WELCOME TO RV E-NEWS

We had a wonderful night at the Rowing Victoria and Hall of Fame Gala Awards last weekend, check out all the award winners below!

We're back on the water this weekend, with over 2000 rowers taking on the Melbourne Head! Meanwhile, lots of new rowers will be racing on Lake Wendouree at our Junior Schools Regatta.

A reminder that safety continues to be a priority.

Stay Safe, Stay Rowing!

        UPCOMING REGATTAS

ROWING VICTORIA & HALL OF FAME GALA AWARDS

Thank you to all who attended the Rowing Victoria & Hall of Fame Gala Awards on Saturday night!

It was a terrific night celebrating the special achievements of those in our Victorian rowing community.

REMINDER - SPORT INTEGRITY AUSTRALIA INFO SESSION

Monday November 28, Richmond RC, Boathouse Drive, 6.30pm - 8.30pm

As a gentle reminder of this important session, Rowing Victoria invites your Club Committee members to attend an important in-person training session about the new integrity framework and complaint process that came into effect from 1 July 2022.  The session will be run by Rowing Australia (RA) as part of a national education program in conjunction with Paddle Australia and Australian Dragon Boat Federation. The presenter will be Liam Bourke, RA’s new National Integrity Manager.
 
The session will apply a practical lens in covering the following learning objectives:

• Purpose and structure of the NIF
• Benefits for Clubs (ie safeguarding you and your people, expertise and best practices, education resources, ease administrative burden, independence and fairness, community confidence and trust)
• Types of Prohibited Conduct under each policy
• NIF complaints process
• Role of the MPIO
• Case studies (illustrating types of conduct in/out scope of the NIF)
• Where to find resources (policies, fact sheets & online courses)
• What your club needs to do
• What to do if you receive complaint or become aware of a potential breach

We strongly encourage at least one relevant representative (eg President, Vice-President, Secretary, Member Protection Information Officer) to attend on behalf of your Club – and strongly encourage multiple representatives to attend if possible.

$50K FLOOD RECOVERY GRANTS

The Business and Community Sport Flood Recovery Grants are now open. Businesses and community sport organisations with direct damage to property, assets, stock or equipment from floods may be eligible for up to $50K.

Immediate support, information and free business relief advice is also available. Submit a registration form online or call the Business Victoria hotline on 13 22 15. This program is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments through Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

GET ACTIVE KIDS VOUCHER PROGRAM

Round 5 of the Get Active Kids Voucher Program is closing at 5pm Wednesday, 30 November.

Children residing in Victoria aged 0–18 and named on a valid Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card are eligible to receive up to $200 towards their sport or recreation activities.

There is also special consideration given to families with a child in out-of-home care or the child/family is a temporary or provisional visa holder, undocumented migrant or international student.

Visit the link below to find out if you are eligible!

CLUBMAP WEBINARS

CLUBMAP will be hosting another webinar on Monday November 28th - HOW SUCCESSFUL CLUBS USE TECHNOLOGY.

Many clubs are still operating the same way as they were in the 90's. They'll show you ways to bring your club up to speed with new platforms and programs.

RIVER SAFETY - BOW & STERN LIGHTS

With the dark mornings now upon us it is crucial that all rowers who are on the water (and coaches on bikes and powerboats) between sunset and sunrise all have adequate lighting for your safety and the safety of others. 

Rowing boats, in restricted visibility and between sunset and sunrise, are required to exhibit;

• Two all-round white lights - one attached to the boat at or near the forward or bow end, and one attached to the boat at or near the stern end.
• Bow light - A continuous white light is considered acceptable if it is visible in clear conditions from a distance of 1 kilometre.
• Stern light - A flashing white light is considered acceptable if it flashes at least once per second and is visible in clear conditions from a distance of 1 kilometre.

Not withstanding the above, it is considered acceptable for a light to be masked so as not to interfere with the vision of the vessel’s occupants, provided at least one light is visible from any direction (see diagram below).

SAFETY REMINDER

Rowing Victoria would like to remind all members the importance of using our equipment safely and appropriately.

The police have been made aware of a number of incidents where rowing coaches have been sighted either riding without helmets, using megaphones at incorrect hours, or using mobile phones while riding (both in conversation or filming their crews).

For your own safety, to avoid fines, and to respect other members of the community, we ask that you please ensure you are not partaking in the behaviours above.

WATERWAY ACCESS & INCIDENT REPORTING

Could all waterway users please ensure they are acquainted with their local waterway rules; traffic direction, turning points, stationary obstacles etc.

So that RV, Maritime Safety Victoria and now, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority can support the community in providing safe waterways, please register all incidents via the RV Report an Incident tile on the home page of the RV website.

A consistent management of reporting will assist us in ensuring we are kept safe on the water and the chances of equipment damage is mitigated.