Yarrawonga Rowing Club Announces Decision to Wind Up

In a heartbreaking announcement just before Easter, the committee of the Yarrawonga Rowing Club revealed that the club will be winding up. This decision comes after years of struggling to attract and retain members, coupled with increasing costs of running the club.

Long-time club secretary, Deidre Poll, expressed the difficulty of this decision, especially considering the rich history of rowing in Yarrawonga. The club, which was originally formed in 1884, has faced numerous challenges over the years, including the loss of their original boatshed in a flood in 1917.

Current committee members, many of whom have had a lifelong association with rowing in Yarrawonga, are deeply saddened by the closure. One member, Mary Mansfield, who was awarded life membership last year, has been rowing for over 50 years and recently competed at a regatta with her children and grandchildren.

The Yarrawonga Rowing Club has a storied past, with key figures like Roy Bowles and Robert Todd serving the club for a combined total of 104 years. The club has seen its fair share of challenges, including the destruction of their boat shed in a fire in 1973.

Despite the closure being a somber moment for the remaining members, Ms. Poll mentioned that the club’s equipment will be donated to other rowing clubs in the region, ensuring that the legacy of the Yarrawonga Rowing Club lives on in the hands of others.

As the Yarrawonga Rowing Club prepares to close its doors, the impact of its rich history and contributions to the sport of rowing will not be forgotten.