.

On a lighter note, Ken Charlton was awarded with the “Boat Wrecker” for his encounter on water with a very large moving object.

The younger members of the club boasted an exceptional season too, winning races at regattas including Brisbane Waters, Berry Park, Grafton and Taree.

The team consisting of Savana Purss, Jessica Glawson, Dan Bielich, Aimee Gardner, Lauri Lardner, Andrew Penson, Jeremy Campbell and Sean Badewitz (on his first regatta) excelled at the Central District Championships at Taree, bringing home many awards between them for single scull, double scull and quad events.

Campbell was named junior pointscore champion after a fantastic season, which saw him racing at various local regattas as well as Sydney and Lake Nagambie, Victoria, for the Nationals.

He has acquitted himself well at all levels of competitive rowing.

Campbell took part in both state and, for the first time, Nationals with members of the North Coast Academy of Sport.

He was the Port Macquarie High School entry in the NSW Combined High School Regatta at Sydney, bringing home a silver medal for the under 17 single scull.

The novice of the year award went to Purss, who competed in many events with the younger members of the club excelling at the Central District Championships.

The “encouragement” honour was given to Gardner.

She has performed strongly at all regattas, being part of a team participating in doubles and quad events.

Sheridan Duck, a newcomer in the rowing arena, was awarded “most improved” for her efforts.

The success of the juniors is due to the dedication of the coaches, Mowlem, Alan McCartney and Meredith Hinds in giving their valuable time to train the young rowers.